Snoop Dogg Launches THC-Infused Snack ‘Snazzle Os’ as He Expands into Edibles, While StarKist Introduces Portable ‘Smart Bowls’ and Brooklyn Brewery Unveils Fonio Beer Collaboration
Rapper and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg is further venturing into the culinary world with his latest product that many would connect to his classic doggystyle. “Uncle Snoop’s” new snack, Snazzle Os, is a THC-infused tribute to crunchy onion ring-style treats. This product is a result of Snoop’s partnership with Tsumo Snacks, a company known for its savory marijuana edibles. Each bag of Snazzle Os contains 100 mg of THC and is available in two flavors: Onion and Spicy Onion.
Currently, these snacks can be found at MedMen cannabis dispensaries in California, with plans to expand to additional dispensaries later this year. The launch invitation encourages consumers to “grab some friends and sizzle the fizzle like your favorite uncle, for shizzle.” Snoop himself emphasized in the press release, “You know that if I’m putting my name on something, it’s guaranteed stamped Snoop D-O-Double-G fresh.” Testers have described them as delicious snacks, reminiscent of a more onion-flavored version of Funyuns.
Although Snoop has been closely linked to cannabis throughout his nearly thirty-year career, this marks his first foray into marijuana-infused edibles. He has previously launched a cannabis brand, Leafs by Snoop, and invests in various cannabis enterprises through his Casa Verde Capital fund. Snoop has also partnered with less potent food brands; in 2020, he invested in Outstanding Foods, which produces PigOut plant-based pork rinds, and released Indoggo gin, crafted with celebrity brand Trusted Spirits and featuring seven premium botanicals. Later that year, he introduced a California wine blend with the 19 Crimes brand, and in August, he rolled out Snoop Loopz, a colorful cereal boasting “more marshmallows.”
Snazzle Os represent a significant launch in a category that has recently taken a backseat. Before the pandemic, it seemed that the U.S. was on a trajectory toward decriminalizing cannabis, making edible products legal and paving the way for more innovations by consumer packaged goods companies. However, the pandemic and shifting national priorities have diverted focus away from such movements, even as adult beverages infused with cannabis are being developed and tested in Canada and other legal states. If anyone can reignite interest in edibles, it’s certainly the Doggfather.
Meanwhile, StarKist is introducing its iconic tuna to the bowl trend, but with a twist: it comes in a portable pouch. The new StarKist Smart Bowls feature seasoned grains, vegetables, and tuna, available in four varieties: Latin Citrus, Spicy Pepper, Tomato Basil, and Zesty Lemon. Latin Citrus combines tuna with quinoa, white beans, sweet corn, and a hint of lime and cilantro, while the Mediterranean-inspired Zesty Lemon includes tuna, rotini, kidney beans, and lemon.
Each pouch contains 10 or more grams of protein and 180 calories or less, retailing at about $1.25. “The introduction of Smart Bowls was inspired by the popularity of grain bowls—today’s health-conscious consumers are seeking more convenient options,” stated Tom Aslin, vice president of marketing and innovation at StarKist. “The launch of StarKist Smart Bowls exemplifies how we’re expanding beyond our well-known tuna product line to become a convenient healthy protein company.” These new offerings cater to the trends of healthy eating and convenience, as the Smart Bowls are fully cooked and can be enjoyed directly from the pouch or served over greens or other vegetables for a more substantial meal.
StarKist remains the leading tuna brand in the U.S., with sales on the rise since 2011, according to Statista data. In 2020, approximately 121 million Americans consumed StarKist, compared to 109 million for Chicken of the Sea and 89 million for Bumble Bee. While StarKist is primarily recognized for its tuna, the company is working to broaden consumer perceptions of its brand. The Smart Bowls build on prior successes with its StarKist Creations line of tuna, salmon, and chicken pouches.
Additionally, Brooklyn Brewery has launched a collaborative craft beer with Yolélé, a grain company that specializes in ingredients from West Africa. The Brooklyn Brewery x Yolélé Fonio White Beer is crafted using fonio, a nutrient-rich grain native to West Africa, celebrated for its B vitamins and essential minerals, including calcium citrate, iron, and zinc. The brewery describes this beverage as a blend of fonio’s nutty, wheaty flavor with hops. It will be available at select Whole Foods stores throughout October and can also be sampled at Brooklyn Brewery’s tasting room.
Brewmaster Garrett Oliver shared that the brewery’s interest in creating a fonio beer was sparked by a TED Talk from Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam, founder of Yolélé, who referred to fonio as a “miracle grain.” “It’s been my mission to bring the flavors of Africa to America. By incorporating fonio into food and beverage products sold in the U.S., Yolélé supports smallholder farms in West Africa,” Thiam noted. The brewery also emphasizes the drink’s sustainability, highlighting fonio as a drought-resistant crop that thrives in extreme climates where other crops struggle, making it resilient amid climate change. Oliver added that since fonio does not require irrigation or pesticides, it can help combat desertification.
A few companies have begun to expand the reach of fonio beyond West Africa. Yolélé is actively building a global supply chain for the grain and also offers fonio chips and pilaf, while Terra Ingredients distributes fonio to various producers.
