Leading confectionery distributor World of Sweets has unveiled the Zed Candy Screamers range, consisting of the new Shake & Spray product as well as two other new launches.
The New Zed Candy Screamers Shake & Spray will be available in two flavours, Blue Razz and Purple Razz, 12 x 60m, RRP £1.20
The new product is expected to be incredibly popular amongst younger sweet lovers with its new innovative and unique concept with the spray can ‘shake effect’.
The shake effect is caused by three blue razz bubblegum balls at the bottom of the can. Kids simply twist the product to open and reveal the gum.
Shake & Spray is expected to be in big demand after its launch this September and will be accompanied by a social media campaign to get children excited and encourage sales.
This product is also displayed in a fully brand shelf ready to display.
Another new Screamers product that has launched this year is the Big Lick with a RRP of £1.00.
Big Lick is also available in Blue and Purple Razz and has achieved a combined total of almost 1 million units sold since its launch in April.
The launch of Big Lick was also accompanied by an incredibly successful social media campaign with all Big Lick related videos on TikTok bringing in a total of 18.2 million views.
Zed Candy Screamers Dip & Lick is another must have novelty product and its RRP of 50p makes it a perfect pocket money value sweet for youngsters. It consists of two candy sticks in a tasty blue razz and cherry flavour, accompanied by three sour powder dips, sour apple, sour strawberry and sour lemon.
Zed Candy prides itself on creating eye-catching packaging and candy with new textures, tastes and fillings and even more Screamers products are expected to be released later on in the year.
“We’re incredibly excited about the new Zed Candy Screamers range because we know just how much kids will love it,” Chris Smith, partner brand manager at World of Sweets said.
“The new Shake & Spray product will be an instant success due to the innovative spray can design and shake effect that youngsters will find exciting. Its social media campaign will follow in the footsteps of the Big Lick campaign which was insanely popular and helped drive sales further for the product.
“Zed Candy are constantly providing us with fun and innovative products which we’re thrilled to be able to offer our customers. We can’t wait to see what else they have in store this year as part of their Screamers range!”
Brendan Roantree, managing director of Zed Candy, said: “In 12 months we have brought Screamers to +20 countries. Our new Shake & Spray has had an incredible reception from our international distributor network. The UK will be the first to launch and we are delighted to partner with World of Sweets who have unparalleled reach in the market.”
Artisanal chocolate producer Gnaw continues to pursue its ambitious sustainable agenda in 2025 with the introduction of new eco-friendly pouches for their iconic Chocolate Buttons.
The state-of-the-art EvoPak RCM is a 100 per cent recyclable paper wrapper, which unlike a majority of its so-called environmentally friendly paper wrapper peers contains no polyethylene, which means it can effortlessly be disposed of in kerbside bins or into bespoke paper recyclable collections.
“EvoPak offers a significant step-change in planet-responsible snacking and confectionery wrappers as a result of significant advances in lightweight, multi-layer structures that preserve shelf-life whilst producing none of the harmful microplastics historically associated with snacking wrappers that unwittingly release harmful microplastics as they break down,” said MD Mike Navarro.
Gnaw is a leading voice within the UK’s thriving artisanal chocolate movement that sets great store by its proud sustainable stance; be that significant investment in clean energy (solar) that provides 70 per cent of its manufacturing needs, rejecting irresponsibly farmed palm oil and prioritising 100 per cent compostable/recyclable wrappers and vegetable inks for its headline chocolate range.
“Our sublime buttons remain a leading light within our ever-expanding premium chocolate portfolio, providing the perfect vehicle for our next sustainable initiative, championing awareness for cutting-edge wrapper technology that helps to address the catastrophic clogging up of seas and rivers with unwelcome micro-plastics,” Navarro concluded.
Eurostar Commodities has announced the launch of its highly anticipated line of regenerative flours, RISE Re:Gen, setting a new standard for sustainability and quality in the food industry.
Available from Feb 1, RISE Re:Gen is poised to redefine how the food industry think about sustainable production of British flour.
RISE Re:Gen is farmed in collaboration with The Green Farm Collective (GFC), a group of British farmers dedicated to regenerative principles.
Founded after the farmers met in the competition, 'Soil Farmer of the Year', GFC believes in regenerative agriculture and the benefits of reduced pesticides, increased carbon capture and improved biodiversity, water, air and soil. All farmers work hard to improve the habitats and biodiversity in all areas of their farms and educate people about its importance through visits and talks.
At the heart of RISE Re:Gen is a commitment to regenerative agriculture – a farming practice that restores soil health, enhances biodiversity, and sequesters carbon. Unlike conventional flours, Rise’s regenerative flours are sourced from farms that prioritise environmental stewardship, ensuring every bag contributes to the health of the planet.
Diane Crabtree, Sales Manager, RISE Re:Gen says; “This is a significant launch for the UK food industry. With RISE Re:Gen, we’re not just offering a product; we’re offering a solution. Our flours are designed to meet the needs of environmentally conscious manufacturers who want to make a positive impact without compromising on taste or consistent performance to meet the needs of consumers.”
Angus Gowthorpe, Farmer & Founding Member of the GFC says; “We chose Eurostar Commodities as a distribution partner, due to their expertise in the supply of speciality flours in the UK and Ireland. It was evident from early on that they understood the importance of regenerative farming practices to ensure the longevity of British farming.
"They were keen to work exclusively with Green Farm Collective as we are all British farmers who are passionate about nurturing and improving soil biodiversity and improving water and carbon retention in the soil.
"All of which helps the environment by reducing carbon output, reducing flood & drought risk in crops, and encouraging wildlife. Eurostar have committed to a long-term partnership with GFC, to grow and develop sales channels for regenerative flour, as they believe wholeheartedly that consumers and industry will want to support regenerative farming in the UK for future sustainability.
"With over 30 years of advising and supplying quality flour to the UK’s food manufacturing, wholesale, and retail sectors, Eurostar have the knowledge, expertise, and passion to put regenerative flour into many products on UK dinner plates in the future.”
RISE Re:Gen is available in two variants in fully recyclable multiply paper sacks;
Strong White Flour, 16kg - Farmed to The Green Farm Collective standards this high quality Strong White Flour provides structure and flexibility for breads, pizzas and products that demand a good strong flour at its base.
·All Purpose Flour, 16kg - Farmed to The Green Farm Collective standards this All-Purpose Flour is a premium product specially developed for general baking applications with sustainable principles that consumers demand.
RISE Re:Gen is sustainably Sourced and grown using regenerative farming methods that promote soil vitality and combat climate change. It is superior quality and crafted to deliver exceptional results in baking and cooking, with a range of options for every culinary need.
The product provides transparency you can trust with detailed information about its journey on the farms right through to the table. By choosing RISE Re:Gen UK food industry play an active part in supporting a more resilient food system. The production facility has been awardedBRCGS standard double AA accreditation for high quality standards.
RISE Re:Gen is available from Eurostar Commodities on 01484 320 516 or visit www.riseregenflour.co.uk for more information.
Organic food supplier Biona launched a new organic Ginger and Turmeric paste which will be available to retailers from March onwards, with an RRP of £3.19.
Biona’s organic Ginger and Turmeric paste is a ready-to-use blend that caters to both convenience and wellness trends. The paste is made using organic ginger and turmeric, giving consumers no need to peel or chop, so simplifying their meal prep for popular dishes, like Indian or Malaysian-inspired curries.
Immune-fortifying foods like ginger and turmeric are currently in high demand, with a growing number of UK consumers understanding the potential health benefits of both. Ginger can play a part in aiding digestion, reducing inflammation and improving blood sugar levels. Turmeric on the other hand is a powerful antioxidant which protects human cells from damage as well providing other benefits to the body such as lowering cholesterol.
“With recent data from Nielsen once again confirming the positive growth trajectory for organic food sales, which are now outperforming non-organic, we’re excited to bring another sought-after and healthy organic option to market," said Carmen Ferguson, Brand Manager at Biona’s parent company Windmill Organics. "Scratch cooking continues to grow in popularity, and particularly South-East Asian-inspired scratch cooking, so we expect this new launch to be well-received by consumers.”
Carlsberg Britvic is launching a duo of indulgent Pepsi zero sugar colas that offer a unique drinking experience. Available in two irresistible flavours — Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda, these are the ultimate sweet treat to indulge and give retailers the chance to recruit younger shoppers to the cola category.
Pepsi is leading the way with zero sugar cola and flavour innovation, delivering strong growth to the cola category, with Pepsi MAX Flavours driving +8.7 per cent growth in the last year. With its track record of flavour innovation, from the bright blue Pepsi Electric to Pepsi MAX Mango, the brand is well-positioned to be disruptive, step boldly into the indulgence space and keep consumers engaged in the soft drinks category.
This range taps into the growing demand for flavoured cola, an area that has seen significant growth, growing three times faster than unflavoured cola highlighting the desire particularly among younger Gen Z shoppers. With this in mind, the pack designs are consciously bold with the launch supported by a comprehensive and disruptive communications plan targeted at recruiting new Gen Z shoppers into cola.
“Pepsi brings unique flavours and zero-sugar offerings to retailers’ shelves," said Ben Parker, VP Sales – Off Trade. "This latest launch is an exciting and bold step into the indulgence space and is designed with Gen Z flavour lovers in mind. The treat-inspired flavours will entice shoppers with a new experience and help increase sales in a highly competitive category. We’ll be working with retailers to help make the launch a success, with the aim of increasing footfall and sales, thanks to the product’s distinctive look helping it stand out on shelves.”
Pepsi Treats will be supported by point-of-sale materials and free case promotions, designed to create maximum visibility and excitement across channels. The launch will roll out from 29 January across selected grocery and then become more widely available in convenience and foodservice. The product is available in a 500ml price-marked packs & plain, multipacks of eight cans, 330ml cans, and 1.5 litres (Strawberries ‘N’ Cream only).
Plenish, the leading brand for single shots in the UK, has announces the launch of its biggest marketing campaign to date, ‘Give it a Shot’.
The campaign will spotlight the health and lifestyle benefits of Plenish’s range of health shots, and aims to encourage consumers to invest in their wellbeing and upgrade their daily routine with a Plenish shot.
Plenish shots have taken the market by storm, growing tenfold to over £10 million RSV in just two years, propelling overall growth for the category. Shots have grown 617 per cent in sales value in four years, and the category is now worth £42.1 million.
Targeting key health and wellness needs, the range includes Ginger Immunity, Turmeric Recovery, Berry Gut Health, Mango Vitamin D, Beet Balance, and Spirulina Detox.
The new ‘Give It a Shot’ campaign uses positive and disruptive language to raise awareness for Plenish shots during a key time for the wellness category. The launch of the campaign has been timed to offer consumers a reminder to maintain healthy habits all year round, particularly post the January reset.
“Our ambition is to challenge the status quo and make sure that when Brits hear or see the word ‘shot’ they think of health first,” Alex Petrogiannis, Marketing and E-Commerce Director at brand owner Carlsberg Britvic, said.
“By disrupting consumers’ perceptions, we want to bring in new shoppers to the category and accelerate its already phenomenal growth. Plenish is a brand people trust and, as such, we are uniquely positioned to make it happen.”
The campaign will run throughout January and February, including nationwide out of home advertising, display and paid social media across Instagram and TikTok, sampling activity including vending machines, shopper marketing and exclusive events.
The advertising will dominate Old Street, Euston, Notting Hill Gate and South Kensington tube stations from 27 January. It will also appear across the nation, both roadside and in railway stations including Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Reading, and London stations including Blackfriars, Charing Cross, Euston, St Pancras, Wandsworth Town, and Waterloo.
The campaign will run alongside the brand’s debut in TV advertising with the continued sponsorship of Channel 4’s breakfast programming, which has been on-air since summer 2024 and aims to reach an estimated audience of over 15 million viewers by mid-February. The campaign follows Plenish’s recent ‘Nothing to Hide’ campaign in October, which focused on the brand’s commitment to ingredient transparency when it comes to plant-based m*lks.
The creative campaign will also be visible in Virgin Active clubs across the country with media displayed on vending machines, which are fully stocked with the Plenish shot range.
Plenish is also running a paid social media campaign across its Instagram and TikTok channels, with content produced by creators in the wellness and lifestyle sphere. To further bring the campaign to life with in-person experiences, Plenish has partnered with London-based running hub, Runlimited to host a ‘Run & Rave’ event in London on 31 January, where participants will enjoy a 5km run followed by a rave fuelled by Plenish’s wellness shots.