Top 10 new product launches in Australia

The food and drink market in Australia is evolving rapidly, catering not only to Australians but also to consumers across the world. A number of food and drink products have launched in the past year that cater to consumers’ increasing demands. Here, we spotlight 10 of the most interesting.

Powerade Pineapple Storm ION4 + Coconut Water
Australians’ love affair with anything coconut continues with the launch of Powerade’s coconut water drink. The product offers a refreshing twist on hydration, combining the fruity flavour of pineapple and the refreshing taste of coconut water. According to Mintel Global New Product Database (GNPD), beverage launches in Australia with the coconut flavour have seen a 156% increase between 2015 to 2017.

Take It To The Grave 2016 Shiraz
This product retails in innovative smaller-serve cans, and is described as an inviting and expansive wine displaying aromas of blood plums, packed with supple dark berry and blackcurrant flavours. With younger consumers consuming less alcohol, on-the-go formats that capture new occasions are key for growth in the wine category.

Masterfoods Aussie Farmers Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce
Masterfoods has reconnected with its Australian roots with the Masterfoods Aussie Farmers range of sauces. Farmers are being flaunted as the trusted face of the food industry, providing a much needed connection between the supply chain and the consumer. Through this range, Masterfoods claims to support Australia’s farmers by giving an annual donation to farming communities. This product is made with vine ripened Aussie tomatoes.

Arnott’s Tim Tam Chill Me! Turkish Delight Flavour Biscuits
Arnott’s exemplies Mintel’s 2018 Global Food & Drink Trend ‘New Sensations’ with the launch of its Tim Tam Chill Me! range by playing with temperature. The range features innovative packaging that changes colour once the product is exposed to temperature levels below 8 degrees Celsius. Arnott’s Tim Tam Chill Me! range is a collaboration with gelato brand Gelato Messina.

FlapJacked Cinnamon Apple Flavoured Mighty Muffin Mix with Probiotics
This pre-mix snack is said to be a protein-packed and high fibre muffin that’s developed with scrumptious flavour, balanced nutrition and convenience in mind. Consumers only need to add water, microwave it, and they’re good to go. It is also said to contain probiotics to support immune health, which is aligned with today’s younger consumers’ proactive approach to health.

Sanitarium Weet-Bix Cholesterol Lowering Breakfast Cereal with Plant Sterols
This product is said to be very high in whole grain, low in sugar and saturated fat, and clinically proven to reduce cholesterol levels by up to 9% in four weeks. Although similar functional claims are common place in other markets, the strict regulatory system in Australia means that the launch of Sanitarium Weet-Bix Cholesterol Lowering Breakfast Cereal with Plant Sterols undertook significant clinical testing. This product targets consumers who are concerned about heart health and use diet as a way to manage or prevent heart health issues.

Sobah Beverages
A more health-aware younger generation are increasing, reducing, or avoiding alcohol altogether and this has seen brands like Sobah emerge with better-for-you beer. Sobah Beverages make a range of premium, non-alcoholic craft beers that are infused with native fruit and spices. The cerveza variant includes finger lime (‘gulalung’) an Australian native citrus fruit that offers a zesty flavour with slight bitterness.

CoYo Hemp & Blueberry Yoghurt
Since changes to the Food Standards Code in November 2017 that now allows the sale of hemp seed as a food, there has been a flurry of innovation using hemp as an ingredients like CoYo’s Hemp & Blueberry Yoghurt. Hemp’s compatibility with major lifestyle trends such as plant-based, free-from and high protein dieting, gives it a unique selling point above other common types of protein like dairy, soy or wheat.

Arkadia Make Fresh Coconut & Dark Chocolate Flakes
Taking personalisation into the freezer, Arkadia Make Fresh allows consumers to make ice cream at home with ease. Allowing consumers to get creative in the kitchen, this product taps into Mintel Trend ‘Make it Mine’ which discusses how consumers increasingly want to be able to customise their products. Arkadia Make Fresh Coconut & Dark Chocolate Flakes is a powdered ice cream base that instead of an ice cream maker, it simply requires the addition of milk and cream, and then whisking and freezing.