Probiotics, Floral Flavors Popping Up in New Products

NEW YORK—Productscan Online, a database publication of Datamonitor, released a roundup of recent product introductions that illustrate the growing inclusion of probiotics and prebiotics in finished goods. The firm noted the active cultures are being included in a wide range of food products, as well as citing an increased use of floral flavors in product development.

Among the recent launches highlighted by Productscan were:

* Robert’s American Gourmet released Smart Puffs with Probiotics, which claim to be the first puffed snack food to contain probiotics. According to the company, the active cultures are present in the Puffs’ dry cheddar powder and are meant to aid digestion. Now on the market in the United States, the product could encourage younger consumers to eat more healthfully, the market research organization said.

* Oregon Ice Cream developed Julie’s Organic Lowfat Frozen Yogurt for the U.S. market, which contains prebiotic fiber as well as six active probiotic yogurt cultures, which are said to aid digestion and improve the immune system. Productscan stated prebiotic and/or probiotic frozen yogurts are relatively rare, and this combination of pre- and probiotics appears to be a first for the category.

* Molkerei Alois Muller introduced the Muller Frutta e Fiori Yogurt in Italy, presented in four flower flavors: Pineapple and Orange Flower, Apple and Elderflower, Pear and Lotus Flower, and Blackberry and Violet.

* Avenue Gourmet launched an Elderflower Vinegar in the United States as part of its new gourmet line of Nordisk-branded Scandinavia products. Flagged as containing flavors from the Nordic region, the elderflower flavor appears to be unique in the vinegar category.