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The heat is on in the snack food aisle. “A lot of growth in the category is coming from more flavorful offerings, particularly in the chip category,” said Chris Clark, a spokesman for the Snack Food Association. “Manufacturers have been expanding their offerings in the area so that one manufacturer has not just one, but ten barbecue chip flavors.”

The economy has caused consumers to eat at home more frequently. Products that make food prep easier are more popular than ever with consumers.

A recent study from Mintel International revealed that U.S. retail sales of cooking sauces and marinades saw a 20% spike between 2005 and 2010. Sales of the products are expected to increase by another 19% by 2015.

Ethnic sauces, barbecue sauces and refrigerated/frozen sauces are among the most popular.

NEW YORK — Sweet'N Low and Olympic athlete Dominique Dawes have joined forces to address the growing diabetes epidemic in honor of National Diabetes Month.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft reportedly is gearing up to roll out a caffeinated version of its liquid water enhancer brand MiO, according to published reports.

The regular-sized bottle of caffeine-fueled MiO is expected to tout 18 servings. When a half-teaspoon of MiO Energy is mixed with 8 oz. of water, it creates a beverage that contains 60-mg of caffeine — about the same as one 6-oz. cup of coffee. The product will be marketed to those ages 18 years and older and is set to launch next month, according to the Financial Times.

DALLAS — Diaper brand Huggies announced it is the founding sponsor of a national nonprofit dedicated to helping raise awareness of diaper need, build capacity of diaper banks and close the diaper gap in America.

WASHINGTON — Tobacco companies received a favorable ruling Monday and as a consequence will not have to institute new graphics that depicted images like diseased smokers on their packaging next year.

MOUNT ARLINGTON, N.J. — Mars Retail Group is introducing M&M's gifts in time for the holidays.

The lineup for the 2011 holiday season includes such products as:

• Nine holiday-themed inflatable yard decorations developed by MRG and Gemmy Industries Corp., which carry a suggested retail price range from $29.99 to $79.99;

• Shakerz, also developed by MRG and Gemmy Industries Corp., are animated M&M's characters that shake and play holiday music carry a suggested retail price of $9.99;

NEW YORK — Fitness expert and personal trainer Jari Love is set to release the latest "Get Ripped!" workout product.

The "Get Extremely Ripped! 1000 Hardcore!" DVD, which emphasizes Love's new hardcore workout, is comprised of 5-minute cardio with 3-minute strength training segments. The entire workout can be done as a full hour or broken up into two 30-minute sessions. The DVD is slated for release in time for the holidays, the company said.