Bumble Bee debuts new value-added products

Bumble Bee is debuting new value-added items with a focus on affordability.

The San Diego, California, U.S.A. based company, owned by Fong Chun Formosa (FCF) Fishery Company, has begun selling newly introduced Bumble Bee Prime Protein on the Run snack-kits, designed for a portable lunch or snack on-the-go or at home. Each kit includes a 2.7-ounce can of tuna with an easy-peel lid, Partners artisanal crackers, a utensil, and a sweet caramel treat in a pop-open, easily recyclable box, the supplier said in a press release. The kits, which retail for a suggested USD 2.99 (EUR 2.59) each, are now available at most U.S. grocery chains, including Albertsons, Hannaford, Southeastern Grocers, and Publix. Tuna flavors include Zesty Lemon, Black Pepper, and Mild Jalapeno.

Bumble Bee has also upgraded the packaging on its Bumble Bee Prime line of gourmet canned tuna and salmon products, which also retail for USD 2.99 each, and added a new item. Its new Prime Solid White Albacore in Olive Oil “combines the benefits of albacore with the goodness of olive oil,” Bumble Bee said. The complete Prime canned product line also includes Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water (Low Sodium), Tonno Yellowfin Solid Light Tuna in Olive Oil, and Atlantic Skinless and Boneless Salmon in Water.

“We believe that everyone deserves to eat well – no matter what. That’s why we’re selling the Bumble Bee Prime line at mainstream retailers at an affordable price,” Bumble Bee Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing Dan Hofmeister told SeafoodSource.

While Bumble Bee has been impacted by the same inflationary pressures that have challenged the entire food and beverage sector, Hofmeister said the company has been able to control costs.

“Fortunately, our category scale, diversified supply matrix, and integration with our new ownership, FCF Co. Ltd. – a global leader in seafood sourcing – has enabled us to retain our exceptional value-proposition despite rising costs,” Hofmeister said. “Even in times such of these, we are confident our canned and pouch tuna products will continue to be among the most affordable proteins on the planet.”

The Bumble Bee Prime Fillet line is known for its “superior quality and unique upside-down gold can,” Hofmeister said. “Seeking to retain these recognizable equities with our loyal buyers while also capturing the attention of new category buyers, we simplified the branding and elevated the design to match the quality in the can.” 

Bumble Bee is also seeking to feed growing demand in the snacking category, Hofmeister said, with its Prime Protein on the Run kits, what he declared to be the first premium tuna snacking solution in the category.

“Consumers are snacking now more than ever and are increasingly looking for high-protein, portable snacks without compromising on taste,” he said.

Shelf-stable tuna sales have declined this year, but certain sub-segments are growing, Hofmeister said.

“Both Premium Tuna and Ready-to-Eat Kits have posted double-digit sales growth versus 2019,” he said.

Bumble Bee is also taking advantage of the growing trend of premium tuna marinated in olive oil.

“Consumers prefer olive oil because it’s more flavorful, delivers more omega-3s, and it helps retain the moist texture of the tuna. All of the Protein on the Run kits are marinated in olive oil,” Hofmeister said.

Canned and pouched salmon have experienced a boost in demand as consumers have been cooking more at home and “have rediscovered the flavor and convenience of packaged salmon,” Hofmeister said. 

“We’re glad to see more consumers benefiting from the straight-from-pantry convenience of canned salmon, which was actually the first product that the Bumble Bee Seafood Company sold when it was founded by salmon canners over 120 years ago,” he added.

As part of its company-wide sustainability commitments, Bumble Bee is also focusing on recycled packaging. In 2022, the supplier is launching replacing the plastic on all of its tuna multipacks with paperboard, using recycled board that is 100 percent recyclable.

“We produce 26 million multipacks per year, so this change from plastic to paperboard will make a significant impact on the amount of plastic waste that is created each year,” Hofmeister said. 

Photo courtesy of Bumble Bee Seafood Company