The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
The food and beverage industry is constantly evolving, with brands pushing boundaries to create products that excite, inspire and meet the ever-changing demands of consumers. From plant-based breakthroughs to smart packaging solutions, 2024 has been a year of remarkable innovation.
At FoodBev Media, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the products that have disrupted the market, set new trends, or elevated everyday favourites to new heights. These products not only showcase creativity and ingenuity but also reflect broader themes like sustainability, health-consciousness and technological advancement.
Here, we’re spotlighting 18 standout innovations that have captured the industry’s attention.
Red Bull releases caruba- and elderflower-flavoured energy drink
In Febraury, Red Bull expanded its presence in the sports and energy drink category with its 2024 summer edition, Curuba Elderflower.
The new energy drink blends the flavour of curuba – a fruit also known as banana passionfruit that is native to South America – with notes of elderflower, melon and pineapple.
Market research platform Appinio reported that flavours play a significant role in the energy drink category's growth.
Red Bull launches new Winter Edition beverage flavour
Red Bull tops the charts again, this time with an addition to its seasonal offering with a Winter Edition flavour, Iced Vanilla Berry.
The new product, designed to appeal to consumers seeking innovative taste experiences during the cooler months, will begin rolling out in mid-September, with full availability in stores by 1 October.
The Iced Vanilla Berry variant is packaged in a striking blue can and features a blend of blueberry, vanilla, cotton candy and eucalyptus, aiming to provide a refreshing taste experience.
Pepsi unveils limited-edition blue cola drink
This one went wild of FoodBev's socials! Britvic-owned brand Pepsi expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new, limited-edition blue cola, Electric Blue.
The new product was created to challenge what consumers expect from a cola, with the new launch providing a zesty taste encapsulated in a striking blue liquid.
Available for 12 months across the convenience, wholesale and grocery channels, Pepsi Electric is launching exclusively as a 500ml bottle format.
Ben & Jerry's launches limited-edition Marshmallow Sky ice cream
Move away from beverages, in March, ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s added to its ice cream portfolio with a new limited-edition flavour, Marshmallow Sky.
Marshmallow Sky consists of blue-hued marshmallow-flavoured ice cream, marshmallow swirls and chocolate chip cookie dough.
The ice cream gets its blue colour from blue spirulina, which contains a vibrant natural blue-green pigment called phycocyanin.
Ben & Jerry's launches new ice cream flavour in US
We all scream for ice cream! Ben & Jerry's introduced a new limited-edition ice cream flavour, called 'Churn Out the Vote,' in collaboration with the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute (BVM).
The limited-edition flavour – that combines pretzel swirls, fudge chips and chocolate mousse ripples in a vanilla base – is part of a broader initiative to increase voter turnout.
According to the company, the initiative aims to inspire young voters, particularly young people of colour, ahead of the US presidential election. I wonder if B&J knew what the results would be 🤔.
Heinz launches limited-edition Monster Munch mayo
A personal favourite, Kraft Heinz went full-on feral when they partnered with PepsiCo's crisp brand Monster Munch to launch a limited-edition ‘spooky season sauce’.
The new Heinz [Scarily] Good Monster Munch Mayo combines the popular flavour of Pickled Onion Monster Munch with the smooth, rich and creamy texture of Heinz Mayo.
The new flavour fusion sauce was crafted to tap into Gen Z shoppers’ growing interest in Monster Munch products.
Lucozade debuts three new flavours in triple blue launch
Soft drinks giant Suntory made waves in the beverage market back in February with the launch of three new drinks under its Lucozade brand.
Scheduled for release at the end of February, Lucozade Sport Blue Force, Lucozade Energy Blue Burst and Lucozade Alert Blue Rush are positioned to expand the brand's existing range in a strategic shift in its marketing approach.
The introduction of 'Blucozade' marks the first occasion where all three Lucozade sub-brands will debut together, offering a diverse range of new drinks spanning function, flavour and format.
Iceland launches ‘UK’s first’ 18+ age-restricted ready meals featuring the world's hottest chilli
Things heated up in the UK in October as British supermarket Iceland launched two new ready meals made with the ‘world’s hottest chilli,’ Pepper X.
Pepper X has 2.69 million heat units on the Scoville scale, which makes it 53,760% hotter than a jalapeño. It is a cultivar of Capsicum chilli, bred by the American chilli breeder Ed Currie, the creator of the Carolina Reaper. In 2023, Guinness World Records recognised Pepper X as the world's hottest chilli pepper.
Hormel Black Label unveils co-branded bacon with Cinnamon Toast Crunch
In a rather bizarre pairing, Hormel Black Label Bacon introduced a new co-branded bacon product in partnership with General Mills’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
The limited-edition product promises a ‘crisp, sugary crust,’ balancing the sweet flavours of cinnamon and sugar with the salty, savoury taste of bacon. Cinnamon Toast Crunch’s Cinnadust seasoning blend is hand-rubbed onto thick-cut bacon and held overnight for optimal flavour.
Coffee Mate introduces new line of coffee creamers
Nestlé-owned Coffee Mate debuted a new line of creamers called Cold Foam, designed to elevate coffee and other beverages.
The range comes in three flavours: Italian Sweet Crème, Nestlé Toll House Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie and French Vanilla.
Daniel Jhung, president of Nestlé USA's beverage division, said: "...We've been leveling up modern coffee drinkers' cups for decades with our broad selection of coffee creamers, and now we're pioneering fun, flavour and texture with our newest innovation, Coffee Mate Cold Foam."
Monster adds Rio Carnival-inspired NPD to energy drink range
Monster Energy released Juice Monster Rio Punch in the US, inspired by the vibrance of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival and the flavours of Brazilian fruits.
In a statement announcing the launch, Monster said its latest creation was developed with Brazil’s diverse fruit varieties in mind, blending exotic fruity flavours with a hint of spice and Monster’s signature energy blend.
Monster’s juice line also includes Juice Monster Aussie Style Lemonade, Juice Monster Mango Loco and Juice Monster Pacific Punch among others.
McCormick introduces limited-edition finishing sugars for seasonal baking and beverages
Another favourite of mine. McCormick & Company launched six limited-edition Holiday Finishing Sugars, designed to cater to the growing consumer interest in festive baking and beverage preparation during the holiday season.
Set to hit grocery shelves nationwide this October, these speciality sugars aim to provide both flavour and decorative appeal for seasonal culinary creations.
The new product line includes six flavours: Candy Cane, English Toffee, Salted Caramel, Hot Cocoa, Gingerbread Spice and White Frosting.
Hershey debuts new pink lemonade-flavoured KitKat
The KitKat brand released a new limited-edition flavour to its US line-up, Pink Lemonade.
The new addition wraps KitKat’s classic wafer in a pink lemonade-flavoured creme, delivering a refreshing taste with hints of strawberry.
The bar was designed to cater to the tastes of Gen Z and Millennials, as the brand says that more than 93% of these consumers express a preference for pink lemonade-flavoured treats.
KitKat and Aero partner with Krispy Kreme on new doughnuts
Two limited-edition Krispy Kreme doughnuts are launching in the UK next week, in partnership with chocolate brands KitKat and Aero.
A new ‘Krumbled’ doughnut, featuring a KitKat-flavoured chocolate filling and crumb on top of a chocolate iced doughnut aims to deliver an indulgent ‘crunchy and creamy’ experience.
Meanwhile, the ‘Bubbly’ ring doughnut offering is filled with peppermint chocolate and topped with an Aero chocolate topping mix, with an Aero peppermint chocolate ‘bubble’ placed as the ‘cherry on top’.
7Up introduces ready-to-drink Shirley Temple
Keurig Dr Pepper-owned brand 7Up launch a ready-to-drink version of Shirley Temple, catering to the growing demand for nostalgic beverages among millennial and Gen Z consumers.
The classic non-alcoholic drink is made from a combination of non-cola soda, grenadine syrup and maraschino cherry.
Meanwhile, the new 7Up Shirley Temple combines 7Up's signature citrus flavour with vibrant notes of pomegranate and cherry.
Heinz launches limited-edition The Godfather pasta sauce
Heinz made us an offer we couldn't refuse when it teamed up with American film production company, Paramount, to create a new pasta sauce inspired by the mafia movie The Godfather.
Heinz & The Godfather pasta sauce is made with the ingredients mentioned by the character Peter Clemenza in the film as he teaches Michael Corleone to cook the perfect sauce.
Heinz's method for crafting the pasta sauce involves starting with sun-ripened tomatoes from the company's suppliers in Italy.
International Delight releases Home Alone-themed coffee creamer
As winter approaches, International Delight has released its new Hot Chocolate Marshmallow creamer, featuring flavours of melted milk chocolate, vanilla and marshmallows.
The creamer, themed around the classic holiday film 'Home Alone,' features packaging with scenes from the movie to enhance the festive experience.
Alongside the new product, the brand is also offering returning favourites: Frosted Sugar Cookie Creamer and Peppermint Mocha varieties.
Häagen-Dazs introduces new range of ice cream Bites snacks
Back in January, Häagen-Dazs entered into the snackable ice cream with a new ice cream format called Bites
Available in two flavours – salted caramel and chocolate – the new treats cater "to growing demand within the snacking segment for bite-size ice cream products," said General Mills.
The salted caramel flavour features Häagen-Dazs' salted caramel ice cream with a caramel sauce core and a crispy golden caramel white chocolate coating for a balance of sweet and salty notes.
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