The French jam market is celebrating Hallowe'en with a new seasonal variety of Les Confitures à l'Ancienne. The variant contains candied pumpkin pieces and citrus fruit and is said to have a smooth texture. In the US, Mistic which has launched StrawMato, a drink combining strawberry and tomato flavours. Fortified with the recommended daily intake of vitamins A and C, the drink contains 50% premium juice. The product retails at between $1.50 and $1.79 for a 16-ounce glass bottle. There have also been some interesting developments in the French seasoning and spices market. Les Menus du Monde offer a new-age range of spices positioned as premium products, including 20 varieties featuring novel packaging, recipes and labelling. The spices come in small jars fitted with a grinder and can be refilled. The labels are also attractive with modern designs and Zen-inspired graphics. In terms of formulation, the range includes Pepper, Ginseng and Chilli as well as Sesame, Pepper, Fennel, Dill and Onion. The products come under distinctive names, such as Oh! Zone, Spirit of Fire, Herb Garden or Splash. In Italy, Ehrmann has launched Armonie di Frutta e Yogurt, which is a chilled dairy dessert made with 70% fruit pieces. It has undergone a pasteurisation process and a unique packaging process enabling the consumer to find a creamy yogurt heart inside the fruit dessert. Packaging innovation also continues with Kraft Foods giving a new lease of life to the instant coffee market. Maxiccino, marketed under the Maxwell House brand, is a hazelnut-flavoured instant cappuccino packaged in a resealable stand-up pouch. The Grocer has also learned that a white chocolate version of confectionery mega-star Kit Kat Chunky has reached cofectionery shelves in New Zealand. Nestlé Rowntree UK said it currently had no plans to introduce the variant in this country. {{P&P }}

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