Leftovers are a collection of interesting product ideas that have caught our attention. From innovative concepts to unique offerings, we sift through our inbox to bring you some of the most intriguing leftovers.
Mars is joining the trend of freeze-dried foods with their latest creation – M&M’s Pop’d Caramel. This new take on the iconic candy promises a light and crispy texture that adds a new dimension to the classic treat. Following the success of Skittles Pop’d, Mars-owned M&M’s is set to launch this exciting new product.
According to Martin Terwilliger, Vice President of Marketing at Mars Wrigley North America, M&M’s Pop’d Caramel offers a fresh and fun twist on the beloved candy, combining flavors and textures in an unexpected way. With non-chocolate candy sales reaching $12.9 billion in the past year, there is a growing demand for treats that offer unique textures and flavor combinations, especially among Generation Z and millennials.
M&M’s Pop’d Caramel will first be available online and on TikTok Shop starting November 10, with a nationwide rollout planned for January 2026.
In the realm of snacks, Ortega is adding a cheesy twist to their taco shells with the launch of Cheez-It Flavored Taco Shells. B&G Foods, the company behind the popular cracker brand, has fused the cheesy flavor of Cheez-It with the crunch of Ortega Hard Taco Shells to create a delicious and innovative taco shell experience.
Chris Kirwin, Brand Director of B&G Foods, emphasizes the company’s commitment to making taco night extraordinary with the introduction of Ortega Cheez-It Flavored Taco Shells. Available at Target and select retailers nationwide, these new taco shells are set to expand to more grocery stores in the coming months.
Taco collaborations have been a hit in the snacking world, with Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos and Cheez-It collaborations garnering significant success. Companies like Mondelēz International and Hershey are also tapping into the trend of combining popular brands to create new and exciting products, as seen with Reese’s Oreo Cups and Oreo Reese’s Cookies.
In a surprising partnership, actors Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have teamed up to launch nonalcoholic beer and coffee brands – Bero and Happy, respectively. The two companies are releasing Bero Coffee Draught and Eternal Hoptimist ground coffee, each offering unique flavor profiles that cater to a diverse audience.
Holland and Downey, known for their roles in the Marvel superhero franchise, have ventured into the beverage industry with Bero and Happy. While Holland founded Bero with Grant Wood to create alcohol-free beer from the start, Downey partnered with Craig Dubitsky to establish Happy as a versatile coffee brand available in various formats.
Celebrities like Ben Stiller and Charlie Sheen have also entered the beverage market with their own brands, adding to the growing landscape of celebrity-backed products. As the industry continues to evolve, collaborations and unique offerings are key to standing out in a competitive market.
Overall, these innovative products and partnerships showcase the creativity and diversity present in the food and beverage industry, catering to evolving consumer preferences and tastes.