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Shelf life: Bulla brings Choc Tops to Coles amid cinema shutdown

In the last week of May, alcohol, coffee and chocolate are making the news in FMCG. A beverages giant rolls out a new seltzer from the US; revamped coffee capsules hit the market and a chocolate spread collaborates with an international artist on a unique artwork. Read on for Inside FMCG’s roundup of the latest industry product news.

Lion Australia distributes White Claw Hard Seltzer in Australia

FMCG giant Lion Australia has inked a deal with US alcohol brand, Mark Anthony Brands International, to exclusively distribute White Claw Hard Seltzer in Australia. Lion will unveil three flavours initially including White Claw Mango, White Claw Natural Lime and White Claw Ruby Grapefruit from October 2020, with more variants to be added in the future.

“We are thrilled to be working with Lion and excited to take the first steps with them into the emerging seltzer category in Australia. Lion has an outstanding track record of nurturing international brands to success in Australia and we look forward to working with them to introduce local consumers to White Claw Hard Seltzer,” Davin Nugent, CEO of Mark Anthony Brands International said.

James Brindley, managing director of Lion Australia said the popularity of White Claw “cannot be disputed”.

“Despite the fact the product has not actually been available in Australia up until now, it has well and truly earned its place in popular culture and is the market leader globally in this exciting new category. It is the most sought-after beverage brand in the world right now,” he said.

Brindley said the drink is “a natural fit” for Lion’s growing portfolio of adult beverages beyond the core beer range and taps into the trend for lower calorie and less sugar products.

“We believe the seltzer category represents a significant growth opportunity for Lion over the coming years and we are looking forward to bringing the biggest seltzer brand in the world to Australia,” he added.

Vittoria rolls out Nespresso-compatible capsules to Woolworths

Coffee brand Vittoria has created a range of 18 blends and single origins suitable for Nespresso original machines. The range is encased in premium aluminium capsules to ensure the freshness of the coffee with less packaging.

“Our ambition is to provide Australians with the best and freshest, locally roasted coffee in any format they choose. For capsule coffees, aluminium
serves as an excellent material to protect freshness and taste. We’re delighted to partner with Woolworths to bring this new range to market for people to use in their home Nespresso machines,” Vittoria Coffee CEO, Les Schirato said.

This range includes new coffee inspired blends Ristretto, Latte, Lungo and Piccolo as well as the return of previous iconic blends Vittoria Blend and Family Cup.  

“We’re excited to support a long-term partner and family-owned Australian company like Vittoria to ensure coffee lovers can get the cafe experience at home. Customers who purchase this new range will also be supporting OzHarvest [and] continue the great work they are doing for our community [at] this time,” Woolworths beverages category manager, Cormac Deery said.

Pitango and Sunfed Foods create a chicken-free soup

Food brand Pitango and plant-based meat company Sunfed Foods have collaborated on a new vegan chicken-free chicken soup, Pitango Sunfed Chicken Free Chicken Thai Style Soup. The high protein soup uses Sunfed chicken-free chicken, a meat alternative made from yellow pea protein.

“Sunfed is all about empowering consumers by expanding their choice. We turn protein-packed pulses into delicious meaty goodness. Sunfed offers consumers plant-based meat that has the best meaty texture on the global market and with the cleanest, most minimalist ingredient deck made from premium yellow peas,” said Shama Sukul Lee, CEO & founder of Sunfed Foods.

Pitango Sunfed Chicken Free Chicken Thai Style Soup contains vegetables simmered in coconut cream and Thai yellow curry paste.

“An increasing number of Aussies are eating at least one vegan meal each week, vegan and plant-based meals are in higher demand and variety is important. This partnership with Sunfed has allowed us to create a unique, chicken-style soup that is 100% vegan!” commented Hannah McDonald, brand manager Pitango.

Pitango Sunfed Chicken Free Chicken Thai Style Soup in 500g is sold in Coles and IGA stores nationally.

Caltex introduces sugar free FroPro ice cream

Ice cream brand FroPro is rolling out its Double Chocolate Singles to over 500 Caltex stores nationally in Australia.

“We are very thankful to Caltex for their faith in FroPro and our amazing Singles range, Caltex have shown they are the most innovative business in the Australian petrol and convenience channel offering fantastic healthy alternatives across the store. To range FroPro Singles in the impulse freezer is very exciting for us but more so for the consumer who can now choose a truly healthy indulgent ice cream on the go at Caltex nationally,” FroPro founder Ed O’Donoghue said.

He said the company vision is to always ‘treat yourself, better’ and the cold dessert is perfect for indulgence and enjoyment. FroPro Singles wants to change the way Aussies see healthy ice cream.

The FroPro’s Singles ice cream range also features Salted Caramel and Plant-Based Classic Vanilla flavours.

FroPro Singles range in 520mL tubs are sold in Woolworths nationwide and online.

Nutella Australia collabs with food artist Nathan Wyburn

Chocolate spread maker Nutella Australia has partnered with international food artist, Nathan Wyburn to make morning toasts more fun. Wyburn created three fun toast artworks which features media personality Karl
Stefanovic, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and of course, a Nutella jar. Aussies can also follow his step-by-step guide on how to make the artsy toasts at home with Nutella.

“We are thrilled to partner with Nathan to share our collective passion for food in a unique way. We know during this challenging time; Aussies have been looking for new ways to have fun at home and we hope Nathan’s incredible toast artworks will inspire people to get creative in the kitchen with their families” Rebecca Yu, brand manager for Nutella said.

Nutella also worked with Italian brand, Smeg, to offer 20 exclusive Nutella-branded Smeg white four-slice toasters everyday. Aussies can buy a specially marked jar of Nutella and follow the instructions on the packaging to enter online.

Bulla Choc Tops roll out at Coles

Ice cream maker Bulla Dairy Foods is bringing its Bulla Choc Tops to Coles supermarkets nationwide for a limited time. Due to the cinema shutdown during COVID-19 outbreak, the dessert company is making the Aussie dessert available to consumers for movie nights at home. Bulla reassigned some of its factory workers who were affected by the closure of cinemas to pack the products for Coles.

“We are thankful for the support of Coles in partnering with us to enable movie (and ice cream) lovers across the country to recreate the authentic movie night experience in their own home, complete with our Bulla Choc Tops,” Allan Hood, CEO, Bulla, said.

He said the company is still working closely with its cinema partners to ensure they are full stocked up once they are allowed to open again to the public.

“Home movie nights across Australia will get a major boost with this cinema classic and we know our customers will be very excited to add the delicious treat to their shopping list while they wait to get back to their favourite movie theatres,” Coles chief marketing officer, Lisa Ronson said.

Bulla Choc Tops flavours are available in each state including Mint, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Cookies & Cream (VIC, NSW, TAS) and Mint, Vanilla, Choc Fudge, Boysenberry (QLD, WA, SA).

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