NPD Trend Tracker: From Special K Granola to dark chocolate Maltesers

NPD-Trend-Tracker-From-Special-K-Granola-to-dark-chocolate-Maltesers.jpg
GettyImages/ariwasabi (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In this edition of our new product development trend tracker, we welcome Dark Maltesers: a flavour Mars says consumers have been ‘requesting for years’. Kellogg’s is launching Special K granola in two flavours – mixed berries and dark chocolate – and John West is entering the pot snack category. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…

In this edition of our new product development trend tracker, we welcome Dark Maltesers: a flavour Mars says consumers have been ‘requesting for years’. Kellogg’s is launching Special K granola in two flavours – mixed berries and dark chocolate – and John West is entering the pot snack category. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…

GettyImages/ariwasabi

NPD Trend Tracker: From Special K Granola to dark chocolate Maltesers
NPD Trend Tracker: From Special K Granola to dark chocolate Maltesers (ariwasabi/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In this edition of our new product development trend tracker, we welcome Dark Maltesers: a flavour Mars says consumers have been ‘requesting for years’. Kellogg’s is launching Special K granola in two flavours – mixed berries and dark chocolate – and John West is entering the pot snack category. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…

GettyImages/ariwasabi

HFSS-compliant Twiglets
HFSS-compliant Twiglets

Snacking company pladis has reformulated its Jacob’s Twiglets product to be HFSS-compliant.

Specifically, the new recipe contains 60% less salt. pladis is also highlighting its ‘high in fibre’ claim front-of-pack.

According to Leighton Wall, Marketing Director – Savoury at pladis UK&I, the new Jacob’s Twiglets recipe ‘enhances’ the brand’s ‘familiar taste’.

“What’s more, die-hard Jacob’s Twiglets fans have told us they actually prefer the new taste to the original!”

How does it know this? The snacks maker conducted ‘comprehensive’ consumer tasting, and says it is ‘confident’ it has ‘hit the mark’.

At the same time, the brand is looking to educate its consumers about the ‘wholegrain goodness’ and ‘high fibre content’ of the product.

“In addition to helping existing Jacob’s Twiglets fans learn more about one of their favourite snacks, demonstrating the brand’s points of difference will help us increase appeal across the board – perhaps even turning the heads of new shoppers on the hunt for healthier snacking options,” said Wall.

The reformulated Twiglets range comes in multipacks, sharing bags and caddies.

Image source: pladis

Danone Light and Free yogurt
Danone Light and Free yogurt

Danone has launched a new £1m campaign for its Light and Free Greek style yoghurt brand.

The campaign, which pushing its ‘Light, Never Less’ messaging, aims to celebrate the creamy yogurt range which are ‘full of flavour, thick and creamy’ and contain ‘no added sugar’.

“The way consumers think about their diet has evolved. They are taking a more holistic and positive approach to health as a preference to restrictive dieting. As a result of that, the new Light & Free campaign is very much focused on tackling the key barriers of the diet category around poor taste and watery texture, showcasing that yes, a product can be 0% fat and 0% added sugar but nonetheless deliciously tasty,” said Tom Kickton, Category Director EDP Marketing for Danone UK&I.

“That is why we have evolved the full Light and Free brand positioning to focus on the delicious taste and texture of our products, making it easy for consumers to choose a healthy snack, without compromising on enjoyment.”

The range contains over 30% fewer calories than most full fat yoghurts, and does contain naturally occurring sugars.

Image source: Danone

Dark chocolate Maltesers
Dark chocolate Maltesers

Mars-owned Maltesers is adding a dark chocolate offering to its flavour range, which also includes orange and mint varieties, as well as its Maltesers Buttons.

Maltesers Dark contain 65% more cocoa and 30% less sugar.

“We are excited to be extending our Maltesers range to offer Maltesers fans a new twist on the chocolate malt confections, which we all know and love. We thought it was about time to finally create Dark Maltesers, as fans have been requesting us to bring out this flavour for years!” said Leah Dyckes, Brand Director, Maltesers.

“We’re proud to have developed this new innovation and we can’t wait for everyone to taste the new product!”

Malteser Dark comes in a variety of formats, from single pack to treat bag, pouch and More to Share. All are rolling out nationwide from 20 June.

Image source: Mars, Inc.

Macadamia snacks
Macadamia snacks

House of Macadamias is expanding its listings in the UK. Having recently launched into Planet Organic, Portobello Wholefoods, and Partridges, the brand will now be sold in WH Smiths as of 22 July.

According to House of Macadamias, the UK is experiencing a ‘snowballing appreciation’ for the humble nut. This has taken longer than other nuts, it suggested, since the ‘best’ macadamias are grown in South Africa.

“Macadamias are a veritable goldmine of buttery textured goodness, an under-appreciated superfood packed with beneficial antioxidants, minerals and healthy fats, that’s low in carbs but high in beneficial fibre,” said House of Macadamias spokesperson Carmen Hiemstra.

“Macadamias provide the perfect setting for both sweet & savoury flavours to prosper which is why WH Smiths is launching House of Macadamias, chocolate dipped, onion and lightly salted variants this July.”

Hiemstra continued: “The UK is a vibrant foodie marketplace we’ve admired from afar for some while, which is why we believe our latest proud high street listing is merely the next stepping stone in our ongoing quest to forge better-for-you snacking unions with the UK’s leading health-conscious retailers, independents and wholesalers.”

Image source: House of Macadamias

John West launches ‘On the Go’ tuna pots
John West launches ‘On the Go’ tuna pots

The UK’s leading canned fish brand is innovating the pot snack category with a line of four ‘On the Go Tuna Pots’.

The four variants include: Mediterranean Tuna Cous Cous pot – Chilli & Garlic; Indian Tuna Rice Pot – Biryani Curry; Thai Tuna Noodle Pot – Green Curry; and Italian Tuna Pasta Pot – Tomato & Herb.

According to John West, the new range will particularly appeal to younger, health-conscious shoppers looking for tasty and high quality products that fit into a busy lifestyle.

“John West On the Go Tuna Pots make natural protein more accessible,” said Jon Burton, International Marketing Director, John West Foods.

“The combination of tuna, a range of carbohydrate options and popular province-led flavours that consumers know and like, is a welcome addition to the category and demonstrates it can be delicious, nutritious, and exciting all at the same time.

“We know that consumers currently limit their intake of pot snacks as they’re perceived as unhealthy – Tuna Pots are transformative for the category, enabling consumers to enjoy premium alternatives.”

The new line launched into Sainsbury’s last month, and is rolling out into Tesco this month. Next month, the new products will be available in Asda.

Image source: John West

Special K Granola
Special K Granola

Kellogg’s is adding new granola products to its Special K range in two flavours: Mixed Berries and Dark Chocolate Curls.

Made from an oat base with puffed grains, the new line provides a source of oat grain fibre to support gut health. The products are also HFSS-compliant.

“It’s so important to get your day off to a good start and it’s easy when you’ve got something that tastes so delicious! Our food development experts have created a new Special K Crunchy Oat Granola to give people a great tasting high fibre option with 30% less sugar than other granolas,” said Emily Dutton, senior brand manager at Special K.

“With so many different ways you can enjoy Special K Crunchy Oat Granola for breakfast, it’s sure to be a household favourite.”

Special K Crunchy Oat Granola is available in Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons at an RRP of £2.99.

Image source: Kellogg's