NEW SKUs

Milk Enriched with Phytosterols
Consumers’ desire for healthier products is indeed a global trend as evidenced by a new product launch of sterol-enriched milk in China. Mengniu, Hong Kong, the largest dairy producer in China, has teamed up with Cognis, Monheim, Germany, to introduce Milk Deluxe phytosterol-enhanced milk. The product is available at major food stores throughout China. Leon Chen, Business Manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health, Greater China, explained that Cognis’ state-of-the-art technology provided the foundation for this launch. “Sterols do not dissolve easily in water or oil, so they can create challenges for many food applications. Using our special esterification process at Cognis’ production facility in Germany, we found an innovative way to make it work while maintaining the milk’s superior taste and appearance.”

“Considering there is a large population in China that is increasingly experiencing cholesterol-related health issues due to poor dietary choices, this milk could be a significant contribution toward a healthier and more balanced diet pattern to help reduce the risk of cholesterol-related heart disease,” said David Cai, Ph.D., Senior Science and Regulatory Manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health, North America and Asia.

From Russia with Kvass
Kvass, a fermented beverage, has been a staple for Russians for centuries. In 2008, Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, Ga., created and launched Krushka & Bochka Kvass in Russia. The drink has quickly become one of Russia’s best-selling brands in the fast-moving non-alcoholic fermented beverage category. In honor of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to the United States this past June, Coke announced that it has begun importing its Krushka & Bochka Kvass into the U.S.

Available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores in the New York City metro area, Kvass is fermented with rye and barley and flavored with natural sugar for a clean, sweet finish. Its aroma is reminiscent of freshly baked bread. Though made through a process like beer, the drink’s fermentation is closely monitored to ensure the alcohol level falls within the Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines for a non-alcoholic beverage. The product comes in a 16.9-oz embossed bottle with a resealable cap.

Whole Grain Breaded Chicken
Perdue Farms Inc., Salisbury, Md., has made their frozen chicken products more nutritious with the addition of whole-grain breading. The new line includes Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets, Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Breast Strips, and Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders. Packaging for each product bears the Whole Grains Council’s Stamp, which indicates that each serving provides at least one-half serving (8 g) of whole grains. The products are also “child nutrition” labeled, which identifies the contribution of these products towards fulfilling the USDA’s daily child nutrition meal pattern requirement.

The all-white-meat chicken products provide 4 g of fiber per serving and are a good source of vitamins B1, B6, and niacin. The suggested retail price is $6.99 for the nuggets and tenders (29-oz bag) and $9.49 for the strips (25-oz bag). In sensory tests, consumers liked the appearance, aroma, and taste of the whole-grain breaded products.