New Food Products: New Food Rollout for June 2007

Good morning, good evening, babies

St. Louis-based Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp., a subsidiary of Hero Group of Lenzburg, Switzerland, launches Good Morning and Good Evening, the first lines of baby foods formulated to offer key ingredients to infants already eating solid baby foods, based on their nutritional needs the time of day that they are fed.

Beech-Nut scientists and Dr. Richard Theuer, a pediatric nutritionist and nutritional consultant to Beech-Nut, relied on significant research to develop the line based on the nutritional needs, growth and digestive patterns of babies. "Much like adults, infants can benefit from a healthy breakfast that's made with whole grains and soluble fiber to encourage a steady release of energy throughout the morning to help keep them alert and eager to learn and play," says Theuer. "At night time, because babies grow more when they are resting, they need a diet containing high-quality protein to help build muscle."

In addition to protein to help keep babies calm and relaxed during the evening, Good Evening includes the prebiotic inulin to help babies' digestive health by stimulating the growth of "good" bacteria. Beech-Nut claims to be the first major jarred baby food or cereal to include prebiotics.

All of Beech-Nut's cereal and jarred foods are all-natural with added vitamins and minerals. and its jarred baby foods contain no added salt, starches, refined sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, soy or trans fat.

Varieties include 8-oz. packages of dry cereals and five varieties of 4-oz. jarred food each in the Good Morning and Good Evening lineups. Dry cereal flavors include: Good Morning Oatmeal with Mixed Fruit and Whole Grain Oatmeal & Chiquita Bananas, plus Good Evening Brown Rice and Whole Grain Mixed Grain. Jar foods include: Good Morning Peach Oatmeal Banana; Rice Cereal & Apple with Egg; Cinnamon Raisin Granola; Mixed Fruit Yogurt and Country Breakfast; plus Good Evening Turkey Tetrazzini, Hearty Vegetable Stew, Ginger Chicken & Veggies, Creamy Chicken Noodle, and Ham, Pineapple & Rice.

Suggested retail price is the same as existing Beech-Nut Stage 2 baby food.

Drink your omega-3s at breakfast

Chicago-based Tropicana Products Inc., a division of PepsiCo, takes cardiovascular health to heart with the rollout of Tropicana Healthy Heart with Omega-3s, the first national orange juice to include omega-3s, the fatty acids known for helping to promote heart health.

Fewer than 25 percent of American adults consume the daily value of omega-3 acids EPA and DHA. Tropicana Healthy Heart with Omega-3s delivers 50mg of omega-3s in every 8-oz. glass. It contains an encapsulated, marine-based source of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fatty acids to offer consumers heart-health benefits in a convenient way at breakfast.

"Orange juice is a perfect food to make it easier for people to consume more omega-3s in the diet," says Mark Andon, director of nutrition. "Orange juice is the most popular juice in America and the benefits of drinking Tropicana Healthy Heart with Omega-3s build on the other heart health benefits of orange juice, including it being sodium-free, saturated fat-free and a good source of potassium."

Suggested retail price of for a 64-oz. carton is $3.49.

Little hands can spoon up DHA

Minneapolis-based General Mills adds DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid and important nutrient that supports brain growth and eye development during early childhood developmental stages, to its Yoplait Kids yogurt line.

An excellent source of calcium and a good source of vitamins A and D and protein, Yoplait Kids now provides 16mg of naturally sourced omega-3 DHA per serving. It comes in a two-flavor six-pack of 4-oz cups. Flavors include Strawberry/Strawberry Vanilla; Peach/Strawberry Banana and Banana/Vanilla.

"Yoplait Kids with omega-3 DHA is ideal for those consumers who are looking for easy ways to integrate this important nutrient into their children's diets," says Phillip Zinda, Yoplait marketing. "By adding omega-3 DHA, Yoplait Kids offers even broader dietary benefits. Plus, Yoplait Kids has 25 percent less sugar than comparable brands of children's yogurt."

Suggested retail price is $2.69 per pack.

Weber Grill seasonings for the season

According to Information Resources Inc., the grill seasoning category increased more than 12 percent in the past year, and Weber Grill's primary research shows that more than half of all outdoor chefs now grill year round.

Weber-Stephen Products Co., Palatine, Ill., and ACH Food Cos., a subsidiary of London-based Associated British Foods, entered into a licensing agreement to introduce Weber Grill Creations, a line of eight seasonings, six marinades and three grilling grinders versatile enough to be used on any type of grilled food from steak and chicken to fish and vegetables.

Seasoning varieties include: Chicago Steak; Kick'n Chicken; Sweet & Tangy BBQ; N'Orleans Cajun; Smoky Mesquite; Gourmet Burger; Zesty Lemon Seasoning and Veggie Grill. Marinades are White Wine & Herb; Black Peppercorn; Italian Herb; Chipotle; Tomato Garlic Pesto and Mesquite, while the grinders come in Chicago Steak, Kick'n Chicken and Zesty Lemon Seasoning.

"Passion for grilling continues to grow in America, and consumers are looking for new and different flavors to enhance their grilling experience," says brand manager Brooke Jones. "Weber Grill Creations have tested favorably in offering grillers a wider variety of tastes with its distinctive line of seasonings and marinades."

Suggested retail prices for the seasonings $2.99 for 3.6 oz. and $3.99 for 8.4 oz.; marinade mixes are $1.

{pb}

Grilling meats go ethnic

Niman Ranch, Oakland, Calif., introduces four sausage flavors, three frank flavors and three bacon flavors, all free of added nitrates or nitrites, and just in time for the grilling season.

Sausage flavors include: Thai Spice (lemongrass, ginger, cardamom and coriander blend); Spicy Italian (fennel and garlic with an added kick of crushed red pepper); Apple Gouda (apples and smoky gouda) and Chipotle Cheddar (chipotle peppers with cumin, cilantro and cheddar cheese). All-beef frank flavors are: Cajun Three Pepper (cayenne, chile and red pepper); Southwest Fajita (cracked black pepper, cilantro and cumin) and Jalapeno Cheddar (jalapeno and sharp Wisconsin Cheddar). The bacon flavors are Black Pepper, Maple and Chipotle.

"We're excited about the new, robust flavors we're offering," says David Shenson, vice president, processed foods. "Consumers are looking for convenient products with ethnic flavors. These products fill that demand for authentic, great tasting processed meat items."

Suggested retail price is $4.99 to $6.99.

Unique mint blends sent into Orbit

Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. continues to grow the successful Orbit franchise with the debut of Orbit Mint Mojito and Orbit Raspberry Mint.

"Since Orbit's launch in 2001, the brand has been a category innovator known for its clean taste, breakthrough packaging, uncompromising style and unique mint blends," says Paul Chibe, vice president of U.S. marketing. "Mint Mojito provides an exotic cooling sensation that is recognizably different from existing gum flavor profiles a Hispanic flavor favorite, while Raspberry Mint blends Orbit's distinct mint flavor with the brand's first berry flavor offering."

In fact, the new introductions coincide with the growing popularity of both lime and berry flavors entering new product categories. Lime blends are extending into candles, beverages and premium cooking accessories, while berry remains a primary growth category for the past three years in beverages, ice cream and dairy.

Suggested retail price for a 14-tab single envelope is 99 cents, and $2.29 for a multipack that includes three 14-tab envelopes.

Chicken on every plate

Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods Inc. strengthens its position as the No. 1 brand in the refrigerated convenience meats category by improving and re-launching its popular Tyson Oven Roasted Chicken.

Improvements include new "easy peel" packaging with graphics noting the product is preservative-free and vacuum-sealed for freshness. Post-packaging pasteurization technology enhances food safety while substantially increasing shelf life from the previous 14-day limit to 45 days.

Tyson's Oven Roasted line includes Original and Lemon Pepper whole chickens, new multi-serve BBQ breast halves, hand-filleted boneless skinless breasts, breast halves, hot and spicy wings, drumsticks and thighs.

"We realize convenience is the No. 1 factor in determining what the consumer prepares for dinner," says Rob DeMartini, group vice president of consumer products. "Our improved line of Oven Roasted Chicken provides consumers with a fast and flexible meal solution that's nutritious and convenient, without sacrificing taste."