NEWS ROUNDUP 1995-05-29 (3)

Nestea RTD Line Expanded

Nestle Refreshment Co. here has expanded its Nestea brand of ready-to-drink iced teas to include several new lines.

The new products are Nestea Pitcher Style, iced tea with a more distinctive taste, available in unsweetened; lightly sweetened, with natural lemon flavor; and extra sweet, with natural lemon flavor. It is packaged in 16-ounce glass and 32-ounce PET bottles.

Nestea has introduced a new Nestea Specialties brand of ready-to-drink teas packaged in 16-ounce glass bottles. The first variety is Earl Grey, and additional varieties will be introduced during the course of the year.

Nestea has also repackaged its former Nestea Cool line under the new Cool from Nestea label. Packaged in 12-ounce cans and 2-liter bottles, the line is available in sweetened, with natural lemon flavor, and diet, with natural lemon flavor.

The Nestea lines are being backed with network television, spot radio and outdoor advertising. Nestea is also an official sponsor of the 1995 Association of Volleyball Professionals Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

Blue Sky Adds 3 New Drinks

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Blue Sky Natural Beverage Co. here has introduced three new all-natural soft drinks to its product mix.

A black cherry cola is being marketed under the Dr Becker nameplate, which the company says is named after two of its founders -- Marla Becker, vice president and partner, and her brother, Richard, who is president. It is packaged in a bright blue can, contains no artificial flavors, caffeine or preservatives and is made with purified carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup, natural flavors, caramel color and tartaric acid.

Blue Sky has also introduced apple and strawberry flavored sodas. The three new products are packaged in 12-ounce cans and will be sold nationally where Blue Sky products have distribution. Blue Sky products are sold in health food stores and selected grocery, convenience and mass merchandising channels.

Crystal Springs Makes Olympics

ATLANTA -- Crystal Springs Water here has been named the Official Bottled Water of the 1996 Olympic Games by the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Properties.

The agreement includes Crystal Springs and its partner, EWA Beverage Group, Crystal Springs' exclusive national broker. As the official bottled water, Crystal Springs will be the only brand of water provided to Olympic athletes, as well as the only bottled water to be sold at all 1996 Olympic Games venues. Crystal Springs will supply all U.S. Olympic training centers and all pre-1996 Olympic events with water.

All Crystal Springs bottles sold through the end of 1996 will carry the symbols of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Properties.

Crystal Springs water is available throughout the South.

Veryfine Launching Kids' Line

WESTFORD, Mass. -- Veryfine Products here is in the process of introducing Veryfine Juice-Ups, a new 100% juice product geared toward children.

Packaged in child-sized 8-ounce bottles, Juice-Ups contain a full day's supply of vitamin C and are available in fruit punch, grape, cherry, orange punch, berry and strawberry flavors.

They are available in 8-ounce six-packs at a suggested retail price of $3.39, and a 64-ounce family-size plastic bottle that has a $2.59 suggested retail. The bottles are made out of five-layer resealable PET plastic that allows the juice to remain fresher longer and uses 35% postconsumer recycled plastic in its construction.

The line is currently available at BJ's Wholesale Club outlets on the Eastern seaboard, but will be available in grocery stores throughout the Northeast this summer, the company said.