What’s new on shelf: I scream for breakfast, the ‘perfect’ potato chip and going on a roll
Prepare to be amazed
Calbee North America has debuted its Spudkins Fry Cuts that are cooked in a special method that requires less oil than traditional potato chips do, resulting in a ‘breakthrough’ form and texture.
“There has never been a perfectly-seasoned potato product that crunches like a chip, is cut like a fry, and contains 25% less oil than traditional potato snacks. Literally no one in the world can make this snack but Calbee,” said Paul Laubscher, director of marketing for Calbee NA.
“It's simply Russet potatoes, cut, cooked in a special Calbee way and seasoned to perfection – it’s just pure goodness.
“That authentic potato taste and light-and-crispy crunch is really what leaves people so amazed.”
According to the company, Fry Cuts is the first product in a line of potato snacks to be launched under the Spudkins brand name.
“For the past 12 years, the Jagabee brand has been one of the top selling salty snacks for Calbee Japan,” added Laubscher.
“We’re excited to leverage Calbee’s international expertise in potato snacks by launching Spudkins, a brand specifically targeted towards North American audiences that builds upon the Jagabee industry leading heritage.”
Spudkins Fry Cuts contain no artificial colors or flavors and are naturally gluten-free. They are available in three crowd-pleasing flavors, including Honey Barbeque, Yellow Cheddar and Sour Cream & Onion.
Cult status
Lärabar is targeting the on-the-go UK consumer with the launch of three single bar SKUs in Sainsbury’s and debuting in the convenience sector with listings in WH Smith and Spar, all with a RRP of £1.19 ($1.50).
The launch follows the multipack rollout of the vegan bars in Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Whole Foods Market and on Amazon, all with a RRP of £2.90 ($3.67).
The flavors – Apple Cinnamon, Banana Choc Chip and Peanut Butter Choc Chip – were handpicked from a mix of top sellers in the US and ontrend flavors that resonate with British consumers.
“We are now embarking on the second phase of our growth strategy by launching a single bar format to fit into our consumers’ busy lives,” said Richard Williams, business director of New Ventures, General Mills Europe.
“The convenience sector is a key focus for UK growth in order to attract the increasing number of shoppers that seek real food on-the-go.”
Lärabar is General Mills’ first 100% vegan and ‘real food’ brand that has taken the US by storm as the fastest growing Wellness snack brand in the Nutrition category, with sales hitting $200m in 2018.
I scream for breakfast
General Mills has rolled-out an ice cream-flavored cereal that is inspired by Drumsticks – the well-known ice cream sundae cones – in two flavors: Classic Vanilla and Mint Chocolate.
The cereals – available in two flavors: Classic Vanilla and Mint Chocolate – are available in select stores around the US and will be more widely available nationwide later this summer at a RRP of $3.98 for a 17.5oz box.
It has been a busy time for General Mills.
The company also introduced Fillows cereals, stuffed with Hershey’s Cookies & Cream and Cinnamon Roll fillings to select stores across the US.
According to GM, Fillows is the ‘only cereal to deliver a crunchy shell with a burst of crème filling in every bite.’
Big cut
Slabs Crisps are like no other. The Great Food Affairs company has created a potato chip that is four times thicker than standard chips for extra crunch and enjoyment.
Slabs are cooked in olive oil and coated in five natural seasoning mixes, including Sprinkled with Sea Salt, Salt & Malt Vinegar, Mature Cheddar & Onion, Mellow Sweet Chilli and Beef Roast.
Available in a handy single serve 40g bag, Slabs are available online or at selected outlets.
Great Food Affairs is a family business based in Cheshire. Founded by Beege Bourne, a 30-year snack veteran producing snacks for farm shops, delis and pubs throughout the UK.
Fiber first
KP Snacks has unveiled new pack designs for its range of nuts, placing fiber and protein front and center to appeal to ‘the 21% of people who say health claims influence them to purchase products,’ said the company.
The new packs feature a standout sunshine design, which will be rolled out across all 29 products in the range, including sharing bags and on-the-go singles.
“We are responding to demand from consumers who want products that are high in protein and fiber and want to enjoy them while socializing,” said Sue MacKay, KP Nuts marketing manager.
The brand’s nine sharing products will also benefit from new packaging material – a type of foil bag that stands unaided – designed to deliver a more practical product for both retailers and shoppers.
The packs also feature a reseal closure and can be recycled under KP Snacks’ UK recycling scheme in partnership with TerraCycle.
Available across Original Salted, Dry Roasted, Unsalted, Salt & Vinegar, Honey Roast, Spicy Chilli and Jumbo Original Salted varieties for RRPs of between £2.78 and £3.49 ($4.42).
On a roll
US artisan bakery Chabaso has launched a new ciabatta roll bundle featuring six flavors, including:
- Powerberry Ciabatta Roll – filled with high-antioxidant aronia berries, blueberries and cranberries and topped with sesame seeds.
- Sprouted Grain Ciabatta Roll – made from a sprouted grain mix of wheat, rye and triticale.
- Einkorn Ciabatta Roll – containing 20% whole grain stone-ground Einkorn flour, an ancient grain that was one of the first plants to ever be domesticated and cultivated.
- Turmeric Sunflower Ciabatta Roll
- Double Pumpkin Ciabatta Roll – made with real pumpkin puree and toasted pumpkin seeds.
- Garlic Wheat Ciabatta Roll
The full bundle of 36 rolls (six of each flavor) is available through the company’s new ecommerce platform for a RRP of $35.00 (plus shipping).
Chabaso is located in New Haven, Connecticut and supplies ciabattas and other healthy artisan breads to grocery and speciality stores throughout the Eastern US.
Elevated experience
Kind Healthy Snacks has debuted in the frozen category with the launch of Kind Frozen, a frozen creamy nut bar made from nutrient-dense almonds, layered with smooth dark chocolate and sea salt.
Kind Frozen bars have 190 calories and 11g of sugar per serving, currently available in one flavor, Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt.
It does not contain any artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols or genetically engineered ingredients.
“Since day one, Kind has been committed to balancing taste and health,” said Daniel Lubetzky, Kind’s founder and CEO.
“Kind Frozen upholds our brand’s promise and is consistent with how we’ve always entered new categories – with an eye to creatively elevate people’s overall experience. We’re thrilled that Kind Frozen is disrupting the category by leading with almonds."
Kind Frozen is available at select Walmart stores in the US in 6-pack and single variants.
Big hit
RTE bakery brand Café Valley has collaborated with soda brand 7UP to expand its line of cake bites.
The new bite-sized cake is made with real 7UP flavour and joins the array of Café Valley’s cake bite varieties that play on their flagship of popular soda cake dessert flavors.
Light and tangy, 7UP Cake Bites offer real crisp lemon-lime flavor in a moist cake form.
“Our partnership with 7UP assures consumers get the precise flavor they would expect from this household soda brand,” said Brian Owens, CEO of Café Valley.
“Our soda cake lines have been a big hit, so adding the convenience of a bite-size form makes it all the more appealing for today's busy, on-the-go consumer.”
7UP Cake Bites are available in select grocers in the US at a RRP of $3.99-$4.99 per 12-count package.
Let’s party
Fox’s Biscuits has launched a new SKU of its iconic Party Rings that it touts as the ‘the ultimate party essential.’
The Party Rings Bucket – which contains 45 Party Ring biscuits – is targeted to tap into the ever-growing kid’s party market with permissible snacking options.
According to the company, the biscuits contain just 25 calories each and no artificial colours or flavors.
“The new Fox’s Party Rings Bucket is the perfect product for celebrating kids’ parties this year,” said Matthew Wilson, Fox’s Biscuits marketing manager.
“The brightly coloured, disruptive packaging is intensely fun whilst maintaining the traditional Party brand feel. The new bucket format is convenient for every occasion and is the perfect way to make everyday a party.”
Fox’s Party Rings Bucket is available in Sainsbury’s across the UK for a RRP of £2.50 ($3.17).
