Foodie News
Ferrero debuts new Tic Tac® Chewy at Sweets & Snacks Expo
New products from Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, Keebler, and other brands also revealed by America’s fastest-growing confections company
PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ferrero North America, part of the global sweet-packaged food company the Ferrero Group, revealed the company’s first sugar candy Tic Tac Chewy at the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis. The introduction of Tic Tac Chewy is Ferrero’s first innovation exclusive to the US market, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustained growth in the market.
“We’re thrilled for candy fans to experience how fun and unique Tic Tac® Chewy is.” said Dan Cutchin, Vice President of Marketing at Ferrero USA. “It starts with a crunchy exterior and transforms with a mouthwatering, chewy inside, bursting with intense fruit flavor.”
Tic Tac is currently the #1 Mint* in household penetration with nearly 15 million consumers, and the introduction of Tic Tac Chewy marks the brand’s and Ferrero’s first entrance into the sugar candy category. Tic Tac Chewy will be available in two varieties, Fruit Adventure and Sour Adventure, each offering a mix of five delicious fruity flavors: Cherry, Apple, Orange, Lemon, and Grape. Tic Tac Chewy will be available starting this September at a selection of retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger, and will expand nationally early 2025.
“Ferrero has supercharged investment in our North American presence in recent years, with expanded manufacturing and R&D capabilities, additional world-class talent, and more and more product innovation,” said Jim Klein, Chief Customer Officer, Ferrero USA. “With exciting new products like Tic Tac Chewy, we are well positioned to continue driving growth in the category and delivering value for our retail partners.”
Other new products featured by Ferrero include:
- Buncha CRUNCH® Share Pack: Bunches of crunchy milk chocolate in a 2.8oz share pack. Available later this year.
- Ferrero Rocher® Dark Chocolate & Crunchy Salted Caramel Tablets: Smooth chocolate, crunchy hazelnut pieces and exquisite creamy filling combine in a sophisticated indulgence. Available in stores starting September.
- Ferrero Collection Grand Assortment 14 Piece Tree: Discover the NEW Ferrero Collection Grand Assortment 14 Piece Tree. Indulge in the elegant assortment including Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Ferrero Rondnoir®, Ferrero Manderly®, and Ferrero Cappuccino®. Available later this year.
- Keebler® Limited-Edition Despicable Me 4 Rocky Road Fudge Stripes Cookies: A fun, limited edition take on Keebler’s fan-favorite Fudge Stripes cookies with a chocolate and almond-flavored shortbread cookie topped with a marshmallow-flavored fudge drizzle for a delicious rocky road taste. Available now.
- Kinder Joy® Limited Edition Despicable Me 4 Eggs: A limited-edition lineup of eight toys representing the beloved movie characters including: Gru, Lucy, and the Minions Stuart, Phil, Dave, Kevin, Jerry, and Carl. Available now.
- Kinder Joy® Limited-Edition Harry Potter Collection: This limited-edition lineup of 16 unique Funko toys includes two pencil toppers, two sticky notes, two bookmarks and 10 Funko figurines that include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, and more. Available now.
- Kinder® Mix Advent Calendar: The perfect way to countdown to Christmas! Each of the 24 windows contains a delicious Kinder treat including: Hollow Figures, chocolate Mini Eggs, Kinder Chocolate, Happy Hippo and Schoko Bons. Available in stores starting September.
- Kinder® Chocolate Holiday Mini or Share Size: Individually wrapped and perfectly portioned, Kinder Chocolate bars are great for sharing the delicious, creamy taste of Kinder with the ones you love. Available in stores starting November.
- Kinder® Chocolate Lay Down Bag: This pack of twenty individually wrapped, regular-size chocolate bars is great for sharing the delicious, creamy taste of Kinder with the ones you love. Available in stores starting September.
- Fannie May® Pretzelicious Chocolatier’s Mix: Featuring a decadent blend of crunchy pecans, salty pretzels and smooth caramel, all coated in velvety Fannie May Milk Chocolate, Pretzelicious is a delicious fusion of the brand’s irresistible sweet and salty flavors. Available later this month.
- Raisinets® Share Pack: California raisins covered in milk chocolate in a 2.8oz share pack. Available later this year.
- Royal Dansk® Garden Cookie Collection: This colorful, limited-time tin includes unique shapes and delicious seasonal flavors such as white chocolate raspberry and lemon, and of course the iconic vanilla ring. Available in stores starting February 2025.
Ferrero has been growing and investing significantly in North America. The company recently celebrated the opening of a new chocolate processing facility at the company’s manufacturing center in Bloomington, Illinois, which marks the first time Ferrero has produced chocolate outside of Europe. A Kinder Bueno production line is also expected to open in the manufacturing center later this year. Last year the company opened its Innovation Center and R&D Labs in Chicago’s historic Marshall Field Building.
In addition to its new product innovations at the Expo, Ferrero will share its expertise connecting with the gamer community on the Data & Insights Stage in a presentation featuring Neal Finkler, Ferrero’s Vice President of Marketing for Butterfinger and Baby Ruth, who will be joined by popular content creator “CuriousJoi.”
Ferrero is located at Booth #10802 on the Sweets & Snacks Expo floor. For more information, visit ferreronorthamerica.com.
*Source: Circana POS, MULO+C, L52 Weeks Ending 03/24/2024, Unit Sales
About Ferrero
Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac®, and Ferrero Rocher®. More than 38,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life’s special moments. The Ferrero Group’s family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.
Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,400 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger®, CRUNCH®, Keebler®, Famous Amos®, Mother’s Cookies®, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com.
SOURCE Ferrero North America
Last Updated on June 23, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Some summertime dishes are just too good to be true. This Easy Pasta Salad is simple enough to become a favorite side and filling enough to serve as a light main course. Enjoy more warm weather recipes by visiting Culinary.net.
Easy Pasta Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 1 pound pasta noodles of choice
- 1 can (15 ounces) peas, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) carrots, drained
- 1 package (16 ounces) diced ham
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- 1 package (6 ounces) cheddar cheese cubes
- 2 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup juice from bread butter pickles
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place in large bowl. Add peas, carrots, ham, bacon pieces and cheese cubes.
- In separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar, pickle juice, vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour mixture over pasta and mix well.
- Refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.
SOURCE:
Explore the Food and Drink section on STM Daily News for timely coverage of culinary trends, beverage news, seasonal recipes, and food-focused community stories
(Feature Impact) A healthy brain goes beyond reading exercises and completing puzzles – it extends to the kitchen, too. Emerging nutritional science is clear that what people eat doesn’t just fuel the body; it shapes memory, mood and cognitive health.
Among the foods you can include in your diet to give your brain a boost are peanuts and peanut butter, staples valued not only for their convenience but also for their cognitive benefits. In fact, a study published in the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter.
It’s not just the older generation that can benefit. According to research published in “Clinical Nutrition,” a study of college students ages 18-33 showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.
Consider this key information from the Georgia Peanut Commission before your next meal planning session.
Nutrients that Give the Brain a Boost
Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:
- Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
- Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
- Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
- P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety
Peace of MIND
Peanuts are included in the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which specifically includes foods shown to benefit the brain.
Adding peanuts to your menu can be a breeze. Look no further than a powerful main course like Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad, a perfect accompaniment at potlucks and cookouts as an easy side or light main course. Make breakfast-on-the-go part of your daily commute with Flourless Blueberry Muffins that require just five ingredients, including creamy peanut butter, or add a pinch of protein to snack time with Protein Balls that can be refrigerated until hunger strikes.
Brain Food for Thought
Supporting your brain starts with the right nutrition, and evidence makes clear peanuts and peanut butter should be top-of-mind as you head to the grocery store. For help getting started, find more recipes and nutritional information by visiting GAPeanuts.com.
Flourless Blueberry Muffins
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 12
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup blueberries
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease muffin pan.
- In blender or food processor, combine bananas, peanut butter, eggs and baking powder; blend until smooth. Fold in blueberries by hand.
- Pour mixture into muffin tin. Bake 12-15 minutes.
- Store in airtight container up to 3 days.
Nutritional information per serving: 155 calories, 10 g carbohydrates, 31 mg cholesterol, 2 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein, 98 mg sodium, 5 g sugar.
Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 8
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Salad:
- 1 package (20 ounces) green peas, frozen
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup red onions, chopped
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 pinch salt, or to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- To make dressing: In small mixing bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar.
- To make salad: In large mixing bowl, combine frozen green peas, celery and onion. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, stir in roasted peanuts and crumbled bacon. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories, 17 g carbohydrates, 12 mg cholesterol, 3 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 5 g fiber, 11 g protein, 249 mg sodium, 6 g sugar, 1 g added sugar.
Protein Balls
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 24
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
- 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
- Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.
SOURCE:
STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
Food and Beverage
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Returns June 23—A Limited-Time Summer Throwback
McDonald’s is bringing back its OG Fried Apple Pie starting June 23 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide—plus a 35-foot pie photo stop on Route 66 near Chicago.
Summer tends to fly by, but certain bites slow time down. McDonald’s is betting its Fried Apple Pie is one of them.
According to a new announcement from McDonald’s USA, the OG Fried Apple Pie returns to participating restaurants nationwide starting June 23 for a limited time. The classic dessert is described as featuring a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden, crunchy, flaky fried crust longtime fans remember.
Why the Fried Apple Pie comeback matters
McDonald’s is framing the return as a nostalgia play with a patriotic twist, tying the seasonal rollout to the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday. If you grew up hearing people talk about “the fried pies,” this is the moment they mean: hot, sweet, and unmistakably old-school.
And if you’ve never tried it? McDonald’s is positioning June 23 as your entry point—an “if you know, you know” menu item that’s meant to feel like a summer memory in dessert form.
A classic that started as a family recipe
The company also shared a bit of origin story: the Fried Apple Pie traces back to the 1960s, when East Tennessee McDonald’s Owner/Operator Litton Cochran created a fried apple hand pie that became a local favorite. Over time, it made its way into McDonald’s history.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said the pie is one of those foods that “take you back,” and credited his grandparents—Litton and Jo Cochran—with helping shape the recipe when McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert that would resonate with customers.
The 35-foot Fried Apple Pie (yes, really)
To make the return feel like a road-trip moment, McDonald’s is also unveiling a giant roadside installation: The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie, a 35-foot version of the dessert placed along Route 66—built to be a photo stop.
Fans can snap a selfie and pick up a McDonald’s souvenir map at:
- 920 N Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435 (just outside Chicago)
If you’re near Chicagoland, here are the dates
- Kickoff event (June 23): 3:30–6:00 p.m. CT, with live music, an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards
- June 23–July 4: The installation remains up through the holiday stretch
How to get it
McDonald’s says the Fried Apple Pie will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide, and can also be ordered via the McDonald’s App, while supplies last.If your summer plans include a long drive, a late-night snack run, or just chasing a little nostalgia, June 23 might be the date to circle. Some menu items are built for convenience—this one is built for the detour.
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