Juiced

Prepared Foods, Feb, 2005

Juices also have joined the low-carb frenzy. Old Orchard Brands (Sparta, Mich.) has launched a new moniker and look for the new year, believing that the Healthy Balance line of fruit juice cocktails will "appeal to the tastes of kids, morns, dads, dieters and individuals with diabetes."

Originally branded as Old Orchard LoCarb back in the fall of 2003, the line has expanded to include 10 flavors. Made with aspartame, all have 75% less sugar than other Old Orchard offerings.

Meanwhile, Welch's (Concord, Mass.) has introduced a line of light juice cocktails, promising fruit flavor and less than half the calories, carbohydrates and sugar. The three flavors in the line are light grape, light white grape and light white grape peach. Also sweetened with aspartame, Welch's light juice cocktails additionally have been fortified with calcium.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]