Label-Free Future?
January 1, 2005
No Comments
Label-Free Future?
Jamie Popp
Managing Editor
Are consumers so inundated with health information
that they don’t want to read labels anymore, or are we just getting
lazy? I think it’s more the former than the latter, but it’s
increasingly becoming the trend to make the shopping experience easier
— and less of the label-reading exercise many of us have become
accustomed to. By introducing logos; dividing low-fat, fat-free, carb-free
products by colors; and retail promotions with symbols, consumer goods
companies are appealing to the “in-and-out” shopping crowd
tired of trying to understand what’s in their food.
PepsiCo’s new Smart Spot program, which offers a
whole line of products with the Smart Spot symbol, is an example of the
direction this trend is headed. No longer will we have to peruse an entire
aisle in the grocery store looking for the product that satisfies our
calorie, fat (or non-fat), sodium or carbohydrate needs. Nope. Per
Pepsi’s program, now we can visit an in-store promotional display
that features Tropicana, Gatorade and Diet Pepsi products and know each
product we select will live up to the Smart Spot criteria, which meet the
nutritional guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug administration and
National Academy of Sciences.
With the myriad product
lines available in beverage companies such as PepsiCo, it makes sense that
they would take advantage of the growing concerns people have about obesity
and health/wellness by offering an easy-to-navigate system of selecting
better-for-you products.
Konaconcoctions
KTA Super Stores’ Kona Coffee Recipe
Contest, held during this year’s Kona Coffee Cultural
Festival in Hawaii, recognized culinary school and high school students
for the best Kona coffee desserts. Winners received gift certificates
to KTA Super Stores and trophies, and next year’s winners may receive
a week of career shadowing with professional chefs.
Racing power
In collaboration with CASCAR driver Kerry Micks, Power
Water, Toronto, Ontario, has entered the CASCAR racing circuit. Micks and
Power Water’s Terry Coughlin were involved in designing the modified
Taurus, which will appear in 12 CASCAR races and may race in some NASCAR events.
Backstage pass
Britian’s Newcastle Brown Ale and Kronenbourg,
produced by Strasbourg, France-based Brasserie Kronenbourg, were part of a
star-studded event at the Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas. Grammy Winning
artists such as Brian McKnight, John Rich and Big Kenny from Big & Rich
and Uncle Kracker tested the international brews backstage of the event.
Celebrity sighting
The American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in
Los Angeles was a hot event for celebrity appearances in November, and
Rockstar Energy Drink was backstage hobnobbing with the elite. Celebs from
Anna Nicole Smith to Snoop Dogg were spotted at the event, drinking the
charged beverage.
Prat in the Big Apple
Two Noilly Prat vermouth cocktails were featured at
this year’s Johnny Mercer Foundation gala held in the Rainbow Room in
New York City. The “Ultimate Parisian Martini” and the
“Manhattan” were served to guests such as Kathie Lee Gifford,
who hosted the event, Frank Gifford, and Tony Danza. Additionally, Tony
Bennett performed for guests, and designer Donald Dean staged a fashion
show.
On the rocks
The Algonquin Hotel has given a whole new meaning to
the classic martini-on-the-rocks cocktail. Customers at the New York City
hotel can now select a diamond, with the help
of the hotel’s preferred jeweler, to be
served in a classic martini. Reservations are
required, and the “Martini on the Rock” drink boasts a price
tag as high as $10,000, depending on the diamond.
