Kellogg Debuts Smorz Jumbo Snax

The Michigan-based cereal company has expanded its line of Jumbo Snax based on cereal favorites with the addition of a Smorz version. A new promotional campaign invites customers to guess which cereal will get the Jumbo Snax treatment – dubbed “jumbo-fying” – while dropping a hint for fans to decode. In April, Kellogg will unveil the new mystery flavor, joining Smorz Jumbo Snax and the rest of the lineup: Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, and Frosted Flakes-inspired Tiger Paws. 

"National Snack Day Gets Cereal-ously Better With A New Kellogg's Jumbo Snax Mystery Flavor", PR Newswire, February 25, 2021

Kraft Heinz To Sell Planters Snack Nuts Business?

The Wall Street Journal reports that Chicago-based Kraft Heinz is in talks to sell its Planters snack nuts business to Hormel Foods in a deal potentially valued at $3 billion. Kraft Heinz has eliminated more than 1,100 products in recent months as it focuses on more successful products. Best known for its dry roasted peanuts, Planters also sells cashews, and cheez balls and curls. It may be able to find procurement savings by teaming up with Hormel, which owns nut butter brands Skippy and Justin's)

"Kraft Heinz reportedly in talks to sell Planters to Hormel Foods", FoodNavigator-USA.com, February 03, 2021

Kellogg Company Seeks Innovative Start-Ups In Microbiome Improvement

The Battle Creek, Mich.-based food company has partnered with its innovation hub eighteen94 Capital and Future Food-Tech in a search for creative microbiome (gut)-based food solutions. The three have launched the Innovation Challenge, a collaborative initiative to “give new talent in the industry a chance to shine on the virtual stage.” They are inviting start-ups to apply entrepreneurial and scientific skills and submit ideas. The Challenge focuses on food’s impact on personal health, especially in areas like new plant fibers, valorized (value enhanced) fibers from waste streams, prebiotics, postbiotics, fermented ingredients, and new non-spore food stable probiotics – all of which have the potential to improve the functioning of the human gut and human holistic health. A team of judges will assess the submissions and “select the most impactful ideas to move forward.”

"Breakfast cereal giant on mission to root out disruptive plant-based innovations that support gut health", BakeryAndSnacks.com, February 04, 2021

Nestlé Cereals’ “Save The Bees” Campaign Focuses On Cheerios

The U.K. cereal maker’s new campaign for its core brand Cheerios was created to give British families an opportunity to help "Save the Bees" and receive a free mini-box of Cheerios sunflower seeds. It is hoped that the seeds, which will be mailed directly to consumers, will raise awareness of the challenges facing bees and encourage families to plant the seeds to help supply bees with vital feeding grounds. U.K. bees have declined by a third due to habitat loss, climate change, disease and the use of pesticides. The campaign follows the launch of a new visual identity for the brand in February, which features modern packaging artwork. The on-pack designs featuring Save the Bees codes can be found on shelves at all retailers in the U.K.

"Nestlé Cereals launches Cheerios 'Save The Bees' campaign for Cheerios", Convenience Store UK, March 02, 2021

BFY Snack Brand Graze Achieves B Corp Status

The Unilever healthy snacking brand was certified as a B Corporation (B Corp) committed to being a force for good in the world when it comes to people, planet, and profits. Customers praised the company for an ongoing commitment to creating healthy alternatives to unhealthier snacks and for reimagining snacking by challenging traditional snacking conventions. The brand is guided by public health targets and a desire to play a part in tackling issues such as obesity. It has removed 160 tons of sugar from its snacks since the end of 2019, In addition, all graze snacks are a source of fiber, more than 75 percent contain fewer than 150 cal. per portion, and no graze snacks are high in salt. 

"Graze, Unilever’s healthy snacking brand, is celebrating becoming a B Corporation", RetailTimes.co.uk, February 23, 2021