General Mills launches summer line-up

General Mills has unveiled its line-up of new products set to debut this summer.  Leading this collection is a host of new products that the company says align with growing consumer interest in wellness, including new Yoplait Plenti, Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli, and Annie’s organic soups. “General Mills has been growing for more than […]

General Mills has unveiled its line-up of new products set to debut this summer.  Leading this collection is a host of new products that the company says align with growing consumer interest in wellness, including new Yoplait Plenti, Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli, and Annie’s organic soups.

“General Mills has been growing for more than a century, constantly innovating and investing to meet changing consumer needs,” said Ken Powell, General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As we enter fiscal 2016, we are keenly aware of our consumers changing food preferences. This presents a tremendous opportunity to create growth for General Mills,” We remain deeply committed to following our consumers and adapting our portfolio to their tastes and interests.”

General Mills notes that, around the world, consumers are focused on wellness and have new interests in products make with simple ingredients, foods free from gluten, natural and organic foods, foods that deliver more fiber, more protein and more whole grain, and foods free from artificial ingredients.  General Mills is responding to these evolving consumer preferences with:

Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli – A blend of simple ingredients including toasted oats, sun flower seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, toasted coconut, almonds and pumpkin seeds, new Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli can be eaten plain, with milk or yogurt.  Each quarter-cup serving has less than 5 grams of sugar. Available in Original or Blueberry flavours in the U.S., and Field Berry and Coconut Almond varieties in Canada.

Yoplait Plenti – This new line from Yoplait combines Greek Yogurt with whole grain oats, flax and pumpkin seeds. With 12 grams of protein in each cup, Yoplait Plenti is available in eight flavours including blueberry, black cherry, coconut, peach raspberry, spiced apple, strawberry and vanilla.

Annie’s organic soups – Annie’s introduces its new organic soup line in flavours like Star Pasta & Chicken Soup, Tomato Soup, Creamy Tomato & Bunny Pasta Soup, Bunny Pasta & Chicken Broth Soup and Creamy Carrot & Bunny Pasta.

Food Should Taste Good Real Good Bars – The bars combine large, whole nuts, seeds and real fruit pieces with fair trade chocolate and spices like Madagascar vanilla, shaved coconut and chai. Food Should Taste Good Real Good Bars are gluten free and contain no-GMOs, no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars – Made with whole nuts, seeds, honey, tapioca syrup and sea salt, these naturally gluten-free bars come in two varieties: Almond, Cashew & Sea Salt, and Roasted Peanut & Honey.

Cheerios Plus—In Canada, Cheerios Plus combines toasted Cheerios with granola clusters mixed with protein or flax seed. Available in Cinnamon Coconut and Honey Almond.

Yoplait O’Fruit – In China, this drinkable yogurt has big fruit pieces that require an extra-large straw to drink. It is one of three different lines of Yoplait launching this summer in China, which also includes Perle de lait, a thick and creamy French style yogurt, and Panier de fruits, a fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt.

The company has also announced significant moves to update the recipes for existing products in the U.S. including reducing sugar in Yoplait Original by 25%.  In February, General Mills said it would make the most popular flavours of Cheerios gluten-free, thanks to the company’s newly developed technology that separates its oats, which are naturally gluten-free, from other gluten-containing grains that find their way into the oat supply.

Last month, General Mills announced it would remove artificial flavours and colours from artificial sources in Big G cereals, replacing these ingredients with fruit and vegetable juices and spice extracts.  75% of the Big G portfolio will meet this claim by January with the remainder by the end of calendar year 2017.

While consumers are increasingly interested in wellness, they are also seeking contemporary solutions to help save time in the kitchen, General Mills says.

“Many millennials enjoy cooking and are interested bringing ethnic, international flavors to meal time,” said Jeanine Bassett, vice president of Consumer Insights at General Mills. “They cook from scratch less often than previous generations and look to convenient short cuts that not only satisfy their desire to cook, but also allow them to put dinner on the table in 20 to 30 minutes.”

General Mills is introducing new products that it says allow consumers to customise meal time.  These include:

Progresso Cooking Stock – Progresso’s new line of premium cooking stocks are made by simmering real bones, vegetables and herbs and contain no artificial flavours or preservatives.

Green Giant Fire Roasted Vegetables -Green Giant is bringing fire roasted vegetables to the frozen aisle, in four varieties: Fire Roasted Zucchini, Carrots and Onions; Fire Roasted Corn, Peppers &Onions; Fire Roasted Root Vegetables with Red Onions; and Fire Roasted Tri-Color Peppers.

Old El Paso Mini Taco Boats – Old El Paso’s new Mini Soft Tortilla Taco Boatsare said to make tacos easier to serve and hold.

Latina Fresh Gluten Free Pasta – Gluten-free households across Australia can now obtain a pasta dinner with new Gluten-Free Pastas from Latina Fresh., made with no artificial colours or flavours. The Latina Fresh gluten free line includes Fettuccini, Lasagna sheets, Beef Ravioli and Ricotta & Spinach Agnolotti.

General Mills is also introducing new a range of sweet treats:

Cinnabon Mini Pull-Aparts – Pillsbury brings Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls to the home in bite-sized pieces.

Häagen-Dazs Stick Bars – In France, Häagen-Dazs introduces a new line of ice cream stick bars in five flavours: Macadamia Nut Brittle, Salted Caramel, Pralines & Cream, Vanilla Caramel Almond, and Chocolate Choc Almond.

FiberOne Cheesecake Bars – With only 150 calories, these new bars are made with layers of graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake and toppings like strawberry and salted caramel.

Betty Crocker Mug Cake – In Brazil, Betty Crocker introduces a no-bake mug cake, a baking mix that can be prepared in a coffee mug and heated the microwave for 90 seconds. Available in four varieties: Brigadeiro, Beijinho, Paçoca and Orange.