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Gourmet Food

Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk – Can Brits Take the Heat? (Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink)

Forget your deep-fried Mars bar or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the latest crazy culinary combo doing the rounds in the United Kingdom is milk and crisps.

The newest snack brand from PepsiCo, Extra Flamin’ Hot went on sale in the United Kingdom last week.  Maybe. The hot new flavor, available across the Walkers MAX, Doritos and Wotsits Crunchy range, has been given “spicy” reviews by some snack lovers for whom the heat has proved too much.

To douse rising temperatures, bosses have decided to sell milk miniatures alongside the snacks … although readers should bear in mind that the news is being released on April Fools Day where members of the public, alongside organizations and brands, play pranks on the public.

The Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk will hit the shelves Monday April 1, and be on sale for “as long it takes for the British taste buds to mature to the spice”, said Dalila Fops Roy, head of brand innovation.

With its spice-neutralizing properties, milk was chosen as an antidote to the heat of Extra Flamin’ Hot crisps.

Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk“Milk contains a protein called casein, which can break down capsaicin in the same way that soap cuts through grease,” said Dr. Paolo Salify, director of heat transference.

To accompany the April Fools prank, Extra Flamin’ Hot has undertaken (real) research to show the parts of the country that can handle the heat of the spicy new snack. It shows that those from Glasgow are the biggest lovers of spice in the United Kingdom, with two thirds (67 percent) claiming to either like or love spicy food. Meanwhile those in Belfast, Northern Ireland, like it the least – 41 percent have either a low, or no tolerance to spicy food.

“We have been considering a milk miniature to sell alongside Extra Flamin’ Hot Wotsits Crunchy, Doritos and Walkers MAX for some time,” Salify said. “With the arrival of this new data, we decided to expedite that decision and get it on the shelves as quickly as possible.”

Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk will go on sale initially in Belfast, and a nationwide roll out is expected to come in the coming days and weeks … or not!

Happy April Fools Day from your friends at Gourmet News.

NatureSweet Named Official Snacking Vegetable of Little League

As local Little League programs around the world are gearing up and celebrating their Opening Days, NatureSweet is teaming up with Little League for an exciting season as “The Official Snacking Vegetable of Little League Baseball and Softball.”

“We are thrilled to work with our partners at NatureSweet as we continue to find new ways to provide all our families with a fun, healthy, and memorable Little League experience,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League executive vice president and chief marketing and business relationship officer. “As a community-based program, we are excited to align with NatureSweet’s commitment to providing a positive social, environmental, and economic impact within its communities and look forward to partnering with them through 2025.”

As the No. 1 selling snacking tomato brand in the country and an industry leader in greenhouse-grown vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, NatureSweet is committed to supporting the thousands of local Little League programs across the United States. As part of its support, NatureSweet will include the Little League brand on its product packaging and is also launching a campaign this year called “Dugout Delights,” which provides families and local leagues with suggestions on iconic snacks they can add to their lineup this season.

In addition to year-round support at the local level, NatureSweet will also be a part of the unique experience within the World Series Fan Zone at the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in August.

“America’s favorite snacking tomato brand is the perfect tasty treat to enjoy while watching America’s favorite pastime,” says Sergio Trujillo, NatureSweet’s Brand Manager of Snacking Tomatoes. “Our fresh produce snacking line of bite-sized tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers are healthy and convenient treats that nurture developing minds and bodies. We’re thrilled to announce our official sponsorship with Little League as ‘The Official Snacking Vegetable of Little League Baseball and Softball,’ and we are dedicated to aligning both our commitments to providing a positive impact within communities and supporting thousands of Little League programs across the nation.”

For more than 75 years, Little League has partnered with major corporations on a national level to help keep the costs for our local Little Leagues to a minimum, offer unparalleled benefits to those member leagues, support the social impact initiatives of the organization and its local communities, and provide the necessary funding and resources to support local leagues at the grassroots level. Sponsors help leagues operate smoothly, provide training resources for coaches, offset expenses for educational initiatives, offer grant programs for leagues in need, assist in supporting tournament costs, and provide opportunities and knowledge in fundraising, operations, nutrition, and safety. In short, sponsors provide access and opportunities so that local leagues may offer the best programs possible, helping ensure that players and volunteers can have a fun and rewarding Little League experience while supporting their community.

To learn more about what NatureSweet can offer to local leagues, as well as what all of Little League’s Official Sponsors can provide, visit LittleLeague.org/Sponsors. Additionally, to learn more about the 2024 Little League World Series events, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries and download the World Series app in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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Season Gives Expo West First Look at New Tuna Line, Rebranding

With a legacy spanning more than 100 years in delivering the highest quality tinned fish, Season reveals a pioneering leap into the future at this year’s Expo West. In a milestone move, the brand is set to introduce an innovative tuna product that promises to redefine industry standards, unveiling a vibrant new brand identity that honors its rich heritage while embracing the future.

As Season embarks on a new chapter, it continues to marry tradition with innovation. The launch of a new tuna product line, combined with a dynamic rebrand, marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s history.

“This dual launch is not just about expanding our product portfolio or refreshing our look—it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the evolution of our brand in meeting the contemporary needs of our consumers,” said Meriem Wadghiri, CEO of Season.

The new Season tuna line is poised to set a benchmark for quality, taste, and sustainability within the seafood industry. Crafted to meet the discerning tastes of modern consumers, this addition exemplifies Season’s dedication to innovation and its promise to deliver only the best. The new tuna product is a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of perfection, offering a taste experience that is both authentic and forward-thinking.

For the first time, the brand specializing in sardines and other small but mighty fish will unveil its all-new jarred yellowfin tuna fillets. Officially rolling out this spring and summer, Season brings its same unrivaled standards in sustainability, vetting only the best quality cuts, filleting and packaging incredible flavor to this exciting, breakthrough product. Available in both olive oil and spring water, customers can look for the same iconic Season Sea Maiden – just jarred.

Accompanying the launch of the exciting tuna range, Season proudly introduces a refreshed brand identity, including a new logo and packaging design. This rebranding effort celebrates the company’s storied past while steering it into a future filled with possibilities. The new visual identity captures the essence of Season’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and the deep-rooted values that have guided it for over a century.

At this year’s Expo West, Season invites attendees, food connoisseurs, and industry experts to booth #416 for an exclusive first look at the groundbreaking tuna jars and the unveiling of the brand’s vibrant new identity, demonstrating how the brand is stepping boldly into the future, carrying forward the legacy of quality and innovation that has been the hallmark of Season for generations.

The Sea Maiden, named Mira, remains the face of the company, undergoing a revitalized look that tells the story of women pioneers in the seafood business. Mira stands as the Season ambassador, ensuring consumers of a superior product through trust and guidance. The new logo and packaging is more than a visual change. It’s a celebration of Season’s rich heritage, a modern tribute to the enduring trust and unwavering dedication that has been the backbone of the brand, and an ongoing pledge to not just meet, but exceed consumer expectations. It – along with the booth itself – will reflect the bright future with an unmissable, eye-catching yellow background.

For additional information about Season, explore their website online and follow the brand’s journey @seasonbrandofficial on Instagram.

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