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Leftovers offers a peek into the latest product concepts making waves in the market. Some are intriguing, some are downright exciting, and some are just too innovative to ignore. With a plethora of pitches flooding our inboxes, here are a few leftovers that caught our eye.
Mars Introduces Freeze-Dried M&M’s
M&M’s is joining the freeze-dried food trend with a new and exciting offering. The Mars-owned brand is gearing up to unveil M&M’s Pop’d Caramel, a reinvention of the classic candy with a light and crispy texture. Following the success of Skittles Pop’d, launched last year, this new creation aims to delight candy enthusiasts with a unique experience.
“M&M’s Pop’d Caramel brings together everything beloved about M&M’s in a delightful, crispy crunch, offering a fresh and fun twist to the flavors and textures we all know and love,” stated Martin Terwilliger, Vice President of Marketing at Mars Wrigley North America.
With non-chocolate candy sales reaching $12.9 billion in the past year, as reported by the National Confectioners Association, there is a growing demand for innovative treats among Generation Z and millennial consumers. M&M’s Pop’d Caramel is set to launch online and on TikTok Shop on Nov. 10, followed by a nationwide rollout in January 2026.
– Sarah Zimmerman
Ortega Infuses Taco Shells with Cheez-It Flavor
Ortega is taking taco night to a whole new level by incorporating cheese into its taco shells. B&G Foods is introducing Cheez-It Flavored Taco Shells, blending the cheesy essence of the popular cracker with the crunch of Ortega’s Hard Taco Shell.
“We’ve always believed that taco night should be anything but ordinary,” said Chris Kirwin, Brand Director of B&G Foods. “With the Ortega Cheez-It Flavored Taco Shell, we’ve crafted a delicious shell that not only serves as a vessel for taco fillings but also offers a unique flavor experience that taco and snack enthusiasts will adore.”
The new Ortega Cheez-It shells are currently available at Target and select retailers nationwide, with plans to expand distribution to more grocery stores in the near future. Notably, Cheez-It is in the process of being acquired by Mars for $36 billion.
– Christopher Doering
Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. Collaborate on Beverage Brands
Iron Man and Spider-Man, or rather the actors portraying them, are teaming up once again. Actors Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have joined forces to introduce two unique beverages under their respective brands: nonalcoholic beer label Bero and coffee brand Happy.
The duo is launching Bero Coffee Draught, a creamy beer with cocoa undertones, and Eternal Hoptimist ground coffee, inspired by hops and featuring citrus and pine notes. These products will be available on Happy and Bero’s e-commerce platforms and in limited quantities at Target stores nationwide.
Holland co-founded Bero last year alongside beer industry veteran Grant Wood, focusing on crafting alcohol-free beer from the outset. On the other hand, Downey established Happy in 2024 with Craig Dubitsky, known for founding consumer products Eos and Hello. Happy has expanded rapidly across various national retailers, offering ground coffee, Keurig cups, and ready-to-drink options.
The collaboration between Holland and Downey adds to the growing list of celebrity-backed beverage brands, including Stiller’s Soda by Ben Stiller and Wild AF Brewing by Charlie Sheen.
– Laurel Deppen