Innovation Spotlight
Sweet Stuff
Archer Farms Dark Chocolate & Caramel Indulgent Cookies from Minneapolis-based Target Corp. are billed as crisp, premium-quality butter cookies — topped with creamy caramel and then covered by a thick layer of rich chocolate that's embossed with the Archer Farms signature rooster. They retail in an 8-count 4.6-oz. package made from minimum 50 percent post-consumer recycled paper.
Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle puts a new spin on cream puffs with its frozen Giant Eagle Chocolate Dipped Cream Puffs. Filled with fresh dairy cream and enrobed in decadent chocolate, the bite-sized thaw-and-serve puffs retail in an 18-count 11.1-oz. boxed resealable tub.
The Food Emporium Trading Company Tortoni Gelato from the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. of Montvale, N.J., is said to capture the true artisan style of Italy's finest gelato. This all-natural product is gluten-free and retails in an 8-oz. box containing two 4-oz. "Italian delights." Also available under the gelato range are Cappuccino, Flazelnut, Mango, Pistachio and other flavors.
Fruit and Veggies
Lunch Buddies Pineapple & Cherry All-Natural Fruit Bowls from Batavia, Ill.-based ALDI Inc. feature pineapple and cherries in a light syrup and natural cherry flavors. Sold in a 16-oz. recyclable pack that contains four 4-oz. bowls, the product also is available in Tropical Fruit, Mixed Fruit and Mandarin Oranges varieties.
Kirkland Signature Golden Sweet Corn from Costco Wholesale of Issaquah, Wash., gets a modern spin from sea salt. Free of preservatives and artificial colors, the corn retails in an 11.4-lb. box containing 12 15.25-oz. cans.
Said to be a good source of vitamins A and C — antioxidants that support a strong immune system — frozen H-E-B Asian Stir-Fry Vegetables Cuts from San Antonio-based H-E-B feature broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas, onions, yellow squash, baby cob corn, bamboo strips, water chestnuts, red bell peppers and straw mushrooms. The vegetables retail in a 64-oz. bag.
Ready Meals
Combining scrambled egg whites, potatoes, turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheese, the Great Value Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bowl from Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart boasts 50 percent less fat than the brand's "regular" version. The frozen product comes in a 7-oz. tray-in-box package and goes from microwave to table in 4 minutes.
New from Segundo, Calif.-based Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market is the fresh&easy Gourmet Lobster Ravioli refrigerated prepared meal. The chef-created item features lobster in a creamy tomato sauce, drizzled with basil pesto and pine nuts. Made with fresh premium ingredients, the product contains no added preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, high-fructose corn syrup or added trans fats. Other varieties in the new line include California Champagne Shrimp, Fontina Chicken, Apricot Pork Tenderloin, Mediterranean Salmon, Chicken Milano, Portabella Pappardelle and Braised Lamb Shank.
M&M Meat Shops of Kitchener, Ontario, introduced the frozen M&M Meat Shops Pad Thai Bowl. The single-serve entrée, said to be an authentic Pad Thai, features rice noodles, shrimp, tofu, carrots and bean sprouts — topped with peanut sauce and coriander. The 10.6-oz. product retails in a plastic tray packaged inside a windowed box.
Snack Time
New from Monrovia, Calif.based Trader Joe's are Trader Ming's Chicken Shu Mai Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings. Free of artificial flavors and preservatives, the microwavable frozen appetizers include a packet of tangy soy sauce. They retail in an 11 -oz. box.
In keeping with the trend toward more healthful snacking, President's Choice Cherry Naturally Flavored Raisins from Loblaw Companies, Brampton, Ontario, contain no artificial colors or flavors and are manufactured in a peanut-free facility. Said to be perfect for lunchboxes and backpacks, the raisins are sold in a recyclable 168g box containing six pouches. Other varieties available include Grape and Orange.
Schnucks Battered Green Beans from St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets feature a toasted onion flavor. They may be deep fried or cooked in conventional and convection ovens. The frozen green bean appetizers retail in an 8-oz. box.
Sauces and Seasonings
Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Tomato and Basil Sauce from Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets is said to be low in fat and suitable for vegans. Gluten-, lactose-, preservative- and artificial color/artificial flavor-free, the product retails in a 24-oz. jar. Also available under the line are Meat, Mushroom, Parmesan Romano, and Smooth Marinara sauce varieties.
Fusia General Tso Wok Sauce from Batavia, Ill.-based ALDI Inc. is said to be spicy and bold, as well as lactose- free. Sold in a 12-fl.-oz. recyclable jar, the wok sauce also comes in Orange-Ginger and Teriyaki varieties.
All-natural and low in calories, Weis Steakhouse Seasonings Old Quebec Chicken Seasoning from Weis Markets of Sunbury, Pa., is said to be great on chicken and oven-roasted potatoes. The seasoning retails in a 10-oz. jar and also is available in a Cajun Chicken variety.
Thirst Quenchers
New from Hy-Vee of West Des Moines, Iowa, are HyVee 100 Percent Natural Black Tea Bags. Said to contain 175mg of antioxidants per serving, the product retails in a 48-count 3.75-oz. box. Also available is a Pomegranate White Tea variety.
Boasting 50 percent real fruit juice and half the sugar of the "regular" version, the 60-calorie President's Choice Blue Menu Peach-Mango Sparkling Fruit Juice Beverage is made with apple, white grape, orange and lemon juice concentrates and natural flavor. Each single-serve can is said to provide one serving of fruit plus vitamin C. The product retails in a recyclable carton containing four 250ml cans. Also available from Brampton, Ontario-based Loblaw Companies are Kiwi- Berry and Pomegranate-Cranberry varieties.
Schnucks Citrus flavor Diet Green Tea from Schnuck Markets, St. Louis, is calorie-free and in line with trends toward healthful ready-to-drink beverages. This kosher certified product is sold in packs containing six 16.19-fl.-oz. bottles. Also available is a non-diet Green Tea Citrus variety.
Pet Pleasers
Roundy's Pet Care Multiple Cat Scoopable Litter from Milwaukee-based Roundy's Supermarkets is said to provide superior absorption and binding capabilities, allowing complete removal of liquid and solid waste. Long-lasting and environmentally friendly, the litter is formulated with nontoxic natural clay to quickly deodorize. The product retails in a 27-lb. recyclable tub.
Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials' dog food nutrient profiles for all life stages, President's Choice Nutrition First Premium Dog Food from Loblaw Companies of Brampton, Ontario, is free from corn, wheat, soy/soy byproducts, artificial colors and artificial flavors. Red product Peppers comes and Bananas; in Chicken, Salmon, Rice, White Fish & Sweet Potatoes; Lamb & Rice with Barley & Peas; and Chicken with Potatoes, Apples & Carrots (for puppies) varieties. It retails in a 374g can.
Price Chopper of Schenectady, N.Y., goes all natural with its Price Chopper Best Friends Natural Cat Food. Available in Tuna Fish and Sardines in Jelly varieties, the cat food is recommended for supplemental or intermittent feeding only (in conjunction with dry cat food) and retails in a 6-oz. can.
Personal Care
New from Minneapolis-based Target Corp. is up&up Deep Moisturizing Body Wash, said to be reformulated to deeply nourish skin. The product is comparable to Dove's Deep Moisture Beauty Body Wash, boasting an advanced soap-free formula and containing hydrating emollients that leave the skin soft and supple. It retails in a 24-fl.-oz.curved bottle.
Top Care Daily Regenerating Serum from Topeo Associates, Skokie, Ill., includes Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide complex to regenerate skin's appearance, "one cell at a time." Designed for damaged skin, the serum combines the concentrated complex with moisturizing ingredients in a gentle, dermatologically tested formula. It retails in a 1.7-fl.-oz. bottle packaged within a box.
Said to refresh and rejuvenate the skin, mirra Renew Exfoliating & Detoxifying Cleanser from the Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. contains apricot seeds that gently exfoliate by removing dead cells. Oxygenated derma-beads, meanwhile, detoxify skin and nurture cell renewal. The product retails in a 5-fl.-oz. tube.
Just for Baby
Tugaboos Overnight Unisex Youth Pants from Rite Aid, Camp Hill, Pa., are said to look and feel like real underwear. The training pants feature Dri-Guard leak barriers, a stretchy waist and sides, a super-dry core and tear-away sides. Available in Small/Medium and Large/Extra Large sizes, the products retail in a 27-count and 21-count mega pack, respectively.
Just The Basics Lightly Scented Baby Wipes from Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS/ pharmacy are free from alcohol and billed as an economical yet gentle alternative. The product retails in a 6-in.-by-6.7-in. tub containing 140 wipes.
Hypoallergenic and free from latex and fragrance, 365 Chlorine Free Diapers from Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas, feature wetness barrier cuffs and twist-and-stretch accordion tabs. The diapers retail in a variety of sizes, with product count varying by size.
Paper Necessities
Made from recycled paper with a minimum of 80 percent post consumer content, fresh&easy Green Things 100% Recycled Paper Towels from El Segundo, Calif.-based Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market also are whitened without chlorine. The roll cores also are made from 100 percent recycled paper, while the outer wrap is made from a plastic film designed to disintegrate at a controlled rate. Billed as strong
and absorbent, the two-ply products retail in a pack containing 150 sheets.
With the launch of Smart Sense Extra Soft Facial Tissues with Lotion, Kmart of Hoffman Estates, Ill., proves that luxury and value are not mutually exclusive. The three-ply tissues are offered in a recyclable pack containing 80 white tissues.
New from Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart is Bio-Life Double Roll Bathroom Tissue, said to be a high- quality product made from 100 percent post consumer recycled paper (such as office waste and magazine stock) deflected from landfill. The product is whitened without chlorine and is produced using less water and energy in the process. This septic-safe product retails in a 12-roll pack containing 352 two-ply sheets.
Health Minders
Walgreens Ultimate Women's A Thru Z Select Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement from Walgreen Co. of Deerfield, Ill., is said to be specially formulated with key nutrients to help meet the nutritional needs of women age 50 and up. It contains antioxidants, which help support immune function; B-vitamins, which convert food to fuel; lutein, zinc and vitamins A, C and E for healthy eyesight; vitamin D, which helps to support breast health; and calcium, which supports strong bones. This gluten-free product retails in a pack containing 100 tablets.
New from Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Kmart is the Smart Sense Chocolate Whey & Soy Protein Dietary Supplement. Said to help control hunger, the product is a good source of calcium, contains only 1g of sugar, and might reduce the risk of heart disease when accompanied by a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This product retails in a recyclable 1 -lb. canister and also is available in Vanilla
Whey & Soy Protein, Vanilla Whey Protein and Chocolate Whey Protein varieties.
Life Brand For Kids Only! Vitamin D Gummy Sun Vitamins are available in a peach/orange flavor. The vitamin supplement - free from gluten, lactose, preservatives, artificial flavors and artificial colors - is said to help in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. The product retails in a bottle containing 60 gummy vitamins.
Source: Mintel's Global New Products Database (GNPD); selected from a database of private label products introduced between June 2010 and May 2011. For more information about Mintel's GNPD, visit www.mintel.com.