Truvia(TM) Brand Enters Yogurt Category With YoCrunch(R) 100 From Breyers Yogurt Company

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill Health and Nutrition and Breyers Yogurt Company today announced the introduction of new YoCrunch® 100 Calorie Packs naturally sweetened with Truvia™ rebiana, marking the first use in yogurt of this natural sweetener from the leaves of the stevia plant. This introduction is another market first for the Truvia™ brand and a breakthrough in the yogurt category as the first calorie-controlled yogurt to be sweetened with a natural zero-calorie sweetener.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100112/NY36670 )

"We are very excited to partner with Cargill Health & Nutrition on this breakthrough product," said Charles Marcy, chief executive officer of Breyers Yogurt Company. "YoCrunch® is unique, as the only national brand blending smooth, creamy yogurt with crunchy mix-ins.  Working with Truvia™ rebiana, we have been able to establish a first in the yogurt category – a calorie-controlled yogurt sweetened with a natural zero-calorie sweetener. Offering consumers a calorie-controlled yogurt without artificial sweeteners is an important addition to Breyers Yogurt's unique positioning in the growing snack category."

The launch of YoCrunch® 100 Calorie Packs naturally sweetened with Truvia™ rebiana presents continued innovation for Breyers Yogurt Company. YoCrunch® already is a leading yogurt that gives the whole family an opportunity to have an indulgent treat with the healthy benefits of yogurt and has grown more than 25 percent in the past four years, according to Information Resources Inc.  Due to its indulgent nature and whole family appeal, YoCrunch® products bring significant new usage to the yogurt category, with 53 percent more afternoon/evening eating occasions than traditional yogurts (Catalina Source of Volume Study 2009.)

Truvia™ natural tabletop sweetener has quickly become the leading zero-calorie natural sweetener in the U.S. having captured 6.1 percent of the overall sugar substitute market, according to the latest ACNielsen sales data ending 11/28/09. Rebiana, the ingredient made from the best-tasting part of the stevia leaf, combined with the right balance of flavors is what gives Truvia™ natural tabletop sweetener a clean, sweet taste that consumers love.

"Consumers are more interested than ever in knowing where their food comes from and how it is made, continuing to ask for better-tasting, low-calorie, natural products. Truvia™ brand is answering that demand," said Zanna McFerson, Cargill assistant vice president and business director for the Truvia™ brand. "YoCrunch® 100 Calorie Packs mark the first introduction of Truvia™ rebiana in a national yogurt product and offers another exciting way consumers can experience the natural zero-calorie sweetness of Truvia™ rebiana."

Consumers already enjoy the clean, sweet taste of Truvia™ rebiana in a host of new beverage products including Coca-Cola's vitaminwater10®, Sprite Green™ and Odwalla® juices, Hansen's® Natural Lo-Cal Juices, Kraft Nature's Splash®, and Grand Brand's True Lemon® Naturally Sweet.

Available in five great flavors beginning January, YoCrunch® 100 Calorie Packs are made with nonfat yogurt, includes vitamins A and D, and are a good source of calcium. Consumers will be able to find these new products at their favorite grocery, mass merchandisers, and specialty stores nationwide at a suggested retail price of $2.99-$3.19 for each four-pack container.

About Truvia™ natural sweetener and ingredient

Truvia™ natural sweetener is a great tasting, natural, zero calorie tabletop sweetener, made with rebiana, derived from the best tasting part of the stevia leaf. Truvia™ rebiana is a natural zero-calorie ingredient used to sweeten foods and beverages. For more information, visit www.truvia.com.

About Cargill

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 160,000 employees in 67 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

About YoCrunch

YoCrunch®, a part of the Breyers Yogurt Company, is America's best-selling line of smooth creamy yogurt conveniently packaged together with a wide variety of crunchy mix-ins including granola, M&M'S® chocolate candies, Nestle® Crunch Pieces, Reeses® Pieces, OREO® cookie pieces, and Butterfinger® Pieces. For more information please visit www.YoCrunch.com.

About Breyers Yogurt Company

The Breyers® Yogurt Company is the leading manufacturer of yogurt products that provide a healthy alternative to snacks and desserts through unique combinations of taste and texture. Breyers® Yogurt Company products include YoCrunch®, YoCrunch® 100 Calorie Packs, Breyers® Inspirations, Breyers® Disney®, Breyers® Fruit on the Bottom, Breyers® Light, and Breyers® Crème Savers.

SOURCE Cargill