Content about Consumables

Thursday morning started on a high note as a panel of industry experts from both the retail and manufacturing side of the grocery industry engaged in a discussion on meeting the needs of today’s health-conscious consumer. The PepsiCo-sponsored panel, moderated by Phil Lempert of The Supermarket Guru, comprised of Natalia Menza of Wakefern Food Corp., Kate Rogers of H-E-B, Juli Hermanson of General Mills, Wendy Bazilian of Bazilian, Inc. and Leah McGrath of Ingles Markets.

NEW YORK — Mercy Nutraceuticals announced today expanded distribution of a caffeine-free, vitamin- and amino acid-enriched drink the company says helps prevent hangovers.

Mercy is sold at groceries, restaurants, hotels and bars in New York City, New Jersey and Florida and is expanding to the San Francisco Bay area, Massachusetts, Rhode Island as well as Southern New Hampshire.

Issues surrounding regulations, including product-label requirements, ranked third as a 2013 priority among board members of FMI, according to a poll taken in January, noted Patty Packard, director of nutrition and regulatory for Vestcom International, during an education breakout session Thursday.

Only food safety (87%) and upcoming changes to healthcare regulations (79%) were identified as higher priority issues.

While it's tough to be an indulgent food in a health-conscious society, chocolate candy is still seeing growth in a few key segments. While the category is finding its balance between satisfying a loyal base of consumers looking for a guilty pleasure and an increased national focus on healthy eating, new segments are emerging. Unreal, for example, is a preservative-free, natural chocolate with 25% less sugar than traditional chocolates.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Little princesses will love the new Jelly Belly Disney Princess Line featuring the favorite Disney characters Ariel, Cinderella and Rapunzel. Each 1-oz. package is filled with Jelly Belly's new Enchanted Mix, sparkling jelly beans in a selection of iridescent versions of the brand's popular berry blue, blueberry, bubble gum, cream soda, orange, sour apple and very cherry flavors. The 1-oz. bag size, which will ship in August, is a high-impulse purchase.

DENVER & MONTREAL — Molson Coors Brewing Company is showcasing a global lineup of product innovations designed to expand its portfolio and provide consumers with variety as the summer season kicks off. The company has planned new releases in Canada, Europe and the United States.

SAN ANTONIO — The Food Marketing Institute Health and Wellness @Retail held in conjunction with the Global Market Development Center HBW Conference kicked off this week with a mission of bringing together retail pharmacy, nutrition, marketing and merchandising professionals with manufacturers and service providers to share insights on how stores can provide a one-stop shopping experience for today’s shoppers.

The new hybrid event is being held May 29 to June 3 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio.

HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Researchers have found that both kids and adults are drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Tassimo, the single-serve home brewing system, announced today its new seasonal flavor offering of Sweet Black Iced Tea. Tassimo Sweet Black Iced Tea will be available in June in select retail stores and online at tassimodirect.com. Sweet Black Iced Tea is the newest addition to the Tassimo Tea Bar line of products and enhances the growing assortment of Tassimo single-serve beverage options.

PLANO, Texas — In celebration of its 120-year anniversary, the Cracker Jack brand from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has evolved for today's consumers with modern prizes, more peanuts and new flavors joining the fold.

CHICAGO — Soda may be as damaging to the teeth as some illegal drugs, according to a new study.

The study, published in the March-April 2013 issue of the journal General Dentistry, found that drinking large quantities of carbonated soda that the study labeled "abusive" can be as harmful to dental health as methamphetamine and crack cocaine.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Responding to Monday’s devastating tornado in the Oklahoma City area, Walgreens this week mobilized increased shipments of essential supplies to its area stores; made an initial donation of three semi-trailers of food, water and first aid supplies to the Oklahoma chapter of the American Red Cross; and offered customers an opportunity to make donations at its Oklahoma drug stores.