The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Ben’s Original™, a subsidiary of Mars Food & Nutrition, has announced the expansion of its ready meal portfolio in Canada with the launch of Street Food Noodles. The new product line is designed to meet the increasing consumer demand for convenient, globally inspired meals that can be prepared in under two minutes.

The launch follows the successful introduction of the brand’s Street Food ready meals and signals a broader strategic shift to move Ben’s Original™ from a side-dish provider to a "centre-of-the-plate" solution.

The introduction of the Street Food Noodles line comes at a period of rapid expansion for the Canadian ready meal sector. Market data indicates that the segment is expected to grow by 46 percent between 2024 and 2030, reaching an estimated value of $7.18 billion (USD).

Derin Bello, General Manager at Mars Food & Nutrition Canada, noted that noodles represent one of the fastest-growing categories within the convenient meal space. The company is positioning this launch to capture the intersection of two major consumer trends: the requirement for 90-second preparation times and a growing preference for international flavour profiles.

Product Profile and Nutrition

The Street Food Noodles range consists of five globally inspired variants, each packaged in a microwave-ready pouch. The formulations emphasise clean-label standards and functional nutrition, features that are increasingly prioritised by Canadian B2B retail partners.

Key product attributes include:

• Nutritional Standards: Each variety serves as a source of fibre and protein.

• Clean Label: Formulated without artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

• Dietary Versatility: All five SKUs are suitable for vegetarians.

Diverse Flavour Portfolio

The new line focuses on prominent Asian culinary profiles, reflecting the diverse palate of the Canadian consumer base. The five varieties include:

• Chinese Stir Fry: Features a savoury seasoning blend with mushrooms, carrots, and red bell peppers.

• Korean Style BBQ: A sweet and mildly spicy profile incorporating chilli and green onions.

• Spicy Indonesian: A heat-forward blend with aromatic notes, green beans, and peppers.

• Thai Stir Fry: A balanced sweet and savoury profile with fragrant Thai seasoning.

• Japanese Teriyaki: An umami-focused variant featuring a mix of mushrooms and red bell peppers.

Distribution and Retail

Ben’s Original™ Street Food Noodles have secured broad distribution across the Canadian market. The products are now available at most major grocery retailers nationwide and through e-commerce channels, including Amazon.ca.

To support the initial retail rollout, the brand is utilising a value-add promotion offering exclusive bamboo chopsticks with multi-pack purchases. This strategy is intended to drive trial and volume in the highly competitive ready meal aisle.

For Mars Food & Nutrition, the expansion into the noodle category allows for a more comprehensive "total meal" offering. By leveraging the existing brand equity of Ben’s Original™ and applying it to a high-growth, high-convenience format, the company is aiming to solidify its position as a primary provider in the functional and rapid-preparation food sector.