Leftovers: Mars turns Skittles from chewy to crunchy | Kraft Heinz cracks the quesadilla code

skittles crunch time

Starting this fall, a new way to enjoy rainbows will begin.

Mars has introduced Skittles Popped, a freeze-dried version of the colorful candy with a crunchy texture. The sweets come in Original and Sour flavors and will be sold in 5.5-ounce bags.

“At Mars, we’re always looking for innovative ways to offer our fans new experiences based on the flavor profiles and texture trends consumers are looking for,” said Mars Wrigley Vice President of North American Marketing. Lo Chen said. statement.

The candy will be in stores nationwide in early 2025, but Skittles Popped will first be available for early access in the TikTok Shop starting October 21st ahead of Halloween, the biggest candy holiday of the year. Become.

Candy giant Mars, which reported annual sales of more than $47 billion, has revolutionized the Skittles brand in recent years, introducing unique and novel products such as Skittles gummies, miniature Skittles Littles, and last year’s mustard-flavored variety. I’ve been doing it.

—Chris Casey

Delimex takes on the sticky quesadilla

Kraft Heinz’s Derimex brand is expanding beyond taquitos with the launch of crispy quesadillas.

One of the Mexican food brand’s first new products in more than five years, it’s available in chargrilled chicken and chipotle chicken. The quesadillas use Kraft Heinz’s 360Crisp technology to deliver restaurant-quality quesadillas with the crispiness of a microwave.

Delimex Crispy Quesadillas are now available in the frozen aisles of retail stores nationwide.

“We aim to elevate Mexican-style frozen foods beyond taquitos and are redefining what’s possible through innovative technology,” Mariana Druznivski, marketing director for Derimex, said in a statement. Ta. “We are redefining what is possible through innovative technology as we aim to elevate Mexican-style frozen foods beyond taquitos.”

Kraft Heinz said that while quesadillas remain popular, most consumers are dissatisfied with the current products in the frozen aisle. They complain that the food is soggy, contains cheese that doesn’t melt, and lacks texture. The packaged food giant saw an opportunity to use 360Crisp to address this void in the market.

Delimex Crispy Quesadillas are Kraft Heinz’s second innovation to utilize 360Crisp.

This technology uses materials with strategic ventilation and varying heating points to ensure proper cooking throughout the food.

first product with 360Crisp arrived in 2023. Kraft Heinz has rolled out a grilled cheese lunch menu featuring a crunchy exterior and melty cheese that can be made in just one minute.

The food and beverage maker aims to increase net sales by $2 billion by 2027 and is targeting innovation as the “single biggest driver,” Alan Kleinerman said. Vice President and Head of Disruption, Kraft Heinzhe told Food Dive last year. He said 360Crisp is seen as a “key innovation” in achieving that goal.

—christopher dohring

Pepperidge Farm Announces New Holiday Lineup

The leaves are just beginning to turn, but Campbell Soup Company’s cookie brand is ready to grace the halls.

Pepperidge Farm has introduced new products ahead of winter. Thin and Crunchy Peppermint Cocoa Cookies are the company’s first thin and crispy style in its holiday cookie lineup.

Pepperidge Farm says its holiday debut features chocolate cookies sprinkled with crunchy peppermint chips.

The bakery brand has released several holiday products over the years. Snowballs, Ginger Man, Raspberry Linzer, etc.

The newest holiday cookies will be available for a limited time at retailers beginning in November.

More and more companies are launching seasonal flavors to meet consumer demand, first launching pumpkin spice lattes in August and now holiday products in October.

Whole Foods Market is also releasing a festive collection in the weeks before the holiday shopping season begins on November 1st. For example, the retailer already sells limited edition eggnog.

—Elizabeth Flood