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.
Philadelphia rings in lactose-free cream cheese
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is giving freedom to lactose-intolerant consumers.
The Kraft Heinz brand is launching a line catering to people with the digestive condition, making it the first mainstream brand to introduce a lactose-free cream cheese made with real dairy.
The food maker said the lactose-free offering is priced similarly to Philadelphia's original product and is significantly less expensive than the leading lactose-free cream cheese on the market. It is currently making its way to major retailers across the U.S.
Approximately 30 to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, according to the National Institutes of Health. In milk alone, lactose-free made up 16% of the share of dollar sales and 8.4% share of volume for the year ending Aug. 11, 2024, according to data from Hart, with nearly a quarter of U.S. households purchasing lactose-free milk.
“It's a massive segment of the population that today is consuming the product," said Jerome Drolet, Kraft Heinz’s new president of taste elevation. So the leap from consuming a dairy lactose-free milk today into cream cheese should be a natural sort of evolution.”
The new cream cheese is part of Kraft Heinz's effort to unlock growth through innovation, which is often geared toward health-conscious consumers. Many of these consumers may be avoiding categories where needs such as lactose-free, plant-based, protein and no sugar are not being met by existing products.
The lactose-free version marks the latest innovation for the leading mainstream cream cheese brand. Just four years ago, Philadelphia launched a plant-based version of its original-flavored spread. And in 2024, Philadelphia entered the baking category for the first time with the debut of cream cheese frosting.
—Christopher Doering
Cheez-It raises a glass with Coors Light
Mars-owned Cheez-It is partnering with Coors Light on a beer cheese-flavored cracker.
The offering mimics the flavor of beer cheese, a dip that traditionally is made with beer, cream cheese and mustard. Cheez-It Coors Light Beer Cheese is baked with real cheese and has a tangy sauce profile with toasted spices, according to a press release.
“Fans already love reaching for a cold Coors Light when they're snacking on game day, so finding a way to bring our crisp, refreshing beer flavors to life in a real-deal beer cheese flavored snack just made sense,” Matt Carpenter, vice president of marketing for the Coors Family of Brands, said in a statement.
The crackers will debut in August to coincide with summer barbecues and the beginning of football season. They will be available nationwide for about $4.99 per box.
“Our obsessed fans are constantly looking for bold new ways to enjoy Cheez-It, and we had the golden opportunity to bring one of America’s favorite dips to life in a whole new way,” Nicole Sorensen, vice president of marketing for Cheez-It, said in a statement.
The collaboration marks Cheez-It’s first with a beer brand. It has previously collaborated with Wendy’s, Hidden Valley Ranch and Taco Bell.
Other beer brands have leaned into the connection between brews and food. Miller Lite, also owned by Molson Coors, launched beer and meat-flavored Pringles last year, and Pabst Blue Ribbon launched a beer-infused bratwurst.
— Laurel Deppen
Pringles joins forces with Buffalo Wild Wings
Pringles is linking with Buffalo Wild Wings for a game-changing partnership that marks the Mars-owned brand's first restaurant collaboration in five years.
The potato chip brand is releasing three new flavors inspired by Buffalo Wild Wings sauces: Parmesan Garlic, Medium Buffalo and Asian Zing. The Asian Zing flavor features rice vinegar with chili peppers and a hint of soy sauce and ginger.
"When two brands that are synonymous with game day and flavor come together, fans expect something big," said Mauricio Jenkins, Salty Snacks Brand & Content Lead, Mars Snacking North America. "We've taken the unmistakable flavors people love from Buffalo Wild Wings and packed them into our iconic stackable crisps, creating a lineup that's made for every kickoff, watch party and tailgate."
Snack brands have increasingly looked to partnerships with companies across a variety of sectors to generate buzz and bring in new consumers. PepsiCo recently linked with Jack's Link on Doritos flavored meat snacks, while Mountain Dew and Trolli launched a cross-brand collaboration spanning food and beverage.
— Sarah Zimmerman
