Recently, in the U.S., chili spice-flavored chocolate confectionary saw a spike in activity, increasing 35% from 2008-2009. Upscale confectioner Vosges launched a Red Fire Exotic Candy Bar made with ancho and chipotle chili peppers, Ceylon cinnamon and dark chocolate. Although this activity in U.S. chocolate confectionary leveled off in 2010, the flavor profile has now emerged in the cereal category.

Anderson Trail, a manufacturer of natural soft granola, has launched Hatch Chile Chocolate granola. The product claims to have the taste of a homemade brownie, with the added warmth of New Mexico Hatch green chiles. The premium granola is packaged in a resealable stand-up pouch and marks the first cereal product launch tracked in Mintel's GNPD featuring the chili spice-flavored chocolate flavor profile.

Information in this column is from the Global New Products Database, the premier source of global product intelligence, published by Mintel International Group; 351 W. Hubbard, 8th Floor; Chicago, IL 60610; call: 312-932-0600; fax: 312-932-0474; or e-mail atillman@mintel.com.pf