The products we picked out this week include Danone launching plant-based products under its Activia brand and the UK’s first microwaveable pork crackle from Kings Elite Snacks.
Danone launches indulgent dessert brand Pati & Coco in UK
Go deeper with GlobalData
French dairy heavyweight Danone has created an “unapologetically indulgent” dessert brand in the UK in the shape of Pati & Coco.
Launched via the company’s Danone Innovation Incubator in partnership with UK big four supermarket Sainsbury’s Future Brands initiative, it is said to combine the art of French patisserie – Pati – with Belgian chocolate ganache – Coco.
The new dessert will launch with four flavours: Ganache & Choc, Praline & Choc, Caramel & Choc and Pistachio & Choc.
Julia Lowbridge, marketing manager of Danone’s Innovation Incubator said: “True to the spirit of the Danone Incubator it has been developed to meet new needs not currently addressed by our other brands, with a targeted launch plan. It’s an unapologetically indulgent treat to be enjoyed from time to time for when you deserve a moment to yourself.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe product is available to buy as a twin pack, with each dessert served in an 80g glass pot with an RRP of GBP3.50 (US$4.51) for two pots.
It will be stocked in Sainsbury’s.
Read: Hatching new ideas – Big Food’s incubator and accelerator programmes
Nestle unveils KitKat Cacao Fruit Chocolate bar in Japan
Nestlé has launched the KitKat Cacao Fruit Chocolate bar in Japan.
The Switzerland-based food giant suggests the bar is the first product to use a “unique chocolate made entirely from the cocoa fruit”.
The KitKat wafer is coated with a 70% dark chocolate that uses the beans and pulp from the cocoa fruit as the only ingredients.
This confectionery will be available in Japan for online purchase and in the KitKat Chocolatory boutiques in Tokyo, Osaka, Kawasaki and Hiroshima. It comes individually or in an assortment box with other KitKat Chocolatory Sublime bars.
Nestlé said the launch of the product follows the announcement in July of the “breakthrough” to sweeten chocolate solely with cocoa pulp.
The company has introduced a number of its confectionery innovations through KitKat in Japan, such as ruby chocolate and volcanic chocolate.
The KitKat Cacao Fruit Chocolate bar is priced at JPY400 (US$3.65) per single bar or JPY1,900 for a five pack assortment.
Danone’s plant-based push on flagship brand
The French yogurt giant Danone is launching plant-based products to be sold under Activia, one of its most significant brands.
The Activia 100% Vegetal yogurts are being rolled out in France, with other markets set to follow.
In France, Danone is launching yogurts made with soy and oatmeal. The yogurts are available in three flavours – an “original” variety, a mango product and a blueberry-acai SKU.
The yogurts are being sold in 400g pots. The original has an RRP of EUR2 (US$1.71), with the other two flavours recommended to be sold at EUR2.15.
Kings Elite Snacks claims first with microwaveable pork crackle
Kings Elite Snacks, a UK manufacturer of ambient meat snacks, is launching what it claims to be the country’s first microwaveable pork crackle.
Kings Crackle is due to launch in Sainsbury’s this month, adding to the company’s range of vegan jerky, wagyu biltong and salmon jerky. The sugar-free snacks provide 77% protein and will carry a recommended retail price of GBP1.75 (US$2.25) a bag.
Charlie Simpson-Daniel, the firm’s founder and general manager, said: “This launch takes pork crackle to a whole new level. Normal crackle is air popped or fried in big factories, cooled down and then packaged and can take two-three months to reach a customer’s taste buds.
“With Kings Crackle, you get to air pop it yourself in a microwave, which means when you eat it, it’s piping hot, 100% fresh and crackles loudly – almost like a log in a fire does.”
