Canned pasta’s beloved SpaghettiOs has just turned up the heat. Campbell Soup has unveiled SpaghettiOs Spicy Original, a collaboration with Frank’s Red Hot. The company claims this new offering features a mild to medium spiciness, appealing to millennials seeking a more sophisticated flavor profile. “We’re thrilled to add a spicy, grown-up twist to a classic that our adult consumers have cherished since childhood,” stated Mieka Burns, Campbell Soup’s vice president of meals and sauces. The food manufacturer cited Ipsos survey data indicating that a third of adults who enjoyed SpaghettiOs in the past year mentioned they enhanced the dish with spices.
This isn’t Frank’s first collaboration with Campbell Soup; back in 2021, a limited-edition flavor of Frank’s Red Hot Goldfish was launched. The tangy hot sauce has also been featured in David sunflower seeds and almonds, among other products. The trend for spicier flavors is rising, particularly among younger consumers. At the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference in February, McCormick highlighted that millennials and Gen Z prioritize spice above all else. A Harris Poll survey revealed that 73% of Gen Z regularly purchase spicy foods, with IRI data showing a 39% growth in the hot sauce category since 2019.
In a separate announcement, Rice Krispies has partnered with Frankford Candy to introduce a new line of candy bars this spring, bringing the iconic cereal into the candy aisle. These bars will be available in marshmallow and strawberry flavors. “Consumers today are looking for products that enhance their sensory experience through taste, texture, and sound,” remarked Molly Jacobson, director of business development at Frankford Candy. “With its Snap, Crackle, and Pop, we believe that the combination of crunchy Rice Krispies and creamy candy will be irresistible.” The new Rice Krispies bars will retail for $2.49 at Walmart, Five Below, and Big Lots, as well as online at FrankfordCandy.com.
Frankford Candy and Kellogg have a history of collaboration; they joined forces in 2022 to create two limited-edition Easter products: the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Milk Chocolate Rabbit and Rice Krispies Milk Chocolate Eggs. Rice Krispies has expanded beyond its cereal origins to significantly contribute to Kellogg’s snacking business, with about 70% of Kellogg’s North American Snacks net sales coming from four key brands, including Cheez-It, Pringles, Pop-Tarts, and Rice Krispies Treats. “These brands have shown consistent growth over the years, and there’s still plenty of room for expansion,” stated Chris Hood, senior vice president and president of Kellogg North America.
Meanwhile, Jovial Foods is introducing a gluten-free option for mac and cheese lovers. The health-conscious brand announced two new products made with brown rice pasta, free from gluten. One flavor features white cheddar with dairy ingredients, while the other is a vegan option with dairy-free cheese. Made in Italy using bronze dies and slow-drying techniques, the pasta is designed to better hold cheese. Jovial emphasized the organic, clean-label ingredients, assuring consumers that the gluten-free noodles taste and feel just like traditional pasta.
Founded over a decade ago to create quality pasta for their gluten-sensitive daughter, Jovial now offers a variety of pastas, sauces, beans, and olive oils. These products will be available at various national retailers starting in May, with availability in Whole Foods beginning in July. In recent years, consumers have shown a preference for foods with greater nutritional value. The mac and cheese category, still largely dominated by Kraft’s Mac & Cheese and experiencing a surge during the pandemic, has seen the introduction of several new brands. Goodles, co-founded by actress Gal Gadot and a former Kraft executive, released four flavors in 2021 and added a vegan option in the following year. This better-for-you brand, which has raised over $10 million to date, boasts 14 grams of protein and includes ingredients like kale and mushrooms. Last year, GrownAs Foods launched a plant-based mac and cheese made with potato and coconut flour.
In all these developments, brands like Jovial Foods and Goodles are paving the way for healthier options in traditional comfort foods, while products like SpaghettiOs Spicy Original and Rice Krispies bars cater to evolving consumer tastes. As consumers increasingly seek products that combine convenience with nutritional benefits, innovations like these—along with offerings such as Citracal with Vitamin D—highlight the trend toward healthier eating without sacrificing flavor.