News for professionals in the food business

Healthier Children’s Cereals Face Nutrition Challenge

A new study analyzing children’s ready-to-eat cereals from 2010 to 2023 shows a troubling drop in nutritional value, with increases in sugar, fat and sodium, and reductions in fiber and protein. Taste-focused marketing featuring “bright colors and cartoon mascots” contributes to childhood obesity and poor long-term health. Nutritionists urge parents to choose cereals with whole grains and less added sugar and to supplement breakfast with fruits, eggs and dairy. Whole grain intake remains below recommended levels, but repeated exposure can positively shift children's food preferences.

PoLoPo Reimagines Chips With High-Protein Potatoes

PoLoPo, an Israeli food tech startup, hopes to transform the snack world by engineering potatoes with up to three times the protein content of regular ones. Using its molecular farming platform SuperAA, PoLoPo boosts patatin, a potato-native protein with excellent digestibility and functional qualities. The company is shifting from powdered proteins to supplying these enhanced potatoes directly to chip manufacturers. PoLoPo is partnering with US brands and growers ahead of anticipated USDA approval by year-end.

Scottish Brand Launches BFY Cauliflower Crisps

Growers Garden, a Fife-based snack company, introduces a new line of cauliflower-based chips exclusively at Tesco stores across Scotland. Available in flavors like Mango Chilli and Black Pepper & Lime, these veggie crisps are made from surplus produce, supporting food waste reduction. They offer a crunchy, flavorful, and healthier alternative to traditional chips, appealing to environmentally and health-conscious consumers. By collaborating with local farmers, Growers Garden delivers snacks that are sustainable, nutritious and aligned with the values of BFY shoppers looking for plant-based options.

Goodies Snack Line Targets Healthy Lunchboxes

Hero UK&I unveils Goodies, a new BFY snack range for kids, featuring oat bars, fruit chips, and flapjack bites, all under 100 calories and free from artificial additives. Developed for preschoolers, the launch includes a licensed Bluey-themed snack pouch range to boost engagement. The line bridges the gap between what children want and what parents expect nutritionally. With a £1 million marketing push, the brand aims to keep families shopping in the toddler aisle longer, steering them away from less healthy adult snack options.

Palse Taps UK Demand For Healthy, Plant-Based Snacking

Palse Snacks launched in the UK with a range of pulse-based, 100% natural snacks that cater to consumers looking for plant-based, health-conscious snack options. With flavors like Jalapeño, Salt & Vinegar, and Paprika, Palse aims to satisfy the growing appetite for BFY salty snacks. As the UK healthy snacks market is projected to reach £8.1bn by the end of the decade, Palse positions itself to meet demand for affordable clean-label, vegan options with bold flavors.

Crave Rolls Out Free-From Savory Multipacks

UK-based free-from brand Crave launched its first multipack savory snacks in two variants: Cheezy Shuffles and Roast Beef-ish Rotaters. They are designed to bring nostalgic, bold flavors in an inclusive, allergy-friendly format. Both gluten-free and vegan, these snacks cater to consumers seeking indulgent taste without dietary concerns.

Gluten-Free Cheez-It Confirmed For 2026

Kellanova confirmed plans to release a gluten-free version of its iconic Cheez-It crackers in 2026, responding to growing consumer demand. After spending time perfecting a recipe that maintains the brand’s signature cheesy crunch, the move opens the door for gluten-sensitive snackers to enjoy a nostalgic favorite. Kellanova’s announcement follows its recent approval by the US FTC for acquisition by Mars, although the deal remains under EU review.

BranchOut Expands BFY Portfolio, Distribution

BranchOut Food is doubling down on better-for-you innovation by expanding its Brussels Sprout Crisps to 3,945 stores of the “nation’s largest retailer” and launching new Cinnamon Sweet Potato Sticks in nearly 2,000 outlets. Using its GentleDry™ technology, BranchOut preserves flavor, texture and up to 95% of nutrients. These shelf-stable, clean-label snacks address rising demand for veggie-based, functional foods. The company’s growth reflects success in combining technology with real food ingredients, and its position is further strengthened by trade disruptions that make US-based sourcing more attractive for retailers.

Bangers Energy Chips Bring Caffeine To The Snack Aisle

Bangers Snacks launches a bold new concept: caffeinated potato chips with 200 mg of caffeine per 2.5-oz bag. Available in flavors like Smoky BBQ and Sweet Paradise, the chips are targeting gamers, students and busy consumers who want an energy boost without drinks. Selling at $3.49, the snacks are now rolling out to over 1,100 US convenience stores. To reach Gen Z, Bangers also launched virtual vending machines in Roblox games, blending real-life snacks with digital branding.

Nature’s Path Hires CCO To Drive US Growth

Nature’s Path named Laura Chamberlain as its first Chief Customer Officer to spearhead US expansion and deepen retail partnerships. With over 25 years in consumer goods, including at Nature’s Way and Danone, Chamberlain brings a strong focus on strategic growth and customer insight. The move supports Nature’s Path’s mission to expand access to its clean-label cereal and snack brands like EnviroKidz and Love Crunch. The appointment signals a growth-focused phase for the organic brand, reinforcing its dedication to health, sustainability and inclusive leadership in the better-for-you food space.

Keya Snacks Brings Indian Flavors Mainstream

Keya Wingfield, founder of Keya Snacks, turned her homesickness into a clean-label innovation with the creation of Bombay chips. Developed from a proprietary Indian spice blend, the chips offer an accessible introduction to Indian flavors for US consumers. Scaling the product took nearly three years due to the challenges of working with fresh, variable spices sourced from Indian farmers. Wingfield prioritizes ingredient integrity, rejecting fillers and preservatives despite added production complexity and a shorter shelf life. She sees Indian flavors approaching a tipping point in US markets, similar to previous cuisine waves such as Asian and Mexican.

Premier Foods Rolls Out Breakfast PMPs

Premier Foods introduced price-marked packs across its Ambrosia porridge and FUEL10K granola lines to support independent UK retailers. With breakfast representing 18 billion annual occasions and an £11 billion market, the move aims to boost shopper trust in pricing and drive sales. Breakfast products from both brands currently exceed £6 million in convenience sales, growing 11% year-on-year, highlighting strong consumer demand for affordable, convenient morning options.

Cargill Study Explores Emotional Snack Habits

Cargill's new research shows that emotional and behavioral drivers, not just nutrition, are reshaping snacking in 2025. Three key consumer types have emerged: Impulse Munchers, Emotional Snackers and Guiltless Grazers. Each group seeks different benefits, from comfort and stress relief to enjoyment and novelty, offering brands an opportunity to craft emotionally intelligent BFY products. The report urges companies to go beyond demographics and focus on snack occasions and emotional states, guiding innovations in portion size, flavor and packaging.

Ferrero Acquires WK Kellogg Co

Ferrero’s $3.1 billion acquisition of WK Kellogg Co brings iconic cereal brands like Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Special K under its umbrella, expanding its reach in BFY breakfast offerings. The deal includes WK Kellogg Co's production, marketing and distribution of cereals across the US, Canada and the Caribbean. Ferrero aims to modernize these legacy products, enhancing them with more nutrition-focused attributes. This deal provides opportunities to innovate on health-driven fronts like protein, fiber and clean labels, and it positions Ferrero to influence the broader cereal and snacking landscape in North America with trusted household brands.

Post Acquires 8th Avenue For $880M

Post Holdings completed its $880 million acquisition of 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, effective July 1. The deal includes all equity interests and the assumption of $111 million in finance leases. 8th Avenue’s portfolio spans private-label and branded dry pasta, nut butters, granola, snack and baking nuts, trail mixes and dried fruits.

State Of The Industry 2025 Report

This year’s State of the Industry Report includes insights on how brands are innovating to meet demand for BFY snacks. While overall snack sales stayed flat, BFY segments showed resilience and growth. Puffed and extruded snacks are gaining share with protein-forward seasonings, gluten-free bases like cassava and chickpeas, and spicy or nostalgic flavor profiles. Tortilla chip makers are leaning into clean labels, organic corn and co-branded flavor mashups. Chips are also seeing a shift, with avocado oil and sustainability features, like upcycled ingredients, driving consumer interest. Across categories, brands are reformulating to meet rising demand for health benefits, such as high protein, low sugar and clean ingredients, while still balancing indulgence, taste and snack-time rituals.

Rewind’s 9-Volt Chips Spark Bold Flavor Innovation

Dutch snack brand Rewind launched 9-volt battery-flavored chips, aiming to evoke childhood nostalgia while introducing a bold, attention-grabbing snack. Though more novelty than health food, the brand also offers standard flavors like Cheese & Onion and Paprika, using familiar taste profiles to balance its experimental edge. The product, made with food-safe ingredients mimicking the zing of a battery touch, reflects a rising trend toward experiential and emotional snacking.

pladis Accelerator Unveils Future-Forward Snack Startups

pladis’s 2025 Accelerator Programme spotlights the future of BFY snacks, backing 12 startups innovating with health-boosting and sustainable ingredients. Highlights include waterlily-based popcorn, legumes that mimic weight-loss drugs and enzymes that transform sugar, once consumed, into fiber. Nuritas leverages AI to discover plant-based bioactives, while Fermtech offers a low-carbon cocoa alternative. Other standouts include fat replacements for plant-based snacks and compostable packaging.

Hershey Expands BFY Salty Snacks Strategy

Hershey is evolving from a confectionery leader into a diversified snacking company, aiming to double the salty snack share of its revenue within 10 years to 20%. Central to this growth is its acquisition of Dot’s Pretzels, which included manufacturing capabilities and enabled rapid innovation in a stagnant category. New products like Buffalo Dot’s and Reese’s filled pretzels reflect Hershey’s push for bolder, insight-driven offerings. The company leverages its Global Customer Insights Center to shape strategy across consumer segments and retail partners. Health-conscious snacking is a key focus, supported by brands like SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and a pending acquisition of Lesser Evil.

Popchips & Discos Offer Bold New Flavor Options

Popchips introduced two new BFY crisp flavors, Peri Peri Chicken and Chargrilled Steak, expanding its air-popped, lower-fat snack lineup. Meanwhile, Popchips’ parent KP Snacks also revived the nostalgic Pickled Onion Discos after a 20-year absence, now a permanent addition to its range.

Quinn Refreshes Packaging To Highlight Clean Ingredients

Snack brand Quinn unveiled new packaging designed to emphasize its commitment to transparency, regenerative agriculture and BFY ingredients. Known for gluten- and dairy-free filled pretzels made with brown rice flour, the brand now features brighter colors and bolder ingredient displays to help shoppers quickly identify its nutritional credentials. Quinn positions itself as a leader in honest snacking, targeting health-conscious consumers seeking non-GMO, allergen-free treats.

Catalina Crunch Expands With Protein Granola Launch

Catalina Snacks is entering the granola space with a new line. Catalina Crunch® Protein Granola targets consumers seeking low-sugar, high-protein alternatives. Each serving delivers 13g of protein and just 1–2g of sugar, combining real nuts, oat crisps and fiber. Available in Honey Cashew, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla Almond, the granola is designed to fuel both breakfast and on-the-go snacking occasions. Catalina Crunch’s BFY portfolio now appears in over 28,000 retail locations. By the end of the year, Protein Granola will be sold in Walmart, Publix, Target, Sprouts, Hy-Vee and ShopRite, and on Amazon and at catalinacrunch.com.

Chris Paul’s Snack Brand Hits Walmart Shelves

Good Eat’n, a plant-based snack brand founded by NBA star Chris Paul, is expanding nationally with a launch in over 1,000 Walmart stores. The brand offers 100% plant-based options like Hot Hot Puffs and Cookies N’ Creme Popcorn, aiming to combine bold flavors with BFY ingredients. Its focus is on Gen Z consumers, using eye-catching packaging and accessible pricing. With earlier success at H-E-B and GoPuff, this Walmart rollout marks a major milestone for the brand.

Retailers Feature Bold And BFY Snacks

Convenience store operators are raising the bar on snacking by offering more health-conscious options with bold flavors and clear nutritional benefits. Consumers, and especially Gen Z and older millennials, demand snacks that deliver value, protein and clean ingredients. C-store brand Nouria says it has doubled down on BFY options, but not at the expense of traditional c-store options. It brought in BFY brands this year like Jackson’s Sweet Potato chips, but indulgent options still play a vital role.

Jackson’s Snacks Launches Its Biggest Prime Day Deal Yet

Jackson’s, an avocado oil-based snacks maker, is taking full advantage of Amazon Prime Day with deep discounts of up to 75% off on its popular variety packs. Known for seed oil-free, gluten-free and vegan-friendly options like sweet potato chips and veggie straws, the brand is expanding its online reach to meet rising demand. Jackson’s success stems from a clean-label mission inspired by a personal health journey, and it has scaled nationally with support from Shark Tank's Rohan Oza and a growing retailer list. Its Amazon storefront now drives discovery with convenient bundles tailored to health-conscious, on-the-go consumers.

Jackson's Launches Real-Ingredient Veggie Straws

Jackson’s launches Super Veggie Straws™, a new BFY snack made from real ingredients like yellow peas, brown rice, cassava and sweet potato. Unlike conventional veggie straws, which rely heavily on potato starch and seed oils, Super Veggie Straws are fried in premium avocado oil and contain no artificial additives or allergens. The product took nearly two years to develop and is now available in Sea Salt, Cheddar (dairy-free) and Ranch flavors. They are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and free from the top nine allergens, and are available at Walgreens, regional grocers and online, with Amazon availability expected mid-July.

Kellanova Rolls Out All-Bran Fibre Plus In UK

Kellanova began producing its new high-fiber All-Bran Fibre Plus cereal at its upgraded Wrexham, UK facility, now powered by renewable electricity. The product offers 27g of fiber and 14g of protein per 100g and features improved crunch and reduced packaging dust. This launch follows a £75 million investment and marks a milestone in Kellanova’s strategy to centralize and modernize UK cereal production. As part of the shift, other iconic brands like Corn Flakes and Crunchy Nut will also move to the Wrexham site by 2026.

Good Eat'n Expands To Walmart Stores

Good Eat’n, a plant-based snack brand founded by NBA star Chris Paul, is expanding into more than 1,000 Walmart locations nationwide. After gaining traction at H-E-B in Texas, the brand aims to make its BFY snacks more widely available with a national launch including five popular varieties, such as Nacho Cheeze Tortilla Chips and Cookies N' Creme Popcorn. With most Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart, this move significantly broadens the brand’s reach. Good Eat’n focuses on flavor-forward, plant-based snacks designed to appeal to a younger audience through bold tastes and vibrant packaging. In addition to Walmart, the products are sold at H-E-B, on GoPuff and through the brand’s website.

Catalina Crunch Launches National Rebrand

Catalina Crunch, known for high-protein, low-sugar cereals and snacks, launched its first national campaign, “The Bright Side of Better”, to spotlight its rebrand and growing retail presence. In a campaign highlighting its best-sellers, Protein Cereal and Protein Snack Mix, it is emphasizing the brand’s commitment to flavor and nutrition. Now in over 28,000 stores nationwide, Catalina Crunch is gaining traction among health-conscious consumers, partly driven by broader wellness trends and GLP-1 medication use. Founder Krishna Kaliannan, who has Type 1 diabetes, started the brand to meet the need for nutritious, satisfying cereal. Ingredient costs, tariffs and evolving taste expectations remain challenges, but the brand continues to innovate. New product launches and influencer partnerships are planned for 2025 to support continued growth and consumer engagement.

Nutritionist Ranks The UK’s Favourite Crisps: Taste vs. Health

Britons eat over two bags of crisps weekly, but how healthy are these snacks? Dietitian Maeve Hanan analyzed 10 popular and “healthier” crisp brands, balancing nutritional value with taste. While most crisps are ultra-processed and high in salt and fat, Hanan highlights that some, like Kettle Chips Lightly Salted and Off the Eaten Path Pea & Bean Sticks, offer better ingredients and nutritional profiles. Traditional favourites like Walkers Cheese & Onion and Hula Hoops scored well on taste and ingredient simplicity but remain processed snacks. Meanwhile, so-called “healthy” alternatives often fall short of their marketing claims, sometimes with more sugar or salt.

Bee Pollen Can Contribute To Functional Snacks

Polish researchers found that bee pollen can significantly boost the antioxidant and phenolic content of extruded potato snacks without compromising taste. A recent study found that adding up to 5% bee pollen increased health benefits by as much as 5.6 times compared to control snacks. Even after frying, nutrient levels remained substantially higher. The optimal formula included 3% multifloral bee pollen, which delivered the best taste and visual appeal. Bee pollen’s sustainability and functionality align well with clean-label trends, making it a promising ingredient for future BFY snack formulations targeting wellness-conscious consumers.

Younger Brits Prioritize Nutrition At Breakfast

A Weetabix survey of over 2,000 UK adults shows cereal remains the top breakfast choice, especially among health-conscious younger consumers. About 35% prioritize nutrition when selecting morning meals, with cereals offering a balance of convenience, taste and health benefits. Younger adults (16–34) are leading this shift, opting for functional foods that support energy and wellbeing. While solo breakfasts and skipping meals persist, the trend toward nutrient-rich cereals reflects growing demand for BFY options that fit busy lifestyles.

Clean, Savory Shifts In Breakfast Trends

Breakfast brands are responding to growing consumer demand for healthier, more transparent food options, prioritizing protein, low sugar and clean-label ingredients. Sales in traditional frozen and cold breakfast categories declined slightly. Emerging brands are gaining ground by offering high-protein, convenient foods with authentic taste and real ingredients. Innovations such as skillet-cooked burritos and sorghum-based cereals reflect a shift toward portability and all-day snacking. Aaron Robinson of Kodiak believes “large category” incumbent brands have lost share to emerging BFY brands with functional benefits.

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