Mintel’s Global New Products Database has recently noticed a number of exciting worldwide new food product
introductions.
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Bakery launches with nettles & licorice
Two bakery lines reported in this issue use somewhat novel ingredients. Nettle, an ingredient we sometimes come across in toiletry products, is now found in a new Finnish rye bread from Linkosuon Leipomo. Also in Finland are reformulated Carneval biscuits from Fazer Keksit. They now have a touch of licorice flavor. Licorice is a common confectionery item in Scandinavian markets, but it is unusual for the flavor to be applied in biscuits.
Kellogg‘s biscuits in India
Kellogg is continuing to venture outside of the breakfast cereal market. New in India are a number of Kellogg’s branded biscuits including: Breakfast Biscuits enriched with Glucose; Chocos Chocolate Cream sandwich biscuits with a cream filling; and Breakfast Biscuit Komplete, enriched with seven vitamins and iron, and added pistachio nuts.
Ovaltine biscuits
New in Thailand from Nabisco are biscuits based on the Ovaltine hot beverage brand. The Ovaltine brand has already been extended into other areas such as breakfast cereals.
Chocolate countline extensions
Nestle’s leading chocolate and wafer countline, KitKat, continues to extend into new flavors and formats across the globe. In India, we report on a white chocolate version. For now this seems to be an Asian development, as we have also reported on such a version in China. The popular Chunky version also gets its first new flavor addition in the UK. Orange is the choice, and it has been released as a limited edition.
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By GlobalDataViolet chewing gum & chewy Werthers
An interesting floral flavor can be found in confectionery. New in South Africa from Nabisco under the Beechies brand is a violet flavored chewing gum said to have long lasting taste. In the UK Sugar Confectionery market, we report on a chewy addition to the Werther’s Original hard candy brand from Bendicks of Mayfair.
Ethnic baby foods
The ethnic prepared meals market is booming and becoming more adventurous as consumers seek more authentic foods from around the world. The trend is also making inroads in the baby foods market. New in France from Materna is Petits Plats de Croissance, a new range of meals for 1-3 year olds including lines such as Indian-style chicken and Cantonese rice.
Funky & cinnamon breakfast cereals
Three companies are doing their best to add some interest in the cold breakfast cereal market. In Germany, Kellogg is adding a cinnamon flavor to its Frosties brand. Cinnamon is normally viewed as an adult flavor in Europe so it is somewhat surprising to find it in a children’s breakfast cereal. In the saturated UK market, The Big Cereal Company is also targeting children, but is being more specific with its new Funky Girl line. It comprises shaped cereals aimed at girls in the three to nine age group. Finally, also in the UK we are beginning to note more accompaniments for cereals. Late last year we saw the launch of a.m. Breakfast toppers, nut and fruit toppings from Sundora, and now we are seeing a similar launch from Sainsbury’s.
From energy drinks to…energy salami!
For that extra burst of energy we normally resort to enriched energy drinks. Now we can get that kick through eating a salami! Believed to be new in France from Deldiche is Dynameat Energy, a sausage enriched with ginseng, guarana and taurine.
Asian ice cream flavors
There is a lot to learn from Asian NPD, especially when we look at flavor developments. This month we report on three “unusual” flavor ideas in ice cream. In Japan, from Morinaga Milk Industry under the Eskimo brand, we have Cracker Sand sandwich-style ice cream that is made with savory crackers; and Kotterei Cheese is a range of stick ice creams blended with cheese such as Gorgonzola and Camembert! And in China we report on an ice cream that can be fried. The product in question comes from Guanhua Food under the Restaurant brand and can be fried straight from the pack to produce a Chinese-style dessert.
Straws in bottles
In the carbonated soft drink market is a novel and convenient packaging idea in the UK. Spring Cool Soft Drinks has launched Straw Pops, a range packaged in plastic bottles which also enclose bendy straws. Once the bottles are opened the straw pops up for instant usage.
Supplement orange juice
Good for you! Tropicana Canada’s latest introduction is Calcium & Vitamin C Supplement Orange Juice. The 1.89 liter cartons retail for C$3.69. The high price is a result of Canadian drug laws, which look on the products and its high level of fortification as a drug. This results in an additional customs fee and the product taking up to 48 hours longer to get into Canada from the US where it is manufactured. Canada’s rigid Food and Drug Act is currently under review.
Oral Hygiene from a tea
Instead of grabbing the mouthwash bottle, why not drink tea! New in Japan from Pokka is an antibacterial ready-to-drink green tea that is claimed to prevent bad breath, and be beneficial to the stomach and intestines as it is formulated with bamboo extract! Also in the iced tea market, we report on a new Bio Alp variety in Switzerland from Vallait. Called Relax, it is formulated with herbal ingredients and stinging nettle!
Functional Smoothie
Pete & Johnny continue to launch functional smoothies in the UK. Back in 1999, the company introduced vitamin and echinacea enriched lines to purify the blood and fight infection. Now it is looking at improving the digestive system. P&J It’s Alive is the new probiotic, dairy-free fruit smoothie with Bifidobacterium Lactis. It is said to leave the consumer feeling energized and ailment-free, and is thought to be the first probiotic smoothie in the UK.
Herbal wines in Japan
To help the “body & mind”, Suntory has released in Japan herbal rich wines with herbs such as marjoram, coriander, mint balm, camomile and jasmine.
Drink mix with sweet basil
New in Thailand from New Concept Product is OC, an interesting drink mix blend, with natural orange and sweet basil seed.
Puffed rice snack in China
Canadian Global Foods is taking inspiration from Kellogg with it Rice Krispies Squares. It has launched a similar product in China called Marshmallow Rice Crisp Squares.
Coffee alternative with figs
New in Belgium from Bicof is a novel caffeine-free, coffee alternative based on organic cereals and fruit such as figs and malted barley.
Chutney potato bites
A new chutney variety has been added to the Heinz Potato Bites range of frozen potato nuggets in South Africa.
Vegemite competitor in Australia
Vegemite, the leading yeast spread brand in Australia from Kraft Foods has a new competitor. Ozemite from Dick Smith is expected to be available in the middle of the year.
Reebok water
For folks looking to get fit with the latest in water technology, Clearly Canadian Beverage has teamed up with Reebok International. Reebok Fitness Water is available in two flavors, Berry and Citrus, and is enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, and contains no sweeteners. It is being launched in the US and Canada.
Puerto Rican beer
The only brewery in Puerto Rico is now pushing its products on the mainland. Meaning “treasure” in Spanish, Tesoro Beer is available in 12-oz. acid-etched bottles featuring a map of the island.
Smoothies turn to lollipops
Tootsie Roll Industries is unveiling two lickable confections this Autumn in the US. Hot Chocolate Pops are a mixture of real cocoa and marshmallow-flavored caramel squashed stickily together on a stick. Yogurt Smoothies come in four creamy flavors and have a soft fruit center.
Omega enriched cheese in the US
In the US, PurNutra introduces an omega-3/DHA-enriched cheese to the Northeast under the OmegaSmart brand. DHA, a fatty acid that is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease, will soon be applied to the company’s other dairy products, including ice cream, yogurt, and dairy spreads.
Energy boost cereal
Wheaties Energy Crunch Cereal, a recent introduction in the US from General Mills, gives early morning risers something to crow about. Made with honey-toasted whole grain flakes, protein clusters, and almonds, a serving will provide 100% of the recommended daily value of nine vitamins and minerals. It retails in a shiny silver 15.25-oz. paperboard box for $3.59.
Coffee and chocolate blends in the US
In the US, Jeremiah’s Pick Coffee has created Chocotal and Organic Chocotal, mixtures of arabica beans and cacao nibs that are set to please caffeine addicts. Available in health food stores on the West Coast and Hawaii or through the internet, a 10-oz bag sells for about $8.25.
Spicy popcorn with Tabasco
The idea of blending cheese popcorn with Tabasco sauce might not occur to many, but it has to Houston Harvest Gift Products in the US. This popcorn uses Tabasco’s green dry flavoring to provide its kick and retails in a 2-oz bag for 99 cents in supermarkets nationwide.
Wine & vodka blends
An Italian import from Francoli S. Spa really mixes it up in the US. due brand flavored vodkas are blended with wine. Available in 750ml glass bottles are Merlot and Chardonnay Find them in specialty liquor stores for $21.95 each.
Pizza stuffed pasta!
In a pleasing twist for those who like all sorts of Italian foods, D’Orazio Foods introduces in the US Pizza Stuffed Rigatoni. The pasta is stuffed with three cheeses and pizza sauce and comes with an additional two-cheese packet topping. The rigatoni can be cooked in the microwave or on the stove in five minutes and retails in a 24-oz plastic pouch for $6.99.
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