ON THE SHELF NOW
US - Ocean Spray launches Sour Blueberry Lemon and Chili Lime Craisins
Ocean Spray expands its nearly 30-year-old Craisins portfolio with two bold flavors targeting snacking occasions rather than just mix-ins. Available at Walmart for $3.29, supported by cross-country sampling van tour this September.
Why we care: Ocean Spray pivoting from pantry staple to snack attack shows how legacy brands can reinvent themselves. The 'swicy' trend (sweet + spicy) continues its march through every category, including dried fruit, apparently.
Read more (PR Newswire)
US - Vita Coco Treats Orange & Creme joins nostalgic beverage lineup
Vita Coco expands its coconut milk-based Treats line with Orange & Creme flavor, combining orange zest with vanilla notes. Follows successful Strawberries & Creme launch, available nationwide through retailers and e-commerce platforms.
Why we care: Nostalgia-driven flavors are having a moment across beverages, and Vita Coco's success with 'treats' positioning shows consumers want permission to indulge. The creamsicle revival suggests childhood flavors are fair game for adult beverages.
Read more (Beverage Industry)
US - Pringles Spicy Guacamole returns after nearly 10 years
Kellanova brings back the cult-favorite flavor that originally launched in 2007, spotted at Stop & Shop with broader national rollout expected. The return follows growing consumer demand for bold, nostalgic flavors in the snack category.
Why we care: Nostalgic flavor resurrections are becoming a legitimate strategy for driving excitement and social media buzz. The 10-year gap creates artificial scarcity while tapping into millennial childhood memories, definitely a playbook worth studying.
Read more (Sporked)- US - Bobo's Peach Pie Stuff'd Oat Bites launch adds summer flavor to brand's expanding bite-sized snack lineup.
- UK - McVitie's Jaffa Cakes Hot Honey and Pink Raspberry Cream Digestives target flavor innovation in traditional categories.
- US - Starbucks Maple Pecan Latte & Horchata Shaken Espresso creamers bring café favorites to home brewing.
COMING SOON
US - Mountain Dew Infinite Swirl returns June 17th with redesigned look
PepsiCo brings back the cult-favorite pineapple-strawberry flavor exclusively at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes through end of 2025. New packaging design accompanies limited-time return, available in bottles, fountains, and Slurpee format.
Why we care: Mountain Dew creating artificial scarcity with exclusive retailers builds hype while testing demand. The multi-format approach (bottles, fountain, Slurpee) shows they're maximizing every touchpoint for this limited window.
Read more (Sporked)
US - RYSE launches protein-infused energy drinks July 2025
RYSE debuts 12oz energy drinks featuring 8g protein, 150mg caffeine, and prebiotics in collaboration flavors with Kool-Aid, SunnyD, and Country Time. Competitively priced to match traditional energy drinks despite functional upgrades.
Why we care: Protein-energy hybrids represent the next battleground in functional beverages. RYSE's licensed flavor strategy combined with mainstream pricing suggests the category is ready to move beyond niche fitness audiences into mass market.
Read more (BevNET)
US - Cup Noodles Dill Pickle launches June 21st
Nissin Foods capitalizes on TikTok's pickle obsession (321M posts) with limited-edition dill pickle ramen flavor. Available at Walmart and Albertsons for $1.17, targeting Gen Z and millennial audiences embracing bold flavor mashups.
Why we care: Social media driving product development faster than ever. Cup Noodles proving that listening to TikTok trends can translate into legitimate retail products, showing how digital culture influences physical shelves in real-time.
Read more (PR Newswire)
US - C4 Performance Energy Classic Lemonade debuts July 7th
Cellucor expands C4 Energy lineup with traditional Classic Lemonade flavor featuring 200mg caffeine, CarnoSyn beta-alanine, and BetaPower betaine. Zero sugar formulation maintains brand's guilt-free positioning with 10 calories per can.
Why we care: Sometimes the most innovative move is going classic. C4 betting on lemonade shows confidence in foundational flavors when energy drink brands are chasing increasingly exotic combinations.
Read more (Stack3D)- US - Ghost Energy Raspberry Cream flavor debuts August 2025 alongside returning Cotton Candy and Bubblicious flavors.
TREND ALERT / INTERESTING STUFF
Global - TikTok-native sour candy brand Final Boss Sour raises $4M
Gaming-themed sour candy brand secures funding from GFR Fund and others to fuel innovation strategy and influencer programs. Built in Science studio (Liquid Death creators), the brand targets TikTok audiences with video game aesthetics and dried fruit-based sour products.
Why we care: Sour candy isn't just a trend – it's a cultural phenomenon with serious investment backing. The gaming branding strategy shows how niche aesthetics can build devoted communities, while the fruit-based approach offers a 'better-for-you' angle in an indulgent category.
Read more (Food Navigator USA)
Global - Hershey's x Pokémon collaboration creates collectible chocolate
Hershey's launches special-edition chocolate bars and Kisses featuring all 151 original Kanto region Pokémon. Includes 12 full-size bar designs, 18 snack-size designs, and individual Pokémon foil wrappers on Kisses with digital tracking system.
Why we care: Collectible packaging turning chocolate into trading cards shows how nostalgia-driven collaborations can create engagement beyond consumption.
Read more (Pokemon.com)
US - Protein partnerships drive premium collaboration strategy
ONE Brands x Hershey's Double Chocolate protein bar and Kellanova's RXBAR High Protein expansion signal major brands investing in functional-indulgent hybrids. Both launches target mass market with premium ingredients and recognizable flavor profiles.
Why we care: When chocolate giants and legacy bars both bet on protein, the category is clearly hitting mainstream. These partnerships suggest consumers no longer see function and indulgence as mutually exclusive, opening doors for premium positioning across categories.
Read more (Food Business News)
US - Cheez-It x Wendy's Baconator crackers launching July
Kellanova and Wendy's debut limited-edition collaboration crackers combining Cheez-It's signature crunch with Applewood smoked bacon flavor from the iconic Baconator burger. Early access available on CheezIt.com with Frosty keychain bundle.
Why we care: Restaurant-snack collaborations are the new licensing gold rush. Wendy's moving beyond their walls into grocery aisles shows how QSR brands are thinking beyond traditional revenue streams.
Read more (Food Business News)DISCONTINUED
US - Mountain Dew Game Fuel Citrus Cherry reportedly discontinued
PepsiCo's gaming-focused energy drink Mountain Dew Game Fuel in Citrus Cherry flavor appears to have been quietly discontinued, with limited availability reported across retail channels. The gaming-targeted sub-brand launched with significant marketing investment in 2019.
Why we care: Gaming beverages proving to be a tough nut to crack, even for Mountain Dew's brand power. The space between energy drinks and gaming culture still feels wide open for the right positioning and execution.
Read more (Sporked)INDUSTRY NEWS
Global - RTD tea market positioned to compete in functional beverage space
Ready-to-drink tea category leveraging health halo and innovative ingredients to establish position in functional beverage market. Brands investing in research partnerships, adaptogens, probiotics, and creative flavor reinterpretations to meet evolving consumer wellness demands.
Why we care: RTD tea's evolution from sugar-heavy refreshment to functional powerhouse mirrors broader beverage trends. As our own functional drink development progresses, understanding tea's positioning against energy drinks and kombucha provides strategic context.
Read more (Food Business News)
