August-September 2008

fTfT
Fast Track Fast Trends®
A Monthly Report from David Michael & Co.
August-September 2008
snacks
Our monthly report on new snack products includes sub-groups within the snack
category, including salty snacks, snack mixes, fruit snacks, nuts and beef snacks. Last
month 1,274 new snack products were launched worldwide!
Unique Product Launches
Each month, we review launches to find the most unique
new products from around the world
Company: Frito-Lay
Brand: Rold Gold Pretzel Waves
Country: USA
Company: Frit- Lay
Brand: Frito Lay Cheetos
Country: Colombia
Product Description: Rold Gold has
introduced Pretzel Waves. The Flavoured
Pretzels are available in Cheddar Blend;
and Parmesan Garlic varieties.
(Source: Mintel GNPD)
Product Description: Frito Lay now offers Cheetos
Palitos De Maíz Con Sabor Artificial A Limón (Lemon
Flavored Corn Snacks). This product is available in a
45g pack.
(Source: Mintel GNPD)
Our Thoughts: Cheetos with no cheese in sight?
Say it ain’t so Chester Cheetah! We have to admit
though, they do sound delicious and refreshing. Definitely an interesting line
extension for the Cheetos brand.
Company: Frito-Lay
Brand: Lay's Gurme
Country: Turkey
Product Description: Lay's Gurme (Gourmet)
Roquefort Flavoured Chips are made with
Roquefort cheese from Southern France. The
premium product retails in a 126g pack. Also
available in this range are the following variants:
Parmesan; and Feta with Red Peppers.
(Source: Mintel GNPD)
Our Thoughts: We love the gourmet cheesy flavors in the Lay’s Gourmet line.
Usually, we’re topping our snacks with cheese, but Lay’s cuts out the extra
work!
Our Thoughts: Pretzels are starting to get
a lot more interesting. More flavors, and
now more shapes and formats. These
remind us of another Frito-Lay brand - Sun
Chips.
Company: Calbee Foods
Product: Calbee
Country: Japan
Product Description: Calbee Onion
Rings have been reformulated with
30% more onions for enhanced
sweetness and flavour. The crispy
snacks are now flavoured with salt from
Ishigaki Island, Okinawa to bring out
the onion flavour. Launched on
September 22nd 2008 with an RRP of
125 yen.
(Source: Mintel GNPD)
Our Thoughts: Those familiar with our confection and bakery reports may
recognize this Japanese trend for regional flavors. We’ve found a number
of flavors from Okinawa in recent launches, although they usually tend to
be fruity.
Company: Productos Yupi
Brand: Yupi Yupis Arequi Queso
Country: Colombia
Product Description: Yupi Yupis Arequi Queso Pasabocas con Sabores a Arequipe y Queso (Milk Caramel and Cheese
Flavored Snacks) are corn based snacks that are said to be a source of energy. This product is targeted at children and
retails in a 12 x 23g pack.
(Source: Mintel GNPD)
Our Thoughts: A current trend in Latin American countries? Regional caramels, such as Mexico’s dulce de leche and
cajeta, Brazil’s Brigadeiro, and, as featured above, Arequipe, a Colombian and Venezuelan caramel made with cow’s
milk. All are slightly different, from the type of milk, to the cooking process. Brigadeiro even includes added cocoa. We
were also intrigued by the pairing – caramel with cheese.
A Look at Fruit Snacks
sub-category close-up
Top 15 Flavors Worldwide
Before we talk flavors, we thought it very important to
mention a growing trend in this category – real fruit
content. Manufacturers are adding real fruit to fruit
snacks, and noting on the package an equivalent
serving of fruit to a serving of fruit snacks. Such is true
with Florida's Natural Au'some Fruit Sour String, in
orange, strawberry and blueberry - they’re made with
“64% real juices and fruit.” And in Welch’s Citrus Berry
Fusion (USA) - which is dried fruit rather than confection
- 1/4 cup equals one serving of fruit. The mix comprises
raspberries, cranberries, golden raisins, and mandarin
orange flavored apples. And Betty Crocker Smarten Up
snacks, which are shaped like letters, are in strawberry,
grape, cherry and orange. They provide 100% of a daily
value of vitamin C per serving.
trend corner
What's that? You weren't able to join us? Never fear – DM is here to give you
a review of this year's show!
The theme of this year's Innovation Roadshow – Extreme Brand Makeover –
was well represented throughout the show. What is an Extreme Brand
Makeover? It's all about breathing new life into a product, and making it more
accessible to an ever-changing consumer. It's not just a packaging update.
It's adding new and exciting flavor varieties, or changing the texture of a
product, the format, or even the eating
occasion.
Extreme Brand Makeover is especially
valuable in a time when consumers are
increasingly watching their weekly grocery
bills. In a fluctuating economy, it is important to
offer true innovation, as consumers demand
extra value for their hard-earned money.
With that in mind, a number of products demonstrated makeovers. One
great example is the Truffle Coffee Creamer. Imagine delivering cream,
sweetener and flavor to your morning cup, in one easy step. Manufactured in
the same fashion as a traditional chocolate truffle, a truffle creamer does just
that. The chocolatey coating melts in hot coffee, and eliminates the need to
reach for that powdered stuff in the office coffee caddy.
We've also given flavored milk a facelift with “Moo-Makers,” fortified and
flavored sugar cubes. Because there are four cubes per serving, MooMakers can be mixed and matched to create the desired flavor combination.
And at less than 30 calories per serving, they meet the School Lunch
Program Guidelines when added to milk. Moo-Makers were shown in
Peach, Mango and Orange Berry flavors, but the possibilities are endless.
Interested in authentic street food trends? Attendees at this year's
Roadshow were treated to Japanese Okonomiyaki. Often consumed as a
snack, this treat is basically a pancake, made from a simple egg and flour
(Source: Mintel GNPD)
Another year, another Roadshow...
base, with the addition of finely chopped cabbage. Okonomiyaki was shown
both traditional and “Westernized” with a basil flavored drizzle. Because this
concept is so adaptable, it makes an excellent addition to pretty much any
menu, from breakfast to dessert.
With beauty and mood food trends on the up, the Beverage Applications lab
demonstrated three Cosmofoodical Spa Drinks. Each drink boasted a number
of benefits, including stress reduction, beauty enhancement, and high
antioxidants, and in a unique line-up of flavors
– Aronia Vanilla with Honey, Aloe Guava Pink
Champagne, and Strawberry Rose Green Tea
Nectar.
Of course, if healthy foods are on your radar,
then the Eight Treasures of China Bars are
perfect. Adapted from the Chinese Eight
Treasure Rice Pudding recipe – a traditional
pastry made with sticky rice, red bean paste,
and eight nuts and fruits that vary from region to region – the bars are
convenient and tasty. Among the eight treasures, a number of superfruits were
found, including red jujubes, goji berry and longan.
Well sadly, we're almost out of room, and there is so much more to talk about! If
you are interested in learning more about the 2008 Innovation Roadshow and
the products that were shown, please contact your account manager.
And, of course, it's never too early to start planning for next year. Hopefully we'll
see you at the 2009 Innovation Roadshow, on October 21, 2009 in Philadelphia.
Published by David Michael’s
Marketing Department
© Copyright 2008, David Michael & Co.