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Family-owned cheese leader Sargento has announced a dual product launch designed to reinvigorate the natural cheese category with bold textures and high-heat profiles.

The company is introducing Sargento® Hot & Spicy Sliced Cheeses alongside a new snacking innovation, Sargento® Balanced Breaks® Cheese + Crunch Mixes. The move addresses evolving consumer demands for "adventure" in everyday eating, specifically targeting the demographic interest in spicy foods and convenient, protein-rich snacking.

The 'Hot & Spicy' Tier

Citing research indicating that over half of consumers are interested in spicy items, Sargento is rolling out a three-tier spice strategy for its sliced cheese portfolio. The new line allows consumers to select their preferred heat level: Sweet, Smoky, or Intense.

The Lineup:

🥭🌶️ Mango Habanero Jack: A blend of Monterey Jack with Habanero peppers and natural mango flavour, offering a "tropical twist" for wraps and grilled cheese.

💨🧀 Smoky Hot Colby-Jack: Engineered to deliver a rich, smoky heat profile ideal for burgers and hearty sandwiches.

🔥👻 Carolina Reaper Jack: The most intense offering, combining Monterey Jack with Jalapeno, Habanero, and Carolina Reaper peppers for an "elevated, fiery punch."

Snacking Expansion: Balanced Breaks 'Cheese + Crunch'

Expanding its award-winning Balanced Breaks® portfolio, Sargento is introducing a "first-of-its-kind" snack pack that pairs natural cheese with seasoned crunchy elements. This range moves beyond traditional fruit-and-nut pairings to tap into savoury snack mix trends.

The Varieties:

• Buffalo Ranch: Monterey Jack cheese paired with a snack mix of pretzels, roasted cashews, corn sticks, and pita chips seasoned with Buffalo Ranch.

• Sour Cream & Chive: Medium Cheddar cheese paired with pretzels, roasted almonds, toasted bread chips, rye chips, and breadsticks.

• Smoky & Sweet BBQ: Colby-Jack cheese paired with pretzels, roasted cashews, corn sticks, and corn kernels in a BBQ profile.

Nutritional Specs: Each pack delivers seven to eight grams of protein, positioning the product as a satiating on-the-go option that combats "snack boredom" through textural variety.

Erin Price, General Manager of Consumer Products at Sargento, commented on the strategic pivot towards bold flavour:

The launches align with "The Sargento Family Promise," the brand's platform emphasising its three-generation heritage of quality, while aggressively modernising the portfolio to meet contemporary palate shifts.