Content about Consumables

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., and WESTPORT, Conn. — Bayer HealthCare, makers of the Contour Next portfolio of blood-glucose meters, and dLife Healthcare Solutions, a diabetes behavior change solution, have created and are working together to offer Eat Well, Test Well, a six-week food and nutrition program for people with diabetes. The Eat Well, Test Well program is available online at no charge and was developed to help educate and motivate people with diabetes to make healthier mealtime choices based on the results of blood-sugar testing as a guide.

WASHINGTON — Consumer packaged goods companies and retailers that sell their products have managed to stay strong despite economic difficulty, according to a new report.

The 2013 financial performance report, "Growth Strategies: Unlocking the Power of the Consumer," conducted by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and PwC, found that despite overall slowing net sales growth rates in 2012, food, beverage and household product companies had respective sales growth of 7%, 5.5% and 3.2%.

ALBANY, Ga. — A new study, released in the current British Journal of Nutrition, showed that consuming peanut butter or peanuts for breakfast can control blood-sugar throughout most of the day, even after eating a high-carbohydrate lunch. In addition to this "second meal effect," peanuts and peanut butter caused a significant reduction in the desire to eat for up to 12 hours and a significant increase in the secretion of the hormone PYY that promotes satiety and feelings of fullness.

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio — Arco Health, Inc., makers of Diet-Burst gum, announced last week new packaging designs for its dietary supplement gum, as well as new nicotine replacement products available in July.

The NicoBurst line of products are designed to help smokers end their dependency on smoking traditional cigarettes. The NicoBurst disposable e-cigarette has a traditional tobacoo flavor and provides the same nicotine experience to satisfy a smoker's cravings. The cigarette replacement product comes after two years of research and development. 

 ATLANTA — Coca-Cola announced this week a new quartet of athletes, including two Olympic champions, a world-class legend and a Paralympic hopeful, who will represent the brand for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

WASHINGTON — Consumers avoid total sugars more than they avoid any specific sweetener, according to a new brand-level consumer attitudes and behavior study about food and beverages from Mintel Research Consultancy on behalf of the Corn Refiners Association.

Approximately a quarter of soda, yogurt and bread brand purchasers (between 17 and 26%) say they are looking to reduce total sugars in their diet. In contrast, a nominal 1-5% of consumers purchasing these items cite avoiding a specific sweetener, such as high fructose corn syrup.

ATLANTA — Powerade, a Coca-Cola brand, announced last week the addition of a new zero-calorie water-enhancement product that provides the same hydration solution as the traditional ready-to-drink sports beverage.

NEW YORK — Amazon is giving a free trial of its fresh-food delivery service to premium customers in the Los Angeles area, according to published reports.

The Seattle Times reported that the online retailer would offer a free, 90-day trial to AmazonPrime members in several parts of Los Angeles of same-day and early-morning delivery, allowing them to receive items like fresh foods, in addition to toys, electronics and half a million other items. The grocery delivery service has been in testing in Seattle for almost six years.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — B&G Foods, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Robert’s American Gourmet Food, doing business as Pirate Brands, a supplier in the all-natural snack foods category, from VMG Partners, Driven Capital Management, founder Robert Ehrlich and certain other entities and individuals, for approximately $195 million in cash.

YONKERS, N.Y. — The Consumer Reports Index, an overall measure of Americans’ personal financial health, shows Americans are reporting significantly fewer financial troubles, Consumer Reports National Research Center announced Tuesday. The Index’s trouble tracker measure fell sharply to 34 from 41.7 a month earlier — the lowest level since the organization first measured it in April 2009.

PITTSBURGH – Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and 3G have completed their acquisition of condiment maker H.J. Heinz Co., Heinz said.

Shareholders of Heinz will receive $72.50 per share in cash in the sale, whose total price is $28 billion. As a result of the deal, Heinz's stock is no longer trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and 3G Capital partner Bernardo Hees has been appointed as CEO.