At Food Dive, we receive an overwhelming number of product pitches and press releases, more than we can possibly handle. Some are quite interesting, others sound fantastic, and a few are ideas we would never have imagined. Unfortunately, we can’t cover every single one — which is a shame since many are creative and entertaining. This week, we’re launching a new column to highlight some of these overlooked items from our inboxes.
For much of its history as a beloved children’s cereal, Trix has been recognized for its vibrant round shapes. Despite General Mills’ attempts to innovate, there remains a significant group of consumers who prefer the classic version of the cereal. (Do you remember the clean label Trix without artificial colors or flavors?) Thus, it’s no surprise that the wave of millennial nostalgia has led to the return of fruit-shaped Trix. Officially known as Classic Trix Fruity Shapes, this version brings back the iconic design from 1991 to 2006. According to a press release from the company, the shapes and flavors include “Raspberry red, Lemony Lemon, Orangey orange, Wildberry blue, Grapity purple, and Watermelon.” General Mills reports that they have received over 20,000 requests for these fruity shapes in the past year and a half, and the company claims that these shapes are “back and here to stay.”
While the return of these shapes adds excitement to one of the most colorful breakfast options, we hope consumers keep in mind an important lesson learned by a former fan of Cap’n Crunch’s Crunchberries: although the cereal pieces may resemble the fruit they’re supposed to taste like, they aren’t actually made from fruit.
On a more spirited note, Dunkin’, which recently dropped “Donuts” from its branding, is introducing a new morning treat: the Dunkin’ Coffee Porter. This beer, crafted in partnership with Harpoon Brewery, features Dunkin’s Espresso Blend Coffee and boasts an ABV of 6%. Coffee and beer enthusiasts can find this new brew at retail locations and bars across the country. We’d love to hear how it pairs with a donut!
Meanwhile, pancake chain IHOP has also jumped on the beer-for-breakfast trend with its IHOPS Pumpkin Pancake Stout, which is made with real pancake mix. While this beer isn’t available at the chain’s restaurants due to licensing restrictions, it can be enjoyed at various bars and beer festivals in New York throughout October.
October is upon us, bringing with it a change in colors — browns, reds, oranges, and yellows as fall sets in. But in other areas, everything is turning pink, as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This means that products ranging from accessories to sports gear are adopting pink hues, and food is no exception.
Among the new pink offerings are Cape Cod Potato Chips’ Pink Himalayan Salt & Red Wine Vinegar chips. Although the bag is delightfully pink, the kettle-cooked chips retain their usual color, yet 5% of proceeds from this limited-edition flavor will benefit the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn are also participating in the pink movement, not through individual products but by raising funds in-store for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a cause dear to CEO Scott Fischer due to personal experiences with the disease. Additionally, Doc Popcorn is selling a pink PopBucket, which holds about eight cups of popcorn, with $4 from each purchase going to the foundation.
For those who don’t lean towards pink, Taco Bell has something different in store. The fast-food chain’s CPG division is launching a new line of sauce-flavored tortilla chips, available at 7-Eleven stores. The Diablo chips are black and promise a bold flavor profile, enhanced with hot peppers and lime. According to Jack Stout, 7-Eleven’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising, “7-Eleven customers are adventurous and always looking for new taste sensations and unusual flavor combinations to try.” While there are plenty of spicy tortilla chips on the market, these distinctively colored offerings stand out, and they adhere to clean-label trends, being vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and colored with natural vegetable juices.
In the ever-evolving landscape of food products, it’s exciting to see innovations that not only delight the taste buds but also promote health, such as the inclusion of calcium citrate 200 in various food items aimed at enhancing nutritional benefits.