News Briefs

Planters is getting a jump start on the holiday season by unveiling its new limited-edition launch—Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Cashews. 

The introduction features kettle-roasted cashews and contain notes of cocoa and marshmallow. 

In addition, Planters shared that its Butter Cinnamon Pecans, Brittle Nut Medley, Holiday Nut Crunch and Winter Spiced Mix would be making a comeback for the 2024 holiday season. 

“Here at the Planters brand, we pride ourselves on creating quality snacking products to be shared with others, especially during the holidays," said Shannon Kelly Fike, brand manager for the Planters brand. “We’re excited for fans to try the new Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Cashews as they reacquaint themselves with the warm, inviting flavors of the winter months.”

Planters Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Cashews retail for $4.99 and are available for purchase at retailers nationwide. 

Celsius’ Essentials line of beverages is adding two new flavors to its lineup—watermelon ice and grape slush. 

Since its debut at the 2023 NACS Show, the Celsius Essentials line has grown to now include eight flavors. 

Each 16-oz. beverage is made up of the Metaplus blend and added aminos to help support physical and cognitive performance, the brand shared. 

Both new launches will be available for purchase at retailers in early 2025. 

Nature’s Truth recently shared that its Elderberry Gummies received the Immunity Essentials award from Taste of Life. 

“Our Elderberry Gummies stand out not only for their quality ingredients, but for their delicious flavor,” said Kimberly Vigliante, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nature’s Truth.

The product contains the equivalent of 400 mg of sambucus elderberry fruit extract, as well as vitamin C and zinc, the brand noted. 

Each year for its Immunity Essentials Awards, Taste for Life reviews the products and supplements that people may be drawn to during cold and flu season and create a list of those they find to be the most outstanding.

Post Consumer Brands is paying homage to several upcoming holidays with several limited-edition cereals making a return. 

Cereals that consumers can be on the lookout for include: 

• Halloween Fruity Pebbles: Returning in updated packaging, it contains orange and purple flakes; 
• Winterfest Fruity Pebbles with Marshmallows: Featuring seasonal red and green flakes, it now includes snowball-shaped marshmallows; and 
• Frosted Honey Bunches of Oats: Made with frosted flakes that contain oats and a hint of honey. 

All three launches are available at retailers nationwide for a limited time. 

Chocolate brand Hu is introducing its new snack-size bars, which come in a dark and milk chocolate variety. 

The 30 g bars are half the size of a regular Hu chocolate bar and are ideal for convenience and portability, per the brand. 

"We are incredibly excited about what's ahead for Hu with our new innovations," said Jordan Brown, co-founder of Hu. "The new Snack-Size bars are designed to fit perfectly into our consumers' busy lives, providing a more convenient option without compromising the delicious, nostalgic taste our fans have loved about Hu chocolate since our start in 2012."

The snack sized salty dark chocolate and simple milk chocolate bars are rolling out to Whole Foods Market shelves nationwide and select Wawa locations. 

Mucinex Children’s is helping parents find cough relief for their little ones with its new Mighty Chews. 

This over-the-counter medicated soft chew for cough relief is formulated for kids and contains active ingredients that help temporarily relieve cough symptoms, per the brand. 

“Parents go through great lengths to get their kids to take liquid medicine, often leaving them feeling concerned, frustrated and guilt-ridden,” says Mark Pearson, vice president of marketing for the health business at Reckitt. “With the introduction of Mucinex Mighty Chews, we're providing guilt-free relief for parents and fuss-free cough relief for children—a first-of-its-kind option for getting kids to take medication in a format they want so they can feel better quickly.”

Made for children aged six years old and older, Mucinex Children’s Mighty Chews come in a mixed berry flavor for daytime and nighttime that offers four hours of relief.