Consumables

ADDISON, Ill. — Natural Snacks has introduced a kettle-cooked potato chip line for its Michael Season's brand.

The new Michael Season's kettle-cooked potato chips are available in five flavors, including lightly salted, unsalted, honey BBQ, sea salt and balsamic vinegar, and jalapeno. Each flavor includes all-natural ingredients and is wheat- and gluten-free.

Michael Season's kettle-cooked potato chips will hit retail shelves next month for a suggested retail price of $1.19 for 2-oz. bags and $2.99 for 5-oz. bags.

MIAMI — New research published in the Feb. 14 online edition of Pediatrics found that prolonged use of energy drinks by young people can lead to potentially adverse health outcomes.

Researchers at the University of Miami's Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine noted that in the United States, energy drinks were consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults, according to self-report surveys. Additionally, adolescent caffeine intake averaged 60 mg/day to 70 mg/day and ranged up to 800 mg/day, the researchers said.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bolthouse Farms has introduced a new line of 100%-natural enhanced water infused with herbs and fruit juice.

Aura botanical water, available in cucumber lemon rosemary, orange basil and grapefruit sage, carries a suggested retail price of $1.99 for each 15.2-oz. bottle.

Each serving of Aura contains 45 calories but packs a robust assortment of essential vitamins, including 50% of the recommended daily value of vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12, as well as 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, according to Bolthouse Farms.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Kraft Foods is building on the success of its vitamin-infused gums for Trident by expanding another gum brand's portfolio with a nutrient-filled, "ridiculously long-lasting gum," according to the company.

New Stride Spark gum contains vitamins B6 and B12, and will be available in two new flavors: Kinetic Mint and Kinetic Fruit. Each piece of Stride Spark contains 25% of the recommended daily value of the B vitamins, according to Stride.

PLANO, Texas — A former executive for Carson Products has been named to Dr Pepper Snapple Group's board of directors.

Joyce Roche, who most recently served as president and CEO of nonprofit Girls Inc. before her retirement last year, also served as Carson Products president and COO, as well as VP global marketing for Avon.

NEW YORK — The world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods announced this year's award-winning brands.

At the third annual 2011 Product of the Year USA awards ceremony, Product of the Year unveiled the most innovative products of the year, voted by more than 60,000 American shoppers in a survey conducted by TNS, a custom research agency.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bolthouse Farms unveiled the newest addition to its Protein Plus beverage line.

Retailing for about $3.19 for each 12.5-oz. bottle, the parfait smoothie is Bolthouse's third Protein Plus variety. Each parfait smoothie features 25-g protein and contains 180 calories and 3 grams of fiber per serving.

The Protein Plus parfait smoothie and other Bolthouse Farms products are available at such retailers as Acme and Stop and Shop.

CHICAGO — Juicy Fruit said that it has expanded its sugar-free gum offerings with a new mystery-flavored gum.

Juicy Secret gum builds on the 2009 launch of Juicy Fruit's foray into sugar-free treats with its pellet gum that it available in parent company Wrigley's Big E-pak.

Juicy Secret will be available in a 15-stick slim pack nationwide.