Greek Flatbread; Iconic Beer Can; Ready-to-Eat Pasta Meals

Ready-to-eat Pasta Meals in Cartons
Pacific Foods, Tualatin, Ore., has made classic pantry staples more convenient with the launch of All Natural Pasta O’s and All Natural Mac & Cheese. A modern twist on nostalgic favorites, the new ready-to-eat pasta meals represent market firsts for their category and are made from high-quality ingredients, without the use of added colors, flavors, or preservatives. In addition to premium ingredients, the new line is packaged in 13.5-oz Tetra Recart cartons. The easy-open, retortable cartons make it simple for kids to prepare themselves—no can openers or scissors are needed. All Natural Pasta O’s feature two full servings of vegetables; carrots, celery, spinach, and beets are combined into a tomato sauce. All Natural Mac & Cheese is the first ready-to-eat, shelf-stable macaroni and cheese on the market prepared with real cheddar cheese, butter, and cream. Both pasta meal varieties are available at select natural food stores and grocers in the United States. They carry a suggested retail price of $2.99–$3.29.

High-protein Greek Flatbread
First it was Greek yogurt that boasted about its high-protein content. Now a Greek flatbread is making the same claims with higher protein, lower carbs, and fewer calories. Kontos Foods, Paterson, N.J., a manufacturer and distributor of traditional Mediterranean foods, announced the re-launch of its SmartCarb flatbread as Kontos Greek Lifestyle Flatbread. The hand-stretched flatbread has been specially formulated to appeal to protein-seeking, carb-conscious consumers who want to enjoy satisfying sandwiches, elegant appetizers, and Mediterranean-style meals as part of a healthy diet. The Kontos Greek Lifestyle Flatbread has 15 g of protein, 21 g of carbs, 8 g of dietary fiber, only 2 g of sugar, and 190 calories per serving. The product is available for both retail and foodservice in a 4-pack, 10 oz. package. “The Greek Lifestyle Flatbread has double the protein content of other flatbreads,” said Warren Stoll, Kontos Foods’ Marketing Director.

Bowtie-shaped Beer Can
Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, Mo., is rolling out a bowtie-shaped beer can that complements the Budweiser iconic bowtie logo. The proprietary can, in development since 2010, will be available only in the United States and in an 8-pack and will not replace the traditional Budweiser can. Creating the can requires a 16-step process: 10 steps to form the bottom half of the can, with an additional six steps to form the top portion. About 18 million bowtie cans were produced for the spring introduction. Due to the can’s slimmer midsection and sleek design, it holds 11.3 oz of beer and has about 137 calories, approximately 8.5 fewer calories than a traditional 12-oz can of Budweiser. “This can is certainly a conversation starter: eye-catching, easy-to-grip, trendy and—according to our research—very appealing to young adults,” said Pat McGauley, Vice President of Innovation for Anheuser-Busch. “It’s a beer can like no other.”