FDBusiness.com

Already an established leader in breakfast cereals, Kellogg, following the acquisition of Pringles and the continued introduction of new products from its other well-known snacks brands, is seeking a similar status in the snacks marketplace. The acquisition of the iconic Pringles business in May 2012 made Kellogg the world’s second largest savoury snacks company.

“We have such a strong line-up of snack brands, including Pringles, Cheez-it, Special K, Keebler and Nutri-Grain,” explains Alan Gravely, senior vice president of marketing and innovation for Kellogg Snacks. “So we are building off these brands with new products that reflect our deep understanding of people’s evolving taste preferences and nutrition needs.”

Products now debuting from Kellogg’s snack brands include cereal bars, crackers, crisps and cookies.

Wholesome snacks continue to grow in popularity and innovation is the key to this rapidly growing category. Nutri-Grain, a long-time cereal bar favorite, is expanding its appeal with new Nutri-Grain Fruit Crunch, a granola bar with a combination of 20 grams of whole grain and real fruit.

Kellogg’s continues to expand the Special K brand’s lineup of smart snacks for weight managers. These new products reflect the understanding that people’s taste preferences tend to move from sweet to savory as the day progresses.

Special K Blondie Brownie Bites feature chocolate chips along with vanilla and butterscotch flavour. The Special K Pastry Crisps line is also expanding with a new Berry Streusel variety. Each serving has two lightly sweet, crisp pastries with filling on the inside and a sweet drizzle on the outside. Also from Special K, new Honey Barbecue cracker chips are a savoury snack with 110 calories per 27-chip serving.

Many people are seeking positive nutrition from their snacks, particularly protein and fiber. To satisfy this need, Kellogg is debuting FiberPlus Antioxidant Protein Chewy bars, available in Mixed Nut and Peanut. These bars provide 10 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber as well as vitamin E and zinc.

Kellogg is also expanding its Keebler brand with the launch of new Chips Deluxe Triple Chocolate. Keebler also has a new sweet and salty treat for on-the-go snacking with Peanut Butter-filled Fudge-dipped pretzels. These bite-sized treats are covered in either chocolate fudge or white fudge and packaged in single-serve pouches.

Kellogg is also introducing two new versions of its Rice Krispies Treats Squares. New Double Chocolatey Chunk Rice Krispies Treats combine cocoa rice with chocolate chunks, with the bottom dipped in chocolate. Buttery Toffee Rice Krispies Treats feature a buttery flavor with toffee bits topped and chocolatey drizzle.

Because many snack fans want a range of flavours, Pringles is introducing French Onion Dip flavor crisps and is re-introducing Pringles Stix in three flavours – Honey Wheat, Pizza and Cheese. The brand is also adding new flavours of Pringles Multigrain including Sour Cream & Onion, and Farmhouse Cheddar.

Fans of the Cheez-It brand are being offered a new smooth, mild option with the arrival of Cheez-it Provolone crackers.