Wonka introduces Shockers Squeez

Last year Wonka (part of Nestle) brought out a tube version of SweeTarts two most popular flavors: Cherry & Green Apple. Now they've released an even more tart version under their line called Shockers.

Shockers Squeez comes in two flavors: Mouth-Blastin’ Berry and Tongue-Trippin’ Lemon.

The little plastic tubes feature a flip top that allows dispensing onto other candies or directly into the mouth.

The 1.5 ounce tubes have a retail price of $.99 and should be available in stores in September.

Consumer's Corner got a preview of the new product and now Candy Blog's review of both flavors.

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Pringles Stix

I'm unsure what makes these new snack sticks from Pringles worthy of the Pringles name.

• They're not made from potatoes.
• They don't stack.
• They don't come in a tube.

But here you have it, the newest snack in their line (and not only that, the packs boast less than 100 calories per pouch). Pringles Stix Baked Wheat Crispy Cracker Sticks are running a launch promotion with Nintendo's Wii game platform and claim to have you "snacking to a whole new beat." Check out their website to find details on the contest and in-store events at Wal-Marts in the South from late August through early October.

Current varieties include: Crunchy Wheat, Honey Butter, Pizza, and Vanilla. They come in packages of 10 and weigh 6.8 ounces. All 4 varieties are said to have less than 100 calories per pack and to have zero trans fat.

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Pop Weaver introduces Butter Flavored Popcorn without Diacetyl

Pop Weaver, the largest popcorn manufacturer in the world, has introduced a new line of flavored microwave popcorn that contains no diacetyl.

Diacetyl has been found to cause a chronic and ultimately fatal lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, in factory workers and may also be a health concern for people who buy and regularly consume microwave popcorn. The disease is now referred to as Popcorn Workers Lung.

"We follow strict safety guidelines in manufacturing our products, so we've had no incidents among our associates related to diacetyl exposure," said Mike Weaver, president of Weaver Popcorn Company, Inc., which makes Pop Weaver popcorn. "However, we know consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about this issue, so we've taken it out of our flavorings. It was a challenge to eliminate diacetyl from our flavorings and still maintain the great buttery taste that consumers love, but we've done it." Consumer research substantiates that the new flavoring features the same great buttery taste that consumers love.

See full press release and their official website.

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Bubbie's Mochi - Melon Flavors

Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts, Inc. has always had its ardent admirers which was propelled even further last year when Oprah Winfrey featured Bubbie's Mochi on the O List.

Bubbie's already has an extensive list of flavors for their premiumly-priced Mochi (a dollop of ice cream covered in a glutinous rice skin).

They've now introduced two new classically-Asian flavors: Honeydew and Cantaloupe.

The stuff isn't cheap online at $48 for 16 pieces. It is often found in smaller packages in Whole Foods and other premium grocery stores (though not usually in all flavors). Kosher and all natural.

Official site.

More on the rise in popularity of ice cream mochi in the US.

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Burger King Ketchup & Fries Snack

The Inventure Group, who would like to be known for their Intensely Different (tm) products, has teamed up with Burger King.

Their new product is being promoted as a Burger King snack item that can be purchased outside of the fast food outlets and are free of trans fats.

They potato-based chips come in a two flavors including the Ketchup & Fries (in fry shapes), Flame Broiled Burger (in chip shapes).

Packages range from 2 ounce, 3 oz. and 5 oz. in stores as well as a a 1 oz. 100 calorie pack for vending machines.

Official Burger King website (which makes no mention of these things) and a Consumerist.com post from last month that does. Here's the original press release ... I'd like to work someplace where my email address I put on press releases ends with whopper.com.

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M&Ms introduces Limited Edition Razzberry

M&Ms is introducing their first widely-available fruit flavored M&M in a limited edition issue called M&M’S Razzberry Chocolate Candies.

They should be available now and "They will reach their peak in September and October," according to the official M&Ms fact sheet on the product.

Their press sheet also said:

M&M’S® Razzberry Chocolate Candies are now in stores as a limited edition for only six weeks. They are offered in single 1.50 oz., 11.8 oz. and 18.6 oz. packaging for $.55, $2.96 and $4.39 SRP.

I'm not sure how strongly they suggest that retail price of 55 cents for a single pack of M&Ms, it's been at least 10 years since I've seen them sold for that as a regular price (though three for a dollar sales aren't uncommon).

M&Ms tried special editions of their candies in gourmet flavors such as Cherry Almondine and Vanilla Crisp, which are sold at the official M&Ms World stores and Target.

Official webpage.

Anyone see them? Try them? Like them?

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Nabisco Golden Harvest Toasted Chips

Nabisco is hopping on the healthier snack bandwagon with their new Garden Harvest Tasted Chips which supply a half serving of vegetables in each 120 calorie serving along with being made with 100% whole grains.

(Still, their snack chips ... better than potato chips but probably not better than eating a raw zucchini.)

Garden Harvest Toasted Chips are available in four flavorful varieties including Tomato Basil, Vegetable Medley, Apple Cinnamon and Banana. Real pieces of carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, onions, spinach and other vegetables are blended together to season the Tomato Basil and Vegetable Medley chips for a satisfying, savory snack, while the real pieces of apples and bananas in the Apple Cinnamon and Banana varieties, respectively, provide a lightly-sweet tasting option.

Garden Harvest Toasted Chips are available in six-ounce re-closeable bags at a suggested retail price of $2.99 each.

You can sign up for a free sample on their website. (Read the fine print though.)

Press release & Official Website

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Sour QBZ

WarHeads have long been known as one of the sourest candies around.

The new product in their line, WarHeads QBZ Sour Fruit Chews are a new chewy version of their tongue-blisteringly tart offerings.

The plastic bags feature Green Apple, Strawberry, Blue Raspberry & Watermelon cube candies. The literature states "bite-sized, sour-coated cubes don't stick to teeth like many chewy candies."

On the package's sour meter, these only rate a simple sour, which means that most mortals can enjoy a few of them before experiencing mouth discomfort.

Made by Impact Confections, Inc.

Official website.

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Entenmann's Little Bites

Entenmann's has added new flavors to their line of 100 calorie pouch packages.

The Oatmeal Raisin Square cookies are sold in an 8-count boxes. Their Little Bite Muffin line also got a new variety with the Banana Chocolate Chip variety in a 5-count pouch.

Little Bites Popem Donut Balls come in two new flavors ... Lemonade and Bubble Gum in 5-count pouches. (Bubble gum donuts?)

All pastries and cookies are "0 grams of trans fat". No word on the retail price but my guess is about twice what you'd pay for a regular sized package.

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2 Tape Worms

Kandy Kastle has introduced a new line of gummi novelty candies.

2 Tape Worms Gummy String Candy are packaged in round plastic dispenser disks. They hold 1.41 oz. (40g) of gummi string candy. Each package holds 6 feet of each of the two strings.

The flavors of the strings alternate between Green Apple, Strawberry and Mango and are tart. (At least that's what I think they do ...)

Retail price is $1.00, look for them at convenience and drug stores.

Kandy Kastle makes a variety of novelty candy items, my personal favorite was the introduction of Lightning Bugs, which are little glowworm gummis that can be picked up with a pair of plastic tongs with an LED that activates when a piece of candy is grasped. (Review here)

Kandy Kastle Website

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Jones Soda Launches 4C

Jones Soda Co. has launched 24C, a line of vitamin-enhanced waters and powdered drink mixes.

The non-carbonated drinks are high in vitamin C and other water soluble essential vitamins, antioxidants & electrolytes.

Every bottle or powdered mix packet of 24C provides up to 2,000 percent of the daily value of vitamin C, 125 percent of vitamin A, 63 percent of vitamin B2, 63 percent of vitamin B3, 500 percent of vitamin B6 and 500 percent of vitamin B12.

While Jones Soda converted to all cane sugar for their carbonate drinks, the 4C line currently lists crystalline fructose as their sweetener.

Current flavors are: Tropical Citrus, Peach Mango, Berry Pomegranate, Lemon Lime, Mandarin Orange and Cranberry Apple flavors.

See the Jones Soda 4C page for more info.

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Nesquik at Room Temperature

Nestle has introduced an extension to their ready-to-drink chocolate milk line with the new Nesquik Chocolate Low Fat Milk.

It looks just the Nesquik already available in stores, but these bottles are shelf stable, so there's no need for refrigeration. Just store in the pantry until you need them, then refrigerate and drink (or pour over ice).

The drinks are made with 1% fat milk and contain dairy calcium as well as being fortified with Vitamin A & D.

The 8 ounce bottles have a resealable top and are available in traditional Chocolate or Strawberry. They keep on the shelf for 180 days.

I've tried shelf stable milk before (something everyone should have on hand for emergencies if you're a milk consumer) and found it didn't taste quite right, but combining it with lotsa sugar and cocoa might make it more palatable.

Visit the Nesquik site for more info. Nestle also has a strange site called LactoseTolerance.org ... which I think is rather charming in its message that we should accept milk in any and all colors and flavors.

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Chili Nutter'z

The company B-More Nutz has introduced mild flavored Chili Nutter'z. (Awwww, isn't that cute, a chili pepper is the apostrophe!)

The snack features a core of a Spanish peanut with a crispy crunchy coating flavored with a light touch of mild chili.

They available 3 oz. (85g) bags with a retail price of $1.99.

According to the B-More Nutz website they're currently available in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia as well as directly from the company via their webstore.

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