If consumers are seeking a saltier option for their breakfast, Kellogg’s latest innovation should meet their needs. According to Yahoo, the company is set to launch Pretzel Pop-Tarts in December. The unique sweet and salty creation was showcased at the National Association of Convenience Stores show last week.
The new product will be available in Chocolate and Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavors. Kellogg describes it as “a delicious filling inside a pretzel-inspired crust topped with salt flakes.” This isn’t the first exciting development from the Pop-Tart brand in recent years. To appeal to younger consumers, the company introduced Pop-Tarts Splitz last year, featuring toaster pastries that combine two different flavors in one, such as Frosted Strawberry & Drizzled Cheesecake. Additionally, Kellogg collaborated with Dunkin’ Donuts in 2016 to create two limited-edition flavors: Frosted Chocolate Mocha and Frosted Vanilla Latte.
The strategy of launching new flavors to revitalize classic brands is employed by many major food companies. From Hostess and Kellogg to General Mills and Mondelez, many brands have revamped their signature products with bolder flavors to attract millennial shoppers. The pretzel market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%, reaching $491 million by 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence, making this a promising choice for Kellogg. More innovations are expected from the brand soon, as it recently announced that Froot Loops Pop-Tarts will debut in January, as reported by Delish.
Kellogg could benefit from its Pop-Tarts line, especially as the company has faced challenges in recent years due to a decline in interest in its traditional cereal products. In the latest quarter, Kellogg’s North America net sales rose by just 1%. If the company can attract new consumers with these new launches, it may pave the way for even more flavor varieties in the future.
In another culinary trend, Taco Bell tapped into the spicy flavor craze earlier this year by incorporating one of the world’s hottest peppers into its Reaper Ranch sauce for Nacho Fries. Now the chain is turning up the heat again with Reaper Ranch Tortilla Chips. According to Taco Bell, the chips start with a cool ranch flavor before the heat from the Carolina Reaper pepper kicks in. The limited-edition chips will be available at various retailers, including CVS, 7-Eleven, Walmart, and Circle K.
Jennifer Arnoldt, Taco Bell’s senior director of retail engagement and experience, expressed excitement about the brand’s constant innovation in delivering Taco Bell’s beloved flavors in unexpected ways. A Mintel study revealed that 80% of millennials are interested in spicier food options, explaining why companies like Taco Bell, which entered the retail chip market in March 2018, are launching snacks to meet this demand.
Other brands are also embracing the heat. Escape Brands has introduced a line of spicy ice cream called Hot Scream, while Chobani debuted low-fat yogurt featuring Sriracha-mango and chipotle-pineapple flavors. Mars released a Spicy Snickers bar in China using Sichuan peppercorn, a popular spice there. Amplify Snack Brands, now part of Hershey, generated buzz two years ago with its One Chip Challenge, daring consumers to film themselves eating a giant tortilla chip made with the Carolina Reaper pepper. The challenge led to Amplify’s Carolina Reaper Madness Chips selling out quickly online and in stores.
As consumers increasingly seek out novel and bold flavors, food manufacturers are likely to continue pushing the boundaries with innovative products to keep shoppers engaged in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Fans of hummus and pumpkin pie will be pleased to learn about a new offering from Boar’s Head: Pumpkin Pie Dessert Hummus, which has just been released for fall. This seasonal dip is now available at supermarkets and gourmet stores nationwide.
The introduction of this flavor aligns with the trend of hummus brands launching unique and exciting flavors. Last year, Sabra unveiled a barbecue jackfruit flavor that capitalized on the fruit’s rising popularity. Boar’s Head is seemingly focusing on its dessert versions of hummus, having made its Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus a permanent offering last year. The company also provides Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Hummus, in addition to innovative non-dessert flavors like Everything Bagel Hummus and Sweet Chili Garlic Hummus.
October marks the peak season for pumpkin-flavored products, with offerings ranging from Pumpkin Spice Spam to Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts, as food and beverage companies take advantage of the seasonal shift. Year after year, brands enhance their seasonal offerings with unique limited-edition products that consumers eagerly anticipate. During the pumpkin spice season that began in late August 2017, sales of pumpkin-flavored items soared to an all-time high of $488.8 million, according to Nielsen.
Elizabeth Ward, Boar’s Head’s senior director of marketing and communications, noted the nostalgic feelings associated with fall—its sights, sounds, scents, and flavors. Tapping into the excitement of October could boost product sales. However, Boar’s Head faces competition from Delighted By Dessert’s Pumpkin Pie Hummus, available at Costco.
As consumer preferences evolve, the demand for innovative products like soft gel calcium citrate also reflects the ongoing quest for health-conscious options alongside indulgent flavors. The food landscape continues to change, highlighting the importance of creativity in meeting diverse consumer needs.