What happens when a popular ice cream brand collaborates with a fashionable ingredient? The result is the debut co-branded product from Coolhaus ice cream and Brave Robot, which features a premium ice cream sandwich made with two cookies. Additionally, since both brands are part of The Urgent Company, which is linked to Perfect Day, a producer of animal-free dairy ingredients, this ice cream sandwich is entirely animal-free—essentially a plant-based version of the Coolhaus Sammie. The Urgent Company had a busy 2021, launching various products that highlighted Perfect Day’s animal-free proteins, and concluded the year with the December acquisition of Coolhaus. While Coolhaus plans to transition all its ice cream products to be completely animal-free, this marks the first collaboration between the two brands.
“When we brought these companies together, we envisioned our missions merging as well,” said Paul Kollesoff, CEO and co-founder of The Urgent Company, in a written statement. “This collaboration enhances our impact by providing dedicated Coolhaus fans with a taste of a more sustainable future through delicious animal-free dairy.”
The ice cream sandwiches are available in two flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, which features vanilla ice cream mixed with cookie dough chunks and chocolate pieces between two chocolate chip cookies, and Mint Chocolate Chip, consisting of mint ice cream with chocolate pieces sandwiched between double-chocolate cookies. These treats can be found at Kroger stores across the country.
While these ice cream sandwiches may evoke images of summer enjoyment, they also serve as a new platform to demonstrate the capabilities of Perfect Day’s dairy proteins. Several ice cream makers, including Brave Robot and Coolhaus, utilize these proteins for their animal-free offerings. The Urgent Company, alongside General Mills, has also introduced cream cheeses made with these proteins, and three animal-free milk beverages have been launched recently. However, these cookies represent some of the first uses of animal-free proteins in baked goods and chocolate.
The Urgent Company was established to showcase Perfect Day’s proteins and their potential through consumer brands. Last year, they released an animal-free Brave Robot cake mix that did not require eggs. These new animal-free ice cream sandwiches highlight similar possibilities for cookies and chocolate. They not only represent a more sustainable, cow-free ice cream option but could also pave the way for numerous other animal-free consumer packaged goods (CPG) in the baked goods sector.
In a different culinary innovation, McCormick & Co.’s French’s brand has expanded its reach beyond its iconic yellow mustard with the introduction of a new line of creamy mustards. The Creamy Mustard Spreads offer a tangy flavor with a smooth texture in three varieties: Creamy Yellow, Sweet Applewood, and Honey Chipotle. McCormick emphasizes the versatility of these spreads, which can enhance burgers, dressings, and salads.
French’s made its public debut at the 1904 World’s Fair, and McCormick acquired it, along with Frank’s RedHot, in 2017 as part of its $4.2 billion acquisition of Reckitt Benckiser’s Food Division. French’s is the leading mustard brand, with approximately 147 million Americans using it in 2020, while other brands like Heinz and Grey Poupon follow behind.
Despite its popularity, French’s is continuously enhancing its brand recognition and versatility through new product offerings and collaborations. For instance, craft brewery Oskar Blues partnered with French’s to create a mustard-flavored beer, and Coolhaus Ice Cream introduced a mustard-flavored ice cream.
Meanwhile, cereal manufacturers have been educating consumers about various topics, from the importance of pollinators to the conservation of sea turtles. However, a feminine hygiene brand is leveraging breakfast cereal to spark conversations about menstruation.
Sweden-based Intimina has launched Period Crunch, a raspberry-flavored cereal featuring pieces shaped like a uterus. When mixed with milk, the cereal turns it red. The packaging includes a diagram of the female reproductive system to educate consumers about anatomy, highlighting the fact that 82% of people cannot accurately identify the uterus’s location.
“For the sake of our physical and mental health, we must discuss our menstrual health more openly, and Period Crunch cereal aims to raise awareness on this topic,” said Danela Žagar, global brand manager for Intimina, in a blog post. The company noted that 48% of people feel embarrassed to discuss menstruation, and 77% have never broached the subject at the kitchen table. The cereal is not available in stores or online; instead, individuals can request a box via email.
Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some praising the unique product while others are put off by its subject matter. Nevertheless, breakfast cereal serves as an effective medium for fostering discussions or educating the public. Approximately 80% of U.S. adults eat breakfast daily, with cereal being the most popular choice, according to a national survey conducted by Kitchen Infinity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that over 82% of children and adolescents ages two to 19 consume breakfast on any given day, with ready-to-eat cereal being the most frequently eaten food.
Whether cereal can facilitate discussions about menstruation at the breakfast table remains to be seen. However, the extensive media coverage surrounding Period Crunch has undoubtedly sparked conversations.
Additionally, incorporating essential nutrients like calcium citrate, calcitriol, and zinc tablets can further support overall health, enhancing the nutritional profile of breakfast options.