News for professionals in the food business

Ella's Flats Founder Discusses Seed-Based Cracker Brand Growth

Ella Macks, founder of cracker brand Ella's Flats, says the product began in her kitchen after a friend shared a Scandinavian seed crispbread recipe, which she reworked into a cracker built around seeds instead of wheat flour. Cracker category sales have recently been flat, though better-for-you producers have fared better, per Snack Foods & Wholesale Bakery's State of the Industry coverage. Ella's Flats avoids fillers, gums or seed oils, and comes in flavors including Sesame, Everything, Pumpkin Seed with Hemp Hearts, Caraway Rye, Cumin and Spicy. Macks says the brand's newer Minis line brings its seed-forward approach into a smaller, snackable format while expanding distribution and retail partnerships.

Khloud Debuts Pumpkin Spice Protein Popcorn At Target

Khloud rolled out Pumpkin Spice Protein Popcorn, its first seasonal limited-time item, combining pumpkin flavor with brown sugar and warm spices. According to the brand, each serving delivers 7g of protein. The popcorn is available in Target stores and online at KhloudFoods.com, Amazon and Target.com. Some Target locations are giving it extra shelf visibility by placing it near sister Kim Kardashian's beverage line, Update, which is also debuting at the retailer.

Magic Spoon Faces Lawsuit Over Sugar Labeling

Magic Spoon is facing a lawsuit for allegedly "healthwashing" its cereal, with labeling that claims "0g total sugars" and "no added sugar," even though the product contains allulose. Filed in Illinois, the case follows a June ruling by the Seventh Circuit that classified allulose as a sugar under federal rules. The plaintiff claims Magic Spoon's cereals hold 5-10g of allulose per serving, varying by flavor, and the FDA disclosed plans to allow enforcement discretion regarding allulose's exclusion from total and added sugar figures on packaging.

Milton's Pairs Crackers With Caviar For Entertaining

Milton's, based in Carlsbad, California, partnered with Kale Junkie's Nicole Keshishian on "The Perfect Bite," pairing its Crispy Sea Salt Gluten Free Crackers with caviar from The Caviar Co. The partners call it part of a "Hi-Lo" entertaining trend that mixes a luxe ingredient with an ordinary pantry staple, casting the cracker as a gluten-free stand-in for the classic party chip and a modern take on the blini. Milton's says its crackers carry Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified status, contain no artificial preservatives or trans fats, and also come in Everything and Multi-Grain flavors.

Backflip Cereal Startup Outsells Every Brand At Target

Backflip, a two-month-old cereal brand, became Target's top-selling breakfast item. Made without gluten, synthetic dyes, seed oils or genetically modified ingredients, and containing roughly half the sugar of popular kids' cereals, Backflip was named Target’s “most productive brand” in the breakfast aisle.

Teddy's Tallow Chips Expands Retail Distribution Nationwide

Teddy's Tallow Chips, a Cedarburg, Wisconsin, company, took the top prize in the Naturally Wisconsin pitch competition with its beef-tallow-fried potato chips. Launched commercially a year ago, the brand builds on a recipe formulated for the founder’s son and CEO, Teddy, who has food allergies. The lineup now spans eight potato chip SKUs across four flavors, plus tallow-fried tortilla chips in three more, using non-GMO potatoes, organic corn and tallow from cattle raised on grass and finished on grain. Distribution covers some 4,500 doors nationwide, including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, several hundred grocery stores via KeHE Foods, and new Albertsons-owned banners.

SuperYou Targets Rs 1,000 Crore Revenue

Indian protein-snacking brand SuperYou aims to reach Rs 1,000 crore in revenue within two to three years, building on Rs 150 crore in first-year revenue and more than 15 million wafer and chip units sold. Brand and marketing head Aditi Jain said the company frames protein as an upside that people discover through taste. Its Power Puffs are moving up to 50,000 units daily online. SuperYou teamed with Starbucks, and is exploring partnerships with Nomad Pizza and Nutcracker.

Layenberger Launches High Protein Nachos With Plant-Based Ingredients

Layenberger’s new High Protein Nachos expands the German brand’s functional food range beyond the existing High Protein Airy Chips. They are unfried, plant-based and triangular, with a strong protein content. Alongside corn, ingredients include black lentils, green peas, pea protein, and both whole-grain and white rice. A 50g bag provides 30-32g of carbohydrates, 12g of protein, 5.5-6.5g of fat, and 225-239 calories. Three flavors are available through Layenberger's online store: Himalayan Salt, Sour Cream, and Chili Lime.

WK Kellogg Highlights Cereal Benefits For Breakfast

WK Kellogg Co is marking National Better Breakfast Month throughout September by touting a single serving's supply of vitamin D, iron, B vitamins, fiber and protein. Chief Wellbeing and Sustainable Business Officer Sarah Ludmer, a registered dietitian, called cereal her family's go-to breakfast for its folate, iron, fiber and whole grains. This year the company rolled out an on-pack guide called SPOONS and said it is a year ahead of schedule on removing certified colors deemed artificial from its cereal lineup by 2026's end.

Kühne Combines Cheese Flavor With Crispy Fried Onions

Kühne introduced a new fried onion product that pairs crispiness with an indulgent cheese flavor. Kühne markets the onions as a convenient, portion-sized snack that can also top salads, burgers, hot dogs and grilled meats, or be used on vegetables, omelets and other homemade dishes needing extra texture. Kühne seeks to reposition its traditional fried onion as a more versatile topping, suited both to snacking on its own and to personalizing a plate.

Protein Snacking Reshapes India's Traditional Namkeen Snack Category

Traditional Indian snacks like mathri and bhujia are increasingly sharing shelf space with roasted chickpeas, protein chips and edamame, according to a healthy snacking report based on over 6,000 Indian consumer responses. Nearly nine in ten now factor protein into their snack choices, and India's namkeen industry is projected to grow at a double-digit annual rate, with much of that growth coming from better-for-you options. Protein-forward snacks built on chickpea, lentil and soy are on track to reach nearly $100 million in value by the decade's end. PROMUNCH, a D2C brand describing itself as “India's first protein namkeen,” sells roasted edamame cooked in olive oil without palm oil or maida, delivering close to 42 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pringles Dippers Debut Amid Growing Snack Dip Category

Pringles Dippers, a sturdier, wavier crisp designed to scoop and hold dip, is launching in Original, French Onion and Bacon Cheddar flavors. The redesign addresses dipping vessels that break or fail to scoop properly. More snack brands are positioning products as dip pairings, including PepsiCo's Tostitos, which is launching a companion guacamole. Refrigerated dips reached $2.3 billion in sales for the year ending May 2025, with volume up 3.7% from 2024, according to Circana data. Growth in the dip category is tied to consumer demand for customizable flavor combinations and snacks that double as light meals.

General Mills Removes Artificial Dyes From All Cereal

General Mills announced that it removed artificial food dyes from nearly all of its US cereal lineup, including Lucky Charms and Trix, marking a Make America Healthy Again movement win. Dyes have also been eliminated from all K-12 school foods and 90% of the company's US retail portfolio, with full transition targeted for the end of 2027. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pressured food makers since March 2025 to drop synthetic dyes voluntarily; Mars, Hershey, Nestle and PepsiCo are among those making similar pledges.

Evening Snacking Becomes Battleground For Food Brands

Evening snacking is now one of the most valuable occasions for manufacturers of food and drink, according to Mintel senior analyst Richard Caines. Innova Market Insights data shows 49% of consumers worldwide snack in the evening, including during TV-watching and gaming time. Consumers increasingly swap full meals for grazing boards and snack combinations built around protein, with a balance between better-for-you and indulgence.

Young Chinese Dieters Turn To Tough, Chewy Snacks

Growing numbers of young dieters across China are swapping low-calorie foods for snacks, valued mainly for toughness and chewiness. Favorites shared on social media include frozen buns, baby teething biscuits, and beef jerky, alongside dangshen root, a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient favored by one dieter from Guangxi for its mild sweetness. Others have revived hard-to-chew regional foods, including Zhoushan hard cake, Guangdong fried rice cookies and Shandong pancakes. Practitioners say the habit keeps mouths occupied, curbs overeating, and, according to traditional Chinese medicine principles, supports digestion and metabolism.

State-By-State Data Map Reveals America's Top Cereal Picks

Concordia University determined each state's favorite breakfast cereal, mapping results across the country. Froot Loops topped the list in 13 states, including Michigan, Texas and Florida, while Rice Krispies and Cheerios each led in five states apiece. Trix ranked first in four, including Washington, D.C. Other states favored a wider mix: Honey Bunches of Oats in California, Arizona and New Mexico; Cinnamon Toast Crunch in Delaware, Maryland and South Carolina; and Cap'n Crunch in Iowa. Several states favored options seen as healthier: Maine chose Raisin Bran, Minnesota picked Wheaties, North Dakota went with Special K, and Wyoming preferred Frosted Mini-Wheats, while Nebraska favored Lucky Charms and West Virginia picked Corn Flakes.

Spanish Bakery Airos Merges With Cereal Maker Esgir

Airos Delicatessen, a Spanish free-from bakery, is combining with breakfast-cereal maker Esgir in a deal backed by asset manager Impact Bridge. Impact Bridge said the combined company, Airos Group, would have pro-forma annual revenue near €30 million and targets €60 million in combined turnover within five years. Airos has made gluten-free frozen, bakery and pastry products since 2007; Esgir makes cereals free from gluten, sugar and lactose. Financial terms were not disclosed.

California Lawmakers Create New Non-Ultraprocessed Food Certification Seal

California's legislature passed Assembly Bill 2244, creating a first-of-its-kind state seal certifying foods as not ultra-processed. The bill cleared the Senate and Assembly without a single dissenting vote and now sits with Governor Newsom, who must sign or veto it by September 30. Patterned on the USDA Organic label, the “Non-Ultraprocessed Certified” mark would be administered by the California Department of Public Health, with accredited agents authorizing qualifying manufacturers and grocers obligated to showcase certified items. AB 2244 extends 2025's Real Food, Healthy Kids Act, which set thresholds for saturated fat, added sugar, sodium and certain additives to define ultra-processed foods, and began removing them from California schools.

Healthier Snacking Habits Reshape Market For Savory Categories

Snack industry revenue passed $287 billion worldwide and could climb above $386 billion by 2031, a roughly 6% CAGR. A Circana researcher says snacking occasions are being redefined, with yogurt, cheese, nuts and protein bars now counted alongside traditional options. Chocolate, biscuits, crackers and crisps face mounting sales pressure, partly tied to rising GLP-1 medication use, while cereal bars, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and other better-for-you picks are gaining traction. Smaller pack sizes are also popular, giving budget-conscious shoppers more flexibility on portion and price.

Pirate's Booty Unveils New Look And Recipe

Pirate's Booty updated its packaging and tweaked its recipe to include more cheese. Agency Pearlfisher handled the overhaul, giving mascot Captain Bob and parrot sidekick Crunch bolder, more animated looks, a custom typeface, matte packaging and a palette centered on blues, tans and yellows. Pirate's Booty launched in 1987 as a cheddar-based alternative to conventional kids' snacks and joined Hershey's lineup in 2018. Cheddar cheese remains the fourth ingredient in a short list. There are no artificial flavors and the brand says it’s an “opportune time” to highlight the products as BFY chip options.

India's Food Regulator Proposes New Front-Of-Pack Warning Labels

India's Food Safety and Standards Authority proposed front-of-pack warning labels for packaged food and drinks, reversing an earlier stance after public anger over weak labeling rules. Its proposal calls for a red hexagonal symbol on products high in two or more of saturated fat, sugar or salt, carrying wording such as “HIGH FAT,” “HIGH SUGAR” or “HIGH SALT.” Coca-Cola and industry groups representing Nestle and PepsiCo have long opposed such labeling as confusing, while activists and the Supreme Court have pushed for it, citing obesity; a Lancet study cited in the filing estimates 450 million Indians could be obese or overweight by 2050. Labeling would roll out in phases, with single-ingredient products exempted.

RAISE Secures Backing For Its Nut And Seed Snacks

Nut and seed snack brand RAISE secured backing worth £50,000 on the TV investment show, Dragons' Den. RAISE's nut and seed clusters provide protein, fiber and antioxidants with under 5 grams of sugar per pack, and come in six flavors, including Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt, Maple Pecan and Coconut & Almond. Robinson said the brand aims to “big up natural snacking” while moving away from ultra-processed options.

New Book Exposes Decades Of Cereal Industry Marketing

Marion Nestle, professor emerita of nutrition at New York University, and Lisa Sutherland, a former Kellogg vice president, have co-written “Sugar Coated: Unboxing the Hidden Forces Shaping America's Favorite Breakfast Food.” It traces how cereal makers used ingredients, label claims and marketing since the late 1800s to downplay sugar while promoting fiber and vitamin fortification, drawing on decades of box designs for Rice Krispies, Froot Loops and All-Bran. A 1980s Kellogg petition to the FDA to approve its health claims is tied to a 47% jump in All-Bran's market share and started the industry’s enthusiasm for cereal health claims.

That's It Debuts Fruitola Granola At Costco

That's it introduced Cinnamon Fruitola Fruit Granola to Costco stores in the Southeastern US for September's Better Breakfast Month, marking the product's debut in a 14oz. family pack. Made with just four ingredients, Fruitola carries no added sugar and provides 16g of plant-based protein and 7g of fiber per serving, while avoiding gluten and nuts. According to That's it, the granola works equally well eaten straight from the bag, poured over milk or spooned onto yogurt.

KFC Launches Savory Cereal Eaten With Gravy

KFC and UK cereal brand SURREAL partnered on KFCereal, a savoury cereal built around the chain's 11 herbs and spices, but with a suggestion to swap milk for KFC's Gravy. Arriving during Freshers Week, the launch is billed as KFC's first cereal and its debut in the breakfast aisle. SURREAL, known for high-protein, low-sugar cereals, calls its lineup "a grown-up reboot of childhood favourites." KFC brand manager Elspeth Allen said, "We wanted to take sBNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.omething people know and love and give it the KFC treatment," pairing the cereal with a pot of Gravy. It goes on sale September 22 on SURREAL's website while supplies last.

Pepperidge Farm Adds Protein To Goldfish Crackers

Pepperidge Farm is rolling out a new Goldfish cracker delivering 6g of protein in every serving, baked with cheese in cheddar and pizza varieties. Goldfish Crackers senior VP Tiphanie Maronta said, "Protein has become a bigger priority for many families, whether it's after school, between activities or on the go." Walmart and other grocery chains will carry the new protein cracker starting in October, with a broader rollout to additional US retailers set for early 2027.

Pladis Adapts Snacks To Address Weight-Loss Drugs Spread

McVitie's owner Pladis says it is adjusting its snack portfolio as more consumers turn to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and shift toward smaller portions and healthier choices. It’s reformulating recipes to reduce sugar and salt while aiming to double by 2030 how many products meet what it calls "offering a better nutritional balance," from a 2023 baseline.

Sfizi Adds Spicy Flavor To Taralli Lineup

Sfizi, a taralli brand founded by Sheela Prakash and Joe Fiorenzo, introduced its fourth flavor, Spicy, pairing crushed peperoncino, or red chili pepper, with sweet garlic. Taralli are ring-shaped snacks with a heritage from Puglia, Italy. Sfizi says the new flavor can be eaten solo or paired with a negroni or salted nuts, or both. According to Sfizi, the snacks are flaky, crumbly and ultra-crispy, while also lighter and less dense than typical taralli.

Kettle Chips Launches Festive Beef Bourguignon Flavor

KETTLE Chips is introducing a festive limited-edition flavor, Beef Bourguignon & Winter Herbs, created with chef, author and broadcaster Rachel Khoo. The hand-cooked crisp pairs Ribeye and Aberdeen Angus beef, slow-cooked with red wine, tomato and mushroom, alongside several herbs. KETTLE says the recipe meets HFSS compliance rules and relies on natural flavourings. Khoo said, "Beef Bourguignon has always been one of those wonderfully comforting dishes for me," adding that she wanted "a festive, alpine twist" for the range. They will be sold in 130g bags at Sainsbury's and Ocado this month, Morrisons in October and Co-op from November, remaining on sale through December.

Mission Foods Launches New Protein And Grain-Free Chips

Mission Foods introduced four snack varieties under its Better-For-You platform, adding Chile Limón and Jalapeño options to its Protein Tortilla Style Chips, as well as Sea Salt and Hint of Lime options to its Grain Free Tortilla Style Chips. Each Protein serving supplies 10g of plant-based protein and is gluten-free and vegan. The Grain Free chips use cassava flour, chia seeds and avocado oil, and contain fiber and non-GMO ingredients. Both lines are rolling out at Kroger, with more retailers set to carry them this fall.

Catalina Crunch Snacks Expand Into More CVS Stores

BFY brand Catalina Crunch expanded distribution to additional CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide. Catalina Crunch products now reach over 30,000 retailers nationwide, including over 3,500 CVS Pharmacy stores. Items are pitched as modernized pantry staples combining protein and fiber with less sugar than typical snack options.

Parag Milk Foods Enters Snacking With Avvatar Chips

In India, Parag Milk Foods enters snacking with Avvatar Popped Protein Chips, extending its Avvatar sports-nutrition brand beyond powders, bars and ready-to-drink beverages. These non-fried chips come in Magic Masala and Pudina flavors, delivering 10g of protein per 30g pack. They are made without added sugar, preservatives or palm oil. Distribution runs through vending machines, quick-commerce platforms, trade outlets and Avvatar's own website.

Frankie's Organic Snacks Debuts Halloween Puffcorn On Amazon

Halloween Puffcorn debuted on Amazon.com in the US through snack-size multipacks, building on a rollout to more than 500 Target stores and Target.com. Products on Amazon include White Cheddar and Himalayan Pink Salt Puffcorn, plus a returning limited-edition Halloween item, White Cheddar Ghost Puffs, sold in multipacks of 15 individually wrapped 0.5oz. bags. Ghost Puffs are oven-baked and carry USDA Organic, non-GMO and Certified Gluten-Free status.

Celpo Snacks Launches US Operations With Protein Crisps

European BFY brand Celpo Snacks launched US operations with protein-packed crisps crafted from peas and lentils, using a double-processing technology for a light, crispy texture. FabuLentils Sea Salt and Sour Cream & Cracked Pepper flavors each deliver 6g of protein, 3g of fiber and 94 calories per serving. SereniPeas Sea Salt contains 5g grams of protein, 3g of fiber and 99 calories. Celpo plans to explore manufacturing in Georgia as it expands across North America.

New Crispeas Snack Blends Peas With Rice Crackers

New Zealand snack brand Crispeas pairs rice crackers with peas, delivering, it claims, twice the protein and more naturally occurring fiber than selected rice cracker brands. Five flavors are available: Original, BBQ, Salt & Vinegar, Wasabi and Sriracha. Described by the brand as suited to lunchboxes, desk drawers and entertaining, the pea-green snacks are positioned as an everyday option with a distinctive appearance for platters and grazing boards. Crispeas are sold at PAK'nSave and New World stores across New Zealand.

Hershey Adds BFY To Its Halloween Lineup

Hershey is folding three salty, BFY brands, SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty and LesserEvil, into its 2026 Halloween lineup alongside traditional candy. SkinnyPop is offering individually portioned, spooky-themed popcorn packs for trick-or-treat bowls, Pirate's Booty contributes snack-size bags of its aged-cheddar puffs, and LesserEvil makes its first Hershey Halloween appearance with a Pumpkin Spice Popcorn. Reese's Dipped Pretzels and Reese's Filled Pretzels complete the salty snacks offering.

Agrain Launches Healthy Chip Line Via Grab

Malaysian chain Agrain Holdings Sdn Bhd, which runs healthy food restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, moves into packaged snacks with a chip line sold under Grab Signatures. Taro, Pumpkin, Banana and Purple Sweet Potato Chips come in 45g packs. Products are described as high in dietary fiber, cholesterol-free and free of added coloring or preservatives. Partnering with Grab Signatures and Jaya Grocer gives Agrain a route into Jaya Grocer's retail network and GrabMart's delivery service, reaching customers beyond its usual restaurant setting.

Good Crisp Chips Earn Seed Oil Certification

Good Crisp Company's entire Crinkle Cut Chips range now has Seed Oil Free Certified® status. Crinkle Cut Chips are cooked in Certified Sustainable Palm Oil, meeting Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil standards, and are free of gluten, GMO ingredients and artificial colors across the brand's products.

Mavericks Snacks Grows Family-Friendly Cookie, Cracker Line

Mavericks Snacks, launched in 2020, makes cookies and crackers aimed at both children and parents. Brand activation manager Melissa Ader said the aim was reinventing nostalgic classics without a tradeoff between fun and ingredients. Products exclude artificial colors as well as added sweeteners. They rely on non-GMO components and include plant-based, lightning-bolt-shaped Bolt Cookies in three flavors, carrying 40% less sugar than the category's leading option, two varieties of whole grain sandwich crackers, and a newly launched lemon crème sandwich cookie. A 20-count Natural Born Snackers Party Kit targets birthdays and classroom events.

LesserEvil Launches Organic Cheezmos Puffs Snack

LesserEvil added Cheezmos Puffs to its portfolio, building on last year's launch of Crunchy Cheezmos. Built on real organic cheddar and a clean oil blend, the new launch skips seed oils entirely and comes in two flavors, Cowgirl Cheddar and Jalapeño Cheddar, each at 130 calories a serving. Consistent with the rest of the brand's catalog, the puffs carry USDA Organic and non-GMO status and exclude artificial dyes and preservatives.

Backflip Cereal Debuts With Exclusive Target Deal

Backflip, a cereal brand from Ben Azerlart, Shaun Neff and Ampersand Growth Partners, launched this summer with Target as its exclusive partner, targeting the 6-12 years age group. There are four flavors, Cinnamon Magic, Fruity Galaxy, Strawberry Milkshake and Chocolate Sundae, sweetened with sugar and Reb A stevia. The cereal is gluten-free, omits synthetic dyes and contains about 6g of protein per one-cup serving, and 40% less sugar than leading cereal brands.

Chipz Happen Grows Family-Run Better-For-You Tortilla Chip Brand

Chipz Happen, a tortilla chip company run by mother Dee Dee Drumm and her children Rochelle and Jason, grew from home-kitchen batches into a retail brand after securing a manufacturing partner. The family spent four years working the production line directly, packing, weighing and distributing product, to learn the scaling process firsthand. Chipz are made with organic white corn and organic high-oleic sunflower or safflower oil, and are non-GMO verified, gluten-free certified and vegan. Described as tasting “like a healthy Dorito, but better,” flavors include Chile Lime, Nacho Cheeze, Himalayan Pink Salt and the newer Rockin' Ranch, with additional flavors and retailers planned.

JÖEY Seed Crisps Wins Startup CPG Shelfie Award

JÖEY Nordic Seed Crisps, a Canadian brand founded in 2023, won a 2026 Startup CPG Shelfie Award in the Healthy Snack Category for its Rosemary & Black Pepper Seed Crisps. Startup CPG, an emerging consumer packaged goods community with a reach of over 150,000 professionals, evaluated more than 2,000 submissions across over 30 categories. Judges praised the crisps as “delicious, crunchy, and good for you,” suitable for charcuterie boards, salads or sandwiches. Ingredients include seven nutrient-dense seeds, among them watermelon seeds; the crisps are USDA Organic, gluten-free certified, vegan and made without seed oils, with 22 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber per bag.

Realm Foods Targets Gap In BFY Snack Aisle

Realm Foods started in New York City with dried smoothie blends for hotels, cafés and colleges before expanding into savory snacking. After two years of development, it launched Realm Savory Veggie Crisps in three flavors: Saucy Pizzetta, Sweet Mustard and Spicy Chipotle. Each bag blends purple and orange sweet potato, cauliflower and cassava with chia and avocado oil, with seasonings developed alongside a Michelin-starred chef. CEO Voss says better-for-you has shifted from a niche category to a consumer expectation. Realm created a 1.35-ounce bag for grab-and-go channels such as airports and campuses and has gone direct-to-consumer, with a fourth flavor and new retail partners planned for 2027.

Hershey Adds More Salty Snacks For Halloween Shoppers

Hershey is expanding its Halloween lineup with salty snacks such as cheese puffs and pretzels under its Lesser Evil, Skinny Pop and Pirate's Booty brands, responding to health-conscious shoppers influenced partly by GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Hershey is also using AI to speed product development, cutting about three months from its typical timeline and expanding its innovation pipeline 75% over nine months.

Buffs Brings Puffed Beef Puff Snack To US Market

Buffs, a puffed beef puff snack made with beef, vegetables, tapioca, egg whites and olive oil, is now sold direct-to-consumer after the company secured $1.1 million in pre-seed funding. The product is described as blending a pretzel's snap with a cheese puff's airiness, positioning Buffs between meat snacks and salty snacks. The founders say they’re creating a new category with their novel product and are aiming to create a salty snack like Cheetos or Goldfish but with better ingredients.

Holie's Challenges Rival Cereal Brands On Sugar

Dutch challenger brand Holie's, the second-largest cereal maker in the Netherlands and Belgium, launched a campaign called "Wake Up, Big Cereal" urging major manufacturers to strip out added sugar across their ranges. Holie's says its own portfolio has zero added sugar, no sweeteners and high protein. Research cited by the brand found adults in nine European nations take in 55g of added sugar daily, 20kg a year.

Five UK Manufacturers Pledge Healthy Food Sales Reporting

Five UK food and drink manufacturers, Carlsberg Britvic, Danone, KP Snacks, Nomad Foods and Premier Foods, committed to publishing healthy food sales data next year. Manufacturers urged government to work with industry on a mandatory reporting requirement covering the sector within this parliamentary term, which would make the UK the first country to require such reporting economy-wide. Food and Drink Federation chief executive Karen Betts said reporting would “incentivise companies to double down on progress, and give government a valuable tool to measure the impact of health policies.”

Indian Murukkus Offer Nutritious Model For Extruded Snacks

Murukkus, a crunchy spiral snack from South India shaped by hand or through a hand-turned press, might be a forerunner of today's extruded food industry and offer potential novel format. They have the advantage of traditionally being made with a pulse-flour base with regional variations using millets, which makes them comparatively nutritious. This contrasts with ready-to-eat cereal extrusion where high-speed extrusion struggles with fiber, leaving only the starchiest grain parts and requiring vitamins to be added back. Murukkus are very versatile, some are made with maize with flavors like Italian herb or spring onion, spinach paste makes for green murukkus while beetroot makes bright red ones.

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