NEW SKUs

Freeze-and-eat Sorbet
Del Monte Foods, San Francisco, Calif., has brought innovation to the canned fruit aisle with its recent launch of Del Monte Fruit Chillers—a line of shelf-stable fruit sorbets. Consumers put the product in their home freezers, where they become frozen fruit sorbet in about 8 hours. Each 4–4.5-oz single serving of the product contains natural fruit puree, no artificial flavors, and 100% of the daily value of vitamin C. Varieties include Arctic Strawberry, Glacial Mango, and Polar Raspberry.

Packaging for Del Monte Fruit Chillers was created by CBX (Colemanbrandworx), New York, N.Y. In designing the packaging, one objective was to leverage Del Monte’s strong equity in fruit by incorporating the brand’s well-known shield, which conveys trust, quality, and nourishment. Another objective was education—consumers are not used to buying something in the center-of-the-store and then freezing it. Large type on the packaging instructs consumers to "Freeze & Eat" and a blue background with the words "Fruit Chillers" in icy white lettering communicate cold.

Soda with Extra Pop
Coca-Cola North America, Atlanta, Ga., has combined two growth engines in beverages with its launch of Diet Coke Plus. The new carbonated drink is calorie-free (thanks to a blend of aspartame and acesulfame-K) and is fortified with vitamins and minerals. Each eight-oz serving provides a good source of niacin (vitamin B3), vitamins B6 and B12, zinc, and magnesium (15% daily value for niacin, B6, and B12, 10% DV for zinc and magnesium). Packaging includes 20-oz PET bottles, 12-oz can 12 packs, and 12-oz PET (trial package).

"Consumers, including Diet Coke drinkers, are increasingly looking for more beverage options, and we wanted to offer them the convenience of a calorie-free beverage that is a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, and one that delivers on the great taste that they have come to expect from us," said Katie Bayne, Senior VP, Coca-Cola Brands, Coca-Cola North America.

Longer-lasting Frozen Treats
Unilever USA, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., has added an ice structuring protein and gelatin to its Popsicle frozen novelties to delay thawing and dripping. Popsicle Long Lasting Slow Melt ice pops are said to last longer than regular pops, giving kids more time to enjoy them and creating less mess for mom. The products are a good source of vitamin C and are made with 10% real fruit juice and natural flavors and colors. Flavors include Cherry, Strawberry/Kiwi, and Lemonade. They come in a 20- pack carton with a suggested retail price of $3.99.