Helping Littles Explore Nutrition
Most parents try to improve their child’s diet with more wholesome products. Get’ems! from Gerber snacks were developed to provide nutritional benefits without compromising on flavor. Each variety features fun, interactive shapes and characters on packaging, like a butternut squash astronaut, to aid kids’ discovery in eating. All varieties are free from synthetic coloring and high-fructose corn syrup and come in multi-serve bags for sharing.
The portfolio includes Ocean World Cookies (5 oz.), which are nutrient-enriched slightly sweet treats that come in fun shapes like seashells and seahorses. The two varieties are kale-apple-blueberry and pumpkin-apple-cinnamon. Space Crackers (5 oz.) are crunchy savory treats that fuel little explorers with 40% of their daily iron and vitamin E intake to support brain development. For a cosmic snacking adventure, these crackers are shaped like the sun, a rocket and earth, and come in maple, parmesan and pizza flavors.
Roundos Puff Snack (2.25 oz.) are made with whole grain quinoa and calcium to support strong bones. They come in four sweet or savory flavors: apple cinnamon, barbeque, carrot ranch and pizza. One bag has a suggested retail price of $3.48.
Energizing Waffle Snacks
Honey Stinger, a provider of sports fueling nutrition, is growing its portfolio with Peanut Butter Energy Waffles. The new organic snack line boasts rich and creamy organic peanut butter combined with organic honey-infused filling between two soft-baked organic waffles for an energy-boosting snack that fits in your pocket.
Offered in three flavors—peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate and peanut butter strawberry—each 30g waffle contains 140-150 calories, 7-8g fat, 16-17g carbohydrates and 2-3g protein, depending on variety. This composition is designed to provide the ideal blend of nutrients for energy. The waffles can be purchased individually or in packs of six, 12 and 16.
“Peanut butter is more than a flavor. It’s a cultural staple and a nutritional powerhouse,” says John D’Alessandro, CEO of Honey Stinger. “We wanted to create something that not only tastes incredible but also fuels performance in a meaningful way. These new peanut butter waffles are a game-changer for anyone looking to stay energized, whether they’re on the trail, at the gym or just tackling their day.”
All-Natural Breakfast Sandwiches
58% of U.S. adults are eating breakfast at home and 18% are eating on the road or at work, according to a 2024 study from CivicScience. In response, Applegate is growing its morning daypart offerings with frozen Applegate Naturals Breakfast Sandwiches, the brand’s the fourth breakfast innovation in two years.
The two varieties are chicken maple breakfast sausage and egg with cheese on a biscuit; and turkey breakfast sausage and egg with cheese on an English muffin. The 100% natural meats come from animals that are humanely raised and are free from antibiotics and genetically modified ingredients. The eggs are Certified Humane. Each sandwich contains 12-14g of protein and is ready in the microwave in two minutes.
The sandwiches are sold in boxes of two for about $8.99. Applegate is also adding a pork sausage variety to its Applegate Naturals Pancake & Sausage Sticks, which was introduced in October 2024. These “heat and carry” morning meals feature a fluffy pancake wrapped around savory sausage placed on a stick. One serving provides 7g of protein.
Going Bold on Beverage Flavors
Keurig Dr Pepper continues to innovate with flavor after the very successful rollout of limited-edition Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut and Canada Dry Fruit Splash Cherry in 2024. This year’s new offerings include Dr Pepper Blackberry, the newest permanent variety from the brand, which combines the original 23 flavors of Dr Pepper with the rich sweetness of blackberry flavor. It is available nationwide in regular and zero sugar varieties across a range of pack sizes, plus fountain and frozen dispensed formats.
New 7UP Tropical layers mango and peach flavors into the original lemon and lime soda. Regular and zero sugar versions come in 12-oz. cans in 12-packs. Limited-edition A&W Ice Cream Sundae will be a nostalgic treat for the summer months. It combines the flavors of sweet vanilla ice cream with the rich indulgence of fudge flavor. It, too, will come in regular and zero sugar options in 12-oz. cans in 12-packs. On the non-carbonated side of the business, there’s new Snapple Peach Tea & Lemonade, Bai Simbu Strawberry and Bai Shala Coconut Strawberry. All three will be permanent flavors.
“Our 2025 cold beverage pipeline builds on our strong track record of delivering successful consumer-centric innovation across our portfolio of legendary brands,” says Eric Gorli, KDP’s president of U.S. refreshment beverages. “Our experts, from flavor scientists to trend spotters, have crafted a dynamic lineup across soft drinks, waters, teas and juices that will offer consumers nationwide even more choice through new fruit flavors, modern twists on familiar favorites and zero sugar options.”
Milk With Fewer Calories, Less Sugar, No Lactose
A new national study conducted by Talker Research for Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) of 2,000 U.S. adults found that 58% are welcoming back dairy in their diets after being disappointed with the price, taste and heavy processing of plant-based beverages. Many respondents believe dairy milk tastes better (66% vs. 13%), has better texture (61% vs.12%), is a better ingredient (66% vs.10%) and pairs better with meals (61% vs.12%) than plant-based beverages. The online survey was conducted Jan. 24-27, 2025.
In response, DFA is introducing Milk50 by DairyPure, a first-of-its-kind real dairy milk that contains only 50 calories per serving with 75% less sugar than fat-free skim milk. The beverage contains the same key nutrients found in other dairy milks, including 9g of protein. The new lactose-free milk comes in chocolate, original and vanilla varieties.
A serving of Milk50 is also an excellent source of calcium (20% Daily Value) and a good source of vitamin D (10%) and vitamin A (15%). Using an advanced ultra-filtration method, Milk50 removes sugar while preserving protein. With 75% of the sugar removed in Milk50, a touch of sweetness in the form of allulose is added back to achieve an ideal taste profile. The suggested retail price for a 48-oz. plastic bottle is $4.49.
Avocado Oil Provides the Crunch
Jackson’s makes better-for-you salty snacks made exclusively with avocado oil. The company has now reimagined the classic kettle chip. Crafted from non-genetically modified potatoes, these chips use Jackson’s proprietary slow-and-low technique, delivering a crispy, golden chip seasoned to perfection delivering bold flavor in every bite.
With avocado oil’s naturally rich antioxidants and better-for-you fats, these chips deliver superior crunch and fresh taste giving snackers permission to indulge without compromise. Varieties are barbecue, sea salt and sea salt vinegar. Further demonstrating the growing demand for better-for-you snacks, Instacart named Jackson’s one of the fastest-growing emerging brands of 2024, recognizing the brand’s incredible gains and growth on the platform.
“From the very beginning, our brand has been rooted in the use of premium oils, avoiding seed oils entirely, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s central to who we are,” says CEO James Marino. “Consumer awareness around healthier fats continues to grow. With a focus on clean ingredients and bold flavor, Jackson’s continues to redefine what it means to snack smarter.”
