Itsu Intros Sriracha-Flavored Seaweed Snacks

The London-based chain of East Asian-inspired fast-food shops and restaurants has launched sriracha seaweed thins online and in U.K. grocery stores. The company reportedly listened to social media suggestions and fan voting polls. A five-gram pack of the thins has an RRP of £1 ($1.36) in stores, while a case of 18 packs has an RRP of £12.00 ($16.33) on Amazon. Each pack weighs in at at less than 25 calories, and is rich in iodine, vitamin B12, vegan-friendly.

"Itsu launches NEW sriracha seaweed thins into supermarkets nationwide", London Post, July 20, 2021

Simple Mills Debuts Seed And Nut Flour-Based Cookies

The Chicago-based provider of better-for-you crackers, cookies, snack bars, and baking mixes has introduced Sweet Thins, a coconut sugar-sweetened snack made from a flour that blends watermelon seed, cashew, sunflower seed, and flax seed. According to the company, watermelon seed flour helps create Sweet Thins' light and crispy texture, while delivering protein, good fats, and micronutrients. The snacks are also certified gluten-free; free of grains, corn, soy, dairy, gums, emulsifiers; Non-GMO Project Verified; and paleo-friendly. Simple Mills products are available in more than 25,000 U.S. stores.

"Simple Mills Is Reinventing the Cookie Aisle With the Launch of Sweet Thins, A New Better-for-You Light & Crispy Sweet Snack", Business Wire, July 20, 2021

RXBAR’s New Cereal Contains Plant-Based Protein

The Chicago-based unit of Kellogg-owned Insurgent Brands is launching RX Cereal, a breakfast cereal made with 12 grams of plant-based protein, brown rice, almonds and fruit. The cereal, available in chocolate almond, vanilla almond, and strawberry flavors, also boasts 3-4 grams of fiber per serving and contains no artificial colors, flavors, ingredients, or preservatives. RX Cereal is sold at Walmart and online.

"RXBAR Releases New Line of Breakfast Cereal Made with Plant-based Protein", PR Newswire, July 19, 2021

KP Snacks Sponsors U.K. Cricket Matches

The German-owned British producer of branded and own-label corn-, potato-, and nut-based snacks is partnering with men’s and women’s cricket competition The Hundred (21 July – 21 August in England and Wales) to “champion healthier lifestyles and inspire people to get more active through cricket.” The company’s Popchips, Butterkist, Pom-Bear, Tyrrells, KP Nuts, Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, and Skips brands will be displayed on team shirts and featured in broadcast indents and advertising spots during ad breaks, as well as on in-ground screens. KP is also running a retailer competition to win match tickets and merchandise by purchasing cases of promoted products. The partnership also includes retailer bundle deals, in-depot activity, and branded POS.

"KP Snacks promotes active lifestyles with cricket partnership", Talking Retail , July 16, 2021

India’s Health-Conscious Young Adults Increasingly Choosing Nutritious Snacks

Young Indian adults – ages 18 to 35 – are becoming more concerned about their health, and feel healthy snacking is important (78 percent said so in a recent survey). Almonds are the top choice among young adults because of the perceived health benefits of regular consumption. In fact, they said regular almond consumption helped in strengthening immunity. Besides almonds, almost 50 percent of respondents mentioned that they had started to include healthier options like green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and juices to their snacking routine.

"Indian youth prefer snacking on almonds for better health", Food & Beverages News, July 20, 2021

Syracuse Hoops Star, Among First To Profit From NIL Ruling, Inks Cereal Endorsement Deal

After the U.S. Supreme Court decided this month that college athletes could profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), a bevy of major brands has offered endorsement deals to college stars. Among the star athletes signing endorsement deals is Syracuse University basketball player Buddy Boeheim, who recently endorsed Three Wishes Cereal (Scarsdale, N.Y.), a high-protein, low-sugar, grain-free cereal made from chickpeas. The cereal has a limited-edition Buddy Box as part of its promotion. It is the first traditional ad campaign featuring a college athlete, and Boeheim was also the first athlete to sell his own merchandise with the school trademarked logo. 

"Buddy Boeheim Gets Cereal Endorsement Deal", All Syracuse, July 20, 2021

U.K. Ponders Tax On Sugary And Salty Foods

A U.K. government-commissioned review says the price of sugary and salty foods should be increased to encourage food companies to make their products healthier. The extra revenue might also help physicians prescribe fruit, vegetables, and cookery classes on the NHS. As reported by the Daily Mail, the so-called "snack tax" would hike the cost of Frosties by 87p ($1.19), Mars bars by 9p ($0.12) and, across the country, families could be paying an extra £3.4 billion ($4.6 billion) a year for their groceries. The recommendations were developed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's “food tsar” Henry Dimbleby, who founded the health-conscious fast food restaurant chain Leon.

"'Snack tax' could hike the cost of sugary and salty food", Wales Online, July 15, 2021

Savola Group Acquires Maker Of Nuts, Dried Fruits

A subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian company will acquire Bayara, a 29-years-old manufacturer of nuts, dried fruits, and spices, for $260 million. Bayara specializes in the manufacture and distribution of healthy snacks including raw and roasted nuts, dates, seeds, dried fruits and confectionery; as well as cooking ingredients such as herbs, spices, and pulses. The privately held company says it processes around 23,000 metric tons of goods each year and operates out of the UAE and Saud Arabia. Savola Foods markets a portfolio of household staples such as edible oil, sugar, pasta, and ghee.

"Savola to purchase UAE-based snack maker Bayara for $260m", FoodBev Media, July 15, 2021

Cofresh Expands Grills And Crackers Ranges With New Flavors

Responding to an increase in the number of “shared snacking occasions with friends and family,” the Indian snack brand based in Leicester, U.K., has added Mango Chutney Grills and Onion Bhaji Corn Crackers to its lineup of mixed savory snacks, bars, and nuts. The launch will be supported by PR and social media advertising, as well as in-store activity such as multi-buys and “When It’s Gone, It’s Gone” promotions. The company says its line of Grills contains 3o percent less fat than competitors.

"Cofresh adds new flavors to Crackers and Grills ranges", Talking Retail, July 20, 2021

Calbee America Unveils Grain-Free Almond Chips

The Japanese snack company’s U.S. business (Fairfield, Calif.) has launched San Joaquin Almond Nut Chips, a grain-free tortilla chip made from sustainably grown almonds, and cassava flour. The chips, which are lightly cooked in premium avocado, are available in sea salt, hickory smoked, and wasabi flavors, all of which are gluten-free, grain-free, kosher, and contain no artificial colors or flavors, and no corn, and no soy. Sold in five-ounce bags for an SRP of $4.99.

"Calbee Launches Almond Nut Chips", PR Newswire, July 15, 2021

New BFY Snacks Focus On Focusing, Productivity

Seventy-one percent of respondents to an Innova Market Insights survey last year said foods and beverages should be nutritional or functional. One snack maker that takes that requirement seriously is the Functional Chocolate Company (Evergreen, Colo.). Its new Brainy Chocolate bars are formulated to assist with focus and productivity. The orange-flavored snack contains ginkgo, bacopa, rhodiola, as well as amino acids, omega 3 fatty acids, and chocamine, a patented cocoa-based ingredient that may help improve cognitive function. 

"Better-for-you snacking NPD addresses mood support and transparency demands", Nutrition Insight, July 19, 2021