It takes a lot for a food product to succeed. In fact, out of more than 30,000 new food items that were introduced in 2003, less than 5 percent were hits. (And less than 10 percent of all new products are still on supermarket shelves three years after they launch.) To help you avoid spending money on the likely failures, here are this week’s Hits and Misses.
HITS
Country Choice Organic Oatmeal Squares Oatmeal is a great source for water-soluble fibers, which can help lower your blood cholesterol levels and thus aid in reducing your risk of heart disease. But, let’s face it, how many people really sit down in the morning for a bowl of oatmeal? Here’s one of those products you’ll be grateful you discovered, because not only is it made for the on-the-go type, but it also packs all the nutritional benefits of a bowl of oatmeal. The bonus: These oatmeal squares are USDA-certified organic. Suggested retail price is $4.29.
Nubble Light Lobster WellingtonHere’s a very fancy food (with a fancy price). This company uses Maine lobsters to make these tasty pastries, which you pop them in the oven for 30 minutes to make an instant gourmet meal. It’s too bad they are loaded with cholesterol (160 g) and fat (27 g), but but okay for a once-in-a-while indulgence. The price is high but if you love lobster this will be among the most tender and best tasting! Retails for $38.50 for a package containing two 6-ounce servings.
CONSUMER-NOMINATED HITEdy's Slow-Churned Light Chocolate Fudge Chunk Ice CreamHere’s what Kristin V. from De Pere, Wisc., had to say about this product. “You won't be able to believe this ice cream is light! Creamy, delicious chocolate ice cream is swirled with yummy fudge and bursting with semisweet chocolate chunks. At only 120 calories per 1/2 cup serving, this ice cream is sooooooo good!! Edy’s Light Ice Cream comes in lots of other great flavors that are rich and creamy, just like the real thing.” Retails for $5.29. Thanks Kristin! Your SupermarketGuru tote bag is on the way.
MISSESOscar Mayer Sensible Solution Lunchables BBQ Chicken Shake-Ups Here’s a new product tailor-made for “back to school” season – a fun, convenient little lunch pack that comes with white-meat chicken nuggets (and spice package to pour into the bag and shake up for extra flavor), Kool-Aid Jammers 10 Tropical Punch and a Jell-o Chocolate Pudding Stick for dessert. Kraft has five new products that meet their “Sensible Solution” criteria, which is a program they have designed for consumers wishing to make more informed nutritional choices. And they are almost there with this product, but not quite. Here’s what they did right: eliminated high fructose corn syrup and trans fats and they cut in half the amount of calories, sodium, sugars and fat found in some of there regular Lunchables. As we scanned the ingredients, we got excited for all of these nutritional corrections, but then we ran into a nasty little food additive, monosodium glutamate, used as a flavor enhancer for the chicken. Get rid of that, and you will have a hit. Suggested retail price is $2.59.
CONSUMER-NOMINATED MISSDel Monte Savory Sides Green Bean CasseroleHere’s what Shireen M. from Pensacola, Fla., had to say about this product: “I love green bean casserole but hardly ever fix it. I was hoping this would be a great convenience. Wrong! More liquid than beans, but the real problem was the taste. It was horrible! And hard to describe: a combination of metal and burnt powdered milk is the best I can do, and that doesn't begin to say it all.” Retails for $1.19. Thanks Shireen! Your SupermarketGuru tote bag is on the way.www.savorysides.com
Phil Lempert is food editor of the “Today” show. He welcomes questions and comments — as well as nominations for “hits” and “misses” in this column — which can be sent to
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