Latest news with #HostessTwinkies
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hostess Twinkies' Munchie Mobile: Smucker Targets Stoners For 4/20
Imagine the iconic kid's brand Hostess Twinkies cruising in a "Munchie Mobile" to cannabis dispensaries. This isn't The Onion. This isn't a Saturday Night Live sketch. It's J.M. Smucker's new marketing tactic for the 106-year-old Hostess brand they bought in 2023. As Katie Deighton describes in the Wall Street Journal, Twinkie the Kid is "taking a siesta." In his place is a campaign targeting cannabis fans celebrating 4/20, the unofficial national holiday for cannabis culture. The Munchie Mobile visits East Coast dispensaries at 4:20 p.m. daily. It ends with a six-hour event in Brooklyn on April 20th. This initiative marks a sharp turn for a brand known for childhood nostalgia. Smucker admits Hostess had lost relevance. I find this embrace of cannabis culture fascinating after decades of family-friendly marketing - it seems unprecedented for a brand like Twinkies. A pun-filled press release notes the brand is 'taking the high road' and includes the promise, 'We Twinkie swear it will be lit.' Smucker paid $4.6 billion for Hostess at a time when the pandemic was boosting sales of snack items. Now, snack sales are down industry-wide. Weight-loss drugs threaten to change eating habits. With their sweet snack sales dropping by 7%, Smucker needs to find new customers fast. Smucker is trying multiple approaches. They've redesigned packaging. They created a "Speakie Snackie" promotion. People say phrases like "Bet you dollars to Donettes I have the munchies" for free snacks. Brands need emotional connections with consumers. Smucker gets this. They tap into Hostess's bold heritage with slightly irreverent marketing. They're also launching mini versions of popular items. They have already brought back Suzy Q's cakes and my own guilty pleasure, HoHos. This strategy uses sound psychology. Associating Twinkies with post-cannabis snacking creates strong purchase triggers. When you get "the munchies," you might remember that Twinkie ad. Free samples leverage the principle of "reciprocity." I've seen this work countless times. When someone gives us something free, we feel obligated to return the favor. And, at the same time the brand is handing out the freebies, they are showing the recipients that they are part of the same identity group. That invokes Robert Cialdini's 'liking' principle, if not the stronger 'unity.' Of course, only a handful of customers will be able to visit the Munchie Mobile in person during it's brief East Coast run. The brand is counting on broader exposure driven by its unexpected and unconventional pivot. Many marketers fear trying things that might alienate traditional customers, but the old fans of Hostess Twinkies were already leaving. Sometimes bold moves are needed to stay relevant.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. claims ultra-processed foods are 'poison.' What does he plan to do about it?
Despite his previous claims that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are 'poisonous," Robert F. Kennedy Jr. won't take any additional measures to remove such foods from the market. Kennedy, the former independent presidential candidate who is slated to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said during his Jan. 29 appearance before the Senate Committee on Finance that he's not looking to ban UPFs. Instead, he's committed to providing more information about the harms of consuming UPFs and food additives. 'I don't want to take food away from anybody,' he said, per TIME. 'If you like…a McDonald's cheeseburger, Diet Coke — which my boss loves — you should be able to get them. If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that. But you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health.' Under his campaign, called Make America Healthy Again, Kennedy made a promise to 'ban the hundreds of food additives and chemicals that other countries have already prohibited' along with 'change regulations, research topics, and subsidies to reduce the dominance of ultra-processed food.' Additionally, Kennedy told NBC back in November that he would target ingredients in America's food that 'are illegal in Europe' and other countries and 'making our kids sick.' He also made jabs at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), saying the agency's nutrition departments 'have to go' because its workers are 'not doing their job.' 'They're not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients and you go to Canada and it's got two or three?' Kennedy told the outlet. Froot Loops in the U.S. contains artificial dyes (namely Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Yellow 6) while the Canadian version uses natural juices like carrot, watermelon, blueberry and turmeric juice. While addressing the Senate Committee on Finance, Kennedy underscored his big plans, vowing to 'make sure our tax dollars support healthy foods,' 'scrutinize the chemical additives in our food supply,' and 'remove financial conflicts of interest from our agencies,' TIME reported. Despite those promises, Kennedy maintained that UPFs will remain on the market and available for consumers to purchase. On Jan. 30, during an appearance before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Kennedy doubled down on the detriments of UPFs. He told lawmakers that food producers have been allowed to 'mass poison American children,' reiterating his previous claims that UPFs are 'poison' and fueling the nation's 'chronic disease epidemic.' 'That's wrong. It needs to end. And I believe I'm the one person who's able to end it,' Kennedy are commercially manufactured food products that have undergone significant processing. UPFs don't resemble their raw ingredients and are typically high in refined sugars, salt, artificial colors, emulsifiers and sweeteners. Common examples of UPFs include breakfast cereals, packaged snacks, soft drinks, candy and flavored yogurts. Studies have found that UPFs contribute to a greater risk of health problems, including obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. In recent years, growing concerns surrounding the risks of UPFs have encouraged many health professionals and scientists to call for tobacco-style warnings on such foods. Carlos Monteiro, the Brazilian epidemiologist who coined the term ultra-processed food, said in a June statement to The Guardian that UPFs are 'increasing their share in and domination of global diets, despite the risk they represent to health in terms of increasing the risk of multiple chronic diseases.' 'UPFs are displacing healthier, less processed foods all over the world, and also causing a deterioration in diet quality due to their several harmful attributes,' he continued. 'Together, these foods are driving the pandemic of obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes.' As of Feb. 4, the Senate Finance Committee voted along party lines to advance Kennedy's nomination for health secretary to the full Senate, per MSNBC. Fourteen GOP members voted in favor of Kennedy while all 13 Democratic members voted against him. If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee several major agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is Diet Coke Really Getting Banned?
Late last year, rumors began circulating of an alleged Diet Coke ban. In a viral post, which appeared to come from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new president's choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, appears to vow to prohibit consumption of the soda beginning January 20. While Reuters and other outlets quickly debunked the theory as nothing more than a parody post from a fake account, consumers still worried that RFK Jr.'s stance on food additives and chemicals could threaten the fate of Diet Coke on store shelves."If they really ban Diet Coke I'll probably have to check myself into some kind of program," one user wrote on X. "What if they do actually ban diet coke like how could i possibly survive that," another chimed in on the platform. Now, however, we finally have a resolution. In an opening statement during his Senate confirmation, Kennedy Jr. shot down the idea of a ban on Diet Coke—or fast food, for that matter. "We need to use—deploy—the [National Institute of Health] and FDA to doing the research to understand the relationship between these different food additives and chronic diseases so that Americans understand it," he said during the hearing, before clarifying that a ban was not part of his plan. "If you like a McDonald's cheeseburger and a Diet Coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them. If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that. But you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health," RFK Jr. added. While Diet Coke isn't exactly touted as a health beverage, there is some good news. Despite previous reports tying the drink's artificial sweetener aspartame to cancer, the World Health Organization found "limited evidence" linking the two. Registered dietitian and nutritionist Lauren Manaker also tells Delish that while drinking the soda every day isn't the "best" health practice, she says it isn't the "worst" either. "Will having one Diet Coke per day result in detrimental effects, especially if the rest of the day is filled with water drinking and balanced-diet eating? Unlikely." Shall we celebrate with an ice cold DC?!?! You Might Also Like Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners To Try This Week 29 Insanely Delicious Vodka Cocktails
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. Says He Won't Take Away Twinkies if Confirmed as Health Secretary — or Diet Coke, 'Which My Boss Loves'
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he isn't attacking junk food — he just wants Americans to know what they're eating. In his first of two Senate confirmation hearings for the role of health and human services secretary on Jan. 29, Kennedy said he doesn't plan to restrict Americans from certain foods, as some had wondered. "We need to ... deploy NIH and FDA to doing the research to understand the relationship between these different food additives and chronic disease," he said of the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, "so that Americans understand it and make sure that Americans are aware." He added, "But I don't want to take food away from anybody." Related: Senate Votes on Trump's Cabinet Nominees: Tracking Everyone Who Has Been Confirmed So Far "If you like ... a McDonald's cheeseburger, Diet Coke — which my boss loves — you should be able to get them," he told the Senate panel. "If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that, but you should know what the impacts are on your family and your health." In referencing his "boss," Kennedy meant President Donald Trump, whom he would answer to if confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump has a well-documented love of Diet Coke. Related: RFK Jr.'s Billionaire Ex-Running Mate Threatens Senators Who Vote Against His Confirmation: 'Please Choose Wisely' Kennedy's high-stakes confirmation hearing comes less than 24 hours after his cousin Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, released a scathing letter about him. In the letter, Caroline — who is normally a very private person, a source close to the family told PEOPLE — called her cousin a "predator" who is "addicted to attention and power." Caroline went on to note his history of substance abuse and claimed he led other family members down the same path. She also alleged that he had previously engaged in animal abuse and capitalized off of their family's tragedies, including his father Robert F. Kennedy's assassination. Related: Caroline Kennedy's Takedown of RFK Jr. Ahead of Confirmation Hearings 'Is Shocking,' Says Family Source (Exclusive) Kennedy's confirmation as Trump's health secretary is far from certain, and criticisms from his family haven't helped quiet the noise about his status as a controversial public figure. Aside from a number of personal scandals in recent months — including an alleged relationship with a journalist who profiled him and allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied — Kennedy's political goals have divided Americans given his history of peddling conspiracy theories that aren't backed by science. Since siding with Trump last year, the vaccine skeptic claimed without evidence that fluoride is a harmful addition to drinking water, and suggested Americans begin drinking raw milk amid news of bird flu being found in batches of the beverage. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. vows he won't take cheeseburgers away, just highlight health issues: 'My boss loves' them
President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday that his objective to making "America Healthy Again" will not include taking food such as cheeseburgers or Twinkies off of the shelves – quipping his boss has a soft spot for fast food. "Most importantly, we need to use, deploy, NIH and FDA to doing the research to understand the relationship between these different food additives and chronic diseases so that Americans understand it," Kennedy explained before the committee on Wednesday. "But I don't want to take food away from anybody. If you like a cheeseburger, a McDonald's cheeseburger, or a Diet Coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them," he said, which sparked laughter from the audience. "If you want a Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that. But you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health," he explained. Trump Inner Circle Shares Mcdonald's Meal As Donald Jr. Jokes 'Make America Healthy Again Starts Tomorrow' Trump has long been a well-known fan of Diet Coke and McDonald's fast food, including re-installing a Diet Coke button on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office to swiftly deliver him the soft drink, and campaigned at a Pennsylvania McDonald's ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Read On The Fox News App Woman Served By Trump At Mcdonald's Drive-thru Reveals Details Behind Viral Exchange With Former President Kennedy's hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Finance Committee is just the first, with the nominee scheduled to again join lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Thursday to appear before the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Kennedy has been at the forefront of "MAHA," or Make America Health Again, movement within Trump's orbit. Kennedy's hearing was expected to be fiery, as the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy has come under fire for his critical stance on vaccines and food additives. Kennedy said in his hearing that he is not "anti-vaccine." Trump Makes Fries At Pennsylvania Mcdonald's: 'I've Now Worked For 15 Minutes More Than Kamala' "I worked for years to raise awareness about the mercury and toxic chemicals in fish. And nobody called me anti-fish. And I believe that… that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare. All of my kids are vaccinated. I've read many books on vaccines. My first book in 2014, a first line of it is 'I am not anti-vaccine' and last line is 'I am not anti-vaccine.' Nor am I the enemy of food producers. American farms are the bedrock of our culture, of our politics, of our national security," he said on Wednesday. 'Vindictive': Democrat In Tight Senate Race Blasted By Gop Rival For Swipe At Mcdonald's After Trump Visit "In my advocacy, I've often disturbed this status quo. I am asking uncomfortable questions. Well, I'm not going to apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face," he article source: RFK Jr. vows he won't take cheeseburgers away, just highlight health issues: 'My boss loves' them
