NEW SKUs

Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling
Beginning later this year, consumers will see Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) on the front of ready-to-eat cereal packages from Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich., in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the U.S., new packaging will feature an easy-to-use labeling system on the top, right-hand corner of cereal boxes, identifying percentages of calories, total fat, sodium, and grams of sugar per serving. The front-of-pack labels will also identify a list of key nutrients, including fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E. The percentages are based on a typical 2,000-calorie daily diet. The front-of-pack summary gives a quick snapshot of how a food fits into a consumer’s daily diet and complements the nutrition label found on the side panel. Kellogg first pioneered the use of GDAs in Europe and Australia, where the labeling approach has been well-received and adopted by the industry.

Getting Kids to Drink their Fruits & Veggies
According to the American Dietetic Association, 70% of kids age 2–9 are not consuming the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. A recent Nestle-funded survey found that 69% of moms believe their children should eat more vegetables, and more than 50% say increasing their kids’ vegetable intake is a nutritional priority. To help these moms and their kids, Nestle, Glendale, Calif., has launched Nestle Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise, a 100% fruit and vegetable juice drink. An 8-oz serving of the juice provides two combined servings of fruits and vegetables (two-third serving of vegetables and one and one-third servings of fruit). It also provides 120% of the daily value for Vitamin C and is a good source of beta carotene. The product comes in a 46-oz plastic bottle with a suggested retail price of $3.29. Varieties include Orange Mango, Grape, and Tropical, which are made from carrots, apples, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and pears.

Sports Drink with Protein
Move over Gatorade and Powerade, there’s a new sports drink in town from Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, Plano, Texas. Accelerade claims to be the first protein-enhanced sports drink with a patented 4:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio. While most sport drinks contain only carbohydrates and electrolytes, Accelerade also incorporates protein (i.e., whey protein isolates) and has been clinically proven to extend endurance, speed muscle recovery, and enhance rehydration. The drink contains 15 g of carbohydrates per 8 oz, primarily in the form of simple sugars and fast-acting carbohydrates as a source of quick energy. It does not contain high-fructose corn syrup.

Endurance athletes have been using Accelerade for years in the powder form. The launch of Accelerade as a ready-to-drink sports drink for the mainstream consumer market is the culmination of more than a decade of work. The product comes in a 20-oz plastic bottle.