What’s new on shelf? Gut-healthy and on-the-go cereal bowls, Aussie’s popular dessert meets potato chips and focusing on food waste

By Gill Hyslop

- Last updated on GMT

Bakery and snack producers are strongly focused on consumer demands with new product launches. Pic: GettyImages/shironosov
Bakery and snack producers are strongly focused on consumer demands with new product launches. Pic: GettyImages/shironosov

Related tags Pringles Gut health Smith's Paul Hollywood Food waste vegan Gluten-free Organic Speculoos green traffic lights

Consumer demand comes strongly into play as we head up towards Christmas, with Kellogg’s focusing on fibre and convenience, PepsiCo ramping up its Smith’s potato chip flavour down under and celeb chef Paul Hollywood’s Ready to Bake bread roll packs downsizing to combat food waste.

Out of this world

pringles

Pringles is launching a special edition, collectable Pickle Rick flavour especially for the 2020 Big Game.

The crisps – which will hit US snack aisles in early February – are inspired by the award-winning series, Pickle Rick – in which mad scientist Rick Sanchez turns himself into a pickle to avoid family therapy.

The popular brand is returning to the Big Game for the third year in a row, but this time in partnership with the pop culture hit series Rick and Morty.

Known for its bold flavours, playful nature and endless stacking possibilities, Pringles will test the limits with a humorous animated spot, which will air during the second quarter of the game.

“We want to do something completely new for the brand for the 2020 Big Game and are thrilled to be partnering with Adult Swim and Rick and Morty, a show which continues to grow in popularity year after year and enjoys a cult fan following,”​ said Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles.

Kellogg’s is also now manufacturing Pringles in South Africa, and has introduced its first uniquely local flavour: Aromat chicken salt.

Although the blended spice mix is sold around the world, South Africa is the first to have it flavour the popular brand of potato crisp.

Aromat has been a massive hit in South Africa since it was introduced there in 1953, especially since the backlash against its key ingredient - monosodium glutamate (MSG) – has pretty much died down. MSG was the source of some controversy in recent years, with some claiming it to be unhealthy. But current scientific consensus is that it’s safe to consume.

On the go and gut health

Kellogg

Kellogg’s is adding an All-Bran Prebiotic range to its UK portfolio to capitalise on consumer demand for fibre.

According to the cereal giant, research shows that 42% of UK cereal consumers are looking for high fibre when choosing a breakfast cereal.

The cereals – available in two variants: All-Bran Original Prebiotic and All-Bran Almond and Pumpkin Seed Prebiotic – pack almost 40% of the recommended daily allowance of fibre (11g) in the form of chicory root, which feeds the good bacteria in the gut.

“With 26% of UK consumers claiming to they eat less fibre than they should, it is really important we educate our shoppers to understand the importance of having fibre in their diets,”​ said Florence Kayll, Kellogg’s UKI brand activation manager.

The new cereals are available in 380g packs for an RRP of £2.99, and will be available from January 2020.

The company is also tapping into on-the-go breakfast trend with the launch of the Kellogg’s to Go range.

Again, research has found that consumers are looking for easier ways to have an early morning bite, breakfast at work or eat at their desks. In fact, ‘deskfasting’ makes up 12% of breakfast occasions.

The portable cereal range includes a Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut hazelnut and chocolate granola smoothies bowl and a Special K protein granola smoothie bowl. Consumers just need to add water.

The bowls also come with three toppers – Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut hazelnut and chocolate granola, Protein Special K Red berries and All-bran berry crunch (60p each).

“Toppers are a growing trend, as these can be added to yogurts, porridge and other morning goods,”​ said Aimee Cowan, Kellogg’s activation brand lead.

“We hope by tapping into cereal on-the-go we will open Kellogg’s up to a much broader demographic who are looking for the most convenient way to start the day with breakfast.”

The granola smoothie bowls (RRP £1.59) and toppers (RRP 60p) will be available in UK stores from February.

Just in time for Christmas baking

Crazy Jack

UK organic dried fruit, nuts and seeds producer Community Foods has secured a list with Tesco for its Crazy Jack Organic baking range – including Flaked Almonds (100g), available to consumers for the very first time.

Five further lines have been rolled out into 336 stores across the UK, including Dried Raisins (375g), Almonds (100g), Ground Almonds (100g), Sultanas (375g) and Walnut Pieces (100g).

The range will be available in the baking aisle, where it will sit alongside the current listings of Desiccated Coconut (200g) and Soft, Dried Apricots (250g) – making it a total of eight listings overall for Crazy Jack in Tesco.

“With the festive season approaching and people wanting to be more involved with baking, it’s great that our baking range is being distributed throughout Tesco stores nationwide,”​ said Tracy Kane, brand director, Community Foods.

“With the UK organic market on target to be worth £2.5 billion by 2020, it’s clear that consumers are continuing to demand wholesome, organic ingredients which they can incorporate into their everyday lives and this is something which we are proud to be able to provide.”

The new listing follows the recent win for the Crazy Jake baking range in ASDA.

Salty snack meets Aussie dessert

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PepsiCo-owned Smith’s is launching a limited edition Lamington flavoured potato chip edition down under.

“We know Australians are increasingly keen to try new flavours, and interest is growing in sweet and savoury combinations,”​ said Olivia Sutherland, Smith’s marketing director.

“Our latest innovation combines a sweet, quintessentially Aussie cake with Australia’s favourite potato chip.”

According to Sutherland, PepsiCo’s flavourists reviewed and tasted different Lamington recipes to get a sense of what makes the dessert so popular.

“In our Lamington chip, you will find hints of flavours including chocolate, coconut, cream and butter,”​ she added.

The limited-edition Smith’s potato chips will be widely available in Woolworths, independents and selected petrol and convenience stores across the country from January 1.

Ol’ blue-eyes focuses on food waste

Paul

Paul Hollywood Ready to Bake rolls will roll out in four packs to beat food waste.

Consumer research has found the range is popular among an affluent demographic living in one or two person households who are concerned about food waste. Insights showed this consumer would prefer a smaller pack size to better meet their needs.

Research among retailers also showed that a smaller pack size would be beneficial allowing the trade to fit more SKUs on the shelf and avoid stock shortages, particularly at key sales periods such as Christmas and bank holidays.

As such, Paul Hollywood Ready to Bake Crusty Rolls and Multi-Seed Rolls will change from a six pack with an RRP of £1.70 to a four pack with an RRP of £1.40 from the beginning of 2020.

Although the pack size is changing, the brand assures that the rolls themselves will continue to offer a level of quality and taste that reflects the expertise and skill of the blue-eyed celeb chef.

“As a brand, we want consumers to continue to be proud to serve Paul Hollywood Ready to Bake bread to their family and friends, fresh and warm from the oven,”​ said a company’s spokesperson.

Connecting people with nature

Mrs.-Crimbles-to-launch-vegan-gluten-free-choc-macaroons

Mrs Crimble’s has launched a vegan version of its popular gluten-free chocolate macaroon, in line with its mission to ‘connect people to nature through healthy food that’s better for people and the planet’.

The vegan macaroon recipe has been perfected to resemble the original with the same golden-brown colour, moist cake texture and delicious flavour.

“We’re incredibly proud to have taken the Mrs Crimble’s brand on to the next stage of free-from indulgence by creating a vegan-friendly version that tastes as good as our original recipe,”​ said Bryan Martins, marketing director of Wessanen UK, the company that own’s the brand.

“The challenge was to remove the egg ingredients while maintaining the same delicious taste and wonderful texture.

“Without the eggs, the macaroon still holds together with all the other ingredients, resulting in a deliciously, moist and moreish treat for our vegan and gluten-free consumers.”

The macaroons are available in Tesco stores throughout the UK for an RRP of £1.79 per 195g pack.

Olé! to going green

lays-bio-nature-1200

PepsiCo is launching its first 100% organic potato chips – Lay’s BIO – onto the Spanish market, complete with European certification that guarantees the organic cultivation of its ingredients, as well as the absence of additives.

According to the company, the launch is in line with the growing preference for organic, sustainable and environmentally-friendly products; a market segment that grew by 35% in 2018.

The chips are made with locally-grown potatoes and high quality organic sunflower oil.

The new Lay’s BIO are available in 100g bags, from Carrefour supermarkets across Spain.

Goes with anything

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Belgian biscuit brand Lotus has launched its Biscoff biscuit spread to Australian stores, made entirely from crushed Speculoos biscuits that are purposefully designed to be paired with coffee.

The spread – with heady tones of spice and caramel – is expected to be a spread that will challenge spread aisle favourites, such as peanut butters and chocolate spreads.

“Biscoff is unlike anything you have ever tried before with a unique flavour and a deliciously creamy texture – it’s the spread you never knew you wanted, but won’t be able to live without,”​ said Nick Nairn, Lotus Biscoff spokesperson.

He added the spread is nut-free and vegan-friendly, and can be enjoyed on toast, as part of a dessert or simply by the spoonful, “we won’t judge! Basically, anything goes with Biscoff, and Biscoff goes with anything​.”

The spread is available in original and crunchy varieties, and can be found in Coles, Woolworths and independent stores around the country.

Free from allergens, not joy

Creative Nature

Free from brand Creative Nature has launched a free-from and vegan Cacao Rich Chocolate Cake Baking Mix into Tesco stores across the UK.

The new baking mix joins Creative Nature’s burgeoning portfolio of baking mixes, including Chocolate Brownie Bake; Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix; Chia & Mulberry Muffin Mix and Banana Bread Mix.

“Often, this time of year really makes those with food allergies or insensitivities feel isolated as so much focus is on food and drink. With this new product, as with our other choices, anyone can easily make a chocolate cake which is tasty, healthy and safe to eat,”​ said Julianne Ponan, Creative Nature’s CEO.

The Surrey-based company’s products are also available in Asda, the Co-op and Sainsbury’s in the UK, and exports to 11 countries worldwide.

Just for kids

Quaker-mixups

PepsiCo has introduced a new range of porridge specially designed for children.

The Quaker Kids Porridge Mix-Ups contain no added sugar, are 100% wholegrain and sport all green traffic lights.

The range – available in multipacks containing nine sachets (RSP £2.75) – contains two variants: Choco Porridge combos (3 x Strawberry & Chocolate, 3 x Banana & Chocolate and 3 x Raspberry & Chocolate), and Strawberry Porridge combos (3 x Strawberry & Raspberry, 3 x Strawberry & Chocolate and 3 x Strawberry & Banana).

“We believe cereal represents an affordable way of providing kids with good nutrition at the start of the day,”​ said Angela White, senior commercial director for Nutrition UK.

“The range directly targets shopper demand for healthier children’s cereals, and hits the sweet spot without having to compensate on taste and fun.”

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