Food For Life Baking Debuts Organic Sprouted Flax Tortillas

The Corona, Calif.-based family-owned bakery specializing in sprouted grain breads and all-natural baked goods has launched fiber-rich certified organic Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Flourless Flax Tortillas, made with freshly sprouted live grains and flax seeds. They contain no refined flour, artificial ingredients, or preservatives. Each tortilla has 150 calories, 3.5g fat, 7g protein, and five grams of dietary fiber. They can be used to make nutrient-dense wraps, burritos, tacos, pizzas, quesadillas, and more. With six tortillas per package, the Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Flourless Flax Tortillas are available in the freezer section at natural food stores and supermarkets in the U.S. 

"Food For Life's Newest Tortillas are Made from Sprouted Grains and Flax Seeds", PR Newswire, July 10, 2021

Barnana’s Mission: BFY Plantain Snacks That Are Planet-Friendly

The Santa Monica, Calif.-based plantain chip brand is expanding its portfolio from the flagship salty snack, Organic Ridged Plantain Chips, to include Organic Plantain Crisps. Made with 100 percent organic coconut oil, rather than palm oil, and organic green plantains, the crisps contain less sugar than those made with ripe plantains and give the crisps a savory flavor. Launching on National Banana Lovers’ Day, August 27, in the U.S., the snack will be available in Sea Salt and Garlic varieties, with a four-ounce bag of either flavor retailing for a suggested $4.99. Barnana says it works with smallholder farmers in Ecuador who grow plantains using traditional regenerative agroforestry practices that “ensure healthy soil, support biodiversity, and keep carbon in the ground.”

"Barnana Organic Plantain Crisps", Progressive Grocer, July 06, 2021

This Saves Lives Expands Distribution Footprint

The Culver City, Calif.-based snack bar brand on a mission to end to severe malnutrition in children says it has expanded retail distribution of its products to more than 1,200 Kroger banners in the U.S. The classic snack bars are available now, and the Kid's Snack Bars and Kid's Krispy Treats will be available beginning in July. Every This Saves Lives purchase sends life-saving food to a child suffering from severe acute malnutrition globally. This Saves Lives' snack bars are available in ten flavors, including Madagascar Vanilla Almond & Honey, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate & Cherry, and more. The Kid's Snack Bars and Kid's Krispy Treats are both available in five flavors. Both kids' lines feature clean ingredients and minimal sugar. All products are available in Starbucks, Target, Whole Foods, and on amazon.com. 

"This Saves Lives Expands Adult and Kids Snack Bar and Kids Krispy Treats Distribution in Kroger Banners", PR Newswire, July 06, 2021

Kellogg Company Adds Accessibility Technology To European Cereal Boxes

The breakfast cereal company (Battle Creek, Mich.) announced it will be switching its standard cereal boxes in Europe for ones that feature innovative, accessibility-minded technology for blind and sight-impaired consumers. Using "NaviLens" technology, the new boxes address the growing demand for inclusive design across all sectors, from packaging and products to physical and architectural spaces. The new technology will allow a smartphone to easily detect a unique code and play back labelling information to blind and partially sighted shoppers. NaviLens includes high contrasting-colored squares on a black background; information provided will include allergen details. The rollout follows a successful U.K. test last year in partnership with Co-op on Kellogg's Coco Pops boxes. The first accessible boxes of Special K will arrive on shelves in January, with all the firm's cereal packaging to follow.

"Kellogg's share 'game-changing' move that could transform shopping experience", Telegraph & Argus, July 03, 2021

General Mills Introduces Snacks For Diabetics, Pre-Diabetics

The U.S. food company (Minneapolis, Minn.) has launched a line of snacks that purports to have minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Good Measure is targeted at people with pre-diabetes or diabetes who have to be careful to avoid blood sugar spikes, an "underserved group of consumers," according to the company. The brand has been launched with two products – nut butter bars and almond crisps – that are “held together by ingredients that won't spike blood sugar." General Mills has not said what those ingredients are but said it has filed for patents on both product lines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates one in two adults actually have prediabetes or diabetes, but most don't know it yet.

"General Mills aims to avoid blood sugar spikes with Good Measure snacks range", Just Food, June 30, 2021

SnackMagic Unveils “Snack Drop” Market Research Tool

The New York City-area build-your-own snack box company has created a way for emerging snack brands to cheaply and efficiently offer products directly to consumers in exchange for honest feedback and detailed information about distribution, customer demographics, and the competitive landscape. Available for as little as $1,000 plus the cost of samples, Snack Drop registered consumers deemed “SnackMagic tastemakers” can build a $60 box of goods for only $15. According to SnackMagic, this creates a win-win proposition for brands and consumers in that it is a low-barrier for testing and low-stakes for initial trial. Products that perform well on Snack Drop can go on to be featured on SnackMagic’s rotating treating menu for build-your-own snack box gifts.

"Investing in the Future of Food: SnackMagic's Snack Drop offers inexpensive sampling, data analytics to help emerging brands test innovations, understand consumers", FoodNavigator-USA.com, June 30, 2021

Clif Bar & Company Invades Cereal Aisles

The Emeryville, Calif.-based snack bar company’s Clif Cereal line features clean label cereals made with 30 percent to 40 percent less sugar than other leading cereals. They contain at least seven grams of protein and fiber per serving in in four flavors including blueberry & almond butter, apple cinnamon & almond butter, honey & peanut butter and chocolate & peanut butter flavors. Ingredients include organic grain flakes and oats, granola clusters and nut butters. The company began expanding beyond the snack bar segment with a granola-based cereal in 2018. According to the company, its packaging fulfils a commitment to 100 percent reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025.

"Clif launches clean label cereal line", Food Dive, June 29, 2021

Amarea Creates Nutritious Snacks From Seaweed

The two-year-old Chilean health food company has developed a line of seaweed sticks and seaweed chips, both of which come in olive oil, sesame, and spicy flavors. In addition to seaweed, the snacks contain algae that is native to the Chilean coast. The company says the snacks are healthy, nutritious, and sustainable, because the seaweed used does not require the application of water, soil, or fertilizer to create. Each of the snacks has only three ingredients, one of which is always widely-available algae. Amarea recently expanded into the U.S. market with the dual purpose of bolstering its local South American communities and catering to the needs of health-conscious consumers.

"Amarea Puts the Sea in Snacks", PR Newswire, June 23, 2021

Kashi Launches Raisin-Based Cereal Containing No Added Sugar

The Solana Beach, Calif.-based Kellogg natural food business’s zero-added-sugar Simply Raisin whole wheat biscuit cereal contains seven grams of fiber and seven grams of protein. The biscuits feature sun-ripened California raisins and a touch of cinnamon, and are made with Certified Transitional wheat, a way to support farmers during the three-year journey to become USDA certified organic. Simply Raisin Cereal is available at Walmart stores and other major grocery retailers for $4.39. 

"Kashi Debuts Zero-Grams-Added-Sugar Simply Raisin Biscuits", PR Newswire, June 23, 2021

Kallo Thrives By Offering Indulgent, Yet BFY, Snacks

Inspired by evolving consumer snacking preferences, the U.K. rice cake brand offers a line of veggie-based clean-label snacks and other foods that manage to be flavorful, nutritious, and indulgent at the same time. The company’s veggie cakes, made with rice, corn, and lentils, include a variant made with a pea and lentil base blended with vegetable flavors such as pesto and beetroot. It also offers versions highlighting organic honey, blueberry & vanilla, apple & cinnamon, and sea salt & balsamic vinegar. Minimally processed with no artificial additives, the snacks are rich in fiber and protein. The company feels it is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging snack trends, especially consumer demands for healthy and indulgent treats.

"Battle of the snacks: healthy or indulgent?", New Food, June 29, 2021

Hershey Company Completes Acquisition Of BFY Confectioner Lily

Calling it “a great addition to Hershey's growing portfolio of better-for-you snacking brands,” the Pa.-based candy maker described Lily as a growing producer of low-sugar BFY confectionery products. The company’s products, which include chocolate bars, baking chips, and other confections, can be found at many U.S. retailers. The purchase price was $425 million.

"Hershey Completes Acquisition of Lily's Confectionery Brand", PRNewswire, July 25, 2021

New Product From Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Honored For Nutrition, Innovation

The newest flavor of the Lost Hills, Calif.-based unit of The Wonderful Company was awarded Good Housekeeping's 2021 Healthy Snack Awards in the Nutritious Nuts & Legumes category along with a Gold honor for "Best Savory Snack" in Delicious Living magazine's 2021 Best Bite Awards for Consumer Choice. The new flavor, Sea Salt & Vinegar introduced in March. was also named the "Most Innovative New Product" in the Salty Snacks category at the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo. Wonderful Pistachios No Shells contain six grams of plant protein per serving. The Wonderful Company is a privately held $5 billion with brands such as Wonderful Halos, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, JUSTIN Wine, and Teleflora. 

"Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar Named Top Nutritious Nut by Good Housekeeping and Best Savory Snack by Delicious Living Magazine", PR Newswire, July 10, 2021

Whole Food Ingredients Boost Snack Nutrition Profiles Naturally

Making baked goods more nutritious can be done by adding a pre-mix of vitamins, minerals, etc., to batter or dough, or by formulating with whole food ingredients, such as nuts, seeds, and berries. Nuts and seeds deliver essential fatty acids, protein, zinc, and B vitamins, while blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries provide natural sweetness, attractive colors, and flavonoid compounds called anthocyanins that support brain health. Other whole food ingredients that boost the nutrition profile of baked goods include: oats, eggs, cassava root, dehydrated organic vegetables, grass-fed beef bone broth, olive oil, calcium, vitamin D, antioxidants, probiotics, and postbiotics. Kellogg Company’s Nutri-Grain Kids soft-baked mini cereal bars, for example, deliver 10 percent of the daily value of several key nutrients, including calcium.

"Introducing whole food fortification", Baking Business, July 06, 2021

Is U.K.’s HFSS-Based Ban On Online Advertising Fair?

Recent U.K. government announcements tightening restrictions on the advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) include in-store ad placements, multi-buys, and a total ban on online advertising. This comes as the snack industry has reformulated products to reduce sugar content and calories. Originally proposed as a way to control unhealthy food products advertised on children’s TV shows, the new tighter restrictions may not be worth the negative impact they will likely have on the snacks sector for the sake of a meager reduction in calories. Granolas, for example, which many consider a healthy food, will be penalized if they contain fruit (sugar) or nuts (fat). A major complaint is that Public Health England (PHE) originally told snack brands to use marketing to promote their reformulated healthier products, but the new policy reportedly will ban that. 

"Are the new HFSS bans unfair?", New Food, June 28, 2021

Paulig Builds Sustainable Tortilla Factory In Belgium

The Helsinki-based family-owned food and beverage company’s new plant in Roeselare is designed to strengthen the company’s position “as market leader of Tex Mex in Europe.” Paulig says the new tortilla factory will be carbon neutral from the start to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 80 percent by 2030 from a 2018 baseline. Production of Santa Maria and Poco Loco tortillas in the new factory is expected to start in the spring of 2022. Paulig posted sales of $1.1 billion in 2020. 

"Paulig begins construction of new sustainable tortilla production plant in Belgium", Cision Nordic Companies Press Releases (Scandinavia), July 06, 2021

Magic Spoon Cereal Sticks To Its Successful Social Media-Based Marketing Plan

After six months of research and testing, entrepreneurs Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz, creators and sellers of a cricket protein snack bar business, convinced investors that their new breakfast cereal – Magic Spoon – could be sold directly to consumers at a premium price. Three years after launch, the company has raised $16.5 million, and their company – with about 300,000 fans on Instagram – has experienced triple-digit growth year-over-year. And unlike standard breakfast cereals that sell in grocery stores at $4 a box, Magic Spoon – grain-free and keto-friendly with zero-to-two grams of sugar and 13-plus grams of protein, in six flavors – is still sold exclusively online in packs of four, delivered all at once or monthly, for $39. The company remains focused on its social media presence and on building brand awareness with popular influencers and podcasters.  

"From Cricket Protein To DTC Cereal: How Magic Spoon’s Cofounders Built Instagram’s Favorite Cereal", Forbes.com, July 10, 2021

Scottie Pippen And Chef Launch “Health-Forward Popcorn”

The 55-year-old former hoopster, who helped the Chicago Bulls win six NBA titles before his retirement in 2004, has partnered with chef R.C. Mills to produce Husk, a "health-forward" popcorn made with organic, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients. The popcorn, introduced on July 6, is available in a variety of flavors made with fruits, vegetables, and spices to form a whole grain popcorn. This includes matcha and coconut water, cayenne and ginger, and kale and broccoli, as well as yacon and turmeric, moringa and spirulina, and dragon fruit.

"Scottie Pippen Looks for a Slam Dunk with New Health-Focused Popcorn: 'Going to Be a Necessity' ", People.com, June 30, 2021

PeaTos Takes On Doritos With New Flavors, Including Fiery Nacho

Formulated to satisfy Doritos fans’ yearning for more nutrition and less artificial junk, the Los Angeles pea-based snack food brand’s three new crunchy tortilla style chips – Nacho Cheese, Zesty Ranch, and vegan Fiery Nacho – also challenge Cheetos and Funyuns. The new flavors contain four grams of protein and three grams of fiber per serving, while replacing artificial colors and flavors with natural ingredients that deliver what the brand calls "junk food" without the junk. PeaTos is available in more than 4,700 retailers, including Kroger, Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, Safeway, Fairway Market, Sprouts, and online at $3.99 a package.

"PeaTos Launches New Tortilla Crunchy Chips, Sparking Face-Off with Doritos in Time For the Fourth of July", Business Wire, June 29, 2021

New Keto Food And Drink Launches Keep Chugging Along

Consumers and food and beverage companies remain intrigued by the high-fat low-carb diet known as keto. Mintel data show that new food and drink launches in the U.S. touting the term “keto” in the product description have nearly doubled within the past year, from 1.2 percent of total food and beverage launches in the year ending in May 2020 to 2.3 percent in the year ending in May 2021. Though slightly fewer Americans reported following the diet in 2021 vs. 2020, NielsenIQ says there are seasonal spikes – at New Year’s and in early spring – around keto. Top categories for keto searches on Amazon are breads and buns, cereal, health, recovery drinks; powders, cookies, ice cream, baking mixes, and pasta, with top search terms being "keto," "keto bread," "keto cereal," "keto pasta," "keto ice cream," "keto cookies," and "keto protein powder. 

"Keto, a long-lasting trend? New keto product launches double in past year", Food Navigator USA, June 28, 2021

Herbalife Nutrition Debuts Vegan “Protein Chips”

The Los Angeles-based multi-level marketing corporation that sells dietary supplements is launching what it calls “a tasty new alternative to snacks.” The new Protein Chips, available in barbecue and sour cream & onion flavors, are made with plant-based proteins and natural flavorings, and are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian friendly. And because neither of the variants are fried, they have half the fat of regular potato chips.

"Herbalife Nutrition Protein Chips – a tasty, high protein snack", Nine O’Clock , June 24, 2021

Academic Scientists Develop Fiber-Snack Formulations That Promote A Healthy Gut

A Washington University (St. Louis, Mo.) study funded by NIH and snack food company Mondelēz International identified ingredients for snack food prototypes formulated to deliberately change the gut microbiome in ways that can be linked to health. In two pilot human studies of overweight participants, researchers showed that snacks containing combinations of specifically selected fiber types benefit elements of the microbiome involved in metabolizing fiber components. The researchers, who have since applied for patents for the fiber-snack recipes discussed in the study, said they are working to develop a “new generation of snack food formulations that people will like to eat and that will support a healthy gut microbiome that affects many aspects of wellness.”

"Fiber could be key to snacks that are good for gut bacteria", Futurity.org, June 28, 2021