NEW YORK, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co said on Wednesday it is launching three beverages that will contain a natural, calorie-free sweetener.
The world's largest soft-drink maker said the new sweetener it co-developed with Cargill Inc, known as Truvia, will make its U.S. debut in two Odwalla juice drinks and a version of its Sprite soft drink.
Truvia is made from the leaves of the stevia plant, a shrub native to Paraguay. It provides a natural alternative to chemical sweeteners such as Equal, Sweet'N Low and Splenda, and industry analysts say, could expand the market for low-calorie bottled soft drinks to consumers who prefer natural ingredients.
The Odwalla Mojito Mambo and Odwalla Pomegranate Strawberry juice drinks will hit store shelves this month. The Sprite Green will be launched in two U.S. cities this month, with a broader roll-out planned for early 2009.
The drinks have 50 calories per serving, which is 8.5 ounces for Sprite and 8 ounces for the juices.
(Reporting by Martinne Geller; editing by Gunna Dickson) See http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/holidayshopping for Reuters holiday coverage and http://blogs.reuters.com/shop-talk/ for Shop Talk -- Reuters' retail and consumer blog. Keywords: COCACOLA/ (Reuters Messaging: martinne.geller.reuters.com@reuters.net; (646) 223-6023) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The world's largest soft-drink maker said the new sweetener it co-developed with Cargill Inc, known as Truvia, will make its U.S. debut in two Odwalla juice drinks and a version of its Sprite soft drink.
Truvia is made from the leaves of the stevia plant, a shrub native to Paraguay. It provides a natural alternative to chemical sweeteners such as Equal, Sweet'N Low and Splenda, and industry analysts say, could expand the market for low-calorie bottled soft drinks to consumers who prefer natural ingredients.
The Odwalla Mojito Mambo and Odwalla Pomegranate Strawberry juice drinks will hit store shelves this month. The Sprite Green will be launched in two U.S. cities this month, with a broader roll-out planned for early 2009.
The drinks have 50 calories per serving, which is 8.5 ounces for Sprite and 8 ounces for the juices.
(Reporting by Martinne Geller; editing by Gunna Dickson) See http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/holidayshopping for Reuters holiday coverage and http://blogs.reuters.com/shop-talk/ for Shop Talk -- Reuters' retail and consumer blog. Keywords: COCACOLA/ (Reuters Messaging: martinne.geller.reuters.com@reuters.net; (646) 223-6023) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.