Food news

Weetabix goes all chocolatey
Despite 80% of children having breakfast before school, a fifth of parents actually admit that breakfast is becoming a ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘must have’ due to time pressures. Of those parents who do manage to get their children to fuel up before school 56% said it was their child who made the decision on what they ate. Breakfast is a meal when parents are able to encourage children to become independent but guide them in the choices they make by deciding what goes in the kitchen cupboard. Cereal is still the top choice for both parents and kids, with 84% of parents and 66% of kids selecting it as the winning choice for the first meal of the day. The figures were revealed in a survey by new Chocolate Weetabix.

Robinsons launches sophisticated squash
Robinsons has launched a new range of squashes, made from selected fruits, "expertly" blended. The company has spent months developing this new range of squashes designed to appeal to the more sophisticated taste-buds. The team has carefully selected superior fruits from top quality sources around the world and used their expert knowledge to create interesting blends that deliver great new taste combinations, suitable for all of the family. Robinsons Select squash comes in modern and unusual flavours which include Orange, Mandarin & Peach (which is available in standard and a no added sugar variety), Apple & Wild Blueberry, and Red Grape, Pomegranate & Raspberry.

Retro Slush machine
The Retro Slush Machine creates the feel and look of a 1950s kitchen or diner. Make your own Slush Puppies in minutes and serve your frozen drink through the easy pour spout. Retailing for £49.99 at Giles & Posner, the Retro Slush Machine is useful for outdoor entertaining as well, such as summer BBQs, and will give you a refreshing drink on hot day. The machine comes with recipe ideas. Use crushed ice or small ice cubes from your freezer and a small amount of water. Add your favorite fruit juice and the machine blends it.

Easter meringues from Head In The Clouds
Head In The Clouds has developed an alternative to Easter Eggs that's gluten free and contains less empty calories than many cakes and biscuits. Easter Animals Cupcake Meringues come topped with a rabbit or chick and vibrant choice of flavours, including Rose and Vanilla top, Chocolate with Mint or Orange top, Pistachio & Lime with Lemon top, and Banana meringue with Caramel top. Each meringue comes gift-wrapped in fancy ribbon and gift bags. Prices range from just £1.75-£20. They are made using free range eggs sourced from a local farm run by the Royal School for Deaf Children.
www.headintheclouds.uk.com

Pom-Bear Bakes
Pom-Bear crisps are popular with parents because they are gluten free and contain no artificial ingredients or colourings. They also contain only 0.1% trans fats. Now you can buy Pom-Bear Bakes in cheese flavour, made with real cheddar cheese, still in the classic teddy bear shape. They are baked, not fried, and they claim to contain 40% less fat than the leading cheese snack biscuit with 56% less saturated fat.
www.pom-bear.co.uk

The Chocaholics Hamper
This contemporary chocolate hamper is filled with an addictive selection of fine milk and dark chocolates. Contains chocolate and caramel mushrooms, fine drinking chocolate flakes, organic truffles, milk chocolate caramels and a fine milk chocolate bar. Contents may vary. A gift card is included in the price.
£32.99 from The Chocolate Trading Company

Hartleys makes jam squeezy
Hartley's is one company that probably does more to make jam interesting than any other. The jam section of the supermarket has been livened up since Hartley's came up with its individual pots for kids and, more recently, these smooth squeezy jams aimed at families.

Everything, it seems, is now available in a squeezy pot, and where jam is concerned it is a good way of making sure kids don't make so much sticky mess. No need to unscrew a tight lid or stick a knife in the jar. The pot stands on its lid, making sure the jam comes out quickly. Three flavours available.

New Gourmet Raw food range launched
Gourmet Raw is a new, convenient, healthy food range that is packed with natural energy. The handmade range includes two variants of Gourmet Raw Brownies (Celestial Cacao and Cocobanana) and three varieties of Flackers (Salsa, Jive and Sunshine). Flackers make a raw alternative to bread and are tasty served with guacamole, salsa or on their own as a quick and convenient raw snack. Three new gluten-free snack bars are also in production and will be launched shortly: Oracle (goji berries, hemp seeds and other delicious seeds), Supadoopa Slice (nut-free and sweetened with lucuma), and Mutiny (coconut and chocolate).