Content about Food and drink

March 1, 2013

Ruffles, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division brand, is bringing the tailgate party right to the house with the introduction of Ruffles Max Beer-Battered Onion Rings flavored potato chips, the company announced today.

PLANO, Texas — Ruffles, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division brand, is bringing the tailgate party right to the house with the introduction of Ruffles Max Beer-Battered Onion Rings flavored potato chips, the company announced today.

Onion Rings, the widely popular bar food, second only to the ubiquitous French Fry, according to CNN's "Eatocracy" food blog, has gained a notable following recently, especially among men.

March 1, 2013

Krispy Kreme on Thursday announced the introduction of Glazed Banana Kreme Pies, available for a limited time at select mass merchants, grocery and convenience stores.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme on Thursday announced the introduction of Glazed Banana Kreme Pies, available for a limited time at select mass merchants, grocery and convenience stores.

February 27, 2013

According to published reports, Flowers Foods is set to buy Hostess bread brands, including Wonder bread, for $360 million after no other bidder came forward with a competing offer, a source familiar with the sale acknowledged Wednesday.

NEW YORK — According to published reports, Flowers Foods is set to buy Hostess bread brands, including Wonder bread, for $360 million after no other bidder came forward with a competing offer, a source familiar with the sale acknowledged Wednesday.

According to a Reuters report, Hostess, which went bankrupt last year, was scheduled to host an auction on Thursday for the brands — which also include Butternut, Home Pride, Merita and Nature's Pride — but as no other bids were announced, the company will not go through with an auction.

February 26, 2013

Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

NEW YORK — Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

The named products were the result of a vote among 50,000 consumers.

February 26, 2013

A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

The Memphis, Tenn., Commercial Appeal reported that the proposed law would be subject to approval in local referendums.

Supporters of the bill cited convenience, while opponents — including liquor store owners — said it would be detrimental to public health, safety and the economy, criticizing the legislation as driven by "big national chains" and harmful to locally owned businesses.

February 25, 2013

The energy drink category, which has enjoyed double-digit sales and unit growth for several years, faces increasing scrutiny from the Food and Drug Administration.

The energy drink category, which has enjoyed double-digit sales and unit growth for several years, faces increasing scrutiny from the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has said it will consider requiring companies to disclose the amount of caffeine in the drinks and add warnings about possible side effects on labeling.

February 25, 2013

Consumers still have a thirst for bottled water. "Bottled water is performing moderately well with respectable growth," said John Sicher, publisher of Beverage Digest. Dollar sales of bottled water were up 7% across food, drug and mass outlets for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 2, 2012, according to SymphonyIRI data.

Consumers still have a thirst for bottled water. "Bottled water is performing moderately well with respectable growth," said John Sicher, publisher of Beverage Digest. Dollar sales of bottled water were up 7% across food, drug and mass outlets for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 2, 2012, according to SymphonyIRI data. Sicher said he expects bottled water to grow modestly over the next few years.

February 25, 2013

Paul McIlhenny — chief executive of McIlhenny Co., makers of Tabasco sauce, and great-grandson of Edmund McIlhenny, who invented Tabasco sauce after the Civil War — passed away on Saturday. He was 68.

AVERY ISLAND, La. — Paul McIlhenny — chief executive of McIlhenny Co., makers of Tabasco sauce, and great-grandson of Edmund McIlhenny, who invented Tabasco sauce after the Civil War — passed away on Saturday. He was 68.

Paul Carr Polk McIlhenny was born in Houston on March 19, 1944, with his twin sister, Sara. He attended the Woodberry Forest School in Virginia and the University of the South in Tennessee, and served stateside in the Marine Corps Reserve.

February 25, 2013

Hy-Vee's new store in Overland Park, Kan., will include a beer and wine bar, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Hy-Vee's new store in Overland Park, Kan., will include a beer and wine bar, according to published reports.

The Kansas City Star reported that the company's new store would be the first in the Kansas City, Mo., area to offer such a bar and one of the few in the country to do so.

Many of Hy-Vee's newest stores throughout the Midwest already include sushi bars, cafes and other food-service venues in addition to traditional supermarket products and services.

 

February 25, 2013

Mars Petcare will use responsible sourcing of fish for its fish-based Sheba product lines, the company said Monday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mars Petcare will use responsible sourcing of fish for its fish-based Sheba product lines, the company said Monday.

The company said it plans to use only sustainably sourced fish by 2020, offering only fish that are farmed or wild-caught from environmentally sustainable sources. The new sourcing program is based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program sourcing recommendations.

February 25, 2013

Americans love to snack, but they don't always have to settle for treats sacrificing good taste for healthier ingredients. Sunsweet — a leading brand of dried plums, specialty dried fruits and fruit juices — bolsters that advice with its newest offerings: Amazin' Berry Blend and Amazin' Cranberries.

YUBA CITY, Calif — Americans love to snack, but they don't always have to settle for treats sacrificing good taste for healthier ingredients. Sunsweet — a leading brand of dried plums, specialty dried fruits and fruit juices — bolsters that advice with its newest offerings: Amazin' Berry Blend and Amazin' Cranberries.

Both new blends include Plum Amazin's diced plums, which studies have shown can help fight osteoporosis by preventing bone mineral loss and contain potassium, copper, boron and vitamin K.

February 22, 2013

Chobani, maker of the popular yogurt brand, will launch a new national campaign that is "a movement to empower consumers to choose a brand that stands for something more – an authentic strained yogurt that's made with only natural ingredients by people who have passion for bringing better food options to the masses," the company stated.

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. — Chobani, maker of the popular yogurt brand, will launch a new national campaign that is "a movement to empower consumers to choose a brand that stands for something more – an authentic strained yogurt that's made with only natural ingredients by people who have passion for bringing better food options to the masses," the company stated.

February 22, 2013

The new product represents a move to bring frozen coffee into the home as a response to the growing popularity of at-home blending and the rise of blended coffee drinks, where sales surged to $4.3 billion in 2012.

 SEATTLE — Seattle's Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corporation, and leading specialty food manufacturer Inventure Foods, Inc. are teaming up to launch Seattle's Best Coffee Frozen Coffee Blends, the coffee category's first blend-at-home frozen coffee beverage.

February 22, 2013

Tostitos, part of parent company Fritos-Lay North America, has introduced a new flavor of tortilla chip as part of its Artisan Recipes line: grilled red pepper and tomato salsa flavored tortilla chips.

 PLANO, Texas — Tostitos, part of parent company Fritos-Lay North America, has introduced a new flavor of tortilla chip as part of its Artisan Recipes line: grilled red pepper and tomato salsa flavored tortilla chips.

This is the fifth flavor in the Tostitos Artisan Recipes line from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, and the new chip draws inspiration from the layered flavors of a rich Mexican mole sauce.

February 21, 2013

Kettle Brand is pushing boundaries with two new flavors the company said reflects the preferences of the current consumer, the company announced.

SALEM, Ore. — Kettle Brand is pushing boundaries with two new flavors the company said reflects the preferences of the current consumer, the company announced today.

February 21, 2013

Rise-N-Shine recently highlighted its Wake Up on Time supplement formulated to help night owls transform into morning people.

SPARTA TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Rise-N-Shine recently highlighted its Wake Up on Time supplement formulated to help night owls transform into morning people. Taken right before bed, Wake Up on Time starts to work six to eight hours later by releasing energy supplements for an alert, refreshed feeling.

“It's more than a vitamin; it's time in a bottle because, instead of hitting the snooze button over and over again, our product allows you bounce out of bed, ready to go,” Cathy Beggan, founder of Rise-N-Shine stated. 

February 21, 2013

Dove, a Unilever brand, has launched a multiplatform, social media marketing campaign to reveal the “truth” about the body cleansers consumers purchase. The “Dove Truth Files: Reveal the Truth, Reap the Rewards” campaign asks women to put their detective skills to the test comparing their bar and body wash to Dove brand Body Wash and Beauty Bars to see which provides superior care for their skin for a chance to win more than 20,000 instant prizes.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Dove, a Unilever brand, has launched a multiplatform, social media marketing campaign to reveal the “truth” about the body cleansers consumers purchase. The “Dove Truth Files: Reveal the Truth, Reap the Rewards” campaign asks women to put their detective skills to the test comparing their bar and body wash to Dove brand Body Wash and Beauty Bars to see which provides superior care for their skin for a chance to win more than 20,000 instant prizes.

February 20, 2013

Kashi, a natural food and lifestyle company, announced today its new Kashi Chicken and Chipotle BBQ Steam Meal and Italian Vegetable Medley Pasta Steam Meal, two additions to Kashi's Steam Meal line.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi, a natural food and lifestyle company, announced today its new Kashi Chicken and Chipotle BBQ Steam Meal and Italian Vegetable Medley Pasta Steam Meal, two additions to Kashi's Steam Meal line. The new entrees provide a meal for two people in each bag.

Like Kashi's existing single-serve varieties, microwave steam is used to preserve the quality of the ingredients. Each features the Kashi Seven Whole Grain blend and offers 42 g or more of whole grains per serving:

February 19, 2013

The parent company of the Stop & Shop, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover supermarket chains is donating $9 million over three years to alleviate child hunger.

CARLISLE, Pa. — The parent company of the Stop & Shop, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover supermarket chains is donating $9 million over three years to alleviate child hunger.

Ahold USA said it would distribute the money in Fighting Child Hunger grants from its Our Family Foundation. The foundation has awarded grants to 21 regional food banks in areas served by the company's banners.

February 19, 2013

For years, toddlers have started their mornings watching Elmo and Cookie Monster on "Sesame Street." Now they can also enjoy these characters' friendly faces at breakfast and snack times throughout the day.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — For years, toddlers have started their mornings watching Elmo and Cookie Monster on "Sesame Street." Now they can also enjoy these characters' friendly faces at breakfast and snack times throughout the day. Post Foods has introduced Post Sesame Street cereal, a wholesome, whole grain, oat-based cereal for children.

February 19, 2013

At only 120 calories for 28 chips, Special K Popcorn Chips are a low-calorie option for both celebrities and the everyday consumer, who can enjoy them without the guilt while watching the year's biggest celebrity awards show.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg's Special K brand has partnered with celebrity nutrition expert Lisa DeFazio to offer consumers tips for guilt-free snacking with snacks like Special K Popcorn Chips. At only 120 calories for 28 chips, Special K Popcorn Chips are a low-calorie option for both celebrities and the everyday consumer, who can enjoy them without the guilt while watching the year's biggest celebrity awards show.

February 19, 2013

Weis Markets promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy.

SUNBURY, Pa. —  Weis Markets on Monday promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy. 

In his new position, Seipp will oversee the day-to-day merchandising, operation and management of Weis Markets’ 131 pharmacies. He will also oversee the company’s Lifestyle Initiatives’ team, which focuses on health and wellness issues.  

February 15, 2013

February is Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month, and Yoplait is encouraging people to say "yes" to dairy by introducing its new Yoplait Lactose Free.

MINNEAPOLIS — February is Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month, and Yoplait is encouraging people to say "yes" to dairy by introducing its new Yoplait Lactose Free. This new product is 99% fat-free and packed with 50% of the daily value of calcium and vitamin D.

February 14, 2013

In a sneak peek of its spring slate, Ciao Bella announced plans to expand its award-winning gelato and Adonia categories, including new novelty items and Greek frozen yogurt flavors.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In a sneak peek of its spring slate, Ciao Bella today announced plans to expand its award-winning gelato and Adonia categories, including new novelty items and Greek frozen yogurt flavors.

Starting in April, Ciao Bella will add a new gelato novelty to its national retail offering: Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Squares. The new gelato sandwiches mark an addition to Ciao Bella's established collection of dessert novelties that include the Key Lime Graham Gelato Squares, which are among the brand's 17 NASFT Sofi Gold Award-winning products.

February 14, 2013

Dr Pepper Snapple Group reported $629 million in profits for fiscal year 2012, up from $606 million in 2011, the beverage maker said Thursday.

PLANO, Texas — Dr Pepper Snapple Group reported $629 million in profits for fiscal year 2012, up from $606 million in 2011, the beverage maker said Thursday.

Profits for the fourth quarter were $170 million, compared with $166 million in fourth quarter 2011, driven by fiscal year 2012 sales of $5.99 billion and fourth-quarter sales of $1.48 billion, compared with $5.9 billion and $1.46 billion in 2011, respectively.