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.
Welch's fruit snacks debut biggest 'function-forward innovation'
Welch's is taking its fruit snacks into the better-for-you space with new probiotic-packed yogurt bites.
Probiotic Yogofruits owner PIM Brands described the product as the "most function-forward innovation to date." The snacks feature a fruit bite center with a creamy yogurt coating that delivers 2 billion probiotic cultures and 3 grams of fiber.
The fruit snacks will be offered in June with flavors including strawberry and peach mango.
"With consumer demand for gut-friendly foods surging, probiotics, and fiber have become breakout priorities in the snacking aisle, reflecting a broader shift toward snacks that support digestive wellness," Lisa Eustic, PIM Brands’ senior vice president of marketing for snacks, said in a statement.
As demand for fiber and other functional ingredients surge, PIM is hoping to stand out by flexing its experience in the pharmaceutical and supplements industry. The company entered the space in 2017 to focus on gummy vitamins and other offerings.
Eustic said Yogofruits blends the company's "science driven expertise with our longstanding and broad snack experience."
The launch also marks a "key step" in PIM’s efforts to become a major player in the better-for-you snacking space by leveraging its iconic Welch's fruit snacks brand, the company said in the release.
Other food manufacturers have made similar investments to accelerate innovation around healthy snacking, including GoGo Squeez owner Bel Brands. The company recently acquired Brainiac brain health snacks and previously announced a partnership with tech company Foodberry to develop its own fruit snack.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Nerds candies call their mother
Nearly a week after Mother’s Day, Nerds candy still hasn’t forgotten about keeping in touch with Mom.
The candy brand, known for its breakout gummy clusters, is partnering with Mother's Cookies on Sweet and Tangy Frosted Cookies, a limited-edition mashup blending the nostalgic treat with a crunchy twist of Nerds candy. The cookies will be available only in Walmart starting in June.
Each limited-edition pack includes cookies shaped like Mother's circus animals and Nerds characters in vibrant red and blue frosting. The cookies are then topped with Nerds crunchy candy pieces, instead of Mother’s traditional sprinkles.
"NERDS has one of the most passionate and energetic fanbases, and Mother's has spent over 100 years bringing imaginative frosted fun to treat time,” Julia Witten, senior brand manager at Ferrero, said in a statement. “When two beloved brands like these come together, the result is something wildly craveable and endlessly shareable."
A largely forgotten jewel when Nutella maker Ferrero purchased Nestlé’s candy business 2018, Nerds has turned into one of the fastest-growing candy brands thanks largely to the widely popular Nerds Gummy Clusters.
Nerds were on track to hit more than $900 million in sales in 2025, a more than 1,700% increase from the $50 million in sales the brand was generating when it was first incorporated into Ferrara, which is owned by a Ferrero-affiliated holding company.
— Christopher Doering
Saint James launches ready-to-drink Arnold Palmer
Fast-growing ready-to-drink brand Saint James Iced Tea is releasing its take on the classic Arnold Palmer recipe ahead of the summer.
Saint James’ Half & Half blends the brand’s signature brewed black tea with lemonade. The beverage marks its first foray outside of traditional tea-only offerings.
The beverage utilizes organic lemonade and a plant-based sweetener, fitting within the rest of Saint James’ portfolio of low-calorie and low-sugar options.
An aluminum bottle of Half & Half has 4 grams of sugar and 20 calories. It’s available on Amazon and will roll out to select retail locations throughout the summer, including Target, Kroger, Albertsons and CVS.
Saint James launched in 2021 and is backed by AriZona Tea cofounder John M. Ferolito. Saint James is aimed at Generation Z consumers and young women. It has announced flavor collaborations with fashion and beauty brands such as Tarte Cosmetics and Juicy Couture to expand awareness.
The launch of Half & Half comes after Neumann told Food Dive earlier this year that the brand was working on extending its portfolio into “tea adjacent” categories.
“The driving force [of innovation at Saint James] is having fun, unexpected flavors, but still making them really crisp, clean, high quality,” Neumann said at Natural Products Expo West. “And also giving the traditional iced tea drinker what they're looking for.”
— Laurel Deppen
