At Leftovers, we highlight some of the product ideas that pop up here and there. Some are interesting, some sound great, and some are types of ideas we wouldn’t even dream of. I can’t write about everything that has been sent to me. So here are some remaining excerpts from my inbox.
Hidden Valley Ranch discovers a new way to roll your lips
The popular salad dressing has teamed up with Burt’s Bees to create lip balms in four flavors: Hidden Valley Ranch, Buffalo Sauce, Crunchy Celery, and Fresh Carrot. Hidden Valley Ranch and Burt’s Bees are both owned by consumer care products company Clorox.
Burt’s Bees x Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers Lip Balm 4-Pack will be available for a limited time on the Burt’s Bees website for $11.99.
“We’re officially in chicken wing season, and it’s a perfect time to be at Hidden Valley Ranch,” said CC Siafon, marketing director for Hidden Valley Ranch. said in a statement. “As we approach the biggest day of the year for chicken wing consumption, we’re looking forward to working with Burt’s Bees on a never-before-seen collaboration and our first foray into beauty.”
With food trends on the rise, what inspired Hidden Valley Ranch’s new lip balm? april fools social posts Two years ago. Fans of the dressing were thrilled that Clorox decided to make it into an actual product, according to the company.
Hidden Valley Ranch has a cult following among consumers. The company has capitalized on and built on its popularity by expanding the brand into new categories and engaging in unique promotional efforts.
Last year, Hidden Valley collaborated with Van Leeuwen on ranch-flavored ice cream, and Hidden Valley’s 2021 holiday gift packages feature a combination of eggnog and the company’s signature seasonings. We recently partnered with the Idahoan to offer Hidden Valley Ranch mashed potatoes and potato shreds.
— christopher dohring
McCormick debuts catchy new seasoning line
McCormick & Company has debuted a new seasoning line, coined Flavor Maker, to enhance the home cooking experience from prep to table, the company said.
The new collection will be available this week through Amazon and DTC’s websites, and will soon be available on Walmart’s site. Featuring 15 blends, you can enhance the flavor of any dish, no matter your level of culinary expertise.
The purpose of the new line is to use it as an ingredient during the cooking process and as a topping for presentation and extra flavor.
Each flavor is made with McCormick spices and no additives. Whether it’s “Pasta-obsessed,” “Desperate Ramen Chic,” or “I’m Crazy,” each flavor hopes to bring the fun back into the cooking process.
McCormick executives believe consumers are looking for easy ways to spice up their meals in the new year, and the company is providing meal inspiration on social channels like Instagram and TikTok. The McCormick Flavor Maker app is another way for consumers to connect with the brand and start meal planning, the company said.
Despite efforts aimed at connecting with consumers and home cooks; McCormick’s sales volume is decreasing Amid the cost of living crisis, consumers have turned to cheaper private label alternatives for spices and seasonings.
The company’s fourth quarter sales volume was down 3% year over year.
— Elizabeth Flood
Ocean Spray brings low-carb brand to juice aisle
Leaders in the juice sector are countering declining interest in the category by launching new brands aimed at nutrition-conscious consumers.
ocean spray Introducing Revl Fruit, calling it “a fun, bright, flavor-exploding antidote to all things dusty.” A drink made with 100% fruit juice and coconut water. Each serving contains 21 grams of sugar per 8 ounce serving, 25% less than leading juice brands, according to a press release. This line includes four flavors: Bald Lee Cran, Tart He Cherry, Berry Wild, and Truly Tropical.
In addition to their low sugar content, Revl Fruits has positioned itself as a more affordable alternative to higher priced premium juices. The brand’s sign in Los Angeles says, “Good juice won’t cost you $15.” The juice is available on Amazon and some grocery stores, with broader retail distribution expected to begin later this year across the United States.
“Revl Fruits believes that premium juice doesn’t have to mean heavy glass bottles, excessive prices, a boring experience, or lackluster taste. With Revl Fruits, consumers can enjoy the joy of juice without the compromises. ,” Christina Zwicky, the brand’s head of marketing, said in a press release.
Another way we differentiate our products from traditional Ocean Spray products is through our packaging. The juice is available in Tetra Pak paperboard cartons instead of plastic.
In recent years, Ocean Spray has been working to change its traditional product lineup and nutritional profile as younger consumers largely abandon fruit juices due to their high sugar content. Last November, the company debuted a sugar-free cranberry juice sweetened with stevia. The brand’s other new juices, launched in 2023, contain ingredients designed to boost immunity and hydrate, namely vitamins C, E, and electrolytes.
Ocean Spray aims to attract younger consumers with more youthful branding by launching Revl Fruits. But its success remains to be seen as the entire juice category has stalled. Last year, sales volume of juice products fell by 5.6% in the year ending August 13, even though prices rose by 12.7%. Circana data reported by BevNet.
— Chris Casey