Plento, an insect food joint venture between Bugsolutely Bangkok and Asia Insect Farm Solutions of Singapore, is launching its unique baked crisps containing pea protein and cricket flour in South Korea next month. Developed over three years with Singapore Polytechnic’s Food Innovation & Resource Centre, the aim is to provide higher nutritional value than traditional plant-based snacks. Massimo Reverberi, Plento’s founder, highlights the combination of plant-based and insect proteins in these snacks, offering a rich source of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium and essential amino acids. Plento's products, available in Paprika and Rosemary flavors, with Tomato Oregano coming soon, are part of a strategy to overcome the "yuck factor" associated with edible insects by focusing on taste. Despite challenges in consumer acceptance and regulatory barriers, Plento aims to expand to Japan, Singapore, Australia and Thailand, demonstrating the growing interest in sustainable and nutritious food alternatives.

Hain Celestial aims to disrupt the $9 billion tortilla chip market with its new Garden Veggie's Flavor Burst chips, addressing the gap in healthier snack options within the category. The tortilla chip market, growing in double digits, lacks substantial healthy alternatives, with only 8 percent of the segment considered healthy. Hain's Flavor Burst chips, offered in Zesty Ranch and Nacho Cheese flavors, are designed to be both parent-approved and kid-loved. This innovation aligns with Hain's strategy under CEO Wendy Davidson to expand beyond traditional retail outlets, targeting various locations like colleges and hospitals. Garden Veggie, a major brand in Hain Celestial's portfolio since 2008, has seen recent growth, particularly in club stores and e-commerce. The new chips, gluten-free and made with non-GMO corn and various vegetables, are competitively priced and have shown promising early test results. Hain plans to launch Flavor Burst on Amazon in mid-January 2024, followed by other retailers. 

Purely Elizabeth, which produces granola and other breakfast foods, has launched a new product line called Cookie Granola, now available nationwide, combining the brand's popular granola with a cookie recipe, creating a snackable granola cluster with the taste and texture of a cookie. Cookie Granola is available in three flavors - Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate and Oatmeal Raisin - catering to different taste preferences. Each are Certified Gluten-Free, Vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified and made with wholesome ingredients like 100 percent whole grains, coconut oil and coconut sugar. Purely Elizabeth's sales grew by 45 percent in 2023, significantly outpacing the breakfast cereal category. The launch aims to merge breakfast and snacking occasions. It’s available at major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods and Publix, and through the brand’s website. Additionally, in January, Purely Elizabeth has partnered with French café and bakery maman to offer Cookie Granola Latte and a Cookie Granola-inspired cookie at maman's 31 locations. 

Snacks are the fastest growing category for Australian petrol and convenience stores, according to data from State of the Industry 2023 Half Yearly Report published by the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, with 21.1 percent growth in the first half of last year. Healthier snacks are contributing strongly to this performance, says Soren Madsen of Trumps, a nuts and dried fruits wholesaler and distributor that is addressing the demand by expanding its ‘Snacks to Go’ snack cup line. Lois Tristram of Carman’s, which launched Carman’s Protein Bakes into the P&C channel in 2021, says people choose protein because “it keeps them fuller for longer” but says consumers are increasingly looking for ‘better-for-you’ options with “lower sugar, higher protein, lower carb or 100 per cent natural. Health means something different to different people”. Kerin O’Brien of Purabon, which produces plant-based, wholefood snacks, highlights the growing interest in plant-based snacks with clean ingredients. Will Baldock of New Zealand-based Off-Piste Provisions, a plant-based meat producer, says that consumers in Australia and New Zealand now have less money available for discretionary spending, and that “plays into the P&C channel where many purchases are made based on impulse”. Baldock adds that shoppers will pay more for healthier options but only if they offer the same “eating experience” as mainstream options.

Victor Marino from Just Food says there’s never been a better time for food companies in the US to address the healthier food trend. A December 2023 symposium hosted by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health was moderated by Larissa Zimberoff, a journalist and author of “Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley’s Mission to Change What We Eat.” With data suggesting over 40 percent of Americans are obese, and many also suffering from comorbidities, there’s increasing pressure on consumers and producers to cut back on ultra-processed foods, which are covered by the NOVA classification system developed in Brazil. Packaged snacks are in Category 4, along with frozen TV dinners, protein bars and pastries. Medical professionals advise consumers to focus on Category 1 foods, which are unprocessed or minimally processed options. The panel discussed a range of issues around the subject, but all agreed that obesity and negative health outcomes have emerged as ultra-processed foods have become more popular. However, according to a recent Harris poll, around two-thirds said they would pay more for healthier ultra-processed foods, and this creates a massive opportunity for food companies. Marino says: “I’m not talking about the around-the-edges approach we call “better-for-you” either. Instead, I’m talking about a truly paradigm-shifting approach to healthier packaged foods…the creation of a new class of truly healthier packaged foods, including healthier ultra-processed foods – is too big for the majors to avoid”.  

Struesli, known for its small-batch organic granola, has launched a new product line, Savory + Seed Organic Granola, marking the brand's first foray into savory granola varieties. Designed by Struesli's founder Adrienne Lufkin, this new offering complements both sweet and savory dishes, enhancing the versatility of granola. The nut-free product features a blend of organic superfoods like pumpkin seeds, golden flax meal, hemp hearts and tiger nuts (a tuber, not a nut), seasoned with flaked sea salt and coconut oil. Each serving offers 3g of dietary fiber and healthy fats. Committed to providing clean-label, plant-based options, Struesli aims to appeal to a variety of dietary needs, including keto, paleo and gluten-free. The Savory + Seed variety, along with Struesli's Original and Cacao + Coffee flavors, is USDA Certified organic, vegan, grain-free and gluten-free. This latest addition is available for purchase online and will soon feature in retail partnerships.

Shredded Wheat has introduced a special edition packaging featuring the Union Jack to highlight its use of 100% British whole grain wheat. This initiative aligns with the Nestlé Wheat Plan, launched in 2022, to promote regenerative agriculture among British wheat farmers. The new packaging also emphasizes Shredded Wheat's health benefits, being high in fiber and low in salt, sugar and saturated fat, without artificial colors or flavorings. Sarah Fordy, Head of Marketing at Cereal Partners UK, highlighted the packaging's on-shelf appeal and its communication of the product's benefits. The limited-edition design will be available on Original and Bitesize Shredded Wheat across major UK retailers from January to March 2024.

Like Air®, a family-run business in New Jersey, was launched in 2020 to produce better-for-you snacking options. Its signature product is puffcorn made in nut-free facility and free from eight major allergens. Some of the flavors are also dairy-free. The brand announced it will appear on Shark Tank on January 19th, 2024, represented by co-founders Allison Lin and Steve Atieh, as well as their brother, CFO Kevin Atieh. Like Air® offers a light and airy puffed snack “that melts in your mouth and is only 50 calories per cup”. It doesn’t contain hulls or kernels, and the puffs are gluten-free, nut-free and use non-GMO corn. They can be purchased nationally at retailers including Kroger, Meijer, HEB, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Giant and Wegmans.  

HIPPEAS® has unveiled two new flavors from its Flavor Blast! Chickpea Puffs range - Vegan White Cheddar Explosion and Blazin' Hot. HIPPEAS® positions itself as clean label, Non-GMO Project Verified and free from the top nine allergens. The Chickpea Puffs contain 3-4g of protein and 3g of fiber in each 1oz. serving. They can be purchased at retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Wegmans, Sprouts, Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Safeway/Albertsons, Kroger, Amazon and Thrive Market. 

Artisanal snacks company Sonoma Creamery has launched Pizza Crisps in World Market stores in three flavors: Pepperoni, Tomato & Basil and Veggie Supreme. They are baked using premium ingredients including real mozzarella cheese and are gluten-free. The chips contain 13g of protein per serving and were launched to be available in time for National Pizza Day on February 9th. 

Mars, Incorporated announced the construction of a new $237 million baking facility for Nature’s Bakery in Salt Lake City, Utah. This 339,000 square-foot facility, set to open in July 2025, will create more than 190 jobs. Nature's Bakery, which makes plant-based granola and snack bars, has been part of Mars since 2020. CEO Steve Gardiner said the expansion will help the brand meet increasing demand and reinforce the brand's dedication to innovation and quality. Juan Martin, President of Health & Wellness at Mars, says the expansion also underscores the company’s commitment to fostering “insurgent brands”. 

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn has unveiled a brand refresh that includes a new International Series with three globally-inspired flavors and redesigned “market bag” packaging. The new flavors - Mexican Street Corn, Mediterranean Herb and Caribbean Jerk - are available for purchase online. Founder Ginger Frank's inspiration for these flavors came from varied international snack tastes. New packaging, designed to be cohesive across different sales platforms, features visual elements symbolizing the brand's values and journey. In addition to the new offerings, Poppy is reintroducing three popular flavors - Dill Pickle, Chai Latte (formerly Chai Masala) and Southern Pecan Pie – as permanent variants. 

Mates is a new range of gluten-free puffed cheese snacks from 34 Degrees. They are made with premium gouda and offer a light cracker crunch, in three flavors - Original, Rosemary Garlic and Caramelized Onion. Each bag contains 5g of protein, and around 130 calories, and they are available at Thrive Market, Amazon and 34-Degrees.com for $5.99.

Three new Walkers crisps flavors hitting the shelves this month are Vegan flavors, just in time to coincide with Veganuary. Vegan Grilled Cheese Toastie, Vegan BBQ Pork Ribs and Vegan Flame Grilled Steak are all limited editions from the “Unbelievable!” range.  

Seasoning used at a South Australian Smith’s Snackfood factory making Doritos Flamin’ Hot chips is being blamed for health problems. After interviewing 13 workers from one shift, a union for workers at the Adelaide plant says the seasoning, dispersed by machine, is being handled improperly. There were 11 reported cases of skin or eye irritation, coughing, sneezing and breathing problems. Brand owner PepsiCo responded by saying that workers’ safety is its top priority and that there is mandatory mask-wearing at the plant when that product was being produced, and that more extraction fans were being installed.  

Consumers are pushing back against a new Kellogg’s cereal, Extra Crispy Clusters, a granola-like product using whole grains. The price tag of close to $10 for a box of around 20oz. is proving a turn-off, according to social media posts. One person said that such a price point should mean there’s more protein, but at 5-6g per serving (excluding milk), it’s not delivering it. The box focuses more on claims about fiber content and the whole grains. A 22.5oz. family size Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch costs $5.39 at Meijer, but shoppers can buy the new product in almond or cinnamon for $7.99 rather than $9.49 until January 6, according to the Meijer website.  

Some dietitians are questioning whether “healthier” options for some savory snacks are indeed better for you. Data from the USDA suggest that there is little difference in the nutritional content of regular potato chips and baked alternatives. In a typical single-serving 28g bag, Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks have 160 calories, 1.5g of saturated fat and 250mg of salt; the Cheetos Baked version has 140 calories, 1g of saturated fat and 240mg of salt. According to the USDA website, regular chips have 149 calories and 10g of fat including 1g of saturated fat; baked chips have 131 calories and 5g of fat, of which saturated fat is 0.7g. Baked chips also tend to have more sugar.  

KIND Snacks collaborated on January 12 with actress Lana Condor on 'Better You by Lana', a unique one-day pop-up in Los Angeles on Quitter's Day, when most Americans abandon their New Year's resolutions. This initiative challenges the conventional approach to New Year's health goals, addressing the confusion and pressure surrounding dietary choices. One study shows over 70 percent of people aim for better health but struggle with understanding how to achieve it. KIND's pop-up, endorsed by Lana, encourages consumers to trust their instincts in choosing wholesome foods and offers an alternative perspective on New Year's wellness resolutions. The first 100 visitors to the pop-up at Santa Monica Place received special gifts. 

Harvest Snaps has recently achieved notable recognition, winning the Healthy Food Guide's Lunchbox Awards 2024 in New Zealand in the Snacking category. This award, which celebrates nutritional and culinary innovation, was given to their Pea Original Salted Multipack for its excellent nutritional profile and great taste. Alice Briant, Senior Brand Manager at Calbee Australia, expressed pride in this achievement, underscoring their commitment to crafting snacks that are both flavorful and nutritious. The product, known for its crunchy texture and savory flavor, is made from real peas and is a healthier alternative for snacks. Rated with 5 Health Stars, it's an ideal choice for lunchboxes and on-the-go eating. The multipack is available in major retailers across New Zealand and Australia, offering a guilt-free snacking option for families.

Fair and Square Crackers are the outcome of founder Alex Duong’s aim to create healthier snacks for people that need to closely restrict their diet. Feeling that the3 / 3chips category is “incredibly crowded”, he chose to innovate within crackers. His are plant-based and gluten-free, based on green banana flour, which has a high fiber content. After formulating the crackers in his kitchen, he is now working with a co-packer to reach scale. He started selling them in non-retail spaces like  corporate offices, doctor’s surgeries and medical centers, but expanded to retail with Whole Foods in 2020 and Sprouts last year. He also sells on Amazon, which is the “big focus right now”.

Kettle-popped protein popcorn maker KUDO Snacks and mixed martial arts organization UFC have announced a global expansion of their multiyear partnership formed last year. KUDO Snacks is now the exclusive “Official Global Popcorn of UFC” and its products will be showcased at UFC events like Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights, bringing the brand to over 700 million fight fans in 170 countries and 900 million households receiving UFC broadcasts. KUDO's protein popcorn is gluten-free, 100% whole grain and keto-friendly. Each bag contains 10g of protein.  

A range of statistics from a variety of data sources points to a buoyant snacks market driven by changes in consumer lifestyles and preferences. Healthier options are increasingly gaining traction, but the industry faces challenges such as regulatory changes, suggesting that the category must continue to adapt and innovate to thrive. Insights include a global snacks market last year of some US$1,221 billion, which could reach over US$1.7 trillion by 2032, including savory snacks at US$378 billion. One survey suggests more consumers are choosing snacks without additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients, or that feature natural ingredients with a clean label. 

Gusto Snacks, a UK-based startup founded by Italian-Ghanaian entrepreneurs Giuseppe Baidoo and Claudio Owusu, has gained traction in the snack market. Launching amidst the pandemic, Gusto Snacks focuses on sustainability by upcycling edible but aesthetically imperfect produce into healthy snacks. This approach aligns with their ethos of respecting the planet and people. Valued at £1.2 million, the company has already made significant inroads, being listed 98th on the Startups 100 Index and securing shelf space in major UK supermarkets. Gusto’s products, which include air-dried fruit crisps made from saved apples, cater to a growing market of health and environment-conscious consumers. They are gluten-free, vegan and contain zero added sugar. 

Jiggis has introduced a novel concept to the Indian snack industry with its probiotic potato chips, aiming to combine the pleasure of snacking with health benefits. Infused with a clinically-backed probiotic strain, SEB LBSC, each packet of Jiggis chips contains 5 billion beneficial bacteria, contributing to gut health, immunity and digestion, and 536 kcal of energy. Available in two flavors, Spicy Indian and Healthy Salted, the chips are priced at 210 Indian Rupees (about $2.50) and can be purchased globally through the brand's website and via a network of distributors in India. As India's first probiotic potato chips, Jiggis is not only a snack option but also an educational tool in promoting the importance of probiotics for overall well-being, aligning with the global trend of health-conscious snacking and the rising awareness of gut health. 

Go Natural's Probiotic HiProtein Veggie Chips offer a nutritious snacking option, aligning with the growing consumer trend towards health-conscious, convenient and sustainable products. Made from legumes like chickpeas, yellow peas and lentils, they are seasoned with natural flavors including barbecue, chili and lime, and rosemary salt and vinegar. Each 100g pack is rich in nutrients, containing 17g of protein, 13.5g of fiber and 1 billion probiotics. They are also gluten-free, GMO-free, egg-free and vegetarian. Available online, the chips are positioned to meet the needs of health and wellness-focused consumers while leveraging the advantages of e-commerce distribution.

Direct-to-consumer natural cereal brand Catalina Crunch has partnered with NBA athlete Jalen Brunson in launching Honey Nut With Almonds Cereal, a limited edition product offering protein-rich ingredients. Brunson says he is thrilled to collaborate with Catalina Crunch “on a cereal that not only tastes great but also helps me maintain a balanced and protein-forward diet." Four-packs can be purchased on the Catalina Crunch website for $49.

Eat Your Mouth Off is a new vegan puff cereal brand from WK Kellogg Co. aimed at millennials and Gen Z consumers, or “Zillennials”. It comes in two flavors - Fruity and Chocolate – and contains 22g of protein and zero sugar per serving. WK Kellogg, spun off from Kellogg’s last year, aims to position as offering more nutritious breakfast options. 

Israel-based Meir Beigel has launched a new pretzel product called Crisp Power, which the company aims to sell on Amazon this year. Crisp Power pretzels contain 15g of protein but just 3g of carbs per serving. Founder and CEO Gilad Zilberberg says that “after years of perfecting our recipe, we were elated to create something with the flavor of an everything bagel and crunchy texture of a satisfying pretzel.” Meir Beigel, established more than 50 years ago, is Israel’s No. 3 producer of baked snacks. 

BakeAway's survey of 2,000 UK consumers reveals a generational gap in dietary preferences, with Gen Z leading in the willingness to try 'free from' products, influenced by perceived health benefits. Millennials are also considering such diets for health reasons, but Baby Boomers show the least interest, citing cost concerns as an obstacle to switching. 

A new report from Introspective Market Research says that the global healthy snacks market was US$77 billion in 2023 and could grow at a CAGR of 4.8% through 2030 to reach US$107 billion. The report also covers market growth drivers, competitor market shares, trends, regional insights, channels, risks and product insights.