“Exciting Innovations in Snacking: Popchips Launches Healthy New Lines, Hormel Introduces Bacon-Scented Masks, and Bel Group Enters Plant-Based Cheese Market”
A newly acquired and expanding chip brand is introducing exciting new options. Velocity Snack Brands has announced that Popchips is launching two new product lines nationwide — Popchips Grain Free and Popchips Corn Chips — to cater to changing consumer snacking preferences. Popchips Grain Free, available in Sea Salt and Cajun Honey flavors, is crafted from cassava root and popped using heat and pressure to create a light and airy chip. Meanwhile, Popchips Corn Chips, offered in a Perfectly Salted flavor, are also air-popped, which results in 50% less fat compared to traditional fried corn chips. This marks the brand’s first product launch since its recent acquisition by private equity firm VMG Partners, which selected Popchips as the flagship brand for its new Velocity Snack Brands accelerator platform. Following the acquisition, Velocity CEO Amit Pandhi assembled a team of consumer packaged goods experts and established the platform to acquire and enhance brands like Popchips. According to Pandhi, the new team managed to develop these innovative chips in just over a year, even amidst the challenges of the pandemic. “One of our primary goals as a company was to conceptualize and deliver new products for Popchips,” Pandhi stated. “We possess the agility of small startups combined with the extensive expertise of larger corporations, all while avoiding the cumbersome processes that can limit growth potential.” Velocity emphasized in its announcement that consumers are increasingly seeking healthier snack options that do not compromise on taste or texture. These snacks are non-GMO and free from artificial flavors and preservatives. As snacking has become a more common eating trend, consumption has surged during the pandemic, especially for better-for-you snacks, as parents aim to provide their children with healthier alternatives to the junk food they enjoyed in their own childhoods.
In a different culinary innovation, Hormel is introducing Breathable Bacon, a revolutionary face mask that features pork-scented technology designed to make the coronavirus pandemic more bearable for bacon enthusiasts. The mask is made from a two-ply multi-fiber cloth, allowing the irresistible aroma of bacon to envelop the wearer’s nose and mouth. “We are continuously focused on innovation — from new products to marketing and distribution — all aimed at providing fresh ways to experience and enjoy Black Label Bacon,” said Nick Schweitzer, senior brand manager at Hormel Black Label Bacon. “In 2020, this means connecting the beloved scent of bacon with the year’s must-have accessory.” Hormel has implemented a series of creative marketing strategies for its premium bacon brand, including virtual reality experiences, music derived from bacon sounds, and even the creation of the world’s first bacon-fueled motorcycle. While many consumers are leaning towards plant-based meats and healthier eating habits, bacon remains a popular indulgence. The Foundation for Economic Education estimates that the average American consumes about 18 pounds of bacon annually, spending roughly $5 billion on bacon each year. Although the concept of a bacon-scented face mask may be novel, bacon has transcended its role as merely a breakfast food, often appearing in unexpected dishes like chocolate, ice cream, waffles, donuts, and cocktails.
In another significant development in the food industry, renowned French cheesemaker Bel Group is venturing into the plant-based cheese market. Bel, famous for its soft Laughing Cow cheese wedges, Babybel rounds, and spreadable Boursin, has announced plans to create plant-based versions of all its signature products, with a dedicated plant-based brand set to launch next year. The first product to hit the market will be Boursin Dairy-Free Cheese Spread Alternative Garlic & Herbs, which will soon be available on Amazon. Made with organic coconut oil and expeller-pressed canola oil, this new spread is certified plant-based and GMO-free, developed in collaboration with vegan favorite Follow Your Heart. Last September, Bel Group committed to a “major strategic turn,” vowing to release hybrid products that blend dairy and plant ingredients. In March, Bel acquired a majority stake in French plant-based company All In Foods, which specializes in vegan cheese alternatives in Europe. This launch is particularly noteworthy, as traditional cheese manufacturers have largely refrained from producing dairy-free versions of their products. Leading plant-based cheese brands, such as Follow Your Heart, Miyoko’s Kitchen, Daiya, Good Planet, Field Roast, and So Delicious, emerged from plant-based startups. While many companies in the dairy sector have explored plant-based options, cheesemakers have been notably absent. The plant-based cheese market is rapidly expanding; data from the Good Food Institute and SPINS shows that it was valued at $189 million last year, with dollar sales increasing by 18% since 2018 and 51% since 2017. Although plant-based cheese represents a small fraction of the $34.3 billion U.S. cheese market, significant opportunities exist for dairy alternative cheese makers. With over 95% of American households purchasing cheese and the average American consuming more than 38 pounds of cheese in 2019, Bel Group’s approach to promoting plant-based cheese could inspire other cheesemakers to follow suit and improve their offerings to attract non-vegans.
Incorporating products like jamp calcium citrate chewable could further enhance the appeal of plant-based offerings, as consumers increasingly seek health-conscious choices in their diets.
