Prepared Foods- July 2008

new product trends Hitting the Shelves Taking a Lift In the beverage category, the rise in energy drink introductions is noteworthy. As brands fight to gain entry into the marketplace, the ability to differentiate themselves is vital. Not traditionally an energy drink manufacturer, Ocean Spray recently tapped into the beverage subgroup with its Cranergy juice introduction. Several energy drinks with all-natural and/ or vitamin-rich ingredients exist; however, Cranergy claims to provide consumers with energy naturally. To deliver energy upon consumption, Ocean Spray enhanced its famous cranberry juice with green tea extracts and vitamin B. Cranergy separates itself from other energy drinks by stating that, on average, one serving contains 50% fewer calories and less sugar. This juice is sweetened with sucralose and comes in Cranberry Lift and Raspberry Cranberry Lift flavors. Unlike most energy drink beverages, Ocean Spray is highly recognized for its established brand name. Also, while still entering a new segment, the company has stuck with its core product offering—cranberry juice. Cranergy is found with other juices, while most energy drinks are in the soda aisle or in coolers near the checkout line. Chips are Down Falafel, a dish with combined vegetarian ingredients and typically served as fast food in Middle Eastern countries, is wellliked across the globe. Consumers eat falafel as a snack or meal, and the food is a fried ball often served in a pita. Flamous Brands’ development of Falafel Chips warrants recognition for introducing the food in an unconventional manner as a crispy snack. Consisting primarily of chickpeas and ground corn, the falafel found in these chips is organic and made from all-natural ingredients. Its lower levels of sodium and extensive list of “free from” claims—including gluten, cholesterol, preservatives and trans fats—make Falafel Chips unique, capitalizing on the health and wellness trend. The manufacturer notes the product is a nutritious and satisfying nibble that may be consumed alone or dipped in hummus for added taste. In addition to its original flavor, Falafel Chips are also offered in a Chipotle variant, an up-and-coming flavor profile across a variety of categories. Fiber of Truth As digestive health has become a mainstream health concern, fiber has received more attention and gained an increasingly prominent healthy halo. Planters Nuts has recently leveraged that association between fiber and digestive health with the introduction of Planters Digestive Health Mix, part of the NUT-rition line. Nuts contain natural fiber, but for consumers seeking that extra boost, Planters has added dried fruit and granola to this variety to increase the fiber content. This product may be more appealing to consumers who are less familiar with probiotics and more comfortable with products rich in natural fiber for digestive well-being. In addition, the shelf-stable storage of the product makes it an especially good fit with fiber, whose benefits are not reliant on associations with freshness and refrigeration, as probiotics are. This expansion of digestive health benefits to nuts is unique for the snack and takes advantage of the "naturally rich in" trend that is important to today's consumers. 10 July 2008 www.PreparedFoods.com Better Than the Average Bar Recent launches of active energy products have specified the sports and activities for which they are aligned. One company in particular, Forward Foods, has differentiated itself by launching snack bars formulated for consumption before, during and after certain activities. Recently, its Detour line was extended to meet the needs of yet another specific activity group—people who practice yoga, or “yogis.” Detour Yoga includes whey protein for muscle repair, but also interesting is its incorporation of lemon balm to continue calm feelings long after yoga sessions have ended. With increasingly hectic lifestyles, consumers are turning to yoga for balance and peace. This “mood food” functionality is unique for the sports performance bar category, and the targeting may represent a key opportunity for marketers in a variety of categories. The use of lemon balm to relax the mind and body after a yoga session is a unique differentiator in the crowded bar marketplace. ● http://www.PreparedFoods.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Prepared Foods- July 2008

Prepared Foods- July 2008 Table of Contents Hitting the Shelves Category Analysis: Cereal Bars MarketWatch Modern Mediterranean Cuisine On the National Menu Stabilizers in Foods Beverages: Drinking It Up Protein and Aging R&D Applications: Chia Seed Nutraceutical R&D Applications: Navigating Flavor Trends R&D Applications: Ancient Whole Grains Abstracts

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