What's hitting the shelves? New year, new products
Probiotic water
Kirin Beverage Co will launch iMUSE Water (Mizu) in Japan this month, a product containing Kirin's proprietary probiotic Lactococcus Lactis Strain Plasma.
iMUSE Water is a sugar-free, calorie-free product that can consumed daily for health management. The drink delivers 100 billion Plasma Lactobacillus per 500mL. The probiotic is isolated from soured milk.
While the drink is marketed with a wellness element, the product will not hold a Food with Function Claim (FFC).
The drink will be available at supermarkets, convenience stores, and drug stores from January 14 with a recommended retail price of JPY 120 (US$1).
In earlier clinical studies, Plasma Lactobacillus was found to play a role in immunity; while Kirin is investigating its potential in fighting dengue virus infection, as well as championing its anti-ageing effects.
As part of the Kirin Group Vision 2027 to connect food and medicine, the company's iMUSE brand focuses on health maintenance. Existing products in the range include yogurts, supplements, gummies and beverages.
Bud Light Seltzer
Bud Light Seltzer is hitting shelves in the US, as one of beer giant AB InBev's entries in the booming hard seltzer category.
The first batch of Bud Light Seltzer was delivered to the town of Seltzer in Pennsylvania last month: with a nationwide rollout to follow.
The 5% ABV seltzer is made with cane sugar and natural fruit flavors, and comes in at 100 calories, 2g carbs and <1g of sugar per serving. The seltzer does not taste like beer; but comes in four flavor variants of Black Cherry, Lemon Lime, Strawberry and Mango. Bud Light Seltzer will be available in a variety 12-pack, single-flavor 12-packs and single-flavor 25 oz cans.
Green tea vodka
UK company Innovative Functional Foods and Hertfordshire distillery Black Bridge Distillery have joined forces to launch Green Russian Hand-Crafted Vodka and Green Genie Hand Crafted Gin.
The vodka is triple distilled from 100% molasses spirit with an infusion of green tea: ‘which possesses a depth of flavour that can warm even the coldest and darkest of Moscow nights!’
Meanwhile, Green Genie Hand Crafted Gin is a 'smooth, citrus forward gin', with a blend of 12 botanicals including juniper, Sicilian lemon, Seville orange, White Korean ginseng, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root and Chinese green tea.
Kin Dream Light
Kin creates ‘functional euphorics’ in beverage and has now launched a new restorative nightcap drink Dream Light. The brand said it is designed to ‘ease your body and mind’ differently from other sleep supplements and aids on the market.
“Dream Light was created to enhance the ritual before bed and promotes a state of rest by relaxing muscles, supporting digestion, and regulating temperature. It is also a non-alcoholic beverage so you’ll never fear a looming hangover,” Kin said.
The drink contains adaptogens, nootropics and botanics in each 16.9oz bottle. Kin is free from nuts, gluten, dairy and added sugar. It can be sipped warm or chilled, and has an earthy, smokey taste with a spiced finish. It joins Kin’s existing products, High Rhode and Spritz, which are all available in the US on Kin’s website.
Discarded Banana Peel Rum
UK-based Discarded Spirits Co. is adding a fruit-forward rum to its portfolio that blends Caribbean rum and banana peel. The brand has sourced the banana peel from a flavor house that uses the fruit but gets rid of the peel.
The peels are dried out and fermented, then steeped in alcohol for two weeks. The 37.5% ABV rum has a 'fresh toffee note with a fruity balance', still with the spice and sweetness foundation of a Caribbean rum.
Tom Stannard, Global Marketing Manager, said “It’s exciting to see how consumers and bartenders have engaged with Discarded so far. When developing Rum, we wanted to maintain the magic of reuse whilst credibly expanding into a new category. The best way to describe the flavour is liquid banana bread, distinctive yet comforting.”
Ocean Spray Pure Fruit Juice
Three new flavors of unsweetened juices are being added to Ocean Spray’s Pure Fruit Juice portfolio in the US. The expansion represents the brand’s focus on health and wellness and commitment to reshaping the food system into a health and wellness system, according to Ocean Spray.
Pure Cranberry has been sold at Walmart since 2017, and now Pure Tart Cherry, White Grapefruit and Concord Grape. The juices are non-GMO and contain no added sugars, artificial flavors or preservatives. They are available at Walmart now and will roll out to other nationwide retailers soon.
Chris O'Connor, VP of marketing at Ocean Spray, said "By extending our portfolio of Pure unsweetened beverages at Walmart, we are demonstrating our commitment to deliver a wide variety of juices that have the incredible health benefits of the cranberry and other superfruits. We will continue to develop innovative options that expand awareness of cranberries and exemplify our dedication to health and wellness."
Gatorade BOLT24 ENERGIZE
Gatorade is breaking further into the energy and performance space with the launch of its first caffeinated beverage. The BOLT24 ENERGIZE collection contains between 50-75mg of caffeine per 16.9oz bottle and will roll out to nationwide US retailers in the first months of this year.
BOLT24 features electrolytes from watermelon and sea salt, as well as vitamins A, C, B3, B5 and B6. Strawberry-Lemon, Orange-Passion Fruit and Cherry-Lime are the first flavors in the line, made with no artificial sweeteners or flavors.
SlimFast Bananas & Cream
Bananas & Cream is the latest flavor to join SlimFast’s Advanced Nutrition line.
The meal replacement shake contains 20g of protein, 5g of fiber and 1g of sugar. It’s also low-carb and free from gluten and lactose.
The Advanced Nutrition line also includes flavors Strawberries & Cream, Vanilla Cream and Creamy Chocolate. The products are available US retailers such as Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Ahold, Wakefern, HyVee and Meijer.
Sated Keto Meal Shakes
Keto and Co is expanding its Sated brand from Keto shake mixes to complete Keto RTD shakes. The company said the new products fill a gap in the US market for convenient low-carb, keto foods.
Ted Tieken, Keto and Co CEO, said "Our shakes are ready when you are. And because they have all the nutrition of a balanced meal, they keep you fuller longer."
"The anticipation we've seen for Sated Ready-to-Drink has been incredible. We're thrilled to be bringing it to our backers, our customers, and to a national market that is growing ever more carb and health conscious."
The Vanilla and Chocolate flavors are packaged in 11oz cartons and contain 400 calories. They can be purchased on the Sated website.
PRESS Blood Orange Chili hard seltzer - press
Wisconsin-based alcoholic seltzer brand PRESS has a new seasonal flavor for winter, that “features velvety citrus notes that shine against a zing of fleeting heat and splash of mellowing sweetness.” Blood Orange Chili follows previous seasonal editions Pear Chamomile and Apple Cinnamon.
Amy Walberg, founder of PRESS, said “I’ve been working to bring Blood Orange Chili to market for years. This flavor is exotic, mischievous and totally unexpected. It’s one of my favorites, and I think people are going to love it.”
Each can of PRESS contains 110 calories with a 4% ABV. It has four core flavors--Blackberry Hibiscus, Grapefruit Cardamom, Lime Lemongrass, Pomegranate Ginger--that are sold in 41 US states.
TAZO RTD iced tea
TAZO has three new varieties of ready-to-drink iced tea launching in the US. Zen is green tea with spearmint and lemongrass; Awake is a blend of black teas; and Passion is an herbal infusion of hibiscus, orange peel and cinnamon.
All the teas are organic and made without artificial colors or sweeteners. They will be available in 12oz and 42oz bottles starting in January 2020.
