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The new line of flavored malt beverages from Jeremiah Weed, already known for its sweet tea-flavored vodkas and line of bourbons, boasts a distinctly Southern style. Introduced in time to beat the summer heat, Lightning Lemonade recalls a refreshing regional favorite, noncarbonated Roadhouse Tea is inspired by the Jeremiah Weed's Sweet Tea vodka, and Spiked Cola combines real cola taste with a mild hint of bourbon flavor. Each beverage contains 5.8 percent ABV, and the suggested retail prices are $2.49-$2.79 for a 23.5-ounce can and $7.99 for a 12-ounce 6-pack. The Weed, Ky.-based brand is supporting the product rollout with an integrated marketing program including responsible-drinking programming. 
Co-founded by Miami Heat star LeBron James, New York-based PureBrands LLC has launched what it calls "a game-changing energy delivery system" in the form of Sheets energy strips. As soon as they're placed on the tongue, the paper-thin strips begin to dissolve, and are easily swallowed and digested, delivering hours of energy. Not only won't the product spill or melt, but it also has no calories, no carbohydrates and no sugar, and requires no water. One serving of Sheets, which was developed over years of research with doctors, scientists, pro athletes and trainers, contains caffeine comparable to a cup of premium coffee, along with vitamins B and E. Accompanying the product introduction is a $10 million marketing campaign incorporating social media, traditional advertising and sampling. A 10-count box of individually wrapped strips goes for a suggested $5.95 at retail, while the SRP for a 4-count box is $2.95. 
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods has added three varieties of Pearl Couscous, also known as Israeli Couscous, to its lineup of more than 400 natural and organic whole grain products. Consisting of small beads of either toasted semolina flour or whole wheat flour, the easy-to-prepare Middle Eastern favorite offers a unique nutty flavor as well as a nutritious alternative to pasta and rice, notes Portland, Ore.-based Bob's, adding that its latest product contains at least 6 grams of protein per serving. The available varieties are Pearl, Whole Wheat Pearl and Tricolor Pearl Couscous, the last of which features tomato- and spinach-flavored beads as well as naturally unflavored ones. A 16-ounce bag retails for a suggested $3.99. 
Culinary masterpieces have a new secret ingredient: Plugrá European-Style Flavored Butters. Infused with premium herbs, spices and fruit, the product line allows home and foodservice chefs to add a little something extra to special dishes, with a choice of Chive & Onion, Sun-Dried Tomato Herb, or Honey with Orange Zest varieties. The slow-churned, high-quality item can be used as a spread, finishing butter or recipe component, according to marketer Global Dairy Products Group, a division of Kansas City, Mo.-based Dairy Farmers of America Inc. A 3-ounce container retails for a suggested $3.49. 
Labor savings, less spoilage and trendy flavors are three big reasons to invest in Reser's Fine Foods' latest bulk deli salad kits. Beaverton, Ore.-based Reser's points out that there's a huge sales opportunity in the bulk service case, which, according to Fresh Facts, accounts for almost two-thirds of all deli salad sales. Available in such cutting-edge varieties as Creamy Pesto Gemelli, Fruit & Nut Couscous, Curry Chickpea, Thai Peanut Yakisoba with BBQ Pork, and Tandoori Chicken & Curry, the eight new kits retail for a suggested retail price per pound of $3.99 to $5.99. 
The fruit of a collaboration between melon importer Fresh Quest Inc. in Plantation, Fla., and St. Louis-based Monsanto's Vegetable Seed business, Meloränge offers shoppers an improved, consistent flavor – with a higher sweetness content than typical – during the winter. Featuring firm, dark-orange flesh and a green skin background even when fully ripe, the melons bear a "perfectly ripe" sticker to let consumers know that they're ready to eat. Available in North America from December through April, the fruit weighs about 2.5 to 3.0 pounds each. 
Guylian Artisanal Belgian Chocolates has debuted a fresh package design specifically geared to U.S. consumers. Arriving on store shelves in early summer, the new look will showcase the premium chocolate brand's Belgian Chocolate Truffles – the original seashells made from 100 percent cocoa butter, and marbled with dark, milk and white chocolates – in gift boxes featuring two, six and 22 truffles. SRP ranges are $0.99-$1.49 for the 2-piece box, $2.99-$3.99 for the 6-piece box and $7.99-$14.99 for the 22-piece box. 
Made in the time-honored way, Old World Smoked Sausage and Old World Polska Kielbasa are the latest additions to John Morrell Food Group's Eckrich line of naturally hardwood-smoked sausages. Positioned by the Cincinnati-based division of Smithfield Foods as easy-to-prepare premium options that can be added to any number of dishes, the products come in traditional "loop" form in natural casings. A 13-ounce package of either variety retails for a suggested $3.99-$4.49. 
In response to consumer demand for healthy convenience at a good value, Ready Pac Salad Singles contain under 200 calories each and have an SRP of just $2.99 per unit. Clear packaging displays the fresh ingredients within, while the line's non-produce items are portion-packed for maximum shelf life. Additionally, the bowl features a foot for easier upright merchandising and enhanced visual impact on-shelf. The varieties are Garden Salad, Caesar Salad, Fiesta Salad and Spinach Dijon Salad. As with other single-serve salads from Irwindale, Calif.-based Ready Pac, all Salad Singles products include lettuce, toppings, dressing and a fork. 
Marathon Smart Stuff Bars from Mars Chocolate North America are designed to be "a healthful snacking solution that provides balanced nutrition for active minds and bodies,' in the words of the Hackettstown, N.J.-based business segment of Mars Inc. Featuring such wholesome ingredients as blueberries, cranberries and peanuts, in addition to real chocolate, the bars are fortified with a blend of eight essential vitamins and minerals, and are an excellent source of calcium, in addition to providing 3 to 5 grams of fiber per serving. Retailing for a suggested 89 cents for a single 1.23-ounce bar and a suggested $6.99 for an 8-count multi-pack, the product line comes in four varieties. 
The U by Kotex Tween line offers pads that are sized to fit a tween's smaller body, as well as age-appropriate designs in a glittery package also including a helpful informational booklet to answer any questions moms and daughters may have. Additionally, to provide necessary information and initiate open dialogue, the brand of Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark Corp. offers online tools at 
Organic baby brand Green Babies has teamed up with Long Island City, N.Y.-based manufacturer MZB Accessories to introduce a baby body care line. The collection of skin, hair and bath products for little ones is tear-free and contains no artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens or sulfates. All products in the line contain high-quality plant- and fruit-derived, vegan, certified-organic ingredients that aren't tested on animals, notes Nyack, N.Y.-based Green Babies, adding that the hypoallergenic items are free of petroleum and phthalates. Further, product packaging is made with a minimum of 50 percent PCR materials. And, while most green products are priced higher than conventional goods, the product line has an SRP range of only $8.99-$10.99. 
