Last updated on August 16th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Kraft Foods Inc. knows its consumers well and is feeding their hunger for bold flavors, easy meal solutions and better-for-you offerings with more than 70 new product innovations, according to a company news release.
“Americans are having more interactive experiences with food and want the opportunity to do some of the cooking themselves,” says Barry Calpino, VP of breakthrough innovation for Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods. “With global influence and the merging of different cultures, consumers are open to new flavor combinations. Being able to customize the flavor and texture to enhance the end dish is important and Kraft Foods is delivering.”
Easy meal solutions: Making it easier for today’s consumer to try new flavors, Kraft Foods is unveiling meal solutions that combine contemporary flavors including Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kit, Kraft Fresh Take and Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Dinner Kit. Complete with cooking sauces, like Zesty Fajita and Teriyaki Ginger, and salad dressings, such as Barbecue Ranch and Toasted Sesame, the Kraft Sizzling Salads line lets the consumer add his/her own chicken and vegetable choices for a dinner in less than 20 minutes. In the refrigerated dairy section of stores in January, new Kraft Fresh Take takes the guesswork out of serving up flavor combinations. Made from a blend of Kraft Natural Cheeses and breadcrumbs seasoned with spice blends like Rosemary & Roasted Garlic, Chili Lime & Panko and Southwest Three Cheese, Kraft Fresh Take is perfect for chicken, pork or fish.
Also providing a more interactive and customizable cooking experience for consumers, the recently introduced Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Dinner Kits will debut three new flavor combinations including Chicken Alfredo, Chili Cheese Mac and Tuna Melt in the New Year; just add ground beef, chicken or tuna to the skillet. And there’s a new Oscar Mayer Butcher Thick Cut Bacon that offers authentic, hand-trimmed bacon made with sea salt. Available in two varieties—Applewood Smoked and Hickory Smoked—consumers also will notice the new premium Oscar Mayer Bacon packaging.
New beverages offer energy benefits: 2011’s new water enhancer MiO has unveiled new MiO Energy Liquid Water Enhancer in Black Cherry and Green Thunder flavors. When one squirt—about half a teaspoon—of MiO Energy is mixed with 8 ozs. of water, the resulting beverage also has 60 milligrams of caffeine—about the same as a 6-oz. cup of coffee, as well as B vitamins. Consumers also can enjoy a new offering from Crystal Light—Energy Powdered Drink Mix in three varieties including Citrus, Grape and Peach Mango On The Go.
Better-for-you offerings: Kraft Foods also is bringing a nutritious European favorite to the United States via the introduction of belVita Breakfast Biscuits. A crunchy biscuit baked with whole grains, this on-the-go breakfast delivers sustained energy for the morning. Soon to be available nationwide in the refrigerated dairy case, Kraft MilkBite Milk and Granola Bars deliver the calcium of an 8-oz. glass of milk in a soft bar texture. Made with real milk, Kraft MilkBite bars come in five flavors. Kraft Foods is expanding the popular Philadelphia Cooking Creme line with new better-for-you varieties including Reduced Fat Italian Cheese & Herb and Reduced Fat Savory Garlic.
Lunchables Lunch Combinations is expanding its better-for-you options in 2012 to feature more varieties available with fruit, including Turkey plus Cheddar Flatbread Sandwich with applesauce, Ham plus American Flatbread Sandwich with applesauce, and BBQ Chicken Dippers with pineapple tidbits in 100 percent pineapple juice. In addition, Kraft Foods new SnackWell’s Cinnamon Creme Drizzles Caramel Popcorn and Peanut Butter Flavored Pretzels are 130 calories and 110 calories per pack, respectively. And America’s leading snack nut brand has introduced Planters Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread—a nutrient-dense energy source and plant-based protein.
Sugar-free gum gets a boost as well, with Stride Spark Kinetic Berry Sugar Free Gum. A distinctly berry blend, with a touch of sour, this new sugar-free gum features B vitamins.
Indulgent inspirations: While consumers have long enjoyed the rich coffee experience of Gevalia, up until now this Swedish delicacy was only available through in-home delivery. Starting this month, Gevalia Kaffe Coffee is now offering its top 10 varieties for sale in coffee supermarket aisles nationwide. And when it comes to the rich taste of chocolate, there’s a new treat hitting store shelves in January that consumers are sure to enjoy. Philadelphia Indulgence Spreads feature real chocolate (Dark, Milk and White) with the rich creaminess of Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
Additionally, Toblerone Tobelle features classic Toblerone Milk Chocolate in extra thin triangle pieces.
