NPD Showcase 2021: From gut-healthy chips to exotic flavours and signature snacks

Taking small steps to make a bigger impact

Munchy Seeds has taken another step in its sustainable manifesto to become a net zero snack business.

Munchy Seeds has partnered with Greener Earth Project to plant one million trees over the next five years and help to sustain an area of forest the size of Market Harborough.

“We are the first to admit that until we fully understood the impact our business made, we did not realise how much we needed to focus on our commitment to sustainable responsibility,”​ said Lucinda Clay, cofounder of Munchy Seeds.

“Running a food business has to include pride and care for the planet too. The planet gives us seeds and we need to ensure that we give back, so that generations can enjoy seeds for many millennia to come.”​

Munchy Seeds is also rolling out a new range of lightly toasted seeds in fully recyclable packaging.

“We constantly seek to review our processes to make them as green and sustainable as possible, so we are excited to be launching a new range that aligns with this commitment,”​ added Clay.

“Nothing much goes to waste here. The floor sweepings are given away to the local allotment to be ground down for chicken feed, and all other waste is sorted for recycling. We have recently started using vegetable dyes on our cardboard boxes and no longer use virgin white board, as it’s extremely ‘chemical hungry’.”​

The roasted seed mixes are available in 25g packs (RRP 79p), 125g sharing bags (RRP £2.99) and 450g mega packs (RRP £8.75).

Nostalgic childhood mornings

Steel cut oats maker GoOats has expanded distribution of its Apple Cinnamon, Maple Brown Sugar and Blueberry varieties to more than 900 points of distribution across the US.

The heat-and-eat bites can now be found in nearly 400 Sprouts Farmers Market doors across the nation, 500 of Safeway’s Portland, Seattle and North California regional stores, as well as 188 Jewell outlets.

“Since our appearance on Shark Tank seven months ago, GoOats has already achieved rapid expansion and gained shelf space at a rate we could have never imaged,” ​said Nahum Jeannot, founder and COO of GoOats.

“When we first brought GoOats to life, our goal was to re-create those nostalgic childhood mornings, which for me, always included family surrounding a bowl of oatmeal made from scratch and real ingredients. GoOats is a way to continue to share those moments with loved ones and create new lasting memories. We’re excited to expand the availability of our bites and grow our GoOats family while bringing new innovation to the table to make breakfast a ball.”​

The chef-inspired recipes comprise all-natural ingredients, including whole grain steel-cut oats, farm-fresh dairy and a touch of sweetness, delivering 4g of protein per serving. Ready to eat after just minutes in the microwave, toaster oven or air fryer, GoOats are also available online for purchase in variety packs or as subscription for an RRP of $4.99-$5.49.

Snacking just gut good

Boundless Activated Snacking is on a mission to ‘make snacking well easy’ and bring gut health to the masses with a new product range.

A world first, the Activated Chips are made using sprouted sorghum, which enables better digestion of the nutrients. Sprouted, picked and packed in the UK, not only does sorghum keep the carbon footprint as low  as possible, it’s also one of the most sustainable grains in the world due to how little water it requires to grow. The chips are packed with iron and potassium, which are good for your gut, feeding the healthy bacteria in the microbiome. They are also gluten-free and suitable for vegans.

Boundless was founded by commodities-trader-turned-entrepreneur Cathy Moseley in 2017 to revolutionise functional snacking. Four years in, the products can be found in more than 3,000 stores across the UK as well as 10 international markets including Germany, Belgium and Asia.

“Our mission is quite simply to make snacking well easy. That’s why we believe this launch is a real game-changer, we’re helping people to look after their gut with a product range that is both accessible and affordable,”​ said Moseley.

“We know that consumers are more aware of gut health than ever, but it can be confusing and overwhelming when it comes to what to actually buy, especially when it all seems so expensive and complicated. There are so many snacks that claim to be ‘gut friendly’ and ‘high in fibre’ but the problem is that without activation none of these things really matter. ​

“We take great ingredients and make them better. With a little TLC our grains are ready to unlock their impressive range of nutrients. Sprouting the grains reduces the levels of phytic acid, which in turn increases the bioavailability of nutrients inside the grain. To put it simply the process removes the stuff that messes with your digestion to begin with. The method is simple, but mighty.”​

Boundless also offers a range of activated nut and seed mixes created with the brand’s innovative FAB (Flood, Activate, Bake) method, which makes them not only nutritious but also gut-friendly.

Activated Chips are available in two flavours – Chipotle & Lime and Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar – and available online, in independent and on Amazon for an RRP of £1.80/80g bag.

A new look at breakfast

Kreatures of Habit is shaking up the breakfast category by harnessing the nutritional power of protein + oats.

Founded by restaurateur, celeb chef and fitness expert Michael Chernow, the D2C functional food brand has launched the PrOATagonist, an individually-packaged plant-based + gluten-free oatmeal.

The single-use oatmeal packets offer even more benefits than its competitors, boasting six simple ingredients and packed with 30g of plant protein. It comes in with only 350 calories per serving with 46g of carbs, 9g of sugar and 7g of fat.

It’s the ideal fuel for a high performance lifestyle. Pea protein, vitamin D3, and omega-3s all work together to build healthy muscles and tissues, strengthen immunity, fight inflammation, and boost brain function – without sacrificing taste.

Available in three variants – Chocolate, Blueberry Banana and Vanilla – it can be turned into three easy-to-make treats that will make healthy breakfasting habitual:

1. Hot oats – just add hot water

2. Overnight Oats – Pop in the fridge the night before; add milk and your favourite topping the next morning

3. Smoothie – A protein-and-vitamin packed addition to your regular smoothie recipe

The PrOATagonist is available online and on Amazon for an RRP of $34.93.

It may be that time of the year again, but it comes with a fresh twist.

For Fall flavour fanatics

Honey Mama’s new seasonal cocoa truffle bar – Pumpkin Spice – is a fresh take on the seasonal classic featuring organic sprouted pumpkin seeds, natural orange essential oil, Saigon cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Think earthy, think nutty, think deliciousness.

Honey Mama’s – the maker of category-defying refrigerated cocoa truffle bars – was founded in 2013 when former bakery owner Christy Goldsby had a life-changing wellness experience that inspired her to redefine indulgence. Her vision became a reality with the launch of the bars made from five all-natural ingredients in culinary combos – Lavender & Rose Petals, Tahini & Tangerine Oil, Vietnamese Cinnamon & Cayenne – to provide a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

A base of raw honey, unrefined coconut oil, cocoa and Himalayan pink salt provides a recipe for everyday indulgence and vitality in a bar that is free from refined sugar, soy, eggs, dairy, gluten and grains.

Honey Mama’s bars are available in the refrigerated section at more than 2,200 retail locations across the US, as well as online.

Let’s get nutty

Kellogg’s has expanded its Crunchy Nut offering with the introduction of Crunchy Nut Bites.

The expansion comes in response to the rise in popularity of nut flavoured cereal, which grew 14% in 20201, according to IRI data for the 52 weeks ending December 2020. With Crunchy Nut being voted Britain’s favourite breakfast cereal – as voted on Channel 5’s ‘Britain’s Favourite Breakfast Cereals survey in 2020 – Crunchy Nut Bites bring a new take on the original, honey-coated golden flakes.

The cereal giant’s latest launch combines Crunchy Nut’s signature nutty and honey flavours into a soft, creamy filling that’s then encased in a crunchy pillow.

“Crunchy Nut Bites are the newest addition to the range, following on from the launch of the granola last year and Nut Butter Bars last month,”​ said Susann Heinz, senior brand activation manager for Kellogg’s UKI.

“We understand the cereal has a huge fan base, so we’re continuously looking for ways to expand our offering and to meet our consumers’ needs. We are sure Crunchy Nut lovers will enjoy our latest innovation.”​

Perfectly spiced

Parle Products – India’s leading biscuits manufacturer – has expanded its snacks portfolio with the introduction of Lite Chiwda, Gujarati Mixture and Farali Chiwda under the Chatkeens’ brand in time for the festive season.

The launch is aimed at capturing the fast-moving snacks category, which continues to witness a 12% growth rate. Chatkeens – a crispy, spicy noodle snack made of potato – is also growing at 12% and is on track to significantly contribute to Parle’s expansion.

Lite Chiwda is a blend with light snacks for guilt-free munching, the Gujarati Mixture is a one-of-a-kind offering that strikes a balance between spicy and sweet, while Farali Chiwda is a satiating snack to satisfy any unexpected hunger pang at any time.

“With festivities around the corner, inhouse snacking is on the rise and consumers are looking forward to exploring unique and tasty snacks,”​ said Krishnarao Buddha, senior category head of Parle.

“We want to continue to grow that strong consumer ecosystem while catering to their every needs and hence, to make room on the shelf for snacks that delivers both on flavour and function.​

“We are hoping to cater to the rising consumer demand in traditional snacks that will provide a perfect balance between variety & taste while also staying relevant and on-trend with innovation during such trying times. Parle is an everyday brand and I believe that our consumers will find us whenever and wherever they look for quality products.”​

 Gujarati Mixture and Lite Chiwda are being rolled out in the Northern, Western and Central markets of India, and Farali Chiwda is being distributed nationwide.

Better best butter

Abby’s Better Nut Butter has squeezed down its popular 12oz nut butter jars into single-serving Squeeze Packs to easier on-the-go nutrition.

Whether enjoyed as a portable snack, as pre/post workout fuel, a treat for lunch or just a quick boost of energy, the Squeeze Packs come in a variety of fuelling flavours that go beyond the average peanut butter. Each pouch contains 34g (two tablespoons) of the brand’s top five nut butter flavours, including Date Pecan, Coconut Cashew, Coffee Almond, Honey Almond, and Protein-Infused Cinnamon Roll Almond.

“After seeing the success that came from our signature nut butters, we created the Squeeze Packs as a way to let consumers enjoy their favourite nut butter flavours beyond the kitchen,”​ said Abby Kircher, Abby’s Better founder and CEO.

“I started Abby’s Better to support healthy snacking without sacrificing taste for health. Now with our Squeeze Packs, Abby’s Better can be there at any time to fuel consumers through their busiest of days – whether it’s during their commute to work or school, at a sports game, as a quick on-the-go energy boost, and more.”​

Abby’s Better uses minimal, all natural ingredients – including pecans, cashews, almonds and sunflower seeds (for those looking for a nut-free option) as a base. The products are also guaranteed to be gluten-free, peanut-free, paleo, plant-based and are sweetened with fruits or honey instead of artificial sweeteners.

The Squeeze Packs will be available online for an RRP of $4.99/3 count or $13.99/10 count of one single flavour or for $7.99 for a sampling pack of each of the five nut butters.

All I need for Christmas … is a biscuit

pladis is gearing up to boost seasonal biscuits sales with the launch of the 2021 Christmas ranges from Britain’s biggest biscuit brand, McVitie’s, as well as Flipz.

The McVitie’s 2021 Christmas selection comprises signature seasonal staples, as well as ‘enticing innovation’ that pladis said will help ‘retailers tap into key seasonal consumer trends’, namely, indulgence, togetherness and gifting.

Returning popular products include classic assortments – such as the festive edition of McVitie's Family Circle – while NPD from both brands includes new McVitie’s Mince Pie-flavoured Milk Chocolate Digestives and Flipz Gingerbread.

“These products are sure to drive excitement, and sales, among a broad range of snacking shoppers,” said the company.

The products in the McVitie’s and Flipz Christmas ranges are rolling out in various UK grocery retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons – as well as discounters. Products will also be available to the wholesale and convenience channels.