French cereal giant Soufflet rolls out rice snack for kids
The family-owned firm, and the number three rice producer in France, used the arrival of doypak packaging technology as a launch-pad for the development of its new 'riz'golo' rice product.
The doypak packaging creates vertical self-standing soft bags with a small aperture and cap at the top for easy sipping. A form that is used commonly today by manufacturers of pureed fruit and vegetables, particularly for products targeted at children.
"We acquired the technology about three years ago, and worked on a product that maximises the packaging," Jean-Michel Soufflet, president of the Soufflet group told BakeryandSnacks.com.
The firm's 'riz'golo' snack, rolled out to Carrefour supermarket shelves earlier this month, is essentially a flavoured rice pudding that the company aims to see in pack lunches and at afternoon snacks for children.
"Our product is free from colourings and preservatives," added the Soufflet president.
Sold in 90 gramme bags, each about 83 calories, the 'riz'golo' snack is available in a range of flavours including apricot-cereal, orange-ginger and cherry-acerola.
According to the firm, also a leading producer of flour in Europe and the number one corn processor in France, their 'riz'golo' snack product uses the sugar profile already present in the rice, as well as that of the fruit flavours, as a natural sweetener. "We add sugar for the 'warmer' flavours, like chocolate and caramel," said the company.
The 'riz'golo' product for children, sold in packs of six and retailed at €3.95, marks a distinct departure for the Vivien Paille brand that represents lentils, split peas and chick peas.
