NEW FOR PESACH

FROM KOSHER TODAY FEB. 28, 2011

Gluten-Free Matzos and Other Products Lead Line-up of Nearly 400 New Kosher for Passover Items
New York…by Eda Kram, Editor, New Product Showcase…The steadily increasing demand for gluten-free products will be very much in evidence this Passover as part of a record 400 new items for the eight day holiday that begins on the eve of April 18th. Industry officials say that they have witnessed a steady increase in the sale of new gluten-free products over the past few Passover holidays. Harold Weiss, VP of Sales at Kedem, was very enthusiastic about the line of gluten-free products his company distributes, including Yehuda Gluten Free Matzo-Style Squares, Gefen Cake, Cookie and Frosting Mixes in addition to a line of Gluten Free Gefen King Krunch Cereals. He said that the company was already taking steps to further increase the offerings for 2012. The global gluten-free market is set to grow by $1.2 billion throughout the next five years, eventually reaching $4.3 billion by 2015, according to recent research by Datamonitor.

The long list of new and exciting items for this year’s Passover begins with a Babaganush (grilled eggplant) and Matbucha (spicy tomato) dips from Yehuda. Straight off a win in the Kosherfest 2010 New Product Competition is all natural Zeta Oils, made with olives from some of the oldest orchards, and available in Extra Virgin, Extra Virgin with Lemon and Extra Virgin with Basil & Garlic. Additional new condiments/seasoning items include Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Seasonings, Original Mixed-Up Salt, and Blanchard & Blanchard Hot Sauces (available in Caribbean Mango Fruit and Louisiana Cayenne Pepper). Pereg Gourmet introduces Pine Nuts and Almond Mix, a light, nutty combination with the sweetness of raisins and the crunch of toasted onions. Mother’s Brand Margarine and Butter Items will also feature a light spreadable gluten free butter, with 50% less fat and a Buttery Spray that is both gluten and dairy free. Osem USA introduces Ora’s Organics tea line.

In addition to Yehuda’s gluten-free Matzohs, Matzot Aviv is out with an organic line, including Matzos, Matzo Farfel, Matzo Meal and Cake Meal. Yanovsky introduces 18 minutes Matzah Chocolate Covered Matzah, Sweet Matzah, Matzah Crackers and Shemura Matzah Meal. Manischewitz raised the bar with Chocolate Covered Matzo Crackers with Drizzled Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Covered Egg Matzo Crackers covered in creamy milk chocolate drizzled in dark. In the breakfast and desserts category are such products as Shabtai Gourmet’s Yidels Devils Food – Mini Chocolate Swiss Roll (gluten-free), winner of the Kosherfest 2010 Passover Best New Passover Product. In addition to its new Matzo products, Manischewitz is introducing Macaroon Pie Shells (Coconut and Chocolate) Magic Max Cupcake Fun Kit (includes a six-compartment cupcake tin, 6 designed cupcake wrappers, 1 vanilla baking mix, 1 chocolate frosting mix, 1 packet of magic rainbow sprinkles and 6 magic max cut-outs on the back of the box) Chocolate Covered Cherries, Cappuccino Crème & Mint Crème Candies; Chocolate Covered Biscotti (Milk Chocolate Dipped Marble, Dark Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Chip Nut and Dark Chocolate Covered Marble Biscotti with Almonds; Bittersweet Chocolate Covered Citrus Peels, Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows with Nuts, Sugar-Free Candies, Honey Almond Crunch Cereal- farfel combined with toasted almonds and sweet raisins and Brown Sugar Cinnamon Hot Cereal.

In the meat and fish category, West Side Foods introduces Of Tov Fry Chicken, Dino’s Chicklicous Cutlets, Nuggets and Tenders. Hod Lavan introduces pre sliced turkey/mini turkey breasts. Holy Cow! introduces Jerky and Kosher Turkey Jerky (no preservatives, fat free and gluten-free). Season Brand introduces Moroccan Fish Meatballs (in both Original and Spicy varieties). Benz’s Food Production is unveiling a gluten-free Gourmet jarred gefilte fish.

In the sweets and snacks department, there are a number of new products for noshers. Kedem, in collaboration with Lay’s (Israel), will be offering Lay’s Potato Chips. Other new products for 2011 include Gefen’s complete line of gluten free, all natural Cake, Cookie and Frostings, King Crunch Gluten Free Cereals, All Natural Apple Sauces (now in a convenient plastic container), Lucky Cherry and Lucky Lemon Clear Ice Pops, Curly Nosh Snacks (BBQ and Onion), Sweet Relish (available in Original and Hot), and Almond Butter. From Glick’s comes Artichoke Bottoms and Fluffy Strawberry Marshmallow Crème. Osem presents Bamba peanut and hazelnut cream snack, an improved assortment of cakes (six flavors including pound cake and chocolate chip are gluten-free, shelf stable) and Chik Chak (colorful twisted marshmallows feature fun characters with adventurous activities for kids of all ages). Empress’s selection includes: Seder Symbols, Chocolate Bonbonniere Gift Box, and a Passover Seder Plate. From Yanovsky there is Chispis (18 minute Matzah cut in little pieces covered with chocolate), Sweet Loops (made with Matzoh Meal Shemura) and Sweet Petit Cookies mini cookies for Passover (chocolate flavor). Lastly, Manischewitz features Cotton Candy, a great addition to the Magic Max product line.

In addition to foods, many new novelty items will be on sale in time for the holiday. Davida Aprons introduces Kosher Kurls, a leave-in conditioner, as well as a new ruffled apron for their Matzah Collection for Passover this year. KosherKeepers introduces plastic food storage containers printed Meat, Dairy and Pareve in Red, Blue and Green with corresponding colored lids.