Appealing to Americans’ increasing desire for spicy food – along with accommodating diets such as keto and gluten-free allergy restrictions – Salisbury, Maryland, U.S.A.-based seafood supplier Handy Seafood is launching four new frozen products for retail, along with a new product for foodservice customers.
Handy is debuting the new products, which include Hot Honey Breaded Shrimp, Korean-Style Breaded Shrimp, Keto-Friendly Shrimp Power Bites, and Keto-Friendly Gluten-Free Crab Cakes, at the 2025 Seafood Expo North America, taking place in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., from 16 to 18 March, at Booth #823 and in SENA’s 2025 New Product Showcase.
Handy has traditionally focused on solely supplying crab, but it has expanded its offerings in recent years.
For instance, its Spicy Breaded Jalapeño Shrimp was a 2024 Best New Foodservice Product finalist in last year’s Seafood Excellence Awards at SENA.
Its new retail frozen shrimp items – Hot Honey Breaded Shrimp and Korean-Style Breaded Shrimp – tap into current trends, as both hot honey and Korean-style ingredients are popular flavor profiles, Handy Director of Marketing Maureen Johnson told SeafoodSource.
“Consumers are actively seeking out these kinds of bold, exciting flavors. By incorporating them into shrimp, Handy is meeting that demand,” she said.
More consumers are seeking globally inspired cuisine and are becoming more adventurous with their food choices, she added, noting that the products can attract younger demographics, too.
“These products break away from traditional frozen seafood offerings, which can often be perceived as bland or repetitive,” Johnson noted.
Handy’s Shrimp Power Bites and and Gluten-Free Crab Cake, meanwhile, address specific dietary needs as food that people following both the keto diet and gluten-free restrictions can eat are in heavy demand, according to Johnson.
“Consumers with these dietary needs often struggle to find convenient and delicious options, especially in the frozen food aisle,” she said. "These products broaden the appeal of frozen seafood beyond traditional consumers. They attract individuals who might have previously avoided frozen seafood due to dietary restrictions or health concerns.”
The company’s Premium Crab Stuffing for foodservice customers is a blend of premium crabmeat, seafood seasoning, and a hint of lemon and mustard. It can be used to make crab cakes or for stuffing lobster, shrimp, fish and mushrooms, the company said.
“By directly responding to the demand for a premium product that was previously unavailable, Handy is building strong relationships with foodservice operators,” Johnson said.
Even better for restaurants, Johnson said that the product allows operators to create signature dishes and charge a premium price, all while reducing labor costs as employees do not have to stuff crab from scratch.
