Pepsi Beverages Co. (PBC), Somers, N.Y., a division of PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., and Tampico Beverages Inc., Chicago, announced an agreement to distribute Tampico Plus fruit-flavored beverage products via PepsiCo's direct-store-delivery system in select U.S. markets. Financial terms of the distribution agreement were not disclosed.

 

PBC will begin distributing Tampico Plus in the second quarter of 2010 across parts of California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Georgia. The brand will be available in Citrus, Mango and Tropical flavors, and in various single-serve and multi-pack packages.

 

The addition of Tampico Plus, an extension of the original line of Tampico beverages, is part of PBC's stated strategy to provide a range of healthier beverage choices, the company said. Tampico Plus is made with 50 percent less sugar than regular Tampico products, contains 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C per 8-ounce serving, and qualifies as an excellent source of vitamins A and E under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's food labeling guidelines, the companies said. Tampico Plus is also compliant with school beverage guidelines for U.S. high schools, a set of standards established by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

 

"One of our top priorities is to lead in the areas of consumer engagement and innovation,” said Mike Durkin, president of PBC's North America field operations, in a statement. “As part of our efforts, we're focused on meeting the needs of the growing number of multicultural households in the U.S. and entering new beverage categories with attractive growth potential. Tampico Plus is an excellent addition to our portfolio, as it's a strong brand that offers great-tasting, better-for-you products at good value to consumers."

 

"This is the beginning of a great partnership," said Scott Miller, Tampico’s chief executive officer, in a statement. "This relationship allows Tampico to align with PepsiCo and its outstanding portfolio of brands while delivering Tampico Plus products to new channels of trade. Our goal is to continue developing great-tasting products and to meet the needs of our on-the-go consumers across the country."