KANSAS CITY — New formulations of sweets are making their way to grocery store shelves.
The Hershey Co. is jumping on the plant-based wagon, with its most recent launch of milk-free alternatives for its Hershey’s and Reese’s brands.
Made with dairy alternatives such as oats, Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt bar offer a similar melt-in-the-mouth experience to their traditional counterparts while satisfying changing consumer needs.
“We are excited to introduce these delicious, plant-based options,” said Teal Liu, brand manager for the Better-For-You unit at Hershey. “Our purpose is to create more moments of goodness for consumers. Those moments are now more accessible for chocolate lovers looking for plant-based alternatives.”
Second Nature Brands also is featuring Reese’s in its recent debut of gluten-free Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle with Reese’s Pieces.
“Our new gluten-free version of Brownie Brittle Reese's Pieces is giving consumers what they want — a new Brownie Brittle option that meets dietary needs, plus a rich peanut butter and chocolate brownie taste,” said Ashley Dawkins, vice president of marketing at Sheila G's Brownie Brittle. “This new gluten-free option of our Reese's Pieces line allows our gluten-avoiding consumers to enjoy and celebrate the magic that is Brownie Brittle featuring a favorite candy."
The last sweet innovation joining shelves is from B&G Foods. The brand launched a Girl Scouts Thin Mints seasoning blend, which is made up of dark cocoa, mint flavor and fine cookie crumbles. The sweet and minty seasoning blend can top everything from oatmeal to pancakes to ice cream to coffee, according to the company.
“The demand for our fun flavored seasoning blends continues to grow, proving that consumers crave the flavors of their favorite cookies and sweets, and are eager to explore them in new forms,” said Julie Gould, senior director of brand marketing, spices and flavor solutions at B&G Foods. “We're excited to license the Girl Scout Cookie flavors and launch a seasoning blend in a delicious and versatile cocoa and mint flavor, inspired by their No. 1 Girl Scout Cookie, Thin Mints.”
