Here’s a condiment that certainly won’t complement the hamburger or hot dog sizzling on your grill. In celebration of National Mustard Day on August 2, a new ice cream flavor featuring the beloved French’s mustard is set to hit the market. This unconventional treat, crafted in collaboration with Coolhaus Ice Cream—a California brand renowned for its inventive flavors like Milkshake & Fries, Midnight Munchies, and Buttered French Toast—will be available for a limited time in Los Angeles and New York City. “Exploring this classic condiment in an entirely new way has been a delightful experience, allowing us to create a uniquely crafted ice cream flavor with an authentic American touch,” said Natasha Case, CEO and founder of Coolhaus, in a statement.
French’s was acquired by McCormick & Co. in 2017 as part of a monumental $4.2 billion deal involving Reckitt Benckiser’s food division, marking the largest acquisition in the company’s history. This purchase also incorporated Frank’s RedHot sauce into McCormick’s extensive portfolio, which has been known for its spices, seasoning mixes, flavorings, and condiments for over 130 years. Recently, McCormick has been leveraging its newly acquired brands to venture into different supermarket categories, such as launching Frank’s RedHot frozen chicken wings last year. Similarly, the French’s ice cream, despite its limited availability, exemplifies McCormick’s strategy to diversify its offerings. With products like frozen chicken wings and now ice cream, McCormick is rapidly heating up the frozen food sector.
In another development, Kellogg is the latest company to introduce products aimed at children, seemingly designed by individuals who may not fully grasp the challenges of parenting. For those who have ever maneuvered a shopping cart while singing and performing gestures, Baby Shark cereal is now here (doo doo doo doo doo). It seems fitting that the wildly popular children’s song has made its way to breakfast, especially considering the cereal aisle is already filled with offerings inspired by movies like “Toy Story 4” and whimsical creatures such as caticorns and mermaids. Why not music?
The cereal boasts vibrant colors and sweetness, reminiscent of the viral Pinkfong video that has amassed over 3 billion views on YouTube. Touted as “Berry Fin-Tastic,” this breakfast option features rings in shades of pink, yellow, and teal, along with white marshmallows. It will make its debut on store shelves later this month, starting exclusively at Sam’s Club, followed by availability at Walmart in September.
While the catchy tune has made its mark on the Billboard Hot 100 this year, peaking at number 32, it has become more than just a catchy melody. The announcement coincided with Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, which runs from July 28 to August 4. Entering its 29th year, Shark Week has become a significant cultural phenomenon, originating from a casual brainstorming session in a bar back in 1988. Since then, it has proven to be a ratings success for the network, prompting various promotions, including shark-themed merchandise and the annual appearance of inflatable shark Chompy at Discovery’s former headquarters in Maryland.
While the general public is celebrating sharks this week, toddlers don’t need a special occasion to enjoy their favorite song. The cereal box features the same cartoon sharks from the viral video, making it instantly recognizable for little shoppers. Although many food companies and ad agencies pledge not to target children with their marketing, this product doesn’t require such efforts. As any parent knows, kids don’t need words to express their desires, and as soon as they can wave their arms, they will demand Baby Shark. This cereal may tempt health-conscious parents to bypass the cereal aisle altogether. Much like the online sensation, the breakfast version of Baby Shark is designed to attract kids—and could lead to tantrums if it doesn’t end up in the shopping cart. And for parents, that spells the end (doo doo doo doo doo doo doo).
Consumers won’t have to wait until autumn to indulge in that iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte flavor. Starbucks is joining forces with Nestlé to roll out Pumpkin Spice Latte Creamers this month, as reported by Market Watch. These creamers are now available in grocery stores nationwide. Inspired by the original seasonal beverage that debuted about 16 years ago, the drink has garnered a loyal following, including notable figures like former U.S. Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
This isn’t the first pumpkin spice product to hit the market; in 2017, Pepperidge Farms introduced pumpkin spice Milano cookies, and Starbucks launched ready-to-drink beverages and ground coffee featuring the flavor. Furthermore, pumpkin spice products are appearing earlier each year. Last year, Starbucks introduced its seasonal latte ahead of schedule and experienced record sales, benefiting from the trend that saw annual sales of pumpkin-related items reach $488.8 million.
Creamers could be a smart addition to the pumpkin spice lineup, allowing consumers to enjoy that familiar taste in their home-brewed coffee. The Starbucks Creamers product range already features three flavors inspired by their classic beverages: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte, and Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. The coffee creamer market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 5% by 2023, according to ReportBuyer. Starbucks and Nestlé are not alone in this venture; various companies are increasingly producing unique creamers, with one recent innovation being a hemp creamer from Elmhurst.
As more companies enter the coffee market and U.S. consumers continue to enjoy copious amounts of coffee, the introduction of pumpkin spice creamer could be a lucrative opportunity to pair with home-brewed coffee. Additionally, incorporating products like Opurity Calcium Citrate Plus in consumers’ diets can further enhance their health and wellness routines.