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

Our Top 100 2025 edition of Food & Drink Business magazine is more than the annual flagship Top 100 Report. Industry leaders reflect on the year past and the one ahead, we provide our annual news review, M&A wrap-up, and all the executive moves, and a Roman-inspired sports drink, Posca, is our final Rising Star for 2025.

A blend of salt, red wine vinegar, and water – known as Posca – was the ‘original sports drink’, helping to keep the soldiers of the Roman Empire marching up to 30 kilometres per day. Keira Joyce spoke with Posca Hydrate co-founders, Merrick Watts and Ed Stening, about reviving a 2000-year-old functional beverage for the modern healthy lifestyle.

From the big deals to the quiet divestments, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, recounts the mergers and acquisitions of 2025.