just-food publishes the most notable product development from the international food sector, presented in bitesize format to give you a flavour of the innovation from your peers and competitors announced this week.
Mars extends Maltesers brand with double launch
Mars has extended one of its flagship brands in the UK with the launch of Maltesers Buttons and Maltesers Truffles.
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Maltesers Buttons – the launch of which was leaked earlier this year by a UK tabloid newspaper – have the same ingredients as regular Maltesers “but in a fun and playful format, offering consumers a chocolate button with the brand’s signature crunchy texture”.
Maltesers Truffles are said to “contain the familiar crunch and melt combination that consumers love with a new creamy truffly texture which creates a different eating experience”.
The new products are set to hit shops in mid-July.
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Rebecca Shepheard-Walwyn, Maltesers brand director in the UK, said: “Maltesers Buttons will reintroduce the brand to younger consumers while Maltesers Truffles will grow the category through being perfect for those special gifting occasions.”
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By GlobalDataMaltesers Buttons come in different sized bags ranging in price from GBP0.66 to GBP3.29 (US$0.88 to $4.39) while Maltesers Truffles come in gift boxes ranging in price from GBP1.99 to GBP7.49.
Nestle takes Garden Gourmet meat-free range to UK
Nestlé is taking meat-free products to the UK with the launch of Garden Gourmet’s vegetarian range of burgers, snacks and meals.
Garden Gourmet’s products are plant-based and are low in salt, sugar and fats, which the company says means they have no red warning labels under the nutrition labelling system.
The range also meets the salt targets recommended by the UK government for meat alternatives, and come with no artificial flavours or preservatives.
Available in Sainsbury’s and Ocado from Sunday (27 May), consumers will have the choice of 12 products including meat-free burgers, mince and chicken-style pieces, quinoa and broccoli bakes, and bright beetroot falafel.
Paula Jordan, managing director of Nestlé’s UK food division, said: “We find that people want to enjoy a healthier diet and try to eat less meat, but they are sometimes disappointed with the taste. We’ve been working hard to offer something different to consumers and have developed a versatile range of delicious meat-free products packed with flavour to make sure there is no need to compromise on taste ever again.”
Pladis takes Why Nut to US
Pladis, the UK-headquartered snacks arm of Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding, is to launch snack brand Why Nut in the US.
Why Nut are “bite-sized snack balls” that Pladis also describes as a “natural source of protein”.
They will be available in two flavours – almond and pistachio.
“Why Nut was a product initially introduced into the UK in the latter part of last year. We’ve now commercialised that for the US. Our first production of Why Nut is going to be in about two weeks,” Brian Blanchard, the CEO of Pladis’ North America division, told just-food. “This is a health-and-wellness-oriented product – nut-based, real nuts and fruits, four simple ingredients – really targeted towards those consumers who want a really healthy and energising snack they can take on the go.”
The snacks will be initially launched at regional retailers in the New York metro area and on the West Coast, Blanchard added.
Kez’s Kitchen takes its cookies into dairy with ice cream debut
Australian cookie and snacks maker Kez’s Kitchen has moved into dairy products for the first time since it was founded in 1991 and is launching gluten-free ice cream.
Kez’s Melting Moments Ice Cream incorporates the Victoria-based firm’s classic gluten-free cookies, blended with Australian dairy ice cream.
”I love the real cookie inclusions and the iconic Melting Moment taste,” said managing director Michael Carp. ”It’s our Melting Moment cookie, as an Ice Cream!”
He continued: ”’Cookies and Cream’ style ice cream has been a ‘no go’ for our many gluten-free consumers. As we have been baking indulgent gluten-free biscuits for many years now, it was natural for us to create a ‘cookies and cream style ice cream to offer that moment of indulgence to every member of the family, no matter their food intolerances or lifestyle choices.”
Mondelez to launch Barni in Australia
US-based snacks giant Mondelez International is taking its children-focused brand Barni to Australia.
Barni will “start appearing on shelves soon and will be available from most major retailers by early June”, a spokesperson said.
Mondelez is selling Barni in two x 150g multi-packs in Australia, available in Choc flavour and Milk flavour at a recommended retail price of AUD4 (US$3.01). It is also offering a 30g “single serve” Choc variant that has an RRP of AUD1.50.
Muller launches first UK spreadable product
Dairy business Müller has launched Müller Spreadable, its first branded spreadable in the UK.
The product is made with 73% churned butter and has been launched exclusively in Tesco.
Müller Spreadable will be available in slightly salted and unsalted in a 400g pack – with a RRP of GBP3.00 (US$4.04) – and a 250g pack, with a RRP of GBP2.00. Consumers will also be able to purchase salted and unsalted Müller Butter (block) in 250g (RRP GBP2.00).
Dan Howell, the commercial director at Müller’s UK unit Müller Milk & Ingredients, said: “We recognise that there has been a lack of new product development in this part of the dairy aisle, and we’re confident that by focusing on taste and leveraging the brand power of Müller, we can unlock new category growth benefiting consumers and customers alike.”
Young’s Seafood adds to ‘premium’ fish range
The UK’s Young’s Seafood has launched three ‘premium’ frozen fish products: Young’s Gastro Jumbo Beer Battered Argentinian Red Shrimp and Young’s Lightly Breaded and Lightly Battered Chunky Cod Fillets.
The Gastro Jumbo Beer Battered Argentinian Red Shrimp (220g) contains wild caught Argentinian Red Shrimp wrapped in Young’s Gastro beer batter. In a first for Young’s, the Argentinian Red Shrimp species is a new addition to its Gastro portfolio, tapping into what research suggests is a growing demand for shellfish.
Yvonne Adam, marketing director of Young’s Seafood, said: “Our Beer Battered Shrimp brings a new species and eating occasion to our restaurant quality Gastro range, and our industry leading segmentation helped us identify a group of shoppers who prefer chunky portions, so we’re meeting that need with a fabulous product that combines 100% natural, chunky fillet with a lighter coating.”
The new products will be available in Asda from June.
General Mills to go global with Betty Crocker Mug Treats
US food group General Mills has announced a global launch for its Betty Crocker Mug Treats – a dessert that can be made in a coffee mug.
Mug Treats debuted recently in the US, Canada and the Middle East and will soon be in Europe, Australia and Latin America.
The desserts can be microwaved in about a minute and are then finished with the provided frosting, topping, icing or glaze.
General Mills said teams from across several regions talked with retail customers and used the feedback to come up with the finished product. Flavours and packaging are unique to each market.
Emily Thomas, the firm’s US meals & baking business unit director, said: “We are thrilled to see the amazing response to Mug Treats from consumers and our retail partners.”
Beyond Meat to debut Breakfast Sausage
Beyond Meat, the US vegan food business best-known for its Beyond Burger, is adding to its range with the launch of the vegan Breakfast Sausage.
Unveiled at the National Restaurant Association exhibition in Chicago, the patty supplements Beyond Meat’s existing Beyond Sausage product. It will be available in the autumn and is designed for restaurant use.
The product is non-GMO and free from soy and gluten. Like the vegan Beyond Sausage and Beyond Burger, the Breakfast Sausage Patty will be made primarily from pea protein and feature flavours and textures that mimic classic breakfast sausages using ingredients such as mungbeans, rice and sunflower protein.
