The Daily Grind Has Just Become Sweeter

    FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 80% of
 Americans drink coffee daily(1) with flavors, like hazelnut, now
 representing 30% of all specialty coffee sales(2). Today, McNeil
 Nutritionals, LLC, the makers of SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners, introduces
 first-of-its-kind SPLENDA(R) Flavor Blends for Coffee, a one-step, portable
 calorie-free flavored sweetener made specifically for hot beverages.
     Available in three varieties, French Vanilla, Hazelnut and Mocha,
 SPLENDA(R) Flavor Blends for Coffee combines flavoring with SPLENDA(R) No
 Calorie Sweetener. Each pre-measured packet is equivalent in sweetness to 2
 teaspoons of sugar.
     "In today's fast-paced lifestyle, coffee drinkers want and need,
 portability, convenience and of course, a great tasting product," said
 Debra A. Sandler, Worldwide President, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC.
 "SPLENDA(R) Flavor Blends for Coffee offers consumers a quick and easy tool
 to customize hot beverages at home or on the go with no calories."
     SPLENDA(R) Flavor Blends for Coffee are now available nationwide and
 can be found in the coffee aisle. Each box contains 30 sticks at a
 suggested retail price of $3.99. The national launch includes:
     *  Sampling with fitness professionals, PTO leaders and healthcare
        providers.
     *  Advertisements on airline tray tables reaching more than 30 million
        holiday travelers.
     *  Interactive collaborations with popular lifestyle and food-focused
        websites.
     *  "Destination With Flavor" Getaway sweepstakes for a grand prize trip
        for two to Hawaii.  Entry rules and details are available by visiting
        www.destinationflavor.com starting September 24th, 2006.
     In November, SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners will also add SPLENDA(R) Cafe Sticks
 for at-home use. Previously available only in fine restaurants, these
 premium sticks of SPLENDA(R) No Calorie Sweetener feature the same
 sweetness equivalent as the original packets in a more upscale package.
 SPLENDA(R) Cafe Sticks 40 and 80-count cartons will be available at a
 suggested retail price of $2.79 and $4.99 respectively.
     For recipes and more information on SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners, visit
 www.SPLENDA.com.
     About SPLENDA(R) No Calorie Sweetener
     SPLENDA(R) No Calorie Sweetener is made from sugar so it tastes like
 sugar and consumers have quickly adopted this SPLENDA(R) Sweetener Product
 as their no calorie sweetener of choice. In 2003, it became the nation's #1
 selling branded sweetener in retail outlets. SPLENDA(R) No Calorie
 Sweetener is available in granular form in a 9.7 oz. Baker's Bag,
 equivalent in sweetness to 5 lbs. of sugar, which is ideal for cooking and
 baking, as well as in 1- and 2-lb. sweetness equivalent boxes, and in
 packets.
     About SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener
     SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners are marketed by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC.
 SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener is used in more than 4,000 products of major
 food brands worldwide. You can find out more about SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners or
 get recipes and tips on cooking and baking with the brand by logging on to
 www.SPLENDA.com or call 1-800-7-SPLENDA (1-800-777-5363).
     About McNeil Nutritionals
     McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is a marketer of innovative nutritional
 products. The company's mission is to give people the ability to actively
 manage their own health. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, markets SPLENDA(R) No
 Calorie Sweetener, SPLENDA(R) Sugar Blend, SPLENDA(R) Brown Sugar Blend,
 VIACTIV(R) Calcium Soft Chews, VIACTIV(R) Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews,
 LACTAID(R) Milk and Dietary Supplements, and BENECOL(R) Spreads. McNeil
 Nutritionals, LLC, is headquartered in Fort Washington, PA.
    (1)  National Coffee Association of USA Survey, March 2006
 
    (2) Gourmet Retailers Annual Survey, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, 20
        February 2006
 
     Contacts:  Joanna Young                  Sherri Satalof
                RF|Binder Partners            McNeil Nutritionals, LLC
                212-994-7556                  215-273-7449
 
 

SOURCE McNeil Nutritionals, LLC