Consumables

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Huggies earlier this month partnered on a donation of one million diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network, to be distributed to diaper banks within the National Diaper Bank Network including Cradles to Crayons of Chicago to help babies in need.

INONG, Wis. — Jack Link’s is expanding two of its lines and bringing a morning snack to consumers. The company on Thursday announced the extension of its Extra tender and Hickory Smoked Bacon lines, as well as the retail availability of its new Jack Link’s AM.

The Jack Link’s AM products are designed as a morning snack for shoppers looking for more protein in their breakfasts. The line includes four varieties — original breakfast sausage and hot and spicy breakfast sausage, as well as applewood breakfast bacon and maple-flavored breakfast bacon.

If IRI’s latest Pacesetters report on the biggest consumer packaged goods product launches in 2016 could be summed up in one message, it’s that consumers are looking for healthier options. The trend extends to consumables with 57% of food and beverage categories with healthier solutions growing faster than the sector average.

MINNEAPOLIS — Bellisio Foods on Monday announced the expansion of its EatingWell line of frozen meals. The line, developed in partnership with EatingWell magazine publisher Meredith, has added six new frozen meals to its offerings.

The new varieties are butter chicken masala, Thai style peanut chicken, French-inspired chicken, steak carne asada, gnocchi with garden vegetables and chicken and fingerling potatoes. All of new meals except the Thai style peanut chicken are gluten-free.

TAMPA, Fla. — Vintage Seltzer is ready for summer. The brand on Friday announced the introduction of two limited-edition flavors, strawberry watermelon and raspberry lemonade, both set to roll out in the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia markets on Memorial Day weekend.

"Our fans wanted to see something new and innovative from us, but with more intense flavor," Vintage brand manager Jen Driscoll said. "Vintage created the new flavors as the perfect, refreshing compliment to the warm summer months."

WASHINGTON — Mars Chocolate North America and Wrigley U.S. have announced a new commitment to creating health and well-being standards for consumers by working with the Partnership for a Healthier America and such other industry players as Nestle, Lindt, Ferrero to center the efforts on offering transparency and choice to consumers.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — As it gears up for summer, Mtn Dew is bringing together three of its most popular flavors for its latest launch, and teaming up with NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to promote the drink. Mtn Dew’s DEW-S-A combines its Code Red, White Out and Voltage flavors to create a red-white-and-blue combination of flavors, inspired by fans.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America’s M&M’s brand is bringing candy-coated caramel to consumers. The company on Thursday announced the launch of its M&M’s Caramel chocolate candies.

The company also is introducing a new caramel sidekick to join the M&M’s spokes-candies to host an experiential event in Times Square to kick off an advertising campaign. It features Caramel, voiced by comedian David Cross, who will interview the typical M&M’s cast.