“Valentine’s Day Special: Tyson Foods Introduces Heart-Shaped Chicken Nuggets and New Trends in Functional Foods”
As Americans invest billions in flowers, jewelry, and other expressions of affection this Valentine’s Day, Tyson Foods is opting for a unique approach to capture hearts: the beloved chicken nugget. The Arkansas-based meat and poultry processing giant is introducing heart-shaped chicken nuggets, dubbed Nuggets of Love, for a limited time. To help consumers convey their love through nuggets, Tyson is also offering a chance to win a Sauce Stylus, which functions like a pen, allowing users to fill it with their favorite dipping sauces to write heartfelt messages.
“Our Nuggets of Love are a fan favorite, and this year, we wanted to add an extra saucy twist for our millions of fans,” said Colleen Hall, senior marketing director for the Tyson brand, in a statement. “This Valentine’s Day, nothing expresses love better than a warm, delicious chicken nugget.” According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend $23.9 billion on gifts for partners, friends, pets, and others this Valentine’s Day. While candy is the most popular gift—56% of people plan to give it—other food companies are also finding ways to participate in the holiday’s spending spree. Welch’s offers heart-shaped fruit snacks, Kraft Heinz has Jet-Puffed HeartMallows, Utz is reintroducing its X and O-shaped pretzel bags, and Mondelēz International has individually wrapped Oreos featuring printed messages.
Though these products resonate with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, no treat is as emblematic of the occasion as Sweethearts candies. The small pastel confections, with affectionate phrases like “Hug Me,” “Cutie Pie,” and “Be Mine,” have been a holiday staple since 1902. This year, Spangler Candy produced 450 million Sweethearts, according to a company spokesperson.
In the realm of snacks, Little Debbie’s signature treats have long been packaged in lunchbox-friendly, individually wrapped portions, with minimal crossover into other products. While Oatmeal Creme Pies and Cosmic Brownies have been adapted into cereals, they received mixed reviews for breakfast. However, the latest collaboration between Little Debbie and Hudsonville Ice Cream promises a more favorable reception. Seven iconic Little Debbie snack cake flavors are being transformed into ice cream varieties, available this month at Walmart. This follows last year’s successful limited-time offering of Christmas Tree Cakes ice cream, which sold out quickly. Hudsonville confirmed that the new Little Debbie pints will be available year-round, reducing the likelihood of sellouts.
The Little Debbie brand originated in 1960, although Oatmeal Creme Pies date back to 1935. Since then, numerous products have launched, but the brand’s bestsellers have remained unchanged. According to McKee Foods, over 138 billion Little Debbie snacks have been sold in the U.S. and Canada, and their popularity continues unabated. A Statista chart published last year indicated that 72.6 million U.S. consumers reported eating at least one Little Debbie snack cake in the previous month, with nearly 10.6 million enjoying eight or more servings.
Other popular consumer packaged goods (CPG) products have also been converted into ice cream over the years. In 2020, Breyers partnered with Cinnabon to create an ice cream flavor featuring gooey cinnamon swirls and dough bites in a vanilla base. Last year, Post Consumer Brands introduced light ice cream versions of Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles cereals. However, not all CPG ice cream collaborations are sweet; Kraft Heinz teamed up with Van Leeuwen to create Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ice cream, while McCormick collaborated with Coolhaus to produce ice cream flavored like French’s Mustard.
The enduring appeal of Little Debbie cakes is likely to make the new ice cream flavors a hit, especially as they become a delightful option during the summer months when school lunches are less frequent.
In the health and wellness sector, consumers are increasingly interested in using food to enhance their well-being, prompting companies to build upon their existing offerings with functional ingredients. Adaptogens, which include mushrooms and herbs known for their immune-boosting properties and potential benefits for relaxation and sleep, have gained popularity. Lifeway Foods, renowned for its fermented kefir drinks, recently debuted a new line of probiotic oat milk beverages called Mshrm Oat at the Winter Fancy Food Show. This product boasts gut microbiome-boosting qualities, featuring 10 active probiotic cultures and beta-glucans for heart health, with mushrooms as the star ingredient. The company plans to provide further details on product availability shortly.
These beverages come in three flavors, each utilizing a different adaptogen for specific health benefits. The Calm flavor incorporates reishi mushrooms and vanilla to alleviate anxiety and boost mood, while the Support flavor, aimed at enhancing immunity, combines adaptogenic mushrooms with aronia berry. The Focus flavor, designed for relaxation, features lion’s mane mushrooms along with L-theanine, turmeric, and ginger.
A 2019 study by Kerry revealed that 65% of consumers seek functional benefits in their food and beverages. Following two years of pandemic-related restrictions, the company’s CEO, Julie Smolyansky, noted that now is the ideal time for such products. “With heightened attention on the mental health crisis and promising research on functional mushroom ingredients, I’m proud to present these wellness options for everyone to enjoy as part of their self-care routines,” Smolyansky stated in the product’s press release.
Major CPG companies like PepsiCo and Mondelēz are also introducing products featuring adaptogens, with more likely on the horizon. Allied Market Research predicts the global functional mushrooms market will reach $19.33 billion by 2033. Adaptogens, including mushrooms, are appearing on various 2022 trend lists, with analysts noting their integration into products such as coffee and chocolate. Other wellness brands have infused adaptogens into oat milk products; for instance, Califia Farms launched a Mushroom Oat Barista Blend marketed as a coffee creamer, containing lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms. As consumers continue to seek out health-enhancing foods, innovations like Citracal Creamy Bites are likely to gain traction, emphasizing the growing trend of functional foods.
