General Mills unveiled its line-up of new products set to debut this summer. Leading this collection is a host of new products to align with growing consumer interest in wellness, including new Yoplait Plenti, Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli, and Annie's organic soups.

"General Mills has been growing for more than a century, constantly innovating and investing to meet changing consumer needs. As we enter fiscal 2016, we are keenly aware of our consumers changing food preferences. This presents a tremendous opportunity to create growth for General Mills," said Ken Powell, General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain deeply committed to following our consumers and adapting our portfolio to their tastes and interests."

Addressing Wellness

Around the world consumers are focused on wellness and have new interests in products made with simple ingredients, foods free from gluten, natural and organic foods, foods that deliver more fiber, more protein and more whole grain, and foods free from artificial ingredients. General Mills is responding to these evolving consumer preferences with:

  • Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli – A blend of simple ingredients including toasted oats, sun flower seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, toasted coconut, almonds and pumpkin seeds, new Nature Valley Toasted Oats Muesli can be eaten plain, with milk or yogurt. Each quarter-cup serving has less than 5 grams of sugar. Available in Original or Blueberry flavors in the U.S., and Field Berry and Coconut Almond varieties in Canada.
  • Yoplait Plenti – This new line from Yoplait combines Greek Yogurt with whole grain oats, flax and pumpkin seeds for hearty, protein-packed yogurt. With 12 grams of protein in each cup, Yoplait Plenti is available in eight flavors including blueberry, black cherry, coconut, peach raspberry, spiced apple, strawberry and vanilla.
  • Annie's organic soups - Available in the soup aisle for the first time, Annie's introduces its new organic soup line in flavors like Star Pasta & Chicken Soup, Tomato Soup, Creamy Tomato & Bunny Pasta Soup, Bunny Pasta & Chicken Broth Soup and Creamy Carrot & Bunny Pasta.
  • Food Should Taste Good Real Good Bars - These indulgent bars combine large, whole nuts, seeds and real fruit pieces with fair trade chocolate and unexpected culinary spices like Madagascar vanilla, shaved coconut and chai. Food Should Taste Good Real Good Bars are gluten free and contain no GMOs, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
  • Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars – Simply made with the inherent goodness of whole nuts, seeds, honey, tapioca syrup and sea salt, these naturally gluten-free bars come in two varieties: Almond, Cashew & Sea Salt, and Roasted Peanut & Honey.
  • Cheerios Plus—In Canada, Cheerios Plus combines delicious toasted Cheerios with crunchy granola clusters mixed with nutritious protein or flax seed. Available in Cinnamon Coconut and Honey Almond.
  • Yoplait O'Fruit – In China, this drinkable yogurt has big fruit pieces that require an extra-large straw to drink. It is one of three different lines of Yoplait launching this summer in China, which also includes Perle de lait, a thick and creamy French style yogurt, and Panier de fruits, a fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt.

The company has also announced significant moves to update the recipes for existing products in the U.S. including reducing sugar in Yoplait Original by 25 percent. General Mills has also made significant announcements on cereal. In February, General Mills said it would make the most popular flavors of Cheerios gluten-free, thanks to the company's newly developed technology that separates its oats, which are naturally gluten-free, from other gluten-containing grains that find their way into the oat supply.

And just last month, General Mills announced it would remove artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources in Big G cereals, replacing these ingredients with fruit and vegetable juices and spice extracts. Seventy-five percent of the Big G portfolio will meet this claim by January with the remainder by the end of calendar year 2017.

Meal time short-cuts

While consumers are increasingly interested in wellness, they are also seeking contemporary solutions to help save time in the kitchen.

"Many millennials enjoy cooking and are interested bringing ethnic, international flavors to meal time. They cook from scratch less often than previous generations and look to convenient short cuts that not only satisfy their desire to cook, but also allow them to put dinner on the table in 20 to 30 minutes," said Jeanine Bassett, vice president of Global Consumer Insights at General Mills.

General Mills, which has a long history of convenient meal helpers, is introducing new, convenient products that allow consumers to customize meal time. Most notable, this includes:

  • Progresso Cooking Stock - Progresso's new line of premium Cooking Stocks are made by simmering real bones, vegetables and herbs to create a meaty, homemade flavor. And, with no artificial flavors or preservatives, Progresso Cooking Stock can be a go-to starter for soups, sauces and other culinary creations.
  • Green Giant Fire Roasted Vegetables - For the first time, Green Giant is bringing mouthwatering fire roasted vegetables to the frozen aisle, making it easy to create restaurant inspired dishes at home. Available in four varieties: Fire Roasted Zucchini, Carrots and Onions; Fire Roasted Corn, Peppers & Onions; Fire Roasted Root Vegetables with Red Onions; and Fire Roasted Tri-Color Peppers.
  • Old El Paso Mini Taco Boats - Say yes to tacos with Old El Paso's new Mini Soft Tortilla Taco Boats. Its mini size fits perfectly in your hand, and the boat shape makes tacos easier to serve and hold, even packed full of all your favorite fresh fixings.
  • Latina Fresh Gluten Free Pasta – Gluten-free households across Australia can now enjoy a delicious pasta dinner with new Gluten-Free Pastas from Latina Fresh. Made with quality ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors, the Latina Fresh gluten free line includes Fettuccini, Lasagna sheets, Beef Ravioli and Ricotta & Spinach Agnolotti.

Sweet Treats

Even people following a wellness lifestyle can find a little room for an indulgent treat. General Mills is introducing a new range of sweet treats from the ultra-indulgent to the permissible:

  • Cinnabon Mini Pull-Aparts - Pillsbury brings Cinnabon's deliciously fluffy and gooey cinnamon rolls home in delectable, bite-sized pieces. Each package of new Cinnabon Mini Pull-Aparts comes with 12 mini pull-apart rolls and signature Cinnabon cinnamon and creamy frosting.
  • Haagen-Dazs Stick Bars – In France, Haagen-Dazs introduces a new line of ice cream stick bars in five flavors: Macadamia Nut Brittle, Salted Caramel, Pralines & Cream, Vanilla Caramel Almond, and Chocolate Choc Almond.
  • FiberOne Cheesecake Bars – Consumers seeking a wellness lifestyle can still make room for indulgence. With only 150 calories, these new bars are made with irresistible layers of graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake and flavorful toppings like strawberry and salted caramel.
  • Betty Crocker Mug Cake – In Brazil, Betty Crocker introduces a no-bake mug cake, a baking mix that can be prepared in a coffee mug and heated in the microwave for 90 seconds. Available in four varieties: Brigadeiro, Beijinho, Pacoca and Orange.