Among new products launched in December and early January are better-for-you sweets, drinks and condiments with less sugar than their conventional counterparts, alcohol-free beers and spirits and coffee and protein shakes designed for pre- and post-workout support.
Less sugar, but more fun, flavor & function kicks off 2025
After indulging during the holidays, many consumers are ready to cut back on sugar but may not be ready to let go of the comfort of seasonal flavors and sweet treats.
Enter GOOD GOOD’s Apple Butter, which the company says is made with 60% apples and free from added or refined sugars and artificial sweeteners. By slashing sweeteners, GOOD GOOD says its apple butter has 85% fewer calories than traditional alternatives but still delivers the “cozy flavors of the season,” including warming spices such as a clove and cinnamon.
Cinnamon also takes center stage in SmartSweets’ new Cinnamon Bears, which the company says brings a “BFY twist for all those who crave fiery, spice sweetness across the food industry.” The company made a name for itself by recreating beloved candies – including gummies, twists and more with only 1-4 grams of sugar per bag and a notable serving of fiber. The company also is bringing back its individually-wrapped SweetChews in Cherry Lemonade and Pink Punch flavors.
Plant-based beverage brand Califia Farms also includes a touch of cinnamon in its new single-serve Chai Almond Latte, which blends black tea and almond milk. The company says it contains 13 grams of sugar per serving versus an average of 25.6 grams of sugar per serving of average single serve coffee and tea blends.
Califia Farms also launched a single-serve Matcha Almond Latte, which with 11 grams of sugar per serving has less than half the average of single serve coffee and tea blends.
According to the company, the duo are “perfectly portable and fit into any gym bag, lunchbox or cooler,” and join a line of existing single-serve coffees that include Mocha Almond Latte, Almond Latte and Salted Caramel Almond Latte.
Functional beverages for pre- and post-workout
Two other brands launched beverages designed to fuel workouts and speed recoveries: Daily Harvest and Chafed & Cranky Coffee Co.
This week, Daily Harvest unveiled a new line of smoothies with 20 grams of organic pea protein per serving along with some unexpected fruits, vegetables and seeds. For example, its Dark Chocolate high protein smoothie includes zucchini along with cacao, dates and pumpkin seeds. The Vanilla Bean “tastes like a nostalgic milkshake” but includes parsnips, chickpeas, bananas, dates and vanilla bean, according to the company. Mixed Berry is dairy free and includes strawberries, bananas, blueberries, flax seeds and kale. To support the launch and underscore the smoothies’ support for active lifestyles, Daily Harvest teamed with tennis champion Sloane Stephens and her body care company Doc & Glo.
Editor’s note: Interested in learning how else CPG companies – including Daily Harvest – are supporting consumer’s wellness goals? Join FoodNavigator-USA’s free Weight Management webinar Jan. 29. Daily Harvest CEO Ricky Silver will join other industry leaders to discuss developing Ozempic-era foods and beverages. Learn more and register today. The discussion is part of FoodNavigator’s global Positive Nutrition broadcast series. Check out the full lineup, including the first session on sugar reduction Jan. 22.
New coffee brand Chafed & Cranky also wants to motivate consumers to wakeup and workout with gourmet coffee it says is “for people in spandex and central to endurance sports.” The company currently offers seven fitness-themed roasts, including Pace Yourself, Too Early and Epic Hill Climb.
Dry January: Cheers to a new year
A growing percentage of Americans consider themselves sober-curious with 42% of US adults self-identifying as such in 2024 – up from 33% in 2022, according to Civic Science. To meet the growing demand for alcohol-free options, Gruvi launched a new beer variety pack in December featuring 12 of its award-winning non-alcoholic brews, including Golden Era, Juicy Dayz IPA, along with two new options: Weekday Wit and Imperial Dawn IPA.
Origami Sake also launched a non-alcoholic sake: ZERO. The company skips the alcohol-producing yeast when making ZERO, which it says has notes of “ripe apple and savory chestnuts,” but which is made from rice sourced from Arkansas.
Spicy heat, topical flavors offer warms
Several brands are helping consumers stay warm as temperatures drop with spicy flavor extensions or new products that recall warmer weather and tropical vacation destinations.
For example, Coffee mate offers winter weary consumers “vacay vibes” with two limited edition creamers inspired by the HBO Original Series The White Lotus. The Thai Iced Coffee flavored creamer and Piña Colada flavored creamer were designed for the 80% of consumers who the brand reports are “excited to try ‘destination flavors.’” The first tastes of sweetened condensed milk and the second is a blend of coconut and pineapple.
Goldfish Crisps recalls summer tailgating and backyard grilling with the launch of Barbecue and Spicy Dill Pickle flavors. The flavors come a year after the Crisps debuted in December 2023 and join a line-up of other traditional options, including Sour Cream & Onion, Cheddar and Sea Salt & Vinegar.
Zatarain’s reformulated Andouille Smoked Sausage brings the warmth of New Orleans cooking into consumers’ kitchens with a recipe that “provides a perfect balance of heat and savory spices,” including paprika, black and red pepper, oregano and thyme.
Ritz Bits Spicy Queso – the brand’s first new flavor in nearly a decade – was created for consumers seeking bolder flavors and aims to replicate the success of Ritz Toasted Chips’ Sweet Habanero flavor that launched earlier in 2024.
Pretzels with a twist
Knowing consumer demand for snacks does not end with the holidays, several companies launched pretzels with a twist – including better-for-you and indulgent options.
Peanut butter pretzels have become a staple in many US homes, but Quinn takes that snack one step further with the addition of dried strawberry and raspberry to create its PB&J Berry gluten-free filled pretzel nuggets. The launch was inspired by the founder’s childhood go-to for any eating occasion: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole-wheat bread. It joins other filled pretzel nuggets, including Creamy Peanut Butter, Maple Almond Butter and Vegan Pizzeria.
Also on the better-for-you end of the pretzel spectrum are Kindling Snacks’ Protein Pretzels made with 100% whole grain wheat and available in Sea Salt, Garlic Parmesan, Dill Pickle and Honey Mustard. The company says a serving has 8-9 grams of protein – about three times that of the conventional counterparts.
On the decadent end of the spectrum, Flipz launched two nostalgic dipped pretzels for the holidays. Its Peppermint Hot Cocoa Flavored Covered Pretzels and Snickerdoodle Flavored Covered Pretzels meet demand for chocolate covered salty snacks and wintery flavors.
