“Kellogg Delights Consumers With New Products”

Posted By elissa on Mar 1, 2012 | 2 comments

My Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) newsletter showed up in my inbox today. As I scanned the list of headlines, my eye was caught by one stating “Kellogg introduces nearly two dozen products in early 2012.”

“Nearly two dozen”? Be still my heart!

There was a link to Kellogg’s press release, so rather than relying on IFT’s summary, I clicked over to the company site to check out the lineup. Here it is, in all its glory:

Krave cereal
Krave cereal is a crispy, multi-grain shell outside with smooth real chocolate inside. Available in two flavors – Chocolate and Double Chocolate – Krave is based on a cereal that is already a hit in Europe.

Crunchy Nut Caramel Nut cereal
The newest variety of Crunchy Nut features golden corn flakes drizzled with caramel and topped with real peanuts in every bite. It’s a delicious combination of sweetness, nuttiness and crunch.

Frosted Mini-Wheats Little Bites Cinnamon Roll cereal
These eight-layer shredded wheat biscuits are half the size of regular Frosted Mini-Wheats, with a light layer of frosting on one side and a delicious cinnamon sugar blend. Each serving is an excellent source of fiber and is made with 100-percent whole grain.

Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cinnamon Almond cereal
With two scoops of naturally sweet raisins and toasted bran flakes sprinkled with cinnamon and crunchy almond slices, Kellogg’sRaisin Bran Cinnamon Almond is a satisfying new option that is low in fat and an excellent source of fiber.

Special K Cracker Chips
Cheddar and South West Ranch are the newest additions to the popular lineup of Special K Cracker Chips. Each of these new chips is light, crispy and perfectly seasoned. And for 110 calories, you can have 27 chips.

Special K Granola bars
Special K Granola bars are made with wholesome rolled oats, cereal flakes and granola. They provide an impressive combination of 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber at 110 calories per serving. Available in two varieties: Dark Chocolate and Chocolately Peanut Butter. (Contains 3 grams total fat per serving)

Cheez-it® Mozzarella crackers
The popular Cheez-it crackers lineup continues to expand with the addition of the mild, creamy flavor of 100 percent real Mozzarella cheese.

Keebler Fudge Stripe Dark Chocolate cookies
This new cookie from Keebler is a dark twist on an all-time classic. It is an indulgent dark chocolate cookie dipped drizzled in dark fudge.

Keebler ® Jumbo Fudge Sticks Mint cookies
This new offering from the Keebler elves are made with layers of crispy wafers, creamy mint-flavored filling and famous Keebler fudge.

Keebler Right Bites™ White Fudge Dipped pretzels
These bite-sized pretzels are covered in a sweet white fudge coating for an indulgent sweet and salty taste, all in a convenient 100-calorie pack.

Pop-Tarts® Wild! Fruit Fusion toaster pastries
The newest Pop-Tarts toaster pastry is baked with a real fruit blend of tangy, fruity flavors on the inside, and topped with a fun yellow frosting, orange icing drizzle, and multi-colored sprinkles.

Pop-Tarts® Mini Crisps™ Brown Sugar Cinnamon
These crispy bites of real Pop-Tarts dough with baked-in cinnamon flavor bits and topped with brown sugar cinnamon icing come in a convenient 100-calorie pack.

Carr’s® Flat Bread crackers
The latest addition to the Carr’s cracker portfolio is restaurant-style flatbreads that are perfect for gourmet toppings and elegant entertaining occasions. Two varieties are available: Salt & Cracked Pepper and Blended Seed.

Eggo® Wafflers
Wafflers are tear-apart waffle bars that toast up crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are designed to be eaten right out of the toaster with no syrup required and come in Brown Sugar Cinnamon Roll and Strawberry Strudel flavors.

Eggo® Protein Original waffles
New Eggo ProteinOriginal waffles are a good source of protein with 8 grams in each two-waffle serving.

Simply Eggo™ waffles
New Simply Eggo waffles are made with no preservatives, artificial flavoring or coloring. They are crispy and fluffy with the taste and texture consumers love.

Eggo® Homestyle Low Fat waffles
These Eggo waffles offer the same great Homestyle taste and texture, but with 50 percent less fat.

Morningstar Farms® Meal Starter® veggie meatballs
Morningstar Farms veggie meatballs provide classic beef flavor, seasoned with garlic, onion and black pepper. They are a smart option for consumers looking to reduce their meat consumption and are an ideal substitute in consumers’ favorite recipes.

What do you see here? I see mostly junk. Kellogg thinks differently, however…

“These products reflect our commitment to invest in the future and our clear insight into the needs of consumers,” said Davidson.

Yup, consumers really, really need even more sugary breakfast cereals, cookies, bars and snack crackers! If the company’s “clear insight” was any clearer, it would be clairvoyant!

Sarcasm intended… what Kellogg calls “innovation” looks like “same old, same old” to me.

IMHO, Kellogg’s press release should have been titled “Business as Usual” – apparently the “future” the company is investing in is exactly like the present. And the present already has far too many junk/convenience/snack foods.