In early May, the Food Marketing Institute of America held its annual trade show in Chicago, where new products are unveiled. The trends this year are ethnic foods, convenience foods, healthy snacks and cooking-at-home foods. Food editor and “Today” contributor Phil Lempert talks about the latest food products that will be showing up on your grocer’s shelves.
LIPTON ASIAN SIDE DISHES
WITH MORE THAN one-fifth of American households consuming Asian foods at home on a regular basis, Lipton makes it easy with their new line of Asian side dishes in five authentic flavors: chicken fried rice, teriyaki rice, beef lo mein noodles, teriyaki noodles, and sweet and sour noodles. You can prepare in just minutes — 5 minutes for rice dishes and 6 minutes for noodles. Suggested retail price is $1.29.
TABASCO CHIPOTLE PEPPER SAUCE
Red jalapeno peppers are smoked over an open pecan wood fire to give this sauce its unique flavor which is both smokey and hot — perfect for grilling. Use on chicken, beef, pork or in salsas, chili, barbecue sauces and soups. It’s available in 5-ounce bottles that sell for $2.65 which can be found in select grocery stores.
THOMAS E. WILSON FAMILY DINNER ROASTS
Don’t have hours to wait for the roast to be done? These fully cooked roasts are ready to serve — just heat and eat! Each roast is seasoned and slow cooked, then carved and packaged in a vacuum-sealed container. Heat in the microwave, the oven or boil in a bag on the stovetop. Either way, your family can have a nutritious meal in minutes. The seven varieties are: roast beef in brown gravy, beef pot roast, seasoned beef sirloin roast, lemon pepper pork roast, Italian seasoned pork roast, beef in barbecue sauce and seasoned beef meatloaf. Each package contains five 3 oz. servings and sells for $6.99-$7.99. Available in the grocer’s fresh meat case.
IOWA PORK CHOPS ON A STICK
Made famous at the Iowa State Fair and now available all year round! These thick juicy pork chops are hand-selected and closely trimmed. Special deep basting makes them tender. Cook in skillet, over coals or in the oven. Available in select stores throughout the Midwest or on-line at www.iowaqualitymeats.com. Ten 8-10 oz. rib chops sell for $65 which includes shipping.
CAMPBELL’S SOUP AT HAND
Soup has never been considered as a portable, on-the-go food — until now! Campbell’s new Soup At Hand soup comes in a microwaveable 10-ounce sipping container that fits into your hand and your busy lifestyle. Just 90 seconds in the microwave and you’re ready to enjoy your soup — anywhere! Classic tomato, cream of broccoli, blended vegetable medley and creamy chicken are the four varieties that will be available nationally in Sept. 2002 with a retail price of $1.49.
MR. KRISPERS NATURAL GOURMET RICE CHIPS
This unique snack chip is made from the “goodness of rice, with a hint of potato,” and they are baked, not fried so they are low in fat. They are low in calories, cholesterol free and gluten free. This snack is said to combine low fat with great taste. Varieties are: sea salt and cracked pepper, sour cream and onion, classic barbecue and cheddar salsa. The ingredients are all natural and will be available in the natural foods section of grocery stores nationally this summer.
SWEET ORGANICS KETTLE CORN
Two varieties of organic popcorn made with the finest all natural ingredients and seasonings. They contain no artificial flavorings, no MSG, no preservatives, no hydrogenated oils, and no artificial colorings. Old fashioned flavor contains organic popcorn, organic sugar, organic sunflower oil and organic salt. Cinnamon flavor contains organic popcorn, organic sugar, organic sunflower oil, organic salt and natural cinnamon flavor. Available in 5 oz. bags at $2.50.
GENISOY CHOCOLATE DRENCHED SOY NUTS
Nutritious soy nuts, roasted and covered with European chocolate. Decadence without the guilt! They only 140 calories in a 1 ounce serving and only 4 grams of saturated fat per serving. Most importantly, they have only 3 grams of soy protein per ounce.
OREGON CHAI TEA LATTE MIX
Said to be the first instant chai to enter the natural foods markets. This new dry powdered mix makes it easy to enjoy a cup of Oregon chai (a creamy blend of tea, honey, vanilla and spices) anytime! Oregon chai is made with all natural ingredients. Just add the mix to 8 oz of hot water and stir. Available in two flavors — original and spiced original. A box of 8 single-serve packets sells for $3.99.
SOBE MR. GREEN SODA POP
This is SoBe’s (maker of herbally enhanced refreshment beverages) first carbonated beverage. And Mr. Green, well, he is the Lizard that has graced the labels of select SoBe Beverages and he will now have his own signature beverage. Enhanced with ginseng, this new soda pop is said to be loaded with attitude, energy and a taste soft drink fans will love.
HERSHEY’S PORTABLE PUDDING AND JOLLY RANCHER PORTABLE GEL SNACKS
Tube packaging isn’t just for yogurt anymore! ConAgra Foods, through a licensing agreement with Hershey Foods, will introduce two new refrigerated-tube snacks at FMI — Hershey’s portable pudding (chocolate) and Jolly Rancher Portable Gel Snacks (in watermelon and green apple — the two most popular Jolly Rancher flavors). Both products will be available in mid to late June in the refrigerated section of supermarkets nationwide. Each comes in a box of eight tubes. The Hershey’s Portable Pudding will sell for $2.89/box while the Jolly Rancher Portable Gel Snacks will sell for $2.69/box.
BERTOLLI PASTA SAUCES
Bertolli has been making olive oil for over 135 years by selecting only the freshest ingredients to deliver high quality taste. Now the same holds true for their new line of premium pasta sauces. Only the finest tomatoes are hand-selected and go from vine to jar the same day. Varieties include: Tomato and basil, Italian sausage, Romano and garlic, Marinara with burgundy wine, olive oil and garlic, five cheese, summer vegetable, Vidalia onion with roasted garlic and mushroom with garlic — plus three different Alfredo sauces: Creamy Alfredo, creamy garlic Alfredo and mushroom Alfredo.
The tomato pasta sauces come in 26 oz. jars and the three Alfredo sauces come in 16 oz. jars. Each sells for $2.79.
KOSHERBLES FUNNY BAGELS
The world’s first pre-packaged kosher lunch for kids. Available in turkey lunch, salami lunch, pizza baget, bagels and cream cheese with jelly and PB&J. Kids can open the packaging with this product (something that has been difficult with other similar products). These are good tasting to everyone — not only those looking for kosher foods. Each sell for $1.99.
JAKADA COFFEE LATTE
This is a new trend in coffee for those not willing to spend so much money at Starbucks. Folgers has come out with a refrigerated ready to drink latte. They are available in the following flavors: French Roast, Vanilla and Mocha. Each retails for .79 to $1.19.
CHEZ SIDNEY ALLIGATOR MEAT
This is a miss this year according to some experts. Year after year new exotic meats arrive on the shelves and no one needs them because they taste like chicken and they are expensive!
Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru®, analyzes the food marketing industry to keep consumers up-to-date about cutting-edge marketing trends. He is a regular “Today” show contributor, columnist for the Los Angeles Times, and host of Shopping Smart of the WOR Radio Network. For more food and health information, you can check out Phil’s Web site at: Supermarketguru.com.