On the Shelf: Recent new consumer product launches!

M&M’s Pretzel Chocolate Candies from Mars Canada Inc. offer consumers the ultimate treat for their sweet and salty cravings. The candies combine the milk chocolate of an M&M’s chocolate candy with a round, salty nugget of pretzel in the middle. The treats contain 150 calories per serving, and 30-per-cent less fat than other leading chocolate snacks. M&M’s Pretzel Chocolate Candies are available in 162-g stand-up pouches, 92-g packs and 32-g single packages, selling for a suggested retail price of $4.79, $3.59 and $1.49 respectively.

Granite Town Farms has launched two hot new wild blueberry products: Wild Blueberry Barbecue Sauce, and Wild Blueberry Hot Pepper Jelly, both made with wild blueberries from New Brunswick. The barbecue sauce adds a spicy sweet kick to ribs, steak, burgers and chicken, with a smooth “touch of Jamaica.” Meanwhile, the pepper jelly offers the perfect sweet heat to crackers, bagels and other baked goods.

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The candy cane has grown up! Allan Candy has unveiled a number of new candy cane flavours and has launched a line of signature candy cane recipes designed to make the holiday treat a hit at seasonal celebrations. New flavours include Butterscotch and French Vanilla in the Holiday Collection; and Peach Slices and Tangy Wild Strawberries in the Fruit Buddies line. Also new is the Chewy Canes collection, with varieties Chewy Rascals Big Foot, and Chewy Rascals Sour Big Foot. All of the candy canes are free from peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy and gluten.

Island Abbey Foods Ltd. has introduced its new Honibe – Honey Lozenges. The drops are the world’s first 100-per-cent pure honey cough drops designed to sooth sore throats and relieve coughs. Made from pure dried honey from Prince Edward Island, the lozenges and are available in four flavours: Pure Honey, Honey with Lemon, Honey with Menthol and Eucalyptus, and Honey with Lemon, Menthol and Eucalyptus. The drops come in packages of 10 or 20 pieces.

The Prestige Bagel Scrambler from Burnbrae Farms is an individually quick frozen bagel topped with creamy cheese sauce, scrambled eggs, bacon and a blend of shredded cheese. The microwaveable sandwich is ready in under two minutes, and makes a great food-to-go meal.

Mini-Wheats Little Bites cereal from Kellogg Canada Inc. offers the fun and taste of Mini-Wheats but in smaller, easy to eat bite-size pieces, making them perfect for children. The cereal offers six grams of fibre per serving, providing children aged four to eight with 24 per cent of their daily fibre requirements. Made with 100-per-cent whole grain and containing nine essential nutrients, Mini-Wheats Little Bites are available in Original Frosted and Cocoa flavours. A 445-g box retails for approximately $4.99.

KiKi Maple Sweet Water is a 100-per-cent all-natural drink made from maple sap that is collected each spring and stored until needed for bottling. Maple sap has been used as a healthy beverage for many centuries in North America, and is known for its mild, sweet maple flavour. The refreshing new beverage from Troll Bridge Creek Inc. contains over 80 nutrients, is low in calories and fat, and contains no additives or preservatives.

Inglehoffer Organic Stone Ground Mustard and Inglehoffer Organic Honey Mustard from Beaverton Foods, Inc. is now available in Canada. The gluten-free, certified-organic mustards are ideal for spicing up vegetable sauce, or as a marinade or glaze for meat. Stone Mustard is available in 10-oz. containers, while Honey Mustard is available in 10.25-oz. containers.

Caesar’s Pasta Products has developed All-Natural gluten- and wheat-free pastas and meals that are now available in Canada. Gluten-free meal varieties include stuffed shells in marinara sauce, manicotti in marinara sauce, cheese lasagna and vegetable lasagna, all featuring pasta noodles made with rice. Each of the gluten-free products has the authentic Italian flavour that Caesar’s customers have come to rely on.