NEW & IMPROVED 2007-03-01

FRIENDLY FILTERS

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Melitta, manufacturer of coffee and coffee accessories, is introducing earth-friendly bamboo filters this winter. Available online and in select health food stores throughout the country, the filters are a naturally renewable product and the first of their kind ever released, according to the company. To maintain the full flavor of the grounds they hold, the filters are fitted with patented micro-perforations. Each box contains 80 filters, available in #2 and #4 sizes at a suggested retail price of $3.99 per box.

DARK AND HANDSOME

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — New to the flavor stable in Terra Nostra's line of organic chocolate bars is Robust Dark & Roasted Almonds. Borrowing from the wine industry's gourmet labeling process, the packaging highlights the bar's high 60% cocoa content. This means each 3.5-ounce, USDA-certified-organic bar contains 10 times the amount of antioxidants as the same weight of blueberries. The suggested retail price is $3.99. Also available are eight other organic bars, including varieties that contain milk chocolate and rice milk.

PINEAPPLE PACKS

WEST ORANGE, N.J. — Crispy Green, maker of Crispy Fruit freeze-dried fruit products, has added pineapple to its portfolio. Free of artificial flavors and preservatives, each serving contains 40 calories or less, and nearly one-fifth the daily recommended serving of vitamin C. Packages are available in a 10-gram, single-serving size, as well as a six-serving multi-pack. Also available in the Crispy Fruit line are apples, apricots and peaches. Suggested retail is $1.19 to $1.75; the multi-pack is $7.99.

RICH IN GRAINS

CHICAGO — Sarah Lee, a leader in the food industry, has introduced a new line of bread, “Soft and Smooth 100% Whole Wheat.” Free of artificial colors and flavors, each slice contains one-third the recommended daily amount of whole grains — foods that are especially popular right now for their reputed disease-fighting capabilities, among other things. Each loaf contains 20 slices, and the bread sells for a suggested retail price of $2.49.

CHICKEN BITES

PITTSBURG, Texas — Chicken manufacturing giant Pilgrim's Pride has announced the launch of two new additions to its EatWell StayHealthy Kids line of products: baked nuggets and popcorn chicken. Both offerings are made from whole-muscle chicken breast, and both products have received approval from the American Heart Association and the USDA. The company projects the 24-ounce packages will be available in 3,000 stores by spring, at suggested retail prices of $5.99 to $6.99.

SOY ON THE GO

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — New to supermarkets and health food stores this winter from Pharmavite is a line of soy-and-fruit bars labeled SOYJOY. Marketed to on-the-go consumers as a quick bite between meals, the bars are baked with whole soy and dried fruit, and have no preservatives, artificial flavors or trans fats. Each bar contains between 130 and 140 calories. The bars are available in four flavors — apple, berry, mango coconut and raisin almond — at a suggested retail price of $1.29 each.

MAC 'N CHEESE

NAPA, Calif. — Annie's Homegrown, a favorite in the natural and organic market, has announced the launch of its “True Blue” organic macaroni and cheese. Available in 7-ounce blue boxes, the pasta-and-cheese mix contains all-natural ingredients — free of artificial flavors and trans fats. The Annie's folks are targeting parents and children with the new offering, touting it as a good source of calcium and protein. Suggested retail for each box is $1.49.

SMART COOKIES

PETALUMA, Calif. — Barbara's Bakery has jumped into the 100-calorie-pack fray with three flavors of mini cookies aimed at health-conscious parents and their children. USDA-certified organic, and void of artificial flavors, trans fats and hydrogenated oils, the cookies are available in chocolate, oatmeal and ginger flavors. Each package contains five 8-ounce, 100-calorie packs. Available this spring at suggested retail prices of $4.15 to $4.39.