Ensuring that children follow a healthy diet has been a pressing concern in recent years. Parents are now much more aware of what their kids are eating, and this has inevitably impacted on food and drink products aimed at youngsters.
In the last few years for example, there have been a number of 'healthy' innovations within the soft drinks industry.
One of the latest innovations is a milk-based carbonated beverage, called Crazy Cow soda, which has been launched in the US. The manufacturers, The Sparkling Milk Company, believe that this is the first shelf-stable milk-based product to hit the supermarkets.
The product, which is targeted at children, comes packaged in 8.5 ounce cans that feature cartoon cow graphics. And with a two-year shelf life, the company believes that the product is ideal for vending machines.
The drink, which the company claims is made with all natural ingredients, including skimmed milk and yoghurt, is a fat-free fizzy beverage designed as a healthy alternative to soda. At present the company plans to release Crazy Cow in three flavours: lemon-vanilla ice, strawberry chill, and orange cream.
A number of similar beverage products have already been launched. Coca-Cola is promoting its new milk drink, Swerve, and Cadbury Schweppes has launched a range of flavoured milk drinks under the name Raging Cow.
However, the Sparkling Milk Company contends that Crazy Cow Soda is the only shelf stable carbonated milk drink in the US.