July, so far, has been full of new product launches in everything from better-for-you snacks to infused beverages. Here are some recent ones to keep an eye on:
To Eat
So Delicious Dairy Free launched a line of Oatmilk Yogurt Alternatives. The dairy-free yogurt is made using gluten-free oats, along with live and active cultures. In addition to being dairy-free, the products are nut-free, soy-free, certified vegan, certified gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified. Flavors include Triple Berry, Spiced Pear & Fig, Strawberry Rhubarb and Sweet Mango.
Optimum Nutrition, maker of sports nutrition products, introduced its first savory ready-to-eat protein snack — On Protein Ridges. The crunchy, baked whey protein squares are coated in savory spices and contain 15 grams of protein. Protein Ridges are gluten-free and available in four flavors: sour cream, BBQ, honey sriracha and cheese.
Z Natural Foods released their newest superfood, Tumeric Bone Broth Protein, which they tout as being “one of the world’s most nutrient-rich foods.” Like most of Z Natural Foods’ health foods, their bone broth protein is sourced and made in the U.S. It is $19.99 a lb. and comes in an air locked, freezer-tight, resealable, stand up foil pouch and can be safely stored for two years.
To Drink
PepsiCo launched bubly minis, a smaller version of its bubly sparkling water line, reported FoodSided (July 17). Unlike the originals, the 7.5-oz mini cans come in just several flavors including cherry, blackberry, orange and strawberry. Currently, they are only available for a limited time through September 2.
Tetra Natural Health will offer its Hemp Energy Drink (HED) in over 600 stores in Canada. The distribution commitment is for three popular flavors of including classic, mango and raspberry. The HED is the first energy drink made with help available in Canada.
Meanwhile, Powell & Mahoney Craft Cocktail Mixers is giving its packaging a revamp. The new packaging design aims to generate greater consumer attraction and showcase the high-quality standards of their products, including their newly certified Project Non-GMO Verified Icon. Additionally, the company is renaming a few of their best-sellers – Blood Orange will be renamed Blood Orange Mimosa and Mango Passion Fruit Margarita will become Mango Margarita.
In the foodservice sector, Del Taco is launching Mini Floats on July 24 — aka National Drive-Thru Day. The beverages are crafted with a combination of Del Taco’s Vanilla Shake and a choice of Cherry Coke, Barq’s Root Beer, Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch, Coca-Cola or Fanta Orange.
In other news, after you’re done eating and drinking these new products, you may soon be able to eat your dishware. Samara Polytech is developing single-use dishware made out of apples, reported Phys.org (July 18). The edible dishware is made exclusively from plant materials, and the adhesive substance used in their construction is edible.
Scientists experimented with raw materials from various fruits, berries and vegetables, including apples and carrots, currants and chokeberries, plums and strawberries, green beans, pumpkins and blueberries. They found apple to bemore suitable for edible dishware, since it has the best taste and viscoplastic properties. For example, an apple-based cup could withstand boiling water poured into it, and holds liquid for two to three hours.
The scientists plan to develop an automated process to make the dishware in order to bring the product to market.
