Behind Bars

Cytodyne Technologies®, Manasquan, N.J., already a success in the diet supplement market, has turned its attention to protein bars. In the process, the company has developed a product recognized by the American Tasting Institute (ATI), San Francisco.

Cytodyne's Xenadrine High Protein Weight Control Bar® received ATI's 2002 Gold Medal for Excellence. The bars are available in four flavors—chocolate almond, chocolate-covered strawberry, chocolate peanut, and cookies and cream.

Described by Cytodyne as ideal for low-carbohydrate diets, the Xenadrine bars contain 21g of protein and are fortified with glutamine, key amino acids and 26 essential vitamins and minerals. They also include another interesting fortification: 1.5g of Clarinol Conjugated Linoleic Acid, which has been shown to promote weight loss by decreasing body fat and increasing lean body mass and muscle strength.

Allergen Labeling

Health advocacy groups have called on Congress to pass legislation requiring food manufacturers to label ingredients using “simple, straightforward and common sense wording that consumers can understand,” and at least two members of Congress are responding.

Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) have introduced a bill to “make it easier for those who suffer from life-threatening food allergies to avoid the most common allergens because ingredient labels are written for scientists, not consumers,” according to a recently released press release.

Current labeling rules allow for words such as “whey” and “sodium caseinate” to indicate the presence of milk in a product, and “semolina” can indicate wheat. The groups contend that those who are allergic to milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, soy or wheat should be able to find those very words on food labels.

Lock the Carton

Generally, consumers have found two forms of packaging for their dessert treat in the ice cream aisle—either the traditional zipper-style package, or the contemporary two-piece carton with a lid and container.

Mayfield Dairy, Athens, Tenn., seeks to offer a better choice by introducing the Clik-Top® re-sealable carton for its rectangular package. The new carton features a break seal and a special locking tab to keep the carton closed and the ice cream fresh.

In focus groups, consumers preferred the Clik-Top package 29 to one over the zipper-style packaging, says Scottie Mayfield, president of Mayfield Dairy. Mayfield's Classic Ice Cream; Lowfat, No Sugar Added; and Lowfat Frozen Yogurt lines are available in the new packaging, which features bolder, easier-to-read graphics on the traditional Mayfield-yellow background.

Organic Taste

Organic foods have proven enticing to consumers with personal health or environmental concerns, but one company believes some organic products—namely cereals—have fallen short on taste.

With that in mind, Cascadian Farms, a part of Sedro-Woolley, Wash.-based Small Planet Foods has launched a line of organic cereals to appeal to natural foods enthusiasts, as well as to mainstream consumers. Available in grocery and natural foods stores, Cascadian Farm's varieties include:

• Honey Nut O's—whole grain oats flavored with real honey and almonds;
  
• Wheat Crunch Flakes—a combination of whole grain wheat and rice, with a touch of molasses;
  
• Oats & Honey Granola—a blend of honey-coated whole oats and crisp rice; and
  
• Multi Grain Squares—whole grain wheat, corn, rice and a hint of sugar.