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Shelf life: the latest FMCG product innovations to hit the market

With the COVID-19 outbreak meaning consumers must stay home, FMCG manufacturers continue to innovate to meet the changing needs of shoppers.

Here’s our weekly roundup of some of the latest FMCG products to hit the market.

Rekorderlig Cider rolls out Botanicals range

Coca-Cola Amatil’s Rekorderlig Cider has unveiled a Botanicals product to be enjoyed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Botanicals is a herb-infused drink with fruit flavours including Peach-Basil and Grapefruit-Rosemary. The drink contains 80 calories per bottle. Peach-Basil has a fresh tangy flavour with peach fragrance and light basil notes. Grapefruit-Rosemary is a mild citrus grapefruit flavour,with fresh rosemary notes.

“We are committed to supporting Australian businesses who are finding new ways of operating in this climate, Rekorderlig Botanicals offers something new and refreshing for those looking to enjoy while at home,” Elle Lewis, brand manager of Rekordelig Cider said.

“Our new Botanicals range has been designed to complement the existing range with 70% of Rekorderlig drinkers expressing interest in the new range in addition to what they usually buy. The new 250ml slim line can format, which is also lower in sugar, speaks to the Australian consumer’s desire when it comes to alcoholic beverages.”

Lewis said there is growing demand in Australia for more “complex flavours” and for healthier alcoholic beverages. The new Botanicals range is now available in a 4 x 250ml pack from Dan Murphy’s stores nationwide.

Cadbury reinvents packaging and brings back Dairy Milk Marble

Chocolate brand Cadbury has revealed a new look inspired by founder John Cadbury, with a modern twist to the popular chocolate blocks. The new look includes a redrawn Cadbury wordmark, new iconography and typography. The Cadbury wordmark was inspired by the hand of John himself and given a contemporary edge. The packaging launches this month in Australia, followed by South Africa and Malaysia later this year, and will launch in other international markets in early 2021.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Marble will be the first chocolate block to have the new packaging. The Marble chocolate block returns to stores nationally from April 17 following consumer demand on social media.

“Given the uncertain and unfamiliar times, we’re glad to bring a little happiness and nostalgia by relaunching the classic favourite to those around the country who have been asking us to bring Marble back. John Cadbury believed in generosity and the special bonding of people – through a simple block of chocolate. It seems fitting that we’re launching the new Cadbury Dairy Milk packaging to reflect this founding principle of generosity and authenticity at such a challenging time,” Paul Chatfield, director of chocolate marketing at Mondelez Australia, said.

Maxibon and Dare fuse coffee and ice-cream

Ice cream Maxibon and Lion Dairy & Drink’s brand Dare have collaborated on two new product mash-ups. The first of the Maxi-Dare products features Maxibon Ice Cream on a Dare Iced Coffee creamy slab, swirled with coffee syrup. While Dare’s Maxibon Latte mixes classic Maxibon Vanilla ice cream and its iconic chocolate biscuit with Dare Iced Coffee.

“There’s an army of devoted Maxibon fans out there, and we know they’re going to be eager to get their hands on both products. Whether it’s a pre-work caffeine hit or an afternoon pick me up – we’ve got our fans covered at both ends of the day,” Andrea Hamori, head of marketing at Peters Ice Cream said.

Darryn Wallace, marketing & innovation director at Lion Dairy & Drinks said the collaboration gives consumers “choice when it comes to getting the mental fix they need to be their best”.

The new Maxi-Dare Editions are available exclusively at 7-Eleven stores in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA for a three-month period and at OTR stores in SA from May 1.

Mountain Dew inspires latest Doritos snack

PepsiCo owned brands Doritos and Mountain Dew have come together for a limited-edition product. The new snack features the lemon and citrus flavour of Mountain Dew mixed with the corn crunch of Doritos.

“We are excited to be launching this global first for Doritos here in Australia. Aussie consumers are the first in the world to have the chance to try this unique new product that needs to be tasted, to be believed. To create this unique flavour, we partnered with our beverages and research and development teams to ensure we got the flavour just right – and we think our consumers are going to love the result!” Doritos brand manager, Eric Burke, said.

The product launch is supported via a social and digital campaign, as well as in-store activations.

Doritos – Mountain Dew is now available in 7-Eleven stores nationwide and Costco supermarkets. It is also set to launch nationally across grocery and petrol and convenience stores in mid-July.

Roar & Tonic unveils kombucha yoghurt

Australian-made Roar & Tonic has launched a kombucha yoghurt for consumers seeking probiotic yoghurts.

“Roar & Tonic contains fifteen strains of live cultures including the Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 probiotic,” said Roar & Tonic creator Marina Shufrin.

According to Israeli startup, Tastewise, there is a surge for global internet searches for “kombucha” with 55 per cent rise due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We fast-tracked our Roar & Tonic range to make it available for people looking to stock up on healthy and refreshing dairy options. Our kombucha yoghurts bring something new and unique to dairy,” said Shufrin.

Roar & Tonic comes in four new flavours including Original Jasmine, Mango Hibiscus, Raspberry Lime and Ginger Lemon. It is now available in IGA stores in Western Australia and will launch throughout the rest of Australia later this year.

Beforeyouspeak Coffee creates ready-to-drink product

Beforeyouspeak Coffee has launched a ready-to-drink, cold press coffee, with a sugar free caramel flavour version to follow. The drink is infused with MCT oil, Siberian ginseng, green coffee bean extract, turmeric and black pepper.

“Our idea was to add superfood infusions to instant coffee to maximize the benefits and improve an individual’s health, well being and performance. At first the product really resonated with the fitness community due to the superfoods we included in the sachets. We then launched a collagen product in 2018 which allowed us to enter into the beauty space too,” said Beforeyouspeak co-founder/director Jaryd Terkelsen.

The cold press technology used makes it different from the typical cold brew and is still “relatively new to the market”. He said that unlike other brewing methods, cold press coffee “yields a greater number of compounds in the liquid concentrate”, giving an explosion of flavour to the palate that is still smooth.

Beforeyouspeak ready-to-drink Cans are sold in health food stores and independent supermarkets.

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