'Healness'
February 1, 2008
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‘Healness’
Elizabeth Fuhrman
Managing Editor
Managing Editor
Beverage Industry’s Associate Editor Jenny Zegler coined the word, “healness,” a fusion of the words “health” and “wellness,” after covering the trend in every beverage category she features in BI’s Category Focus department. After writing a Special Report on health and wellness this month (page 26), I found the word provided a great explanation of the combination of healing solutions that consumers seek in their “healness” beverages.
The big issue that needs some “healness”
is the obesity epidemic that exists in America. It is estimated that
two-thirds of U.S. consumers are overweight or obese, according to the
Global Obesity Report from Europanel.
Lifestyle changes are necessary to combat obesity, and
Information Resources Inc. reported in the November 2007 “Times &
Trends” that retailers and manufacturers who provide lifestyle
solutions, including value-priced healthy options, will be well positioned
to help consumers fight obesity. Value-priced products are important in
markets with a high level of lower-income consumers, whose high obesity
rates likely reflect budget constraints that limit purchases of healthier
foods and beverages, IRI says.
“In general, what we’ve found through
different studies is the propensity toward obesity is higher for
lower-income consumers,” says Sheila McCusker, editor for IRI
“Times & Trends.” In urban areas, lack of availability of
healthier products, partly due to fewer major supermarkets, contributes to
the problem, she says. “But also, I think it’s a matter of
cost. If you’re looking at some of these organic products or some of
these functional products, they tend to be a bit higher priced when even
raw fruits and vegetables are more expensive.”
Health and wellness beverages sales continue to surge,
because they are a convenient way for consumers to intake vitamins and
minerals, including servings of fruits and vegetables. Companies can excel
further by entering the underserved value-priced better-for-you beverage
market, because we all could use a little “healness.”
Guilt-free glosses
Fuze partnered with cosmetics company Too Faced for a
line of Slenderize Guilt-free Lip Glosses. The line was inspired by
Fuze’s Slenderize juice flavors and is available in Dragonfruit Lime,
Strawberry Melon and Blueberry Raspberry flavors. In addition, Too Faced
Slenderize lip glosses boast the drink’s appetite-curbing,
energy-boosting ingredients, including chromium, l-carntine and Super
CitriMax. The functional lip glosses are available at cosmetics retailer
Sephora for $18.50.
Making recipes pop
A new cook book, “Sodalicious,” shows
chefs how to spice up recipes with soft drinks. Author Tom Fralia uses his
20-year experience in the soft drink industry to add some ‘pop’
to 300 recipes ranging from ham glazes, dips, breads and desserts. The book
contains recipes for Strawberry Shortcake featuring 7 UP, French Onion Soup
with Coca-Cola, and hamburgers made with Dr Pepper.
Vote Granny in 08
Joining the pack of presidential candidates, Sweet
Leaf Tea’s Granny mascot announced her bid for president last month.
Granny is the muse of Austin, Texas-based Sweet Leaf Tea and is running on
an “Organic for Everyone” platform. The candidate released the
following statement, “I stand for liber-tea and great taste for all!
As Americans, we all deserve access to all-natural, organic beverages, free
of high fructose corn syrup. If I win — and I’m in it to win,
by the way — I will lead this country towards a healthy and
refreshing future!”
Rioja on the runway
The fashionable side of wine was shown off by Vibrant
Rioja, a spanish wine promotion organization, in Chicago last month. The
official wine of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, held several
wine tastings and events throughout the city. The events not only featured
wine tastings, but also the chance to win a trip to Mercedes-Benz Fashion
Week and a designer dress made by Steven Rosengard, who was a contestant on
this season of Bravo’s “Project Runway” TV show.
Rosengard was also on hand with model Amanda Alter for a meet and greet
session.
Sampling via scooter
SanPellegrino traveled through New York City on a
scooter to introduce its new Aranciata and Limonata Sparkling Fruit
Beverages. The company sampled the reformulated Lemon and Orange sparkling
beverages from the sidecars of SanPellegrino-branded yellow Vespa scooters.
The scooters made stops at the Big Apple’s hottest spots, including
Park Slope and the Upper West Side to sample the all-natural Sparkling
Fruit Beverages.
Spirited festival
360 Vodka was named the Official Spirit of the 2008
Sundance Film Festival. Due to its energy-efficient manufacturing process
and sustainable packaging, the vodka was the Sustaining Sponsor of the
festival, which was held last month in Park City, Utah. 360 Vodka was
served at all official parties, film premieres and sponsored events. The
brand, made by McCormick Distilling Co. Inc., also sponsored the 360 Green
Box at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City.
