New products: Tic Tac Pillow Packs, yuca fries, EHL marinade

Ferrero has introduced new Tic Tac Pillow Packs to the out-of-home market.

The well-known mints are to be sold in a new sealed pack designed to be provided complimentary to customers at hotels, bars, pubs and restaurants.

Natasha Quinn, foodservice channel operations manager at Ferrero, said: “When it comes to good hospitality, the devil is in the detail. Something as small as complimentary mints makes a big impression to consumers and can prove highly profitable in the long run.

“The new pillow pack, combined with the fact Tic Tac is the fastest growing top ten pocket confectionery brand, provides an innovative way to offer complimentary mints – a feature 85% of people would opt for over unwrapped mints.”

Research commissioned by Ferrero reported that despite consumers being happy to receive complimentary mints, 60% believed a bowl of open mints looked dated and unhygienic.

80% of respondents said they would expect high quality establishments to provide complimentary mints with a coffee or bill.

However, 15% claimed they would think less of one that offered a bowl of unwrapped mints.

Yuca fries

Funnybones foodservice has launched its new yuca fries to foodservice.

The fries, billed as an alternative to traditional potato or sweet potato fries are made from yuca (also known as cassava), a root vegetable native to Central and South America.

Tom Styman-Heighton, development chef at Funnybones Foodservice, said: "Few would disagree that the best chips are those that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, which is often achieved using a stealth coating on traditional potato chips. In comparison, yuca fries form and hold their crispiness extremely well just as they are."

The fries are available in 1 x 20 x 500g packs, and should be deep fried from frozen at 180 degrees for 3 – 4 minutes until golden brown.

EHL

EHL Ingredients has announced the launch of a new mint, garlic and rosemary marinade designed to complement spring and Easter lamb cuts.

The new marinade joins EHL’s 22-strong range of herb and spice blends, rubs, marinades, coatings and seasonings.

Tasneem Backhouse, sales and marketing director at EHL Ingredients, said: “Flavoursome, versatile lamb dishes are top of the menu at Easter – both in the home and in foodservice outlets. As such, our new marinade is the perfect accompaniment to lamb dishes.

“British consumers are always looking for the next big food trend and we are confident that our new marinade will be a popular choice.”