Mondelez's CEO Introduces New Healthier Product Line But Isn't Abandoning Oreos

One of the greatest challenges faced by snack and food makers is the ongoing trend of consumers demanding healthier options. To combat this trend, Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ: MDLZ), the maker of Oreo cookies, announced a brand new line of snacks called Vea.

Vea will offer consumers crackers and snack bars without artificial ingredients and GMOs, while at the same time, other brands will be revamped to better address the health trend.

Speaking to CNBC during an interview on the sidelines of the CAGNY conference, Mondelez's CEO Irene Rosenfeld acknowledged that consumers have been demanding food options that contribute to a more balanced and healthier lifestyle. She noted that Vea's products will feature a combination of flavors from across the world to create a new product line that has high expectations for the company.

Rosenfeld estimated the total addressable market of healthier snack options at $160 billion and the company can meet the needs of the consumers either through internal growth or acquisitions.

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Despite the shift toward healthier options, Rosenfeld acknowledged that many consumers still want to indulge in a treat and this market shouldn't be ignored. In fact, the company can also offer a product that meets consumers halfway, such as Oreo Thins.

"There's all sorts of ways to meet the consumers need but at the end of the day there is no question it is a trend everywhere in the world," she said. "As the world's largest snacking company we intend to capitalize on it."