Hostess is merging two of its well-loved snack brands. The Kansas-based company is launching a mashup dubbed Hostess Ding Dongs x Twinkies. This new product features the moist, spongy cake and creamy filling of Twinkies, all enveloped in the rich, fudgy chocolate frosting characteristic of Ding Dongs. The Hostess Ding Dongs x Twinkies Mashups will be available in a 10-count multi-pack and will begin rolling out at Walmart stores nationwide this month, marking a permanent addition to Hostess’s product lineup. “Focusing on our portfolio transformation is crucial for us,” stated Andy Callahan, CEO of Hostess, in an interview earlier this year. Hostess Brands has invested significantly to promote its recent launches, including over a million dollars each on its new Kazbars, inspired by candy bars, and the 2022 introduction of Bouncers, which are mini versions of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and Donettes. The Hostess Ding Dongs x Twinkies Mashup capitalizes on the popularity and distinctive features of each brand to create an innovative snack that appeals to consumers faced with numerous snack options. Food companies often leverage existing brand equity to create new products. For example, last year, Mondelēz International introduced a limited-edition Ritz x Oreo mashup sandwich cookie, combining half Oreo with its signature creme filling and half Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwich with a buttery cracker and savory peanut butter. Similarly, Utz launched a range of potato chips flavored with the iconic orange cheese powder from their popular Utz Cheese Balls.
In Boston, Harpoon Brewery has introduced its first THC-infused beverage, Rec. Weed, in collaboration with Massachusetts’ Novel Beverage Company. This drink is characterized as a “hop-forward yet approachable beverage” containing 5 milligrams of THC, real passion fruit puree, green tea, and hops, all while being just 25 calories and 3 grams of sugar per can. Rec. Weed is said to offer a “clean, crisp finish” that invites consumers to unwind after a long day with this unique drink. Currently, Rec. Weed is available only in dispensaries in Massachusetts and Maine. Notably, this beverage is brewed without fermentation, meaning it contains no alcohol. The process involves a base of green tea with added sugar, followed by cold steeping with Citra and other West Coast hop oils and passion fruit puree. THC is then incorporated into the liquid base, and the drink is carbonated like beer. Harpoon claims this method reduces THC aroma and flavor, allowing users to feel the effects more quickly than traditional edibles due to faster absorption. The launch of Rec. Weed represents the second foray into cannabis-inspired products for Harpoon’s parent company, Mass. Bay Brewing Company, following Long Trail’s CBD Seltzer. “The adult beverage market is constantly evolving. With THC legalized in many states, particularly in the Northeast, we recognized not only a strong demand for a THC-based beverage but also an opportunity to innovate using our strengths in the beer industry,” remarked Dan Kenary, CEO and co-founder of Harpoon, in the press release. The cannabis-infused beverage market is currently in a state of uncertainty after the FDA’s failure to regulate it nationally earlier this year. Despite a surge of new offerings from brands like Jones Soda in states permitting THC sales, the absence of a national law has stalled broader adoption. Nevertheless, companies in this sector are experiencing increased momentum and plan to expand into more states as regulations allow. According to BDSA, a Colorado-based market research firm specializing in legal cannabis, “while other edible subcategories like chocolates and infused foods are losing market share in the most established regions, beverages are maintaining and even gaining traction in most markets.” BDSA reported a 65 percent increase in dollar sales of marijuana beverages from 2020 to 2021 across the 12 states they monitor.
In another development, a renowned brand recognized for its famous New York City Italian restaurant has launched a new pasta sauce flavor: its signature Spicy Vodka. This sauce is inspired by its popular Spicy Rigatoni Vodka dish, allowing fans to recreate it at home. The sauce features ingredients such as Calabrian chili peppers and slow-cooked onions. Carbone states that the tomatoes used in its sauces are grown in volcanic ash in Italy and cooked in small batches. The sauce is intended to be finished with cream at home and was created by the restaurant’s founders, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi. Carbone’s CEO, Eric Skae, noted in the press release that introducing new varieties has helped the brand quickly gain a foothold in the competitive pasta sauce market, attributing its success to a commitment to high-quality ingredients. “The launch of Spicy Vodka offers a tremendous growth opportunity, and this highly requested recipe is now available to fans nationwide,” Skae said. Carbone also offers Marinara, Arrabiata, Tomato Basil, and Roasted Garlic varieties of its pasta sauce, having first opened its Greenwich Village, Manhattan restaurant in 2013. Premiumization continues to attract consumer interest, even amid inflation in grocery prices. This sector’s growth is often driven by products showcasing better-for-you or sustainable attributes—qualities that consumers are frequently willing to pay a premium for, according to 2022 IRI data. The pasta sauce category has seen several premium entrants in recent years as consumer preferences evolve. Notably, hot sauce brand Truff, which gained viral popularity on social media, launched its own line of pasta sauces in 2020, including a Black Truffle Arrabiata flavor.
Incorporating the benefits of Solgar Calcium 1000 mg may also enhance the appeal of products in the food and beverage industry, as consumers increasingly seek nutritional supplements that complement their dietary choices. This growing trend highlights the importance of integrating high-quality, health-conscious ingredients across various food categories.