Care Bears is teaming up with Warheads to introduce a new treat for nostalgic fans, combining the popular sour and gummy trends. The beloved plush toy franchise from the 80s and Warheads, famous for its intensely sour candies, are launching Sour Gummy Grumpy Bears. These new bite-sized gummies, featuring a blue raspberry flavor coated in sourness, will be available in stores starting June. “We are excited to collaborate with Care Bears to bring Sour Gummy Grumpy Bears to life,” said Lindsay Karlin, vice president of marketing and product development at Impact Confections. “This partnership perfectly fuses nostalgia with innovation, embodying the spirit of both brands while offering a fresh and thrilling product.” Impact Confections highlighted that this new candy aligns with the trend of “newstalgia,” which honors rich histories while introducing exciting new takes on beloved classics. This approach allows Impact to create a product that appeals to both younger and older consumers. Currently, no trends are as favored among consumers as gummies and sour flavors, the latter particularly resonating with younger audiences. The sour candy market is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%, according to IndustryARC. For many older adults, gummies evoke fond childhood memories, and now, as they seek to recapture their youth, they turn to treats that remind them of the past.
Meanwhile, Kellanova is responding to the growing demand for spicy snacks by launching a new limited-edition product. The company has introduced Club Crisps flavored with Mike’s Hot Honey, combining a buttery cracker taste with the sweet heat of chili-infused honey. “We’re always eager to discover our fans’ latest flavor obsessions, allowing us to create a fun and unique snacking experience,” stated Carrie Foose, Kellanova’s director of brand marketing for crackers. Club Crisps, a wavy crisp cracker featuring sweet and savory flavors, was first launched in 2022 as an extension of the nearly century-old Club Crackers brand, which already offers Sea Salt, Ranch, Sour Cream & Onion, and Sweet & Salty flavors. Founded in 2010, Mike’s Hot Honey started when founder Mike Kurtz experimented with adding sweet heat to pizza while working in a New York City pizzeria, and it has since become the bestselling hot honey in the U.S.
The trend for “swicy” flavors—where sweet and spicy tastes collide—has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram in recent years, reflecting the rise of flavored syrups, cocktail mixers, and even chocolate cakes. Kellanova referenced a Datassential finding that swicy snacks and menu items increased by 38% in the past year. Frito-Lay, the snacking division of PepsiCo, has also recognized the swicy snack surge, launching its collaboration between Doritos and Mtn Dew, Baja Fiery Mango, this spring.
As summer unofficially begins this weekend, Alec’s Ice Cream, made with A2/A2 dairy and sustainably sourced, regenerative, organic ingredients, is introducing nine new flavors. These include Meyer Lemon Cookie, Palm Springs Banana Chocolate Date Shake, Nutty Butter Brittle, Maple Cardamom Candied Pecan, and Strawberry Oat Crumble. Alec’s ensures its ingredients are sourced from regenerative organic farms. “By guaranteeing that our ingredients are regenerative and organic, we provide an unmatched level of quality in our sourcing. Our dairy ice cream not only tastes fantastic but is also beneficial for the body and kind to the planet,” stated Alec Jaffe, CEO and founder of Alec’s Ice Cream. The new flavors will be rolled out nationally this spring, expanding Alec’s lineup to a total of 14 flavors, available at select Whole Foods Market locations as well as various independent stores.
The A2 ice cream market is experiencing significant growth, driven by consumer demand for healthier, easier-to-digest dairy options, and is forecasted to surpass $360 million by 2034, according to Future Market Insights. While most dairy products contain both A1 and A2 proteins, research has indicated that A1 can lead to digestive discomfort, whereas A2 milk consists solely of the protein that consumers can tolerate.
In terms of health benefits, incorporating products like CVS Calcium Citrate can also be essential for those seeking to boost their calcium intake as part of a balanced diet. As these trends continue to evolve, consumers are increasingly looking for products that align with their health goals and nostalgic cravings.