Company: Pepperidge Farm Inc., Norwalk, Conn.

Introduced: September

Distribution: East of the Rocky Mountains

Suggested Retail: $2.69 for a 12-oz. package of six muffins

Ingredients: Unbromated stone ground 100% whole wheat flour, water, farina, yeast, wheat gluten. Contains 2% or less of: sugar, unsulphured molasses, honey, cultured buttermilk, salt, whey, vegetable oils (canola, sunflower and/or soybean), vinegar, monoglycerides, soy lecithin, wheat protein isolate, calcium propionate, sodium propionate, potassium sorbate and calcium acetate (to retard spoilage).

FYI: English muffins are getting a wholesome facelift with Pepperidge Farm’s 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins, combining great taste and texture with the goodness of whole grains. The new English muffins have no trans fat and pack 3 gm. of fiber into every serving. They’re a tasty way for the whole family to incorporate whole grains and fiber into their diet. Try them morning, noon and night with toppings like pizza sauce, peanut butter, or even cream cheese. The combinations are endless.

Company: Interstate Bakeries Corp., Kansas City, Mo.

Introduced: November

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $3.49 for a 15-oz. box 

Ingredients: Enriched bleached wheat flour [flour, ferrous sulfate (iron), “B” vitamins (niacin, thiamine mononitrate (B1), riboflavin (B2), folic acid)], sugar, water, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, vegetable and/or animal shortening (contains one or more of: partially hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed or canola oil, beef fat), dextrose, whole egg. Contains 2% or less of: modified corn starch, cellulose gum, dairy whey, leavenings (sodium and pyrophosphate, baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), salt, cornstarch, mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin, polysorbate 60, sodium and calcium caseinate, soy protein isolate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, wheat gluten, wheat starch, calcium sulfate, natural and artificial flavors, sorbic acid (to retain freshness), FD&C yellow 5 and 6, red 40, yellow 5 lake, blue 1 lake.

FYI: Twinkies go green for “Shrek 2!” America’s favorite ogre has joined forces with Hostess to launch green crème-filled Twinkies for a wild twist on an old favorite. Released in time for the home video release of “Shrek 2,” this iconic snack keeps its golden sponge cake, and while the filling is still as creamy as ever, it’s ogre green.

Company: Late July, Hyannis, Mass.

Introduced: November

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $3.79 for a 6-oz. box and $5.49 for a six, 1.5-oz. individual serving tray pack.

Ingredients: (Peanut Butter crackers): Organic wheat flour, organic peanut butter (dry roasted organic peanuts, organic palm oil, organic sugar, salt), organic oleic safflower oil and/or organic oleic sunflower oil, organic evaporated cane juice, organic palm oil, sea salt, leavening (baking soda, ammonium bicarbonate, cream of tartar), soy lecithin (an emulsifier). Allergens: Contains wheat, peanuts and soy lecithin. Made in a plant that processes milk, eggs and tree nuts.

FYI: Late July, a company formed by the founders of Cape Cod Potato Chips, Inc. and Chatham Village Foods, Inc., introduces its new line of classic snack crackers that are U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified organic and trans fat free. Picture creamy organic peanut butter made from ground and roasted Valencia peanuts or mild, aged organic Cheddar cheese sandwiched between Late July’s wildly popular Organic Classic Rich Crackers. All cracker snacks are vegetarian, Kosher and made without preservatives, artificial flavors or colors, or hydrogenated oils.

Company: Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc., San Leandro, Calif.

Introduced: November

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $1.59-$1.79 for a 4-oz. loaf

Ingredients: Whole eggs, enriched wheat flour, chocolate, cocoa, sugar.

FYI: Otis Spunkmeyer introduces a decadent new addition to its Café Collection signature bread line — Chocolate Marble bread. Perfect as a complement to a cup of coffee or as an indulgence at breakfast, this combination of buttery pound cake and chocolate cake is sure to satisfy.

Company: Cheeters Diet Treats, Hollywood, Fla.

Introduced: November

Distribution: Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West Coast

Suggested Retail: $4.99 

Ingredients: (Challah): Flour, soy, high-gluten, oat fiber, vital wheat gluten, whole eggs, salt, preservatives, dough conditioners, Splenda.

FYI: Cheeters Diet Treats, a leader in low-carb bread-based items, unveils its low-carb Kosher Challah and Cinnamon bread. The Challah contains only 8 gm. of carbs per 1-oz. serving and 6 gm. of protein while the Cinnamon variety contains 8 gm. of carbs per serving. Consumers can get creative and use the Challah in French toast recipes or eat the Cinnamon bread as an indulgent snack. Now bread lovers can enjoy healthy, low-carb choices while watching their weight and monitoring fat and sugar intake.

Company: Richelieu Foods, Inc., Braintree, Mass.

Introduced: August

Distribution: Northeast, Midwest and South

Suggested Retail: $4.99 for an 8-in. pizza

Ingredients: (Chicken & Broccoli): Crust: Wheat flour, water, yeast, salt, nonfat dry milk, natural cane sugar, expeller pressed canola oil, wheat starch, garlic powder. Toppings: Low-moisture mozzarella cheese (pasteurized whole and skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), sauce (water, tomato paste, expeller pressed olive oil, organic pizza spice [salt, spices, garlic, paprika, onion]), cooked chicken breast with rib meat (chicken raised without use of antibiotics), broccoli. (Contains 0.33% organic spice). (Contains 14% Chicken).

FYI: Not all pizzas are created equally. Chef Antonio frozen pizza tops the upper crust of competitive pies with its all-natural pizzas, oozing with fresh-from-the-garden, old-world flavor — just like Sicilian grandmothers would make for their families. Taking taste buds back in time is the new Chef Antonio Sicilian Style Pizza line featuring a blend of vegetables, garlic, cheeses and meats. Chef Antonio Sicilian Style Pizza comes in Chicken & Broccoli, Pepperoni, Roasted Pepper, Vegetable Primavera, Mediterranean Style (with roasted peppers, artichokes, roasted eggplant, black olives and basil) and Four Cheese & Tomato (with Mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan and Romano cheeses) varieties. Each pizza incorporates natural ingredients, features thick, moist crusts, contains healthy, expeller-pressed oil and is completely free of GMOs. Also new to the Chef Antonio line are Self-Rising Crust Pizzas and Thin Crust Pizzas.

Company: Snyder of Berlin, Berlin, Pa.

Introduced: October

Distribution: East Coast

Suggested Retail: $3.49 for a 6-oz. bag

Ingredients: (Vegetable Medley): Canola oil, potato flour, potato starch, durum semolina, wheat starch, rye flour, wheat flour, tomato concentrate, carrot powder, spinach powder, sugar, beet powder, salt, natural coloring (beta carotene).

FYI: Sometimes a name says it all. Naturally Good Vegetable Crisps from Snyder of Berlin taste great and are made with 100% all-natural ingredients. The crispy, crunchy, tasty combination of select potato, carrot, spinach and tomato crisps will make this good-for-you snack a guilt-free pleasure. The crisps have no artificial flavors, colors and preservatives and are made with 100% canola oil, which is low in saturated fat. The crisps come in a Garden Ranch variety, too, for those consumers who like a little kick to their crisps.

Company: American Pop Corn Co., Sioux City, Iowa

Introduced: October

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $2.29 for a box of two 3-oz. bags and 1.4-oz. pouch of marshmallow flavoring

Ingredients: (Pop corn bag ingredients): Popcorn, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, natural and artificial flavor, soy lecithin, sucralose. (Pouch ingredients): Sugar, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, artificial flavor, TBHQ and citric acid to preserve freshness.

FYI: Jolly Time is sweetening the snack aisles this fall with its new Mallow Magic, Yummy Marshmallow Flavor microwave popcorn. Bringing together the perfect balance between comfort foods — crunchy popcorn and gooey marshmallows — will have every sweet-toothed consumer craving more! Simply microwave the popcorn, pile it into a bowl, drizzle on the marshmallow and stand back for the feeding frenzy!

Company: Nana’s Cookies, San Diego, Calif.

Introduced: October

Distribution: National and International

Suggested Retail: $1.99 for a three, 0.5-oz. cookies

Ingredients: (No Gluten Lemon): Brown rice flour, tapioca flour, gluten-free puffed rice, fruit juice, gluten-free whole grain dextrins (a natural and unmodified starch), expeller pressed canola oil, lemon, baking soda (non-aluminum), natural flavorings.

FYI: Nana’s knows how to bake a gluten-free cookie that’s vegan too. Nana’s came up with these delicious cookies for consumers looking to expand their limited choices in gluten-free baked goods. These all-natural cookies are sure to be crowd pleasers. In addition to being gluten-free, Nana’s Cookies follow the famous “Nana’s No’s”: no refined sugar, no dairy, no hydrogenated oils, no cholesterol, no eggs, no added salt and no cane or beet products.

Company: Pamela’s Products, Ukiah, Calif.

Introduced: November 

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $0.89 to $1.05 for a 2-pack

Ingredients:(Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies): Organic natural evaporated cane sugar, organic non-hydrogenated palm oil, organic rice flour base (organic brown rice flour, organic white rice flour, organic tapioca starch, organic sweet rice flour, xanthan gum), organic chocolate chunks (natural evaporated cane sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin-emulsifier, natural vanilla), organic cocoa powder (processed with alkali), grape juice and rice syrup, organic eggs, natural chocolate flavor, organic vanilla flavor, grainless and aluminum free baking powder, sea salt, baking soda, xanthan gum. Allergy alert: Manufactured in a plant using peanuts and tree nuts.

FYI: Decadence comes in small packages with Pamela’s Products latest wheat-free, gluten-free indulgence that is sized for lunches and portioned snacks. The individually wrapped, single-serve 2-packs come in either Chocolate Chunk Pecan Shortbread or Dark Chocolate-Chocolate Chunk varieties. Perfect for those consumers with allergies, or those monitoring their diets, these ultra-decadent cookies are convenient to enjoy at any time.

Company: LesserEvil Snack Co., Bronxville, NY

Introduced: November

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $1.79 for a 2.33-oz. foil bag and $3.99 for a 3.65-oz. box

Ingredients: (KettleCorn): Maltitol syrup, popcorn, clarified butter, salt, lecithin. Allergen info: May contain nuts.

FYI: Wicked flavor and good behavior come together at last. LesserEvil Snack Co. is a new company dedicated to making snacks that are the best of both worlds — devilishly delicious and angelically endorsed. Its latest sensation is better-for-you gourmet popcorn snacks in outrageous varieties — SantaFe, with diced bell peppers and pumpkin seeds; SinNamon, with a blast of real ground cinnamon; BeeNutty, mixed with peanuts and honey; and sweet and salty KettleCorn, reminiscent of popcorn found at a county fair. The snacks have no preservatives and are sugar and trans fat free.

Company: U.S. Mills, Needham, Mass.

Introduced: October

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $3.99 for a 7.1-oz. box

Ingredients: (Apple Berry): Uncle Sam Cereal: Whole wheat kernels, flaxseed, salt, barley malt, niacin, riboflavin [vitamin B2], thiamine mononitrate [vitamin B1]), evaporated cane juice, evaporated cane juice syrup, soy protein isolate, date puree, unbleached wheat flour, rolled oats, soy flakes (soy protein isolate, oat flour), vegetable glycerine, dried blueberries (whole blueberries, apple juice concentrate), dried unsulphured apples, soy crisp rice (soy protein isolate, rice flour, malt extract), palm fruit oil, natural flavors, dried cranberries (apple juice concentrate, cranberries, sunflower oil), freeze dried raspberry pieces, calcium carbonate, soy lecithin, cream of tartar, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), salt, D-alpha tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), beta carotene (source of vitamin A), folic acid. Contains soy and wheat ingredients. Produced on equipment that is used to produce products that contain milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. No dairy ingredients. Non-GMO soy.

FYI: U.S. Mills introduces two new varieties to its Uncle Sam cereal bars line — Oatmeal Raisin and Apple Berry. The bars are a blend of whole-grain wheat flakes, flaxseed, natural oats, raisins, spices, natural blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and apples. Targeted at today’s health-minded consumers, the bars contain 6.25 gm. of soy protein, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A, C and E, folic acid, fiber, calcium and iron.

Company: Kraft Foods, Inc., Northfield, Ill.

Introduced: August

Distribution: National

Suggested Retail: $2.99 for a 12.5-oz. bag of Traditional mix and for an 11-oz. bag of Cheddar mix

Ingredients: (Traditional): Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), folic acid), (partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil and/or liquid soybean oil, whole wheat, sugar, corn syrup, whole wheat flour, salt, high-fructose corn syrup, Cheddar cheese (made from cultured milk, salt and enzymes), leavening (baking soda, calcium phosphate, yeast, ammonium phosphate), autolyzed yeast extract (contains glutamates), malt syrup, lecithin (emulsifier), annatto extract (vegetable color), soy sauce (fermented wheat and soybeans, salt maltodextrin, caramel color), tamarinds, vitamins and minerals (reduced iron, niacinamide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), (vitamin B6), folic acid), torula yeast, hydrolyzed corn gluten, malted barley flour, calcium carbonate, brewer’s yeast.

FYI: Now, snack time’s anytime, anywhere with new Nabisco Mixers Snack Mix. Available in zesty Traditional and cheesy Cheddar, the bite-sized pieces of Ritz Bits crackers, Cheese Nips, Ritz Bits whole wheat crackers, Mister Salty pretzels and whole wheat Shreddies cereal come together for a party in your mouth.

For the past year, Snak King implemented an aggressive packaging redesign campaign for many of its existing products, including a branding program to further build brand identity.

The primary objective was to capture the attention of consumers who are seeking quality snacks with flavor to boot. The current task at hand centered on updating packaging for the company’s popcorn products. Its two flavors, cheese and butter, were completely redesigned, including a change in packaging material. Instead of clear glassine bags, metalized film is used, ensuring freshness and a longer shelf life.

Snak King chose Santa Ana, Calif.-based Carson and Co. to oversee the redesign partly because of the agency’s extensive experience in packaging food industry.

The firm created a clean, simple design that emphasized the word “popcorn” and gave the cheese and butter flavors an upscale appearance. The use of color photography and bold graphic colors made the products stand out among its competitors on the retail shelf.