Food & Beverage News: Insights, Safety, and Dining Trends
Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Selena Gomez sings for Oreo
Will this new Oreo carry a tune with consumers?
The world’s most popular cookie teamed up with Grammy-nominated singer Selena Gomez to launch its latest celebrity-inspired offering that’s both sweet and spicy.
The cookie, inspired by Gomez’s love of horchata, includes a layer of chocolate and cinnamon flavor creme atop a layer of sweetened condensed milk flavor creme with cinnamon sugar inclusions. The filling is then sandwiched between two chocolate cinnamon-flavored wafers.
Gomez created six unique embossments on the cookies, including one that features her signature — marking the first time Oreo has put an autograph on its cookie.
“Tapping into Selena’s world—her cultural roots, her loyal fan base, her musical journey — propels the OREO brand’s cultural relevance and playful personality to new heights,” Michelle Deignan, vice president of Oreo US, said in a statement. “This collaboration embodies our commitment to delighting our consumers in unexpected ways and further establishes our footprint in the music industry.”
The new Oreo is available for presale in the U.S. and will begin rolling out to retailers nationwide next week.
Mondelēz International, which owns Oreo, has been building the cookie’s presence in the music space through collaborations with other artists.
Earlier this year, Mondelēz launched an Oreo with Post Malone that featured a swirled caramel and shortbread-flavored creme layer sandwiched between one chocolate and one golden cookie. And in 2021, Oreo debuted its Lady Gaga flavor, a pink-colored Golden Oreo with green-colored creme.
— Christopher Doering
Snack Factory brings s’more to pretzels
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Permission granted by Snack Factory
The Campbell’s Company’s Snack Factory brand is bringing a nostalgic campfire favorite to the snack aisle with S’mores Pretzel Crisps.
The thin and crunchy Pretzel Crisps are dipped in a dark coating and topped with marshmallow-flavored drizzle. The limited-edition S’mores Pretzel Crisps are available at national retailers for a suggested retail price of $4.69.
“Snack Factory has always been about rethinking the familiar in fun, flavorful ways, and our new S’mores Pretzel Crisps are no exception,” Justin Matijcio, associate vice president of pretzels at Campbell’s, said in a statement. “With the launch of S’mores Pretzel Crisps, we’re continuing to lead the pretzel category with innovation that excites snackers in a way only Snack Factory can.”
Campbell’s sees its Snack Factory brand as a place to innovate, saying it’s looking to launch “imaginative twists that take snacking to the next level.” The different perspective provides an ideal opportunity to bring a new and novel flavor to the pretzel space.
Few flavors are as popular as the s’mores, which is now in everything from syrups and bars to snack mixes and martinis. Consumers not only enjoy the taste but also the nostalgic feel of the fireside classic.
Innovations, such as S’mores Pretzel Crisps, are a big contributor to the growing consumer interest in pretzels. Pretzel demand is estimated to reach $2.7 billion by 2030, an increase of more than $400 million from 2024, due to changing consumer preferences, new product innovations and the rise of online sales, according to data from Horizon Grand View Research.
— Christopher Doering
Kodiak enters frozen breakfast
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Courtesy of Kodiak
Protein-packed breakfast brand Kodiak is making its first foray into the frozen aisle.
The brand, best known for its pancake and waffle mixes, is launching a frozen breakfast sandwich that uses two maple flapjacks instead of the customary bread base. The egg sandwiches come in two flavors: Sausage and Cheddar, plus Bacon and Colby Jack.
Kodiak has rapidly introduced new innovations as the consumer craze around protein reaches new heights. The brand also is launching new trail bars along with breakfast sandwiches and previously unveiled protein-packed granola.
A Cargill study found 61% of Americans increased their protein intake in 2024 versus 48% in 2019. Around 57% of consumers who look at nutrition labels are checking for protein content, the data showed.
The Kodiak sandwiches and trail bars are available at major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Publix. The sandwiches contain 20 grams of protein.
— Sarah Zimmerman
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