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HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate is highlighting some of its caramel-containing confections through a cross-brand event this fall.

The company is bringing its Milky Way, Snickers and Twix brands together for the "Take Your Caramel Pick" campaign, which will include new national media spots, store displays — in which retailers can choose from a mixed singles caramel shipper with 192 items or a 72-count mixed singles caramel counter unit — as well as a consumer incentive, "75 cents off two" candies.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo said that it is ready to test market a new reduced-sugar cola.

The company said that its latest innovation, Pepsi Next, would be available in the Iowa and Wisconsin markets. The beverage offers consumers the taste of a full-calorie cola while touting less sugar, Pepsi said at the Beverage Digest Wall Street Smarts conference on Monday.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — DXG is helping photo enthusiasts snap and share 3-D pictures with its latest innovation.

The company said that its new DXG-018 3-D pocket camera and viewer brings photography to a new level. The dual-lens 3-D camera snaps color pictures, which are saved onto a SanDisk card (sold separately) and then can be printed on standard 4x6 photo paper.

PITTSBURGH — Ore-Ida's Bagel Bites brand is asking consumers to take a pledge to commit to wholesome nutrition.

The brand's “Pledge to Snack Simply” online pledge asks parents to commit a few small steps that have a big impact on a child’s daily snack-time nutrition, the brand said. For each person who takes the pledge, Bagel Bites snacks will donate $1 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, up to $50,000.

NEW YORK — The maker of Sugar In The Raw and Stevia In The Raw products has launched a new television advertising campaign to show consumers "it's only natural."

SPARTA, Mich. — Old Orchard Brands is celebrating the flavor of tart cherries with a new beverage line.

Very Cherre is a 100% juice line that includes tart cherry and three tart cherry blends: tart cherry/blueberry, tart cherry/cranberry and tart cherry/pomegranate. The juices are gluten-free and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or added sugars, the company said.

Very Cherre beverages will be available mid-summer in 64-oz. bottles for a suggested retail price of $4.99.

STRATHAM, N.H. — Lindt is expanding its dark chocolate offerings with two new Excellence bars.

The Excellence 70% cocoa almond brittle balances the sweet crunch of almond brittle with dark chocolate, while the Excellence 70% cocoa nut crunch combines the subtle flavor and delicate crunch of of caramelized walnut and hazelnut pieces with dark chocolate. Each bar provides a "delightful dark chocolate experience," Lindt said.

NEW YORK — Natural and organic foods and beverages are expected to realize dramatic growth in 2011 and beyond, following strong U.S. retail sales over the past five years.

According to new research conducted by Packaged Facts, "Natural and Organic Foods and Beverages in the U.S., 3rd Edition," U.S. retail sales of natural and organic foods and beverages rose to nearly $39 billion in 2010, a 9% increase over 2009, and 63% higher than sales five years earlier.