NEWS ROUNDUP 1994-07-25 (2)

AriZona Adds 64-Ounce Carton

AriZona brand ready-to-drink beverages are now available in a 64-ounce gable-top carton in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania markets.

AriZona, a product of Ferolito, Vultaggio & Sons, a division of Hornell Brewing Co. here, is being distributed by Farmland Dairies, Wallington, N.J., and will be sold in the dairy section. It comes in lemon tea, lemonade, and cowboy cocktail strawberry punch flavors.

It was previously available in shelf-stable cans and bottles.

Nestle Extends Coffee-mate Line

SAN FRANCISCO -- Nestle Beverage Co. here has extended its Carnation Coffee-mate line of liquid nondairy creamers with new fat-free flavors.

The new fat-free liquid Coffee-mate comes in hazelnut, Irish creme, French vanilla and butter rum. It is available in 16-fluid ounce cartons.

According to Andrea Cook, public relations manager for Nestle, the company expanded the flavored line because, "people said they liked the liquid form, but wanted fat-free because they were getting more health-conscious."

The company is estimating that the flavored category will grow 500% to $117 million compared with $20 million in 1991.

The new flavors had a nationwide roll-out on June 1.

Icicle Offers Imitation Crab Meat

SEATTLE -- Icicle Seafood here has introduced a new imitation crab meat under its Ship A Hoy brand name that is available in 2.5-pound packages for food service and one-pound packages for retail.

It has also introduced a seafood pasta salad packed in two-pound packages for retail and food service.

Tropicana Blends Two Juices

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Tropicana has added Ruby Red Orange juice, a combination of orange and grapefruit juices, to its Pure Premium line of not-from-concentrate juices.

It is a blend of red orange juice from Italy with a hint of grapefruit juice, and is not as sweet as orange juice, according to the company.

Tropicana describes the new juice as "an all-day thirst quencher" and as a good base for mixed drinks. It is available in 64-ounce cartons and has a suggested retail prices of $2.69.

To promote Ruby Red, Tropicana is sponsoring a consumer contest in which contestants have the chance to win a Caribbean cruise or ruby jewelry.

Seafood Safety Alliance Formed

PORTLAND, Maine -- An alliance of government, industry and academia was forged last week in a move to help the seafood industry comply with new federal seafood safety regulations.

The partnership was announced by the National Sea Grant College network, which is composed of representatives from the nation's 29 Sea Grant College programs, at the Association of Food and Drug Officials annual meeting here late last month.

The partnership is expected to focus on seafood training and education "to ensure safety and restore consumer confidence in the nation's seafood," said Steve Otwell, seafood technology specialist for the Florida Sea Grant Program.