New Frontier Foods, maker of Ocean's Halo seaweed products, announced a new snack line and an expansion of existing products. Almond Seaweed Strips, which feature crunchy almonds in between two lightly sweetened seaweed strips, will debut in the US after a successful trial run in more than 850 Starbucks® locations in Korea. Ocean's Halo also added a new flavor to its popular sheeted seaweed Snacks – Maui Onion – which remain available in Sea Salt, Texas BBQ and Sriracha flavors.
In addition to the product additions, Ocean's Halo has signed a long term, exclusive sales and distribution agreement with one of the largest and most experienced USDA Organic seaweed producers globally to develop the first seaweed manufacturing plant in the US, to be located in Southern California. The agreement and plant will allow the company to supply seaweed to all North America retailers in support of private label and branded products. The plant will open in Q2 2016 and in addition to private label production, will produce all of Ocean's Halo's sheeted seaweed snack flavors.
Ocean's Halo Seaweed Snacks are USDA-certified organic, Project Non-GMO verified, Vegan certified, and use only gluten-free ingredients. The brand's seasoning and flavors makes it possible to use less salt than other brands. Ocean's Halo also uses higher Omega, heart-healthy oils and invests in certified compostable materials for its packaging.
"We've been embraced by the healthy snacking community during the past nine months with our sheeted snacks, and want to be sure we stay ahead of the curve and consistently offer our consumers new, innovative healthy seaweed snack options," said Robert Mock, CEO and co-founder of Ocean's Halo. "The opening of the manufacturing facility in Q2 has not only provided tremendous advantages within our supply chain, but will also allow us to provide much faster and more cost-effective seaweed supply for U.S. retailers in support of their branded and private label products. Ocean's Halo can now be found in nearly 5,000 retail locations across the globe and we look forward to continuing to innovate and provide healthy and delicious snack alternatives."