Food Processing Editors Pick Their Favorite New Food and Beverage Products of 2011

There's no doubt new products are the lifeblood of the industry, and consumers like to buy them, try them and talk about them. Actually, most people consider themselves experts on the subject and happily share their views with anyone who will listen.

A big part of our job at Food Processing is to compare the attributes of new foods and beverages and see what trends we can uncover. Every May, we report on SymphonyIRI Group's list of popular new products, which are based strictly on consumer sales. But once a year, we get to choose our personal favorites.

Our editorial staff, advisory board, contributing writers and readers who post their views on our website all have a chance to weigh in. So do our Putman Media colleagues who, with great anticipation, daily check our lunchroom for new products sent by you for review. And we are proud to report the staff members from our other magazines have a spectacular record of predicting retail hits and misses; after all, they consider themselves experts.

Every year the process is the same: We simply pick the products we like best, the ones we tried and found ourselves purchasing repeatedly. Only after we make our list do we look for common threads. In the past, we've picked up on health benefits, convenience, fun. Even technological advances (2008). But when we put this year's list on paper, the dominant theme appeared to be indulgence. Reese's Minis, Snickers Peanut Butter Squared, Magnum ice cream, Betty Crocker Fun da-Middles all fit that description, and Skinny Cow single-serve cups are a healthy version of indulgence.

Our collective favorites also tend to appeal to kids of all ages and make us smile, are unique, sharable and convenient -- important qualities for successful products in a difficult economy.

When it comes down to it, it wasn't difficult to find lots of tasty new products this year. So congratulations to you innovative and dedicated food product developers and marketers. Keep those great new products coming, and please send them to us (or the Food Biz kids) to review.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Sandwich Bread
Reese's Minis
Snickers Peanut Butter Squared
Magnum Ice Cream Bars
Tropicana Tropolis
Skinny Cow Low-Fat Ice Cream Cups
Orville Redenbacher's Pop Up Bowl
V8 V-Fusion
MiO
Betty Crocker Fun Da-Middles
Bertolli Premium Meal Soups For Two
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Healthy Colors
Jelly Belly Bean Chocolate Dips
Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss
Tyson Any'tizers Quesadippers
Tostitos Artisan Recipes
Lean Cuisine Spring Rolls