Fruit and nut shots
RM Curtis, a specialist in the dried fruit, nuts and seeds ingredients sector, is adding genuine innovation to the healthy snacking market with the launch of its Snacking Essentials Shot Pack range of dried fruits, nuts and seeds, with each 25g pack containing around 100 calories.
The four-strong range is available now to the on and off-trade and includes Snacking Essentials: Pomegranate Promise, containing a selection of berries including pomegranate berries, raisins, sultanas, cranberries and blueberries (only 81 calories); Fruit & Nut Fusion, which contains whole crunchy hazelnuts, almonds, cranberries and raisins (only 107 calories); Choccy Orange Cheer, an indulgent blend of dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and orange-infused sultanas (just 95 calories); and Sinless Seeds (only 86 calories), which is a scrumptious mix of barberries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and raisins.
Each calorie-controlled portion is packaged in the UK’s first horizontal Shot Pack, designed to be merchandised alongside cereal bars, chocolate bars and other snacks with the same landscape-shaped packs, as a healthier alternative. The packs carry an RSP of 59p. A ‘Tear Here’ indication line allows consumers to open the pack along the side, as with a cereal bar.
Peter Felix, commercial director for Snacking Essentials, says: “We are extremely excited to be launching our Snacking Essentials Shot Packs range of fruit, nuts and seeds, offering consumers a healthier, yet indulgent, innovative alternative to the established range of confectionery currently on the market.
“We believe the new snack shot packs mark a turning point when healthy products can compete alongside confectionery such as chocolate bars for the first time.
“Our consumer research found that while there are a number of larger sharing bags of fruits, nuts and seeds on the market, sharing bags are not always being shared. Twelve per cent of consumers admit to eating a sharing bag of confectionery by themselves in one sitting. Likewise, 60 per cent of consumers say that manufacturers should reduce the size of products and keep the price the same (Harris data, 2015).
“We developed the Snacking Essentials shot packs in response to this consumer demand. The new range helps consumers to look after themselves and avoid temptation with its single-portion calorie-controlled packs, while at the same time delivering 100 per cent on taste.”
