Veggie-packed treats; Frozen yogurt in edible packages

Shelf-stable eggs

Hormel Foods Corp. has added four breakfast options to its Compleats line of heat-and-eat microwavable meals, creating a convenient way for consumers to eat a fullbreakfast quickly at home or in the office. According to the company, two of the flavors are the first shelf-stable microwavable breakfast meals ever to contain real eggs.

“The fact that Hormel Compleats breakfast is shelf-stable is a key differentiator vs other breakfast convenience meals on the market. We use a retort process, which pressurizes and seals the product to extend shelf-life and maintain freshness and flavor,” said Jason Baskin, Senior Product Manager–Microwave Meals for Hormel. “The specific technology for this process was developed over a period of five years and helps dramatically shorten the cooking time necessary to produce great-tasting shelf-stable egg items.”

Three of the varieties contain 350 calories and 10–20 g of protein per serving, and an oatmeal option contains 160 calories and provides 3 g of fiber per serving. The complete line is available in supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide with a suggested retail price of $2.18–$2.99 per tray.

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Veggie-packed treats

Garden Lites, The Delicious Vegetable Company, recently released a line of Garden Lites Veggie Muffins that list vegetables as their primary ingredient. The individually wrapped 2 oz muffins heat up in the microwave or can be defrosted and eaten at room temperature, making them well suited to on-the-go snacking. 

“These muffins are a true innovation as there is nothing else on the market that has vegetables as the first ingredient,” said Julie Gould, Garden Lites Assistant Brand Manager.

Flavors include Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip, Carrot Berry, and Golden Corn, and each variety contains 120 calories, 5 g of fiber, and 2–4 g of fat. The line is also vegetarian, gluten-free, and Kosher Parve. The muffins are packaged in a box of four with a suggested retail price of $3.99 and can be found in the frozen section of stores nationwide. 

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Edible packaging for frozen yogurt

Stonyfield recently released its Frozen Yogurt Pearls, a line of spherical frozen yogurt balls encased within a “skin” made from real organic fruit. The Pearls are currently available in clear bags made from cellulose fiber, and the company’s goal is to create self-serve stations in retail settings that will dispense them individually into consumers’ bags or containers. According to Stonyfield, the washable skins—inspired by the skins that protect fruits in nature—were created using WikiPearl™ technology as a first step toward truly sustainable packaging. 

“Thirty years ago, we set out to make Stonyfield a truly sustainable business, and ever since, we’ve led the way with countless innovations to reduce packaging,” said Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield co-founder and Chairman. “We’ve long dreamed of the day that after you eat the yogurt, you eat the cup too. Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls are the next step in our evolution.” 

Each single-serve package contains two 0.8 fluid oz pearls. The nonfat dessert contains 40–50 calories per serving and provides live cultures that include S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, bifidus, and L. casei. The spheres are available in six flavors, including Banana-Chocolate, Peach-Vanilla, and Coconut-Chocolate, and are currently sold at Whole Foods locations in the Boston area with a suggested retail price of $3.99. 

 

 

Melanie Zanoza Bartelme,
Associate Editor
[email protected]