News for professionals in the food business

Spoon And Wildfarmed Add Three New Granolas

Spoon Cereals expands its tie-up with Wildfarmed, rolling out three granola varieties produced using regeneratively grown British oats. The variants are Fibre Fix, Nuts & Seeds and Triple Berry, available D2C and soon on Ocado. Spoon notes that most buyers are swapping between current granola brands instead of first-time shoppers joining the category, adding that launching similar products “would not grow the category.” The company points to Wildfarmed's track record in packaged bakery as evidence that regenerative sourcing draws in new consumers.

Cheerios Debuts Resealable Ziploc Pantry Packaging

Cheerios and Ziploc partnered to launch PantrySeal, described by General Mills as the first resealable bag built inside a standard cereal carton. Development followed a survey conducted in December 2025 in which 90% of respondents reported their own methods for keeping cereal fresh. The packaging will debut online at Walmart.com before arriving in stores across the country in the coming months.

Troovy Raises Rs 100 Crore

India-based clean-label snack company Troovy closed a Rs 100 crore investment round, more than double its previous raise in January. Troovy intends to use funds for development, factory capacity and distribution. Although not disclosed, reports indicate the company valuation is around Rs 400 crore.

Little Spoon Launches BFY Kids Cereal

Children's food brand Little Spoon is launching Dolphin Divers, a line of BFY kids' cereal, after Target approached the company about entering the category because it planned to stop stocking cereals made with artificial colors. It’s certified organic, with sugar levels well below legacy options, according to the brand, and sold only at Target. There are three flavors: Fruity Splash, Deep Sea Cocoa and Cinnamon Wave.

Khetika Expands Makhana Range With Five Variants

Khetika, among India's biggest clean-food brands, expanded its Makhana business with five new snack variants, Korean Kimchi, Peri Peri, Lime & Chilli, Himalayan Pink Salt and Salt & Pepper Makhana. Some are cooked in olive oil, some exclude preservatives or gluten, and some offer dietary fiber or plant protein. Khetika says the Indian Makhana market is worth around ₹10,000 crore and it is targeting a 5% share within three years. Khetika also sees an opportunity for Mithila Makhana in international markets.

Wilde Raises $40m To Expand Protein Snacks

Snack maker Wilde secured $40m in new financing from S2G Investments to fund its “next phase of growth,” adding to the $20m raised from KarpReilly in 2024. Wilde makes crisps and crackers from chicken-breast protein, bone broth and egg whites rather than potatoes, with both formats delivering at least 10g of protein per serving. It recently opened a 130,000 sq.ft. plant in Winchester, Kentucky, expanding capacity six-fold.

Top Seedz Expands Seed-Based Cracker Production

Buffalo, New York-based snack maker Top Seedz, expanded manufacturing after nine years developing crackers, roasted seeds and baking mixes, with seeds as the main ingredient. The entire range carries nut-free, kosher, gluten-free and USDA organic certification, and is made with olive oil. Founder Rebecca Brady said seeds “have often been used minimally as a topping, but we've really made them the main ingredients in our products.” Top Seedz is sold in over 3,000 locations, including Whole Foods, Wegmans, Sprouts and Costco. A new 35,000 sq.ft. facility, running since June 2026, can turn out 32,000 products daily. It employs 90 people, mainly refugees, with 77% from minority backgrounds.

Mondelez Introduces Gluten-Free Version Of Ritz

Mondelez International’s new gluten-free version of its Ritz cracker will be available this month at Walmart and Albertsons before expanding nationwide in February, with an 8oz pack priced at $4.49. Olympia Portale, senior director for core crackers at Mondelez, said the product delivers "the same great taste consumers love in our RITZ Original crackers and contain no artificial colors or flavors." Campbell's projects the gluten-free market will grow at a 9.8% CAGR from 2026 to 2033.

Popchips Grows Variety Pack Club Store Reach

Popchips is widening distribution of its 30-count Variety Pack, building the brand's presence across club retail channels. Each pack bundles four flavors - Sea Salt, Barbecue, Sour Cream and Onion, and Sea Salt and Vinegar - into 30 individually wrapped 0.8oz. bags. Cooked entirely in avocado oil, the chips carry gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO certifications, and each bag contains 100 calories. Retailers now stocking the pack include BJ's Wholesale Club, a growing number of Sam's Club locations, and Costco Business Centers nationwide.

Legendary Foods Launches Tortilla Style Protein Chips

Legendary Foods is extending its savory protein snack range with Tortilla Style Protein Chips, taking on the triangular shape and heartier bite of a traditional tortilla chip. Each 50g bag packs 22g of protein, 3g of net carbs and 180 calories. There are five flavors at launch: Nacho Cheese, Ranch, Salsa Verde, Sweet Chili, and Original Salted. Stack3d described the new tortilla format as having a thicker, more substantial crunch than the brand's Popped Chips. Legendary Foods expects the new chips to reach shelves sometime next year.

Simple Mills Readies Convenience Store Snack Launches

About 18 months into ownership under Flowers Foods, Simple Mills used the NACS trade show in Las Vegas to announce a push into convenience stores. It’s introducing Mini Crunchy Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies alongside Almond Flour Farmhouse Cheddar Crackers, both packaged in 2.1oz. bags specifically for the convenience channel.

Calbee Adds Tonkotsu Ramen Flavor To Chip Lineup

Calbee America added Japanese-Style Tonkotsu Ramen to its Asian Style Chips range, pairing carefully selected potatoes with spices sourced from Asia to recreate the pork broth, garlic and umami notes of the noodle dish. Senior marketing manager Doroty Reyes said the lineup aims to spark curiosity about global flavors and that the new chip builds on that goal, drawing on a dish strongly associated with Japan. Following a 2024 debut, the range already spans Umami Salt, Thai-Style Yellow Curry, Chinese-Style Spicy Hot Pot and Korean-Style Spicy BBQ, carried at Five Below and Gelson's.

Scottish Seaweed Brand SHORE Achieves B Corp Certification

SHORE, a UK seaweed snack brand, earned B Corp certification through parent company Aquascot. Launched in 2020 near Alness, Scotland, SHORE turns seaweed gathered along UK shores into plant-based Seaweed Chips. Annual sales climbed over 30% in 2026, pushing UK sales past £1 million. Every Seaweed Chips flavor won a Great Taste Award this year, and SHORE stood as the sole Scottish name in NielsenIQ's Million Club Class of 2026.

Protein And Fiber Reshape Healthy Snacking Trends

Ingredient suppliers including ADM, Ingredion, Roquette, Puratos, SVZ and Valio told Food Ingredients First that better-for-you snacking now centers on adding nutritional benefits rather than trimming salt, sugar, fat or calories. ADM's multi-country research found 71% of consumers are interested in reformulated snacks with fewer undesirable ingredients or with added fiber, vitamins, protein and biotics. Roquette cited protein enrichment as a persistent priority, noting that 58% of consumers worldwide say protein plays an active part in their diets. And there’s growing interest in fiber. Puratos highlighted fermentation, sourdough and texture-focused enzymes as tools for keeping reformulated snacks enjoyable; SVZ pointed to vegetable-derived ingredients such as kale and carrot puree for boosting nutrition without complicating labels. The bottom line for BFY snack manufacturers: balancing taste, nutrition, convenience, functionality and value.

Calbee Launches POP LAYERS Snack Brand In Thailand

Calbee is launching POP LAYERS, a layered corn snack, in Thailand this month as part of its Asia and Oceania Region business. Initial flavors are Salt, Cheese and BBQ, with the company citing Thailand's growing savory snack category. Products arrive first at 7-Eleven nationwide; BBQ will remain exclusive there, but Salt and Cheese will roll out to other retailers a month or so later. Brand development builds on Calbee's GuriBee snack, sold in Indonesia since 2021 through a joint venture with Wings Group.

Utz Brands Debuts Protein Snacks At NACS Show

Utz Brands is presenting new items across its portfolio at the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas this October, spanning brands such as Zapp's, Boulder Canyon, Utz, Golden Flake and Miguelito's. Debuts include Ripples Chicken Dipping Sauce potato chips and Spicy Pickle Bites, a corn-based snack made with Grillo's Pickles, along with Boulder Canyon tortilla chips cooked in avocado oil. Protein-forward items include Cheddar pretzels and Cheddar plus Hot & Spicy Cheese curls, delivering 8-10g of protein per ounce. Zapp's adds Honey Mustard pretzels alongside its signature Voodoo chips, while TGI Fridays debuts Buffalo Ranch potato skin chips. Stacey Schultz, senior vice president of marketing at Utz Quality Foods, said the lineup answers shoppers' changing snacking needs.

Harvest Snaps Switches Snack Lineup To Avocado Oil

Harvest Snaps swapped out olive oil for avocado oil across its full snack lineup, according to its parent company, Calbee. Three years of research reportedly found shifting snacking habits, with shoppers paying closer attention to which oils appear in their food as some cut back on seed oils. Avocado oil costs more, but there are no plans to raise prices as a result.

Cheez-It Debuts New Protein-Added Original Cracker Line

Mars' Cheez-It brand is launching Cheez-It Protein Original, a cracker using real cheese and adding 7g of protein per serving. Marketing vice president Nicole Sorensen said the launch answers consumers who want protein built into their daily snacking routine without changing the format they love, calling it “one delicious cracker” that pairs bold, cheesy flavor with a satisfying crunch. Cheez-It Protein is set to arrive in stores across the country in October at a suggested retail price of $4.49 for a 7.3-ounce box.

New Lion's Brain Crisps Target UK Wellness Shoppers

UK company A Kind Mind introduced Lion's Brain, hand-cooked crisps featuring Lion's Mane mushroom extract plus added zinc. Made with artisan producer Savoursmiths, the crisps use an 8% seasoning rate and launch in three varieties: Wild Mushroom & Black Garlic, Shiitake Mushroom & Truffle Salt and Raclette Cheese & Shallot. They are sold in 40g and 150g bags. Lion's Brain is launching across several offline channels as well as D2C and e-commerce. It was named by Entrepreneur UK in its Top 100 Start-ups to Watch for 2026.

One% Nutrition Launches SuperPuffs To Expand Beyond Beverages

One% Nutrition, which built its name on protein shakes and protein water, entered the snack category with one% SuperPuffs. The baked snack delivers 10g of protein per serving along with high fiber, without gluten or added MSG. SuperPuffs come in in two flavors, Barbeque and Spicy Chili Lime, each in 65g bags using primarily sorghum, corn and vegetable oil, with milk protein and soy protein isolate added for texture and taste.

Food Formulators Expand Whole Grain Snack Formats

Ardent Mills research found that 87% of consumers associate whole grains with positive nutrition and more than three-quarters say the ingredient signals quality, authenticity and good flavor. Gruff Grains and sister brand Cream of the West build their lineup around cracked ancient grains such as farro, spelt and rye, as well as three organic cereals — a seven-grain blend, cracked oats and roasted wheat. WK Kellogg Co recently debuted Kashi Gut Health Granola, pairing gut-activated cultures and prebiotic chicory root fiber with whole grain oats, nuts, seeds and fruit. Bay State Milling pointed to puffed grains and popped millet or sorghum as salty-snack bases, while Furmano's Foodservice sells taco- and chorizo-flavored quinoa for restaurant menus seeking plant-forward, ancient-grain options.

Shoppers Are Increasingly Asking AI For Snack Picks

Conagra's Future of Snacking report found shoppers increasingly turning to AI assistants for snack recommendations, citing needs such as a protein target or a nut-free option. Conagra's Bob Nolan said snacks now play a bigger, personal role for people seeking protein, energy or comforting indulgence. Instacart's Clementine assistant fields requests like ‘Show me high protein snacks,’ and McKinsey found 12% of European shoppers used AI while shopping, mostly for meal planning. Among US shoppers, Acosta Group's research put AI tool use at 34% for shopping. Only 22% trusted an AI agent to complete a purchase, and Instacart warned ingredient and allergen details it supplies may be incomplete.

Commercial Bakeries Buys Partners To Grow Crackers

Commercial Bakeries Corp acquired Partners, a Tasteful Choice Company that produces premium, better-for-you cracker lines and other baked goods, for an undisclosed sum. It marks the third add-on acquisition since investor Graham Partners took control of Commercial Bakeries in September 2023, following earlier purchases of Imagine Baking in 2024 and Hollandia Bakeries in 2025. Commercial Bakeries is based in Toronto and produces packaged cookies and crackers for retailers, brands and industrial customers in North America and internationally.

Better Made Snacks Expands Flavor Lineup

At Better Made Snacks, Original, Barbecue and Sweet Heat BBQ remain the top sellers, but the company continues to add flavors inspired by ideas from from employees, consumers and suppliers. Its newest variety, All-Dressed, combines several existing seasonings and launched earlier this year. It exceeded sales expectations. Better Made also introduced seasoning shakers in Sour Cream & Onion, Barbecue, Sweet Heat BBQ and Red Hot flavors. Its first run of 500 units per seasoning sold out within hours.

Almond Board Secures GRAS Status For Hull Powder

Almond hull, long discarded as a co-product of almond growing, earned GRAS status as a food ingredient once dried and ground into powder, according to the Almond Board of California. Food research director Guangwei Huang developed a sorting, cleaning, pasteurizing and grinding process, then compiled a 180-page safety dossier reviewed by an independent expert panel. The Board’s trade marketing associate director Harbinder Mann said the powder acts as a natural humectant that helps retain moisture in baked goods, and that its antioxidants support shelf stability. Mann added it raises dietary fiber for clean-label claims and suits snacks and granolas. The Board says it is looking for food developers to use the ingredient commercially.

California Creates First Statewide Non-Ultraprocessed Food Label

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation establishing the state's first statewide non-ultraprocessed food label, a voluntary seal for products outside California's 2025 definition of ultraprocessed foods. Stores stocking 25 or more certified items must display them prominently. Lawmakers said the seal offers a transparent way to identify healthier options, but the Institute of Food Technologists' Anna Rosales warned differing state definitions could create conflicting standards for ultraprocessed foods, adding that definitions should be grounded in science and flexible as evidence evolves. California's approach centers on nutrition and ingredient composition rather than the degree of processing. Newsom said the policy aims to make healthy food accessible and prioritize prevention over treatment.

Hain Celestial Weighs Possible Bankruptcy Filing

Hain Celestial's share price fell more than 50% in New York trading after Bloomberg reported it was considering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing as soon as next month, though "the plan could still change." A Hain spokesperson said the company has been "advancing a turnaround strategy focused on strengthening our capital structure, simplifying our portfolio and improving execution." The report followed a September agreement to sell Hain's international operations, including Ella's Kitchen, Joya, Natumi and Hartley's, to private equity firm Aurelius for $323 million, a deal a subsequent SEC filing said has not met required conditions.

FMCG Giants Pursue Stake In Snacks Brand Farmley

Indian FMCG companies Emami, ITC, Britannia and Orkla India are considering taking a stake in Farmley, a healthy snacking brand, in a deal that could value the company at roughly ₹2,000 crore. Shares representing a combined 31% stake, held by a cluster of early backers, have gone up for sale. Founders Akash Sharma and Abhishek Agarwal, who together hold 32%, have not confirmed whether they would also sell. KPMG is advising the selling investors. Founded in 2017 as a business-to-business dry fruit supplier, Farmley pivoted to DTC in 2021 and is projected to post fiscal 2027 revenue of ₹700-750 crore.

J&J Snack Foods Expands Retail Reach Across Europe

J&J Snack Foods is expanding into new European retail markets, led by its Hola churros and SUPERPRETZEL brands. Its Soft Pretzels deliver 10g of protein per serving, and the company points to rising retailer interest in premium, experiential snacking alongside demand for convenience. J&J Snack Foods aims to match innovation with local tastes as it grows across the region. In the US, it supplies branded foods to foodservice and retail outlets under names including SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE, LUIGI'S Real Italian Ice and The Funnel Cake Factory.

California Pistachios Pushes Everyday Snacking In India

Pistachio grower and producer Wonderful Pistachios expanded its 'The Better Snack' campaign for California Pistachios across India, pairing outdoor and print advertising with creator partnerships and a Blinkit tie-up to position pistachios as a daily chai-time snack rather than a seasonal treat. The push spans Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. Each 28g serving of California Pistachios delivers 6g of protein and they are available from brands and private label in retail outlets, grocery stores and online.

Oat Cult Ad Trades Wellness Cues For Horror

Oat Cult's debut advertisement reportedly scored "woefully" under System1's ad-testing methodology after riffing on folk horror imagery instead of the health, satiety benefits and warmth themes common to porridge marketing. Its follow-up spot, reviewed as this week's Ad of the Week, keeps that distinctive tone: black-and-white photography set in Friuli, Italy, in 1539 follows a child whose lost dog is swallowed by a hole in the ground that then produces porridge and a display of spurting oats and ritual sacrifice. Reviewers called the ad bold and amusing, if unsettling.

Uglies Sweet Potato Chips Win Two Industry Awards

Uglies Kettle Chips picked up two industry honors for its Sweet Potato Kettle Chips line, recognizing innovation, taste and packaging. Convenience Store News named the brand's 1.5oz. Hot Honey flavor a winner in its 2026 Best New Product Awards, citing convenience-channel appeal. Original, Hot Honey and Spicy BBQ varieties also earned a taste-and-design honor from Food & Beverage Magazine's 2026 summer awards program. Uglies sources naturally imperfect, Upcycled Certified sweet potatoes that growers might otherwise waste, and says it has rescued over 38 million pounds of potatoes since 2017.

Conagra's Future Of Snacking Report Reveals Key Trends

Conagra Brands’ Future of Snacking study found a $198 billion US snack market shaped by three forces: bold flavors, functional benefits and permissible indulgence. Snacks delivering benefits like protein, energy or hydration reached $19 billion, up 12.7%, and high-protein snacks alone generated over $12 billion. Items with simpler, recognizable ingredients accounted for about $69 billion in sales, and avocado oil snack volumes grew 82% over three years. Conagra's Bob Nolan said brands balancing flavor, trust, function and convenience will define snacking's future.

Alpen Enters Granola Category With New Clusters

Alpen is moving into the granola segment with new Alpen Clusters, sold in 400g packs at an RRP of £3.75. Variants include Fruit & Nut and Dark Choc & Berry, blending clusters with flakes and including manganese sourced naturally from oats. They are non-HFSS, high in fiber, and free of artificial colors, flavorings and preservatives. Alpen believes granola is among the cereal category's fastest-growing segments.

Frankie's Launches Limited-Edition Avocado Oil Puffcorn

Frankie's Organic Snacks’ new limited-edition Snickerdoodle Avocado Oil Puffcorn will be sold only on Amazon in the US and Canada over the holiday season. It pairs a cinnamon-sugar flavor with Frankie's oven-baked organic corn base, is baked rather than fried, and crafted with 100% avocado oil, 100% organic cornmeal and no seed oils. It holds USDA Organic, Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified status. The brand is also sold at Target, Earth Fare and Erewhon, among others

Calbee Executives Discuss Harvest Snaps Strategy

Calbee America executives Yukio Kanemitsu and Tim Bateman discussed the Harvest Snaps brand, a BFY snack line that uses whole milled peas, rice, avocado oil and seasoning to provide protein and fiber, two trends associated with GLP-1s. Bateman said Harvest Snaps switched all products to avocado oil this month and mills pea husks in-house for fiber rather than adding it synthetically. The brand targets millennial mothers. Kanemitsu said Calbee's 2035 vision is to “transform” from a “Japanese snack maker to a global snacking company” as consumers move towards flexible, personalized and health-conscious eating behavior.

Specialty Snack Makers Lean Into Avocado Oil

Jackson's Sweet Potato Chips tripled sales annually for three straight years, according to CEO James Marino. Marino says avocado oil-based snacks are contributing 46% of category growth, citing SPINS data, as consumers favor nutrient-rich plant oils over seed oils. Another brand using avocado oil is Easy Foods of Kissimmee, Florida, which launched Island Time Cassava Chips, fried in avocado oil. The company is building a 200,000 sq. ft. plant in Texas, adding to its Kissimmee facility.

Kellogg's Launches Nutri-Grain Cinnabon Cereal Collaboration

Kellogg's partnered with Cinnabon to launch Nutri-Grain Cinnabon, a limited-edition cereal combining the crunch of Nutri-Grain with the cinnamon flavor of Cinnabon scrolls, packed in a 435g box. It provides more than 20% protein along with iron and fiber in each serving. The limited-edition cereal is available at Coles, Woolworths and select independent retailers in Australia.

Haitai Brings Calbee’s Jagariko Salad Flavor To Korea

Haitai Confectionery is introducing Jagariko Salad Flavor, made by Japanese snack company Calbee, to the South Korean market for the first time. Launched in Japan in 1995, Jagariko is a potato stick snack with a crunch that intensifies with chewing and is a popular purchase for South Korean travelers visiting Japan. Production uses a steaming and hot-air drying method, with carrots and parsley added to the potato dough and salt sprinkled on top, giving a potato-salad-like taste.

Goldfish Brings Back Glow-in-the-Dark Packs

Campbell's Goldfish brand rereleased a limited-edition Halloween multipack featuring glow-in-the-dark packaging, according to the company. The 24-count box contains single-serve bags of Goldfish crackers made with 100% real cheese, and the brand recommends giving bags at least one minute of direct sunlight before viewing the glow in a dark room. The 24-bag multipack carries a suggested retail price of $12.49 and is being sold at Aldi, Target, Walmart and Kroger. A 65-count option is available at BJ's for $14.99.

Harvest Snaps Launches Veggie Straws And Cheese Puffs

Harvest Snaps from Calbee is debuting two salty snack items, Veggie Straws and Cheese Puffs, built around yellow peas and avocado oil. Colored by spinach, tomato, beet and turmeric powders, the tri-colored straws come in Sea Salt, Zesty Ranch and Sweet 'n Spicy, delivering 2g of protein and one of fiber per serving. They are Non-GMO Project Verified and gluten-free certified. Cheese Puffs arrive in Cheddar and Sour Cream and White Cheddar Jalapeño, providing 3g of protein and 2g of fiber, and are also certified gluten free. Both snacks reach shelves in November.

Vegetable Snacks Overtake Latiao At China's Weilong

Vegetable snacks headlined by Konjac Shuang now generate close to two-thirds of sales at Weilong Delicious Global Holdings, overtaking latiao, the spicy gluten strips that built the Chinese company's reputation. Interim results showed first-half revenue climbing 6.7% to 3.71 billion yuan even as latiao sales dropped almost 10%.

Miss Kim Debuts Korean Snacks At Whole Foods

Miss Kim, an independent food brand, is bringing Korean snacks and pantry items to several Whole Foods Market locations in London, expanding its UK presence. Founder Heejin No launched the brand in January 2026 to spotlight Korean food traditions beyond its best-known dishes. New items include Sea Salt Nurungji toasted rice crisps and Lotus Root Bugak vegetable crisps. Every product in the launch is vegan and gluten-free, and both crisp items have earned Free From Food Awards honors.

Utz Launches New Protein Pretzels And Cheese Curls

Utz Brands debuted Protein Cheese Curls and Protein Pretzels, with each serving providing 8-10g of protein. To mark the launch, Utz held a pop-up event in Union Square Park, New York City offering free samples, branded giveaways and an appearance by social media personality Ross Pomerantz. Pea protein forms the base of the pretzels, available in Honey Mustard, Cheddar and Sea Salt flavors. Whey protein powers the curls, offered in Cheddar and a Hot & Spicy Cheddar variety. None of the snacks include artificial flavors.

Mixit Launches New Oven-Baked Matcha Fruit Granola

Czech brand Mixit added Oven-Baked Granola – Matcha & Fruit to its lineup, developed alongside brand ambassador Monika Leová. Ingredients include authentic Japanese matcha, whole-grain oats, cashews and caramelized coconut, combined with freeze-dried banana, black mulberries, passion fruit and strawberries, as well as crunchy matcha pearls coated in white chocolate. Made using freeze-dried fruit and nuts, the granola offers high fiber, skips palm oil, and has no artificial flavoring. It can be eaten alone or paired with milk or yogurt.

WK Kellogg Targets Nutrition And School Growth

Breakfast cereal maker WK Kellogg is reworking long-running brands, adding protein and fiber while trimming sugar, alongside a push into school-focused products, as part of a strategy to revitalize the category. Recent launches include Frosted Flakes Reduced Sugar and Raisin Bran Protein, both built around protein and fiber claims. This fall, Kellogg's Super Stars and Tony's Power Pops will launch in the K-12 category.

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