Close×

McCain has rebranded and relaunched its classic Potato Smiles as EmotiBites, following consumer demand to bring the product back into the freezer aisle.

Dubbed as the “smiley face of the social media world”, McCain’s EmotiBites are a contemporary twist on the classic product, McCain Foods marketing manager ANZ Karen Ramsay told PKN.

“We wanted to bring the product into the new era, while still giving consumers that feeling of nostalgia for the snack that they enjoyed in their childhoods,” Ramsay said.

“In the '90s, Smiles were a classic for the pre-digital era, now they bring the same joy, but updated to reflect todays social world.”

“The packaging standout is achieved via the bright blue colour contrasted with golden emotes – this is a very bright colour for the category. There is huge demand for these products already, and stock has sold through Coles who are busy trying to restock their shelves.”

EmotiBites are packed in Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), which can be recycled in soft plastic recycling programs, such as REDcycle.

The updated protato snack range now also features new shapes in addition to the smiles, including winks, flowers and thumbs up.

McCain EmotiBites are now available nationwide in Coles stores for RRP $4.00.

Food & Drink Business

Lupin protein company, Wide Open Agriculture (WOA), has started winding down its German production facility as it shifts to a contract manufacturing model, with the ASX-listed business ending the June quarter with $1.27 million in cash and roughly 2.1 quarters of funding.

Every three years, Australia's food and beverage manufacturing industry gathers at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for foodpro – and this year Food & Drink Business was there as an exclusive media partner of the foodpro Industry Hub. In two minutes, here's a taste of some of what caught our eye across the show floor – the latest in processing and packaging, automation and robotics, food safety, sustainability and AI, and the people behind it.

Health and wellness food company OMG Group has reported FY26 net sales of around $6.1 million, up 49 per cent on the $4.1 million recorded in FY25. The company says it is expanding its Woolworths ranging, moving its matcha operation into commercial fulfilment, and establishing its first international distribution channels.