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Every year, food and beverage companies launch countless new products, but some of the most buzz-worthy releases are the ones that are purely fictional.
April Fool’s Day gives businesses the opportunity to play pranks on consumers by introducing fake products under their well-known brands. These pranks are a clever way to draw attention to their core products and often spark debates among consumers about the authenticity of the launches.
Interestingly, some of these April Fool’s jokes end up becoming real products due to the overwhelming response from consumers.
In 2023, Kraft Heinz’s Claussen brand turned their pickle-flavored cocktail April Fool’s joke into a reality. Similarly, in 2024, Hidden Valley Ranch and Burt’s Bees collaborated to create lip balm in four unique flavors.
This year, food manufacturers are taking a different approach by releasing innovative variations of their existing products and teaming up with emerging brands for increased exposure. Hidden Valley’s partnership with Olipop, for example, taps into the growing demand for prebiotic sodas.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the April Fool’s Day products that companies have “launched” this year, including offerings from Hershey, Smarties, and more.
Olipop and Hidden Valley Ranch Collaboration
Olipop, known for its better-for-you sodas, teased a fictional collaboration with Hidden Valley Ranch, offering a range of zesty flavors inspired by the popular salad dressing.
The “Ranch Lovers” soda pack includes flavors like Ranch, Jalapeño Ranch, Garlic Ranch, and Hot Honey Ranch, providing a unique and refreshing experience for consumers.
Reese’s Chocolate Bread
Hershey’s Reese’s brand took a playful approach by introducing Reese’s Chocolate Bread, a whimsical twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This faux product promises the ultimate PB&J experience when paired with jelly and Reese’s peanut butter.
Introducing Thinkies by Smarties
Smarties teamed up with Quizlet to create an imaginary candy called “Thinkies,” aimed at enhancing brain power and boosting enjoyment while studying. The companies humorously claimed that Thinkies had transformed studying into a delightful experience for students.
BodyArmor Sports Performance Shampoo
BodyArmor, a sports drink brand under Coca-Cola, poked fun at athletes with the launch of BodyArmor Sports Performance Shampoo. This fantasy product supposedly contains electrolytes and vitamins to hydrate, strengthen, and volumize hair, endorsed by Great Clips.
Crunch’s Quiet Bar
The Crunch candy bar announced its “quietest bar ever,” made with boiled white rice for a 75% reduction in noise. This unique twist on the popular confection aims to provide a more subtle snacking experience for consumers.