Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Khloud boosts functionality with collagen chips
Khloud, the protein chip brand founded by Khloé Kardashian, is adding another functional ingredient to its lineup: collagen.
Khloud Plus Collagen Protein Chips includes 2 grams of collagen plus more protein compared to the brand's flagship products. The chips have a total of 17 grams of protein per serving, compared to 7 grams in other offerings.
Collagen, a protein that supports skin and bone health, is typically included in beauty products but has more recently found its way into functional foods as more consumers connect their diet to healthy aging.
Khloud Plus is available exclusively at Walmart in sweet heat, nacho, buffalo and jalapeño flavors. The chips are additionally gluten and seed oil free, helping them appeal to a broad range of consumers with dietary restrictions.
“I built Khloud on the belief that your favorite snacks should do a little more,” Kardashian said in a statement. “Khloud Plus takes everything people already love about our Protein Chips - clean ingredients, great flavor - now with collagen and an added protein boost.”
Consumers are increasingly looking for items that offer functional properties, with protein and fiber frequently listed as a top health priority for consumers. Other ingredients that can impact mood and health have also begun to gain mainstream traction, including collagen and magnesium.
— Laurel Deppen
Hershey looks beyond candy in Halloween lineup
Hershey is innovating its LesserEvil popcorn brand and Pirate’s Booty to bring salty snacks into its “Hersheyween” portfolio for the first time.
LesserEvil, an organic snacks brand Hershey acquired last year, is releasing a pumpkin spice popcorn featuring cinnamon and spice. The brand is also adding Halloween designs to a single-serve package, making the salty snack a fit for trick-or-treaters candy bowls.
Pirate’s Booty, a salty puffs brand Hershey bought in 2018, is also getting into the Halloween spirit with new shapes. The brand’s signature white cheddar flavored snack will feature puffs in the shape of ghosts and monsters.
Salty snacks generate about 10% of Hershey’s revenue, and executives have a vision of growing the segment even further. Halloween marks a key part of Hershey’s business, and the inclusion of salty snacks could give the company a leg up during the important holiday period.
Katie DeCapria, head of Hersheyween at Hershey, said the company studies shopping behaviors and trends all year to prep for the season.
“Those insights guide how we show up for Halloween—making sure our Hersheyween lineup delivers something for every taste, tradition and occasion,” DeCapria said in a statement.
— Laurel Deppen
McCain frozen snack brand gets saucy
Tast!ez, a frozen snack brand from potato giant McCain Foods, is giving mozzarella sticks and potato bites a saucy upgrade.
Flavor-Fulls is a new lineup of mozzarella sticks and potato bites with a sauce-filled center, giving consumers a novel and mess-free way to enjoy their favorite snacks. Flavors include mini marinara mozzarella sticks, mini creamy garlic mozzarella sticks and cheddar and bacon potato bites.
The snacks are available nationwide at select retailers including Walmart and Wakefern.
"Today's consumers want snacks that are easy to prepare, but they also want something that satisfies," Roderik Nuyens, director of retail marketing for US Snacking at McCain, said in a statement. "With the innovation of TAST!EZ Flavor-Fulls, we're bringing a creative take on frozen snacks that delivers restaurant-inspired flavor at home in just minutes using an air fryer or oven."
McCain launched Tast!ez in 2024 with options like mini mozzarella sticks and garlic cheese curds, saying in a statement that the brand "has quickly gained momentum in the frozen aisle."
The sauce-filled snacks hit on consumer demand for convenience and multi-sensorial experiences. Frozen foods have become a core element of meal planning especially as inflation prompts more consumers to eat at home, according to a report from The American Frozen Food Institute and FMI.
Nearly one-third of consumers plan to buy more frozen food, the strongest purchase intent measured in years, the report found. Consumers who use frozen foods either daily or every few days represent 40% of shoppers, up from 35% in 2019.
— Sarah Zimmerman
