Bringing international gourmet products to Europe is becoming increasingly complex. Recipes containing honey or certain smoke flavorings, in particular, are being affected by new regulations. Ryan’s Specialties is responding to this with adapted import products, new supply chains, and the consistent expansion of Easton Reed.
Why the gourmet product range is changing
A good gourmet selection thrives on products that customers cannot find everywhere. It relies on special recipes, small-scale producers, and flavors that are frequently and specifically requested.
However, bringing precisely these kinds of international specialties to Europe has become significantly more difficult in recent years. New requirements for evidence, registration, inspections, and approvals do not only affect importers. Manufacturers, individual production facilities, and sometimes even the suppliers of specific ingredients must meet additional requirements.
For large food corporations, this may just be another administrative process. For small and medium-sized manufacturers producing limited quantities for the European market, the effort is often no longer sustainable. To put it bluntly: for many of these manufacturers, Europe is simply "too much" now.
This leads to successful products being discontinued, not because there is no longer demand for them. Often, the exact opposite is the case. They disappear because creating a separate European recipe, providing additional documentation, or scheduling a dedicated production batch is no longer economically viable.
Particularly affected: honey and certain smoke flavorings
Currently, we at Ryan's Specialties are primarily occupied with two areas: products containing honey and recipes with certain smoke flavorings.
Why honey has become a complicated ingredient
For products containing honey, it is no longer enough that the honey used is of impeccable quality. The honey must originate from a country of origin approved for EU export and be sourced through a facility that has been reported and duly listed for export to the European Union by the competent authority of that third country. Furthermore, the origin and supply chain must be documented in a traceable manner. The legal basis for this is found, in particular, in Article 13(1)(c) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292, as amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2652, as well as Article 127(3)(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
This may sound like a formal matter at first. In practice, however, it can mean that a manufacturer can no longer use their existing honey supplier, must source a separate ingredient for Europe, or has to schedule a dedicated production batch. Especially for smaller manufacturers with limited export volumes, this effort is often too great.
Why recipes with smoke flavorings are changing
The legal framework for smoke flavorings has also changed. The authorization for several previously used smoke flavorings was not renewed. Following the expiration of the respective transition periods, many familiar recipes can no longer be produced in their original form and sold in Europe. For sauce manufacturers, this means: recipes must be tested, adapted, re-tasted, and in some cases, completely revised.
A sauce depends on its balance. If a single component is changed, the entire flavor profile can shift. Successful product redevelopment therefore requires time, experience, and the willingness of the manufacturer to tread new paths specifically for the European market. Moreover, it was not initially clear what the alternatives to popular liquid smoke were.
Rufus Teague shows that it can work
Rufus Teague is a very positive example for us. The team has engaged intensively with European requirements and spent months adapting their recipes. This was not just about swapping out an ingredient; the goal was for the sauces to retain their signature Rufus Teague character while being suitable for the European market in the long term.
The first revised Rufus Teague sauces have already arrived with us in new packaging. Other varieties will follow step by step.
This level of commitment is by no means a matter of course. It demonstrates how much effort is required on both sides so that international specialties can continue to maintain their place in the European gourmet trade in the future.
Not every special path can be maintained permanently
Other manufacturers have also attempted to develop individual solutions for Europe. Stonewall Kitchen temporarily enabled separate batches for us with an organic honey supply chain suitable for European import. In day-to-day production, however, this additional route could not be maintained indefinitely.
This is regrettable, but understandable. Separate ingredients, small special batches, and additional documentation processes cut deeply into a manufacturer's production planning. Stonewall Kitchen remains an important part of our range, however. We will continue to offer all products that we can import to Europe in a legally compliant and sustainable manner. At the same time, we must prepare for the fact that certain long-standing bestsellers will no longer be available, or will no longer be reliably available.
Easton Reed emerged from a challenge
We do not want popular flavors to simply disappear from our range. After more than 22 years in the gourmet trade, we know exactly which products have been successful for many years, which items customers miss, and which recipes really work on the shelf.
We are leveraging this knowledge with Easton Reed. We are further developing familiar flavor profiles and reinterpreting them: with selected ingredients, our own recipes, European production, and an elegant, consistent brand identity. The result is a range that is convincing in taste while simultaneously allowing for more long-term planning for the European market.
For retailers, European production offers another advantage: freight and customs costs are lower than for many import products from the USA. This allows us to offer a significantly more attractive price despite the high-quality ingredients and even higher-quality design.
Truffle Ketchup: a missed bestseller returns
A good example is the Truffle Ketchup from Easton Reed. Since a former truffle ketchup in our import range was no longer reliably available, we were asked about it time and time again. Many customers have not forgotten this item to this day.
With Easton Reed, we have finally been able to offer a high-quality truffle ketchup again: with fruity tomato, a fine truffle note from real truffles, garlic, and a presentation that fits into both a modern gourmet shelf and a high-quality gift section.
Since its introduction in January 2026, the feedback has been exceptionally good. At many trade fairs, we have experienced firsthand that retailers and end customers love our truffle ketchup: "It's finally back!"
Eight new Easton Reed sauces for a versatile retailer range
We introduced the first eight Easton Reed sauces at the TrendSet in Munich. The feedback regarding taste, design, and pricing significantly exceeded our expectations. The new line includes BBQ classics as well as fruity, sweet-and-spicy, and internationally inspired recipes. All the sauces are not just intended for the grilling season. They also pair well with cheese, sandwiches, raclette, fondue, oven-baked dishes, bowls, finger food, and gift sets. Sauces for 365 days a year.
Ribhouse BBQ Sauce
A robust BBQ sauce with tomato, brown sugar, molasses, roasted garlic, and a subtle smoke note from smoked vinegar.
The Ribhouse BBQ sauce evokes memories of fire, the smell of the grill, and the kitchen of a good smokehouse. It pairs perfectly with ribs, pulled pork, burgers, sausages, fries, and grilled vegetables—but in winter, it also goes well with raclette, fondue, and hearty oven dishes.
Peach Whiskey Sauce
Peach, sweet onion, roasted garlic, mustard, and a fine hint of Scotch whisky create a fruity sauce with a warm spice.
Peach Whiskey is versatile enough for the grill and BBQ, but also goes excellently with cheese, sandwiches, and oven dishes. Due to its special recipe and elegant bottle, it also makes for a great gift or souvenir item.
Maple Chipotle Sauce
Canadian maple syrup meets spicy chipotle chili, tomato, molasses, and roasted onion.
The sauce combines a pleasant sweetness with a light kick and great depth. It works well with burgers, ribs, chicken, sweet potatoes, grilled vegetables, and sandwiches, bringing an internationally popular flavor combination to the range.
Honey Barbecue Sauce
A mild, balanced barbecue sauce with honey, tomato, brown sugar, and mustard.
Honey BBQ appeals to an especially broad target group. It pairs with chicken, burgers, sausages, fries, potato dishes, and vegetables, making it a great choice for customers who like BBQ but are not looking for intense heat.
Honey Chili Barbecue Sauce
Here, the sweetness of honey meets a lively, but not excessive, chili heat.
The Honey Chili Barbecue Sauce is suitable for meat, chicken, burgers, sandwiches, vegetables, finger food, and cheese. It is sweet and spicy, yet remains balanced and accessible.
Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Soy sauce, brown sugar, caramelized ginger, and roasted garlic bring an Asian-inspired direction to the collection.
Ginger Teriyaki pairs well with chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu, vegetables, bowls, rice, and stir-fry dishes. It can be used as a sauce, dip, marinade, or glaze, making the Easton Reed line independent of classic BBQ themes.
Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
Our personal favorite sauce combines a high proportion of raspberry purée with chipotle, tomato, lemon, and fine spices.
Raspberry Chipotle pairs with poultry, game, burgers, grilled dishes, oven vegetables, and especially well with cheese. The unusual yet easily understood combination makes it interesting for tastings, gift sets, and eye-catching product presentations.
Apple Onion Fig Sauce
Black fig, apple, sweet onion, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and selected spices combine into a fruity-spicy sauce with great depth.
Apple Onion Fig is less of a classic BBQ sauce and more of a versatile companion for cheese, meat, sandwiches, raclette, fondue, and festive dishes. This makes it particularly suitable for gourmet shops, cheese counters, and gift sections.
Not just for the grilling season
Our versatile gourmet sauces offer numerous opportunities for enjoyment throughout the year. What once started as grilling season has now established itself as year-round sauce enjoyment.
In spring and summer, the focus is on grilling, BBQ, burgers, and picnics. In autumn and winter, these same products can be presented with cheese, raclette, fondue, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, and hearty dishes. Pan-se ared meats, burgers, fried potatoes, and fish are also most enjoyed with delicious sauces all year round.
Sauces are also equally attractive for gift sets and gift baskets. A special recipe is easy to understand, ready to use, and frequently purchased as a small gift.
The uniform Easton Reed design allows retailers to present multiple varieties together and develop different themed worlds from them:
- Grill and BBQ
- Cheese and charcuterie
- Raclette and fondue
- Burgers and sandwiches
- International cuisine
- Gift sets and gift baskets
The new sauces are finally here, and we are already working on the next ones. Easton Reed also offers gourmet ketchups as well as Fine Pairings – fruity companions in the style of fine chutneys that pair well with cheese, meat, bread, sandwiches, and warm dishes. In addition, there is organic maple syrup in two flavor profiles and organic cranberry syrup from Canada.
With Scottish shortbread, gourmet popcorn, and elegant marshmallow pralines, a sweet assortment for gift areas, gift baskets, and seasonal promotions is also growing. The brand is rounded off by nut spreads, aioli, and sweet honey mustard.
Our goal is clear: Easton Reed is to become one of the most beautiful, high-quality, and taste-convincing delicatessen ranges on our retailers' shelves. Feedback from trade fairs, tastings, and our showroom in Augsburg shows us that we are on the right track.
What the changes mean for retailers
International delicacies will remain an important part of our range in the future. At the same time, we will need to distinguish more precisely which import products will remain reliably available in the long term.
With Easton Reed, we are creating a stable supplement to this:
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independent recipes with an international character
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European production and more reliable planning
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attractive retail prices
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a consistent, high-quality brand design
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versatile products for the entire year
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good combination options for themed worlds and gift sets
This way, popular flavors can remain in the assortment even if previous import products are no longer available or only available to a limited extent.
Get to know Easton Reed and request samples
Retailers who have not yet visited us at a trade fair or in our showroom in Augsburg are welcome to get to know the new Easton Reed sauces in person. Upon request, we can put together a suitable sauce assortment for delicatessens, cheese counters, butcher shops, grill shops, concept stores, online retailers, or gift areas. We are also happy to provide personal consultation regarding discontinued items and suitable alternatives.