ATLANTA — Gas station snacks are going to extremes. Hotter flavors and larger portions were seen in new products unveiled at the National Association of Convenience Retailers’ 2019 NACS Show, held Oct. 1-4 in Atlanta.
Mondelez International, Inc., Deerfield, Ill., presented a sneak peek at a new Oreo cookie packed with extra creme. Thicker than Double Stuf and Mega Stuf Oreo cookies is Oreo The Most Stuf cookies, packaged in a four-count sleeve for convenience stores.
The new Slim Jim Savage meat stick from Conagra Brands, Inc., Chicago, is three times thicker than the standard serving with 18 grams of protein. From Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich., a new Cheez-It cracker features an “extra cheesy” flavor.
Product developers are dialing up the heat in savory snacks, such as beef jerky. Link Snacks, Inc., Minneapolis, debuted Jack Link’s Wild Heat beef jerky, which the company said is the hottest flavor in the brand’s portfolio. Hot flavored meat snacks have generated substantial growth, according to the company.
Other new products at the show tapped into the trends of fresh snacking, lower sugar and high protein. Nestle USA, Arlington, Va., is introducing Jacked Rabbit protein shakes with 38 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar. Coca Cola Co., Atlanta, showcased its own high-protein beverage; strawberry-flavored Core Power Elite packs 42 grams of protein.
