Element releases guiltless dessert snacks
NEW YORK — Element is introducing rice and corn cake dessert snacks. The snacks are gluten-free and bioengineered-free and are available in flavors such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, strawberry yogurt, and vanilla orange. In addition, the cakes are made without hydrogenated fats, trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, or preservatives.
7-Eleven and PepsiCo introduces Doritos Loaded Snacks
DALLAS — 7-Eleven, Inc. and PepsiCo, Inc. are teaming up to roll out Doritos Loaded Snacks and Mtn Dew Solar Flare. Doritos Loaded snacks are triangle-shaped bites filled with melted cheese and coated with a Doritos Nacho cheese flavor. A box of four Doritos Loaded snacks costs $1.99. The new snacks are being manufactured by McCain Foods, USA.
G.H. Cretors releases organic popcorn
CHICAGO — G.H. Cretos is freshening up the popcorn product lineup with the addition of organic varieties. The two new flavors are extra virgin olive oil and salted. Both selections are wet-popped in EVOO. Ingredients are free of bioengineered organisms, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. G.H. Cretors organic popcorn is available at select natural food and mainstream grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99 per bag.
Campbell’s introduces SpaghettiOs MicrOsTM
CAMDEN,N.J. — Campbell Soup Co. is announcing the release of snack-size microwavable packages of SpaghettiOs. The snack is packaged with a microwavable tray and easy-to-peel lid. SpaghettiOs MicrOs are available as original and with meat sauce, franks, and cheeseburger.
Orange Leaf debuts self-serve smoothies
OKLAHOMA CITY — Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt is now offering beverage options with fruit and frozen yogurt. Customers may serve themselves 16-oz smoothies from the frozen yogurt machines. The three flavors include: pineapple strawberry banana, strawberry lemonade, and peanut butter banana. Self-serve smoothies are available nationwide and in Australia.
Kettle Brand innovates with non-G.M.O. popcorn
SALEM, ORE. — Kettle Brand is rolling out a non-GMO line of popcorn. The five flavors include: maple bacon, salt and pepper, sea salt, sriracha, and white cheddar. The popcorn variety is made without trans fats, MSG, or preservatives. In addition, each cup of popcorn is only 50 to 53 calories. The popcorn line is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.69 per bag.
Hostess announces Chocodiles Twinkies return
KANSAS CITY — Hostess Brands L.L.C. is reintroducing Chocodiles Twinkies. Chocodiles Twinkies feature a chocolate-covered sponge cake with a creamy filling. In addition to Chocodiles, Hostess is offering summer flavors, including chocolate crème, strawberry crème, and banana crème. The Twinkies are available nationwide.
Veggie Patch expands vegetable product lineup
BOSTON — Veggie Patch is debuting two new products: roasted red pepper falafel and Moroccan red lentil cakes. The Moroccan red lentil cakes are made from a blend of red lentils, carrots, and spices. The cakes pack in 8 grams of protein per serving. The roasted red pepper falafel combines red pepper, chickpeas, and falafel spices. Both products are sold for suggested retail price of $4.49 in grocery stores nationwide.
Nestle debuts sparkling water lineup
STAMFORD, CONN. — Nestle Pure Life is launching sparkling water. The new beverage line includes mango peach, pineapple, strawberry dragon fruit, tangerine, and key lime. The sparkling water doesn’t contain calories, artificial colors, or sweeteners. “Nestle Pure Life Exotics Sparkling water is a perfect alternative for those seeking flavorful, zero-calorie beverages to stay hydrated,” said Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, M.S., R.D., LDN, Founder of Hispanic Food Communications, Inc. The new Nestle Pure Life Exotics sparkling water is available at Target stores nationwide in 8-pack cartons of 12-oz cans for a suggested retail price of $2.99.
Inventure Foods debuts frozen fruit product
PHOENIX — Inventure Foods, Inc. is introducing Rader Farms Fruit PLUS Vitamins. The new frozen fruit product expands on the nutritional profile by adding five vitamins, including B1, B6, D, E, and K. The product is available in strawberries and blueberries and mixed berry blend. Frozen fruit with vitamins are available in grocery stores and select markets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $7 per 21-oz package.
Legit Organics creates clean candy
LOS ANGELES — Legit Organics is cleaning up the candy market with new organic products. The products include Shot Caller candy bar, WORD candy bar, and Digits candy-coated chocolate pieces. Shot Caller features milk chocolate caramel, roasted peanuts, and nougat. The WORD candy bar incorporates salted caramel and malted nougat covered in milk chocolate. The third option, Digits candy-coated chocolate pieces, includes milk chocolate, peanuts, and espresso beans. In addition to the candy products, Legit Organics is also rolling out single-serve trail mix packets called T.Mix. T.Mix varieties include a brain blend, energy blend, and island blend featuring goji berries, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, blueberries, and dark chocolate.
Tim Hortons debuts Greek yogurt parfaits and fruit smoothies
OAKVILLE, ONT. — Tim Hortons Inc. is announcing the launch of Greek yogurt parfaits with mixed berries and almond granola and fruit smoothies made with Greek yogurt. The products are produced with vanilla or strawberry Greek yogurt, mixed berries, and almond granola. Each serving packs in 13 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. Greek yogurt fruit smoothies include fruit juices and purees. Greek yogurt parfaits are available at Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada for a suggested retail price of $2.99. The fruit smoothies are available at Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada for a suggested retail price of $2.69.
Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads introduces Naan Crisps
TORONTO — Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads is taking a new flavor approach to the classic flatbread snack food. The new varieties include original, everything, garlic Parmesan, and Tandoori spice. Naan crisps are produced without preservatives, additives, artificial colors, trans fat, or hydrogenated oils and contain only 120 calories per serving. Stonefire Naan crisps are available at select retailers.
Pizza Hut and The Hershey Co. introduce chocolate chip cookie addition
PLANO, TEXAS — Pizza Hut and The Hershey Co. have introduced a chocolate chip cookie menu addition. The 8-inch cookie is cut into 8 slices with 165 Hershey’s semi-sweet chocolate chips per cookie pie. The cookie is available for delivery, dine-in, or carryout.
Suddenly Salad expands with grain salad varieties
MINNEAPOLIS — Suddenly Salad, a business unit of General Mills, Inc., is releasing grain salad products. The new salad additions may be served warm or cold and contain at least 27 grams of whole grains per serving. The three flavor varieties include: harvest, Tuscan, and southwest. Harvest includes a blend of brown, wild, and red rice along with quinoa, cranberries, almonds, and blush wine vinaigrette. Tuscan grain salads feature brown rice, wheat berries, quinoa, almonds, red peppers, and tomato Parmesan herb dressing. Southwest grains include a mix of brown rice, quinoa, black beans, corn, red peppers, and chipotle vinaigrette. Suddenly Grain salad mixes are available at major grocery retailers for a suggested retail price of $2.69 per package. Each package makes four servings.
Smashburger adds organic ingredients to menu
DENVER — Smashburger is expanding menu options with organic arugula and mushroom ingredients. The organic ingredients are featured in the new organic arugula and truffle mushroom and Swiss burger. The new burger features Swiss cheese, truffle oil, garlic grilled mushrooms, arugula, and mayo. “The trend toward wholesome, fresh ingredients is something that has always been a mainstay on our menu, and the growing preference for organic options fits in well with our focus on food innovation,” commented Tom Ryan, founder and chief concept officer for Smashburger. “The addition of organic arugula and mushrooms and our updated Organic Arugula, Truffle Mushroom & Swiss Burger live up to that commitment, and bring a burger offering on par or superior to those found at casual dining restaurants.” The organic ingredients and products are available at Smashburger restaurants nationwide.
Johnsonville tests out the mustard category
SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WIS. — Johnsonville, known for a variety of sausage flavors, brats, and grillers, is now entering the mustard segment. The new flavors include classic yellow, brat and beer horseradish, chipotle, spicy jalapeño, and sweet pepper with horseradish. The mustard selections are available at Hyvee, Roundy’s, Gordy’s and approximately 240 Wal-Mart stores. The 10-oz bottles are sold for a suggested retail price of $1.99 to $2.99.
The Good Bean rolls out bean chips
BEREKELY, CALIF. — The Good Bean, Inc. is debuting bean chips with sweet potato and quinoa. The bean chips come in five flavors: sea salt, BBQ bacon, sweet chili, nacho, and jalapeño cheddar. “We want to give consumers a fun snacking experience, and our bean chips are just as addictive and flavorful as conventional chips. Beans are an amazing ingredient, because they’re packed with protein, fiber and real nutrition, but can be transformed into crunchy chips that rival the taste and texture of the best tortilla chips out there,” said co-founder Sarah Wallace.
Absolutely Gluten Free launches cauliflower crust pizza
BAYONNE, N.J. — Absolutely Gluten Free is introducing flourless cauliflower crust pizzas. The pizza will be available in two flavors: mozzarella and non-dairy mozzarella. Each individual pizza contains just 57 calories and 1.7 grams of fat. “Absolutely Gluten Free Pizza provides the health benefits of cruciferous rich cauliflower and antioxidants which help to protect the body,” said nutritional expert Ellen Piernick. The cauliflower pizzas will be available in August for a suggested retail price of $4.99 for three pizzas to a box.
Azteca offers healthier wraps
CHICAGO — Azteca Foods, Inc. is launching tortilla options made without preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or flavors. The wraps are available in fajita, taco, burrito, and mini snack sizes. Tortilla options include whole wheat flour, organic, whole wheat, and low carb among others. Azteca wraps are refrigerated throughout the production process. The tortilla line will be available at select grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $1.99 to $3.79.
Superberries launches aroniaberry products
OMAHA — The aronia berry, an antioxidant-packed fruit, is hitting the market. The aronia berry, derived from Aronia melancarpa, is a native North American fruit. The berry is being planted in the Midwest and may join the ranks of other superfoods such as blueberries, acai berries, and goji berries. The aronia berry is a dark purple berry and is being sold frozen or in aronia berry products such as gummy chews and wellness shots. These products are available nationwide at grocery and health food stores.
NUWI rolls out drinkable quinoa snacks
NEW YORK — NUWI Quinoa Snacks is introducing a new snack — drinkable quinoa. The snacks are non-bioengineered, gluten-free, and don’t contain refined sugar, dairy, or soy. The flavors include apple, strawberry, blueberry and banana, carrot and ginger, and split peas and tomato. “This is a type of snack that people haven’t seen before,” said Gabriel Poblet Maristany, Co-Founder of NUWI. “People are often hesitant at first about this product because it’s unfamiliar territory. But if you stop and think about it, people drink their fruits and vegetables in smoothies and pressed juices, why not drink your grains? NUWI Quinoa Snacks has enough protein and fiber to be considered a snack because it will fill you up between meals and give you the energy you need.” The NUWI Quinoa Snacks are available at Whole Foods Market, Gristedes, Fairway and 220 independent stores in the New York metro area for a suggested retail price of $2.99 per drink.