SNAC International

4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8 variety in their meal replacement options. We’re seeing snack bars featuring turmeric for anti- inflammatory benefits, as well as ashwaganda for its perceived immune and brain health attributes. The snack category in general has been the home for sprouted ingredients nuts, legumes and seeds, which ease digestion and add to the nutritional profile. Some snack bars are also targeting very specific consumers, like Crafted Energy with its Runner and Cyclist Bars, which markets its cashew ingredients to ease muscle soreness. More than ever before, the growth in every category of snacks is being driven by flavor. For many snackers, there is no such thing as “too hot,” and snack producers are turning up the heat across the board. However, the true flavor innovation lies within nuance. We’re seeing super- hot and spicy being paired with sweet flavors, hints of lime, chile, chipotle adobo, cheese, and much more. We’re also seeing sweet flavors becoming more popular – fruit, chocolate, maple and nut butters. Snackers have also become more adventurous, willing to explore new flavors, and especially international flavors originating from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. One category of snacks that has especially benefitted from this flavor innovation is pretzels. Pretzel sales have reached almost $2 billion annually, growing more than 17% in the past year. Many manufacturers are experimenting with flavored pretzels, leading to increases in sales. Zapp’s, an Utz Brand (Hanover, PA), has released Voodoo flavored pretzels, a crossover from the potato chip category. Herr Foods (Nottingham, PA) has released pub style pretzels with flavors like jalapeno cheddar. Unique Snacks (Reading, PA) has developed Puffzels, a flavored snack that is shaped like a pretzel but is actually a corn-based puffed snack. Unique Snacks also produces a line of organic, Sprouted Pretzel