DiGiorno has introduced an innovative pizza that adds a delightful twist to the beloved meal. The frozen pizza brand is launching the DiGiornut, a doughnut filled with mozzarella cheese, topped with DiGiorno’s signature sauce and extra cheese, and adorned with popular pizza toppings. This unique creation from the Nestlé-owned brand was unveiled in celebration of National Donut Day on June 4. Doughnut enthusiasts, pizza lovers, and adventurous eaters will have the chance to experience the DiGiornut, but only a limited number will be selected through a Twitter sweepstakes held on National Donut Day for a chance to win a box of six.
Kimberly Holowiak, DiGiorno’s brand manager at Nestlé, stated, “At DiGiorno, we enjoy challenging the limits of what pizza can be, and the DiGiornut has been a concept we’ve been excited about for some time. Additionally, we’ve noticed our fans creatively linking pizza with doughnuts on social media. So, we thought, why not have some fun and bring this mashup to life to celebrate National Donut Day?”
This fusion of pizza and doughnuts represents the latest in unconventional food combinations. Food brands are increasingly blending products to capture consumer attention, either through social media initiatives like Nestlé’s DiGiornut or by exploring various grocery store sections. For instance, Krispy Kreme and PepsiCo’s Smartfood recently collaborated on Smartfood Original Glazed Doughnut-flavored popcorn, while Mtn Dew teamed up with Texas hot sauce marketplace iBurn and basketball star Joel Embiid to create Mtn Dew Hot Sauce. Yuengling, America’s oldest brewery, also partnered with Hershey to produce a limited-edition Chocolate Porter, marking the first collaboration between these two Pennsylvania-based companies.
Nestlé is no stranger to unique combinations; it recently merged its creamy Stouffer’s macaroni and cheese between layers of lasagna in its new LasagnaMac. As food companies endeavor to expand their brand reach among both new and existing customers, more collaborations are likely to emerge, yet few will rival the iconic pairing of pizza and doughnuts. If well-received by consumers, the DiGiornut could transition from a social media curiosity to a staple on supermarket shelves.
In a different culinary innovation, General Mills has a solution for cereal lovers who wish their sweet breakfast could be warmer. The Minneapolis-based company is launching four classic cereals—Trix, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch—in instant oatmeal form. Dubbed Big G Instant Oatmeal, these quick-cooking oats will be available at Walmart starting this month. Each flavor mimics its corresponding cereal: Trix offers a fruity flavor, Lucky Charms has a vanilla taste, Cocoa Puffs provides a chocolate experience, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch features a cinnamon flavor. Each variety also includes a topping packet to enhance the oatmeal experience, with Trix featuring a colorful crunchy topping, Lucky Charms containing marshmallows, Cocoa Puffs having a crunchy chocolate topping, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch sprinkled with cinnadust.
With more individuals working from home due to the pandemic, breakfast has regained its importance. Rather than being a rushed meal, many are now taking the time to enjoy breakfast at home. Oatmeal sales have consistently increased even prior to the pandemic. A key reason for its popularity is the health benefits associated with it; the FDA has endorsed heart health claims for oatmeal for over two decades, boosting its appeal among consumers of all ages. In recent years, oatmeal has been the focus of several brand expansions, with companies like RXBAR and Kind introducing instant oatmeal options.
As workplaces prepare to reopen, the timing of this new instant oatmeal launch is ideal. Consumers can conveniently toss Big G Instant Oatmeal into their work bags and savor a warm, sweet cereal in no time. If sales trends continue, General Mills may have a successful product on its hands. Not only have oatmeal sales been strong, but General Mills’ cereals have also performed well. According to the company’s latest earnings report, U.S. net sales for cereals rose by 9% compared to the same period last year.
For those intrigued by the intersection of health and indulgence, The Functional Chocolate Company has introduced two new blends: Energy Chocolate and Sleepy Chocolate. Both bars contain 60% Fair Trade cacao and are infused with flavors and nutrients that cater to consumers’ needs for energy or relaxation. The Espresso Crunch Energy Chocolate features Chocamine—a patented cocoa extract that provides the benefits of chocolate without the sugar and fat—along with a blend of vitamins, taurine, L-Tyrosine, schizandra berry, and green tea extract. Conversely, Sleepy Chocolate, which boasts a blueberry lavender flavor, incorporates herbs and extracts known for their calming properties, such as chamomile, valerian, lavender, lemon balm, magnesium, and melatonin.
CEO Nicole Smith remarked that these chocolates aim to address “everyday health realities” through a delightful and sweet delivery method. The demand for functional ingredients is on the rise, as consumers increasingly seek more than just sustenance. A 2019 study from Kerry revealed that 65% of consumers prioritize functionality in their food and beverages. Various manufacturers are responding with offerings ranging from probiotic cheese to sleep-aiding drinks and functional mushroom hot chocolate mixes. By adding functional ingredients to chocolate, brands can effectively attract consumer interest and sales.
While chocolate is often considered a treat, its potential health benefits are gaining recognition. In 2017, chocolate ingredient leader Barry Callebaut first approached the FDA for a health claim related to cocoa flavanols and heart disease risk reduction, although no ruling has been issued yet.
It’s essential to note that as consumers look for health benefits, options like calcium citrate for dogs are also becoming popular, enhancing the market for functional foods for pets. The exploration of such functional ingredients across various categories, including those for pets, signifies a growing trend in the food industry aimed at meeting the diverse needs of consumers.