Craig Rexroad, Thai Union’s communications director for North America, told SeafoodSource on Monday, 17 March at Seafood Expo North Amercica that his company is amped up about its subsidiary Chicken of the Sea’s new Infusions line of tuna cups, which received a full launch in the first quarter of 2019.
The single-serving recyclable plastic cups hold 80 grams of shelf-stable tuna and come in four flavors – Lemon & Thyme, Sundried Tomato, Thai Chili, and Basil.
“It’s the perfect snack,” Rexroad said.
Each Infusions cup has 20 to 22 grams of protein, are low in fat, and all are either sugar-free or very low in sugar (the Sundried Tomato Infusions cup has one gram of sugar), Rexroad explained. The cups are being marketed to “millennials who aspire to healthier habits,” according to a previous company release.
“The products have had great receptivity in the market,” Rexroad said. “They’re selling in and our retailers are selling through. Repeat purchase have been really high. These are great indicators and we’re really happy so far.”
The cups retail for around USD 2.29 (EUR 2.02) each. Rexroad said they can be found at most major brick-and-mortar and online food retailers in the United States.
Thai Union Corporate Executive Chef John DaLoia said the cups were designed to maximize flexibility for the consumer.
“It gives them something that allows them to build a meal with it,” he said.
DaLoia said the cups are compatible with keto and paleo diets and is great for snacking, such as before or after a workout, or as a complement to a salad.
“What you’re getting is a real, simple easy fix for a brand new audience,” he said.
And consumers don’t have to be worried about eating the Infusions at work or in public places, as the company has worked hard to minimize the odor typically associated with canned tuna, he said. DaLoia said he’s even seen people eat it on planes.
“You open up a regular can of tuna packed in water and the entire room smells like tuna. You open this up and you don’t get that smell,” he said.”It’s very clean – we like to call it neighbor-friendly.”
