What's New in Review
New meat products have made their way onto store shelves and restaurant menus in recent months. Meat
Marketing & Technology, with the aid of Marketing Intelligence Service Ltd. of Naples, N.Y., reviews
what is new in the market.
>> Chef Paul Prudhomme, New Orleans, has introduced Chef Paul Prudhomme Magic Seasoning Blend
Smoked Meats to "add flavor to any dish and assist in making the preparation time shorter."
Cajun Pork Andouille and Cajun Pork Tasso are two of the four varieties. Andouille is smoked sausage
made from pork or turkey and potatoes. Tasso, known as Cajun ham, is smoked strips of seasoned and
smoked pork or turkey.
>> Hillshire Farm and Kahn's (a division of Sara Lee Corp.), Cincinnati, has introduced new 30-count
boxes of Frozen Mini Sausages marketed under the Hillshire Farm brand name.
Original and Hot varieties of sausage links are said to have "authentic skillet-cooked flavor" and are
microwaveable. Product is being promoted with ads offering coupons for "free eggs with the purchase of
two packages of Hillshire Farm Mini Sausages."
>> Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn., has extended its Hormel Light & Lean 97 line by introducing 97
percent fat-free, julienne-style Smoked Ham Flavor Meat Cuts. "The cuts were created to make food
preparation more convenient and easy," according to the company. "Whether used as a primary ingredient
in favorite recipes or as a quick topper on salads and baked potatoes, the strips of meat are highly
versatile."
The refrigerated meat is sold in 6-ounce Zip Lock packages and has a suggested retail price of $2.49.
>> Kraft General Foods Inc., Glenview, Ill., has launched Jack's Frozen Pizza in Supreme, Combination,
Pepperoni, Sausage, Cheese and Hamburger varieties.
The 10.5-inch pizzas are said to be made with ingredients superior to current value segment product
offerings. The company reports that this "competitively priced" pizza carries a $2.29 suggested retail
price.
>> Melson Meat Co., North Prairie, Wis., has burst onto the retail scene with DinoBurgers, dinosaur-
shaped beef patties.
Six frozen patties are packaged in a 1-pound box and marketed under the Melson's brand name. The
suggested retail price is $2.99.
>> Win Schuler Foods Inc., Livonia, Mich., has introduced three "hot snacks;" Win Schuler's Original
Barbecue Sauce with Meatballs and Mild Chili Sauce with Smoked Sausages are two of the new offerings.
Product is presented in refrigerated, resealable 2-pound and 5-pound plastic tubs called Bucket of Fun.
Suggested retail prices range between $4.69 and $5.59, and $8.89 and $9.99, respectively.
>> Bob Evans Farms, Columbus, Ohio, has introduced Bob Evans Farms Hot Sausage & Biscuits
Sandwiches, which are made with "hot recipe," fully cooked Bob Evans sausage and buttermilk biscuits.
The company reports product is "great for breakfast or anytime you're on the run." Six microwaveable
sandwiches (three two-packs) are sold in boxes that are labeled "keep refrigerated or freeze." Product is
supported with ads that include a 35-cent coupon which is headed "Hot News."
The company has also introduced Bob Evans Homestyle Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, which it says are
made of "two incredible buttermilk biscuits and that creamy, homestyle gravy made with Bob Evans
Sausage, the best-tasting around!"
If your company has launched a new meat product, please mail or Fax a news release to Larry Aylward,
Meat Marketing & Technology, The Arcade, 401 Euclid Ave., Suite 461, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Phone
216/579-0814 or Fax 216/579-0911.
Know Your Non-Meat Competition
Boca Burger Co., Boca Raton, Fla., has introduced a line of vegetable protein products called Boca
Burgers. Vegan Original, Hint of Cheddar, Hint of Fresh Garlic and Mild Jalape-o are the new products.
Boca Burgers are reportedly made from a new generation of health and energy-giving golden soy and
natural flavors. Company literature states that these "no-fat and low-fat meatless burgers are so
revolutionary in taste and texture-juicy and full of flavor-[they] are converting thousands upon thousands
of fast-food hamburger eaters and making Vegans and Vegetarians smile."
Product should be stored frozen, but can be kept in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for about
one week. Boca Burgers can be heated in the skillet, on the BBQ grill, in the toaster/conventional oven, or
in the microwave.