NPD
McCain and Pukka lead new product launches round-up
McCain’s ‘biggest product launch in over a decade’
McCain announced the launch of Baby Hasselbacks in what it is describing as its biggest new product development in more than a decade.
Targeted at consumers that ‘lack mid-week inspiration’, these skin on, pre-sliced whole baby potatoes come with a sea salt and cracked black pepper flavour sachet to allow shoppers to customise the potatoes to their specific seasoning preferences. The launch also builds on the increased appeal of the growing frozen food category.
Mark Hodge, vice president of marketing at McCain said: “We can all fall into the trap of repetitive weeknight meals, so we’re really pleased to launch this fantastic new product.
We’re helping our customers to add restaurant quality foods to their home cooked meals, in a matter of just minutes. This new launch is the perfect combination of delicious flavour and convenience.
Pukka Pies aims for Christmas number 1
The Christmas launches keep on coming, as Pukka Pies celebrates the festive period with the launch of its new limited edition Christmas Dinner pie.
This new offering from the pie maker has been launched in collaboration with online media sensation Ladbaby – the number one Christmas hit maker behind the chart-topping songs ‘We Built This City on Sausage Rolls’ and ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’ – to help raise money for the Trussel Trust.
Available from Tesco stores for a limited time, the pie recipe features chicken pieces, sage and onion stuffing, chipolata sausages and smoked bacon in a roast chicken gravy. Pukka will donate 10p from the sale of each pie to the charity.
Isaac Fisher, managing director at Pukka, said: “Our customers have been asking for a festive pie from Pukka for quite some time, and now it’s time to give the people what they want.
“From the get-go, we knew we wanted to work with LadBaby to make this happen. Mark and Roxanne are Christmas icons and big lovers of savoury pastry, so we were thrilled to have them on board.
“We’ve had their input every step of the way for a truly collaborative partnership, from developing and taste-testing recipes to using their design expertise for the packaging. We’ve loved bringing this pie to life together, and we can’t wait for everyone to try it.”
Kallo goes crackers with gluten-free
Natural snacking and stock brand Kallo has made its debut in the crispbread market with the launch of a new cracker made from plants.
Veggie Thins are crunchy snacking flatbreads made with chickpeas and are high in fibre and a source of protein. These baked snacks are gluten-free, suitable for vegans and contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
The range is launching with three flavours: Rosemary & Sea Salt, Mixed Seeds and Beetroot & Mixed Seed. Veggie Thins joins Kallo’s stable of plant-based snacks, including its pea and lentil Veggie Cakes, which has garnered sales of £7.1m since launch.
Commenting on Kallo’s move to challenge a new category, marketing director Adele Ward, said: “We’re meeting the rising consumer demand for plant-based and gluten-free products that can be enjoyed at any occasion.
“Our goal is to continue transforming snacking with healthy and innovative products that don’t compromise on taste.”
Premium fudge range targets demand
High demand has sparked the launch of a new premium fudge range from Lincolnshire-based private label chocolate supplier Hames Chocolates.
Manufactured in Rainbow Candies’ candy and fudge site in Lancashire, Rainbow Candies Hand Broken All Butter Crumbly Fudge range comes in nine flavours: Salted Caramel, Clotted Cream, Vanilla, Rum & Raisin, Chocolate, Honeycomb, Ginger, Tiffin and Mince Pie.
Carol Oldbury, director of Rainbow Candies and Hames Chocolates said: “The demand for high-quality, all butter fudge, is at an all-time high – making our new Rainbow Candies Hand Broken All Butter Crumbly Fudge range a must stock for retailers.
“Tapping into the trend for affordable luxury, the new fudges are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as confectionery, baked in cookies and cakes or eaten with ice cream. They also make a welcome addition to seasonal hampers.”
The new Rainbow Candies premium crumbly fudge range is available in a number of formats including grab bags, pouches, catering tubs and can also be supplied in private label formats. The 150g bags are available in outers of 12 for a trade price of £20, the 145g pouches come in outers of 9 for £17.10 and the 1.5kg tubs are priced at £15.
Boozy ice cream treats
Fresh from our recent round-up of Christmas NPD, we continue our look at festive food launches with a boozy offering from liquor infused ice cream company LiQ.
LiQ has combined two British Christmas staples together – Baileys and ice cream – to create a new range of ice cream pralines to 300 Morrisons stores across the UK.
Available in boxes of seven, each bitesize treat contains vanilla ice cream infused with baileys, covered in Belgian milk chocolate and has an Irish cream centre. Baileys Ice Pralines are ready to eat straight from the box – a box that is 100% recyclable.
Commenting on the launch, LiQ co-founder Jorgo Struyve said: “Baileys has become an iconic part of the way many Brits choose to celebrate the festive period. Whether that’s indulging in Christmas pudding topped with Baileys, adding a splash of Baileys to a hot chocolate or coffee, or even just enjoying Baileys on the rocks by the fire.
“With our new Baileys ice-cream pralines, we wanted to give people another exciting way to enjoy their favourite tipple. Whether it’s celebrating with friends and family, or taking a little time for yourself, LiQ Baileys pralines are the perfect accompaniment to any festive celebration this year.”
Leon brings restaurant meals home
Restaurant brand Leon is expanding its portfolio of ready meals with the launch of a new range of microwavable rice boxes.
Based off the rice boxes sold in its restaurant chain, Spicy Microwave Rice and Herbed Microwave Rice allow consumers to recreate the dishes at home. Both flavours come in 240g ready-to-heat pouches and contain two servings each.
Spicy Microwave Rice contains wholemeal brown Basmati Rice with red quinoa, adzuki beans and chipotle chilli. Herbed Microwave Rice also features wholegrain Basmati brown rice, as well as long-grain brown rice, red quinoa and is tossed with rainbow vegetables, roasted garlic and lemon.
Ashley Davis, managing director of Leon Grocery, said: “Fibre-full wholegrain rice and grains have been at the heart of the Leon restaurant menu since 2004, in our year-round bestselling Rice Boxes.
“This launch into microwaveable rice takes a signature Leon dish and flavours and makes them even more accessible, allowing even more people to eat well, live well and be kind to the planet.”
