This month, we review a range of innovative snacks including Kellogg’s limited edition playable record made from Chocolate Frosted Flakes and Propercorn’s rollout of art nouveau packaging.
Twist again
Quinn Snacks has added two new variants – Maple Oat Twists and Deli Rye Style Pretzel Rods – to its product family of whole grain, naturally gluten-free and non-GMO pretzels.
The Maple Oat pretzel comes in the popular twist form and introduces whole grain oats and Vermont maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
All Quinn pretzels are made from a Kansas-grown sorghum flour, which is naturally gluten-free.
Sorghum is an ancient grain that originated in Northeastern Africa where the plant developed extensive root structures to access water deep within the land and survive in areas affected by drought.
Sorghum also contains antioxidants like polyphenols to naturally protect against pests and disease. These polyphenols have been linked to greater cardiovascular health, lowered risk of stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and gastrointestinal cancer.
The new pretzels will be widely available in the US in July for a SRP of $3.99.
A proper collection
Premium popcorn brand Propercorn has unveiled new packaging across its collection, introducing hand-drawn art nouveau-style illustrations created by seven artists from around the world.
The brand’s inhouse creative team commissioned local and international talent – Elena Boils, Billy Clarke, Kelly Anna, Nathan Joyce, Tom Abbiss Smith, Kim Sielbeck and Pietari Posti – to create unique flavour worlds.
For example, Billy Clark explains the inspiration behind his Peanut Butter & Almond illustration was to create something playful.
“I thought a creamy, buttery landscape inspired by the nuts and butter itself would be really cool,” he said.
As well as moving away from black-and-white illustrations, the brand has debuted a refreshed logo and clearer typeface for the flavor names, although the popcorn pattern and color palette have been retained as brand signifiers.
The new packaging is being rolled out across the UK and Europe this spring.
Propercorn flavors are available in single serve and sharing formats in seven variants: Lightly Sea Salted, Sun-Dried Tomato & Chilli, Sour Cream & Black Pepper, Sweet & Salty, Sweet Coconut & Vanilla, Peanut Butter & Almond and Perfectly Sweet.
The brand also produces a range dedicated to kids.
Snacking al desko
Unilever to revolutionize lunchtimes with new brand Prep Co.
Unilever is shaking up the snacking category with the launch of Prep Co, which offers UK consumers a fuss-free healthy snack to enjoy ‘al desko’ (at the desk).
Made from natural ingredients, each pot also contains enough vegetables to fulfil one of the recommended ‘five a day’ and provides a source of fiber and protein, and is low in saturated fat.
Prep Co. taps into the trend for world food flavours with globally-inspired recipes, including Mediterranean Couscous, Thai Green Curry, Indian Spiced Lentils and Mexican Chilli Rice.
Available from selected retailers around the UK at a RRP of £1.99 ($2.77).
Puffing up nicely
Bells Professional Pastry, the dedicated pastry arm of Bells Food Group, has introduced freshly frozen puff pastry slabs to its portfolio.
The convenient 2 x 5kg frozen puff pastry slabs – which can be delivered throughout the UK and Ireland – will bakers save on time and labour costs by removing the weighing, mixing and running time associated with making puff pastry.
The pastry slabs can be processed using all common bakery sheeters and rolling equipment and are suitable for producing a wide range of classic bakery products such as sausage rolls, steak bakes and pies.
Available for purchase from the company in minimum order quantity of 50 cases/500kg.
Scoff what you hear
Kellogg released a limited edition record made out of actual cereal to market its Chocolate Frosted Flakes.
The edible and playable cereal “vinyl” features release of Simon Cowell-backed boy band PRETTYMUCH’s new song “Hello”.
The “record” featured a core of Chocolate Frosted Flakes, topped with layers of milk and dark chocolate. Pressed in a 3D-printed mold to create playable grooves, the limited-edition record featured a silhouette of Tony the Tiger.
Although the “vinyl” was snapped up in record time, fans can still view the music video featuring Tony the Tiger on YouTube and download the song on iTunes.
Chocolate Frosted Flakes, too, are also still available – at all major retailers and grocery stores where breakfast foods are sold with a suggested retail price between $4.69 and $5.79.
Moreish morsels
Honeybuns has expanded its Classic Range of gluten-free cakes, brownies, flapjacks, shortbreads and cookies with the launch of two new additions.
Peanut Blondie is dense, fudgy brownie packed with roasted peanuts, milk and white chocolate and topped with salted caramel pieces.
Honeybuns’ Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate & Cranberry Cake is a moreish mix of hazelnut, cranberries and 71% dark Belgian chocolate pieces.
Both sweet treats are sold in 56g individual slices and 950g traybakes.
Honeybuns cakes and cookies are delivered frozen, handmade by a small team of bakers in a dedicated gluten-free facility in Dorset.
Buttering up for baseball
Hostess Brands has debuted Peanut Butter Ding Dongs to capitalize on the growing peanut butter flavor trend.
The treat is a real peanut butter hit, comprising a peanut butter cake filled with a creamy peanut butter filling and drizzled with peanut butter fudge.
Peanut Butter Ding Dongs are available nationwide around the US, at a SRP of $1.89 (single-serve) or $3.99 (multi-pack).
The company has also relaunched its Baseball CupCakes to mark the beginning of America’s national pastime.
The Baseball CupCakes are back on store shelves for a limited time in two varieties: Day Game and Night Game.
Day Game CupCakes comprise a frosted yellow cake, while Night Game CupCakes a frosted chocolate cake, both filled with Hostess’ creamy filling and featuring The Original Squiggle to emulate the design of a baseball.
Baseball CupCakes are available in multi-packs at retailers nationwide through April.
Shot in the arm for beef snacks
Ember’s range of biltong snacks feature 100% farm-assured British and Irish Beef that is naturally packed with protein and has absolutely no sugar.
Available in 30g bags in supermarkets across the UK for the first time, the range include a new smaller ‘shot’ format, portioned to pop into a gym bag for a post-workout snack.
Ember’s 16g Biltong Shots are also gluten free and low in calories, and come in two flavors – Original and Chilli.
The Ember range is available online through the company, Amazon and Ocado, as well as in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose for a RRP of £1.40 ($1.95) for 16g bag and £2.49 ($3.47) for 30g bag.
Since its launch in October 2017, the brand has been growing by 65% month-on-month and expects to reach 3,000 distribution points across the UK by July 2018.
Never fried
Fisher has launched its newest snack innovation, Fisher Oven Roasted Never Fried snack nuts, available in six variants, including Deluxe Mixed Nuts, Mixed Nuts with Peanuts, Peanuts, Almond & Cashew Blend, Almonds and Cashews.
Aimed at health-minded snackers, the nuts are made with only two ingredients – nuts and sea salt – and contains no added oils.
The entire portfolio is also non-GMO Project Verified and contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Fisher Oven Roasted Never Fried nuts are available at selected US retailers nationwide from April. Prices vary from $2.99 for 12 oz to $7.99 for 8.75 oz, depending on the nuts.
