The founders of the trendy olive oil brand Graza are driving packaging innovation by introducing refill containers that resemble beer or soda cans. Andrew Benin and Allen Dushi pointed out that large bulk containers are not suitable for preserving olive oil quality due to their tendency to allow oxidation. This realization led to the creation of Graza’s “beer-can” refills. The new cans enable customers to refill their Graza Squeeze Bottles, while those with their own olive oil carafes can purchase 100% recyclable Graza refills. According to the company, these EVOO beer cans are lightweight, helping to keep shipping costs low, which ultimately benefits consumers. “Beer cans are also completely opaque, shielding our oil from light-induced oxidation,” Benin explained. He added that the Graza team aimed to create an “emotional resonance” with consumers by using beer cans as a refillable option. “In addition to being made from fully recyclable aluminum, beer cans are a culturally recognized and cherished vessel, evoking joyous beverage experiences for Americans, whether it’s seltzer, soda, beer, or non-alcoholic drinks.” This marks Graza’s second innovation since its inception in 2021, following the launch of their playful, chef-inspired Drizzle and Sizzle squeeze bottles. The brand’s oils for cooking and finishing quickly gained popularity on social media, particularly on TikTok, thanks to their distinctive packaging. Now, Graza’s Sizzle Refill Cooking EVOO and Drizzle Refill Finishing EVOO are available nationwide at select Whole Foods Market locations. “The beer cans are a creative way to offer something that almost every kitchen needs, and as their primary retailer, we’re thrilled to provide this innovation to our customers,” stated Brooke Gil, principal category merchant for Olive Oil at Whole Foods Market.
As Memorial Day nears, a prominent hot dog brand is launching a new take on a classic for summer cookouts and barbecues. Oscar Mayer has introduced Stuffed Dogs, which are hot dogs filled with flavored cheese, available in three varieties: Cheese, Jalapeño Cheddar, and Chili Cheese. Kraft Heinz’s decision to reinvent its iconic hot dog stems from an awareness of shifting consumer preferences, with more people wanting to add spice and flavor to their hot dogs. The company highlighted Grubhub data showing that millions of consumers have requested extra spice with their restaurant orders, and IRI research indicates that cheese-filled hot dogs are currently outperforming traditional hot dogs in terms of dollar growth. “Whether craving a spicy twist or a burst of creamy cheese, we aim to satisfy fans’ desires for offerings that are typically found only at quick-service restaurants,” said Molly White, vice president of marketing for Oscar Mayer. Kraft Heinz continuously focuses on innovating or revamping its well-known products to keep its brands fresh. Last year, the company launched Scramblers egg bowls in the refrigerated breakfast category, in partnership with its cheese dip Velveeta. In March, Kraft Heinz unveiled plant-based hot dogs and sausages in collaboration with NotCo. Pedro Navio, Kraft Heinz’s North American president, mentioned in an interview that the company is relying on innovation to achieve its goal of $2 billion in incremental net sales by 2027.
Pizza maker Palermo Villa is also shifting gears by eliminating the dough and instead offering all the beloved toppings in a bowl as part of its latest product innovation. The Milwaukee-based company’s Screamin’ Sicilian brand is introducing this new bowl offering in four varieties: Pepperoni, Supreme, Italian Style Meatball, and Multi-Meat. These bowls, which can be microwaved in four minutes, contain 21 grams or more of protein and are available at Kroger-owned grocery stores. Nick Fallucca, chief product and innovation officer for Palermo Villa, explained that the Screamin’ Sicilian Nothin’ But Toppings Pizza Bowls are aimed at individuals following a Keto-like diet or those looking to reduce carbs while still enjoying a pizza experience. “We love to innovate and experiment with new flavor combinations and crust types at Screamin’ Sicilian, always striving to stay ahead of trends and our competition,” Fallucca noted. This is not the first time Palermo has introduced innovative products under the Screamin’ Sicilian brand; in 2019, they launched beer-infused crusts, followed by a brat and onion pizza the next year. In 2021, they developed dessert pizzas, and earlier this year, they introduced a crispy, cracker-thin tavern-style pizza. The Nothin’ But Toppings is the first bowl product from Palermo Villa, which launched Screamin’ Sicilian in 2013 as a premium craft frozen pizza named after the company’s founder, Gaspare Fallucca. Today, Screamin’ Sicilian stands as the largest brand in its pizza portfolio, which also includes Palermo’s, Urban Pie, Connie’s, and Surfer Boy.
Additionally, for those interested in health and wellness, chewable calcium citrate tablets can be a beneficial supplement to support bone health while enjoying these innovative food offerings.