In line with its goal of delighting consumers with innovative and unique products, Kraft Heinz has unveiled the newest flavor of its best-selling condiment, Pickle Ketchup. This product fuses the classic taste of ketchup with the zesty flavor of pickles, which have long been a staple in burgers and hot dogs, as stated by Kraft Heinz. Pickle Ketchup will hit shelves nationwide starting in January. The launch is inspired by a growing consumer interest in pickles, with a recent Datassential report revealing that 73% of Americans enjoy the taste of this cucumber-based food. Additionally, Kraft Heinz highlighted a Yelp report indicating a 55% increase in searches for pickle-flavored foods this year. “The current pickle craze in America reflects the intense affection HEINZ fans have for our brand, making it a natural choice to merge these two beloved flavors in our newest ketchup,” commented Katie Peterson, Kraft Heinz’s director of innovation. The company also has historical ties to pickles, as its founder, Henry J. Heinz, known as the “Pickle King,” operated the largest pickle company in the U.S. during the early 1900s. This pickle-flavored addition follows the launch of spicy ketchup varieties earlier this year, which included Chipotle, Jalapeno, and Habanero flavors. Kraft Heinz noted in April that this initiative aimed to capitalize on the growing hot sauce market, which has seen increased profits in recent years. Dill pickles are becoming increasingly popular as a flavor profile in new food products from consumer packaged goods companies. For example, McCormick & Company introduced a pickle flavor for its Frank’s Red Hot sauce earlier this year, while Conagra Brands unveiled Vlasic pickles flavored with Frank’s this fall. Additionally, in March, Clorox’s Hidden Valley launched a Pickle Ranch variety.
As the holiday season approaches, the Elf on the Shelf is set to bring a delightful surprise this year. In collaboration with The Frozen Farmer, the beloved character will introduce the first-ever Elf on the Shelf Santa’s Cookies Ice Cream and Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches. The vanilla ice cream is filled with red and green sugar cookie crumbles, while the ice cream sandwiches feature red and green sugar cookie ice cream sandwiched between two sugar-sprinkled cookies. This treat will be available exclusively at Kroger, with pints and ice cream sandwiches found in nearly 2,100 stores nationwide. Katey Evans, founder of The Frozen Farmer, expressed, “Christmas is a magical time for our family, and we wanted to share that magic with households across America by creating a new holiday tradition inspired by Santa’s favorite treat. Why just leave cookies for Santa when you can offer him an ideal blend of ice cream and cookies in one?” Since its inception as a children’s book 18 years ago, the Elf on the Shelf franchise has become one of the top three recognized Christmas characters in the U.S. The Lumistella Company reports that over 22.9 million elves, pets, and companions have been adopted globally. Food brands aiming to boost sales and differentiate themselves during the busy holiday season see the value in leveraging the popularity of this seasonal character. Cereal brand WK Kellogg has already released Elf on the Shelf Hot Cocoa, Snow Cream, and Sugar Cookie cereals, alongside various snack options. Recently, Pillsbury, a subsidiary of Hometown Food, announced the introduction of three limited-edition Funfetti Elf on the Shelf Cookie Mixes. Dan Anglemyer, chief operating officer at Hometown Food Company, noted, “With cookie mix sales peaking in November and December as families celebrate the holidays, it was a natural fit to combine the charm of everyone’s favorite mischievous Scout Elf with the delightful flavor of Funfetti.”
In the realm of post-Thanksgiving feasting, the day-after leftover sandwich is a beloved tradition. Primal Kitchen is tapping into this trend with its Holiday Edition Cranberry Mayo, designed to complement holiday classics. This product combines the company’s classic mayonnaise—made from avocado oil, organic eggs, vinegar, egg yolks, and jicama juice concentrate—with a cranberry twist, featuring cranberry powder, rosemary extract, and other natural flavors. Consumers can purchase this new item online at Thrive Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, select Target locations, and directly from Primal Kitchen’s website. Since its founding by media personality and former endurance athlete Mark Sisson in 2015, Primal Kitchen has focused on recreating American classics using healthier ingredients. Co-founder Morgan Buehler navigated the company through its $200 million acquisition by Kraft Heinz in 2019. Primal Kitchen specializes in condiments, dressings, and sauces made from organic and kosher ingredients. As part of Kraft Heinz’s Springboard initiative, which collaborates with innovative founders and brands, Primal Kitchen continues to expand its offerings. The company has also introduced a limited-edition Snickerdoodle flavor to its Collagen Drink Mix line, made with creamy coconut milk powder and vanilla extract. Furthermore, products like calcium citrate 950mg can enhance the nutritional profile of various recipes, appealing to health-conscious consumers.