In a recent lawsuit, General Mills Inc will have to defend itself with the claims that the food company deceived consumers into believing the its Fruit Roll-Ups and Fruit by the Foot are made with real fruit.

At the forefront of the argument is the misleading packaging that would lead consumers to believe the claims that the snacks are indeed “made with real fruit” and that they would not actually read the fine print according to U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti in San Francisco said on Thursday.

This is not the first federal lawsuit against food companies that advertise their products as healthier than they actually are, instead, this is one of many.

One example includes last month’s $3 million lawsuit to settle a claim against Italy’s Ferrero when they stated that its Nutella chocolate spread could not be considered to be a healthy and nutritious part of a balanced breakfast.

The General Mills case was originally brought up in October by Annie Lam, a resident of Daly City, California. The suit wanted a class-action status on behalf of consumers nationwide.

Lam claims that General Mills used false descriptions for the ingredients of its fruit snacks by making claims that strawberry-flavored Fruit Roll-Ups that contain “pears from concentrate,” but no actual strawberries.

Ingredients that were listed in court papers are corn syrup, dried corn syrup, sugar and partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil.

Lam also pointed to the heart of the matter, the packaging. She said that it was likely to deceive many consumers into believing the snacks are healthy and beneficial to them, not just a combination of artificial, non-fruit ingredients.

“The court agrees with Lam,” Conti wrote. “The fruit snacks’ ingredients list cannot be used to correct the message that reasonable consumers may take from the rest of the packaging: that the fruit snacks are made with a particular type and quantity of fruit.”

Judge Conti however did dismiss other claims over the packaging. The complaint alleged violations of California and Minnesota consumer protection laws. General Mills is based in Minneapolis.

Maerenn Jepsen, a General Mills spokeswoman, said the company does not discuss pending litigation.

“We stand behind our products, and we stand behind the accuracy of the labeling of those products,” she said.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2012/05/11/general-mills-sued-over-real-fruit-claims/#ixzz1ub0Cb2m1

Source: Fox Business

Tanimura & Antle is preparing for the upcoming salad season with new packaging and designs that will hopefully lead to more sales in the market.

For more information, read the complete press release below:

Salinas, CA (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Industry leader Tanimura & Antle is gearing up for salad season with new packaging and promotions designed to drive sales and meet market demands from trade and consumer audiences. The company has recently launched its Summer Fun Sweepstakes with Artisan Lettuce, Romaine and Boston Lettuce to support category sales during the key period of May through July. Now Tanimura & Antle is re-introducing their Field Fresh Wrapped Leaf Lettuce in new colorful bags that include a QR (Quick Read) code that links directly to a series of videos showing lettuce being harvested and packaged right in the field. (Bilingual versions of these Wrapped Leaf Lettuce bags will be introduced later this Summer.) Also coming soon is a baseball-themed package for iceberg lettuce that cross promotes its successful Artisan Red Onions-and includes an easy-to-prep recipe on the label.

Each of these programs is in direct response to consumer preferences* and retailers requests for produce that has superior freshness with protective packaging that carries product information. Delivering on its reputation for innovation in the lettuce category, Tanimura & Antle is ready to showcase its new leaf lettuce packaging and supporting video that demonstrates the company’s growing practices and commitment to freshness and safety.

“We often have our retail partners tour the Tanimura & Antle fields and listen to their amazement when they experience exactly how our product is field-packed by hand, directly into protective packaging and then into shipping cartons. The most effective way for us to tell this story to shoppers is with video that brings them right into the field with us,” commented Diana McClean, Director of Marketing. The videos are also available at http://www.freshinthefield.com.

Tanimura & Antle introduced Field Fresh Wrapped Leaf Lettuce ten years ago, calling it “Shrink Wrap” because of how the film is shrunk around the base of the lettuce. “Our new name for this category more accurately describes this product and emphasizes the freshness benefit of this packaging,” commented Ms. McClean. “The eye-catching color differentiation between the leaf varieties, plus the use of video to offer more product information in real time, are specific requests from Tanimura & Antle’s trade partners. The Field Fresh Wrapped Leaf Lettuce product line includes five leafy green commodities; Romaine Lettuce, Green Leaf Lettuce, Red Leaf Lettuce, Endive and Escarole,” she noted.

“Our field research revealed that this packaging—when compared to naked leaf—increases shelf life by eleven days and reduces shrink (waste) in the Produce Departments an average of 20%. These are two very compelling benefits the Field Fresh Wrapped Leaf Lettuce program brings to both consumer and retailers,” explained Rick Antle, CEO. “The addition of the video series and the QR code on the packaging emphasizes just how fresh these products are and conveys the limited about of handling they experience throughout the harvest and packaging process. This is critical in distinguishing our products from processed varieties.”
*2011 Consumer Packaging Resarch conducted for the Produce Marketing Association by The Perishables Group

About Tanimura & Antle
Tanimura & Antle is an industry leader whose commitment to premium quality produce has remained strong since its formation in 1982. The Tanimura & Antle families combined years of experience and knowledge to establish a produce company unrivaled in its quality products, innovation and dedication to growers, customers, consumers and employees. Today, as one of the largest independent lettuce growers in the United States, Tanimura & Antle farms more than 30,000 acres of rich, fertile farmland and ships a full line of premium fresh produce products throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.taproduce.com.

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We present to you: STACKED; a bottle of wine that splits into four stemless wine glasses. Running for only $15 a bottle, the wine company was founded by three friends who attended business school at UC Irvine and are now headquartered in Newport Beach.

The packaging for this wine is complete revolutionary in the wine industry. STACKED is a hassle-free bottle because it lacks the inconvenience of a big bottle, corkscrew, or stemware. The bottle itself can be separated into four stemless wine glasses. Each individual glass contains 187ml of wine while the entire bottle has the same volume (750ml) as a traditional bottle of wine.

The exclusive bottles were designed to maintain the look and feel of a regular wine glass. It is made of high-quality plastic that is both shatterproof and lightweight all while maintaining the wines freshness.

As the company website boasts, STACKED is intended to be enjoyed: outdoors and under the sun! The vintage quality wines are refreshing, fruit forward, and reflect the true flavor profiles for each varietal. Not only are these wine glasses are perfect for sharing with friends but are completely convenient for picnics, tailgates, mini hiking trips….the uses are just endless. And unfortunately, they’re only sold in California liquor stores but you can buy it online here.

Packaging Digest senior editor, Jenni Spinner, covered the story and highlighted those packaging trends that are popular at this years expo:

Economy packaging: Looking to capture fiscally conscious consumers, a number of candy and gum makers are coming out with packs that are compact and clearly labeled with a low price. Orbit, a Kraft Foods brand, previewed its soon-to-roll-out Micro Packs, which contain 6 pieces (down from the 14-piece regular pack) and bear “MSRP 68¢” on the front. Wrigley’s Trident gum also is releasing 5-piece economy packs, with a 50-cent price on the label.

Two-in-one packaging: A number of companies showed candy and snack products that combine multiple products or components in a single pack. Pemmican, a popular jerky brand owned by Marfoods USA, debuted its Pemmican Plus packs, which feature the company’s dried meat snack in one side of a tray, and another item (sweet-and-salty trail mix, wasabi peas or other edibles) in the other. Jack Links, a jerky brand from Link Snacks, also offers a number of two-part packs with meat on one side, and a cheese or barbecue dipping sauce in the other.

Downsizing: The trend of offering smaller packages continues, enabling candy and snack manufacturers to get more product on a pallet and conserve materials costs. Among the notable packages: Spangler Inc. has shrunk the 12-unit boxes housing its best-selling candy canes into a version that’s approximately half the size of the previous version.

Gum innovation: In addition to releasing slimmed down and low-price packages, gum companies continue to offer gum packages with design features intended to help their products stand out and increase shelf appeal. One example: ID from Stride, an upcoming product from Kraft Foods, features a printed overwrap that reveals artwork submitted by teen consumers; a magnet keeps the two-sided wallet-style pack closed and helps increase the package’s premium feel.

Big pack: Several companies at the show displayed packages that put more of their product in a single container; these include “car cups” for gum and candy consumers on the go. Ferrero USA previewed a “Big Pack” for its popular Tic Tac breath mints. The new package is significantly larger than the rectangular shaker pack currently found in checkout-counter candy racks, and it introduces an eye-catching shape (meant to evoke the ovoid shape of the mints themselve) that stands upright.

Retail displays: Companies exhibiting at the Sweets and Snacks Expo displayed new retail display solutions in two showcases: the Retail Solution Center, and the Magic of Merchandising display gallery. In these areas, and throughout the show floor, manufacturers and a number of display producers showed off innovative and attractive displays. These demonstrate a trend toward combining the ability to attract customers with bright, high-quality printing; giving retail staff an easy set-up job; maximizing footprint; and recyclability of disposable content.

- Jenni Spinner, Packaging Digest

Source: Packaging Digest
For more information visit www.sweetsandsnacks.com.

Pepsi recently launched its brand new “Live for Now” campaign which features an exclusive global partnership with the Estate of Michael Jackson. The partnership will allows for fans around the world to engage with the retail campaign in many different ways which includes Pepsi producing one billion special-edition Michael Jackson Bad 25 cans, iconic music, epic live events, and chances for fans to access special edition merchandise.

The 25th anniversary of Pepsi celebrates the 25 year-old relationship that has lasted between Michael Jackson and Pepsi. The date also falls in line with the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s multi-platinum “Bad” album along with his record-breaking tour. The King of Pop starred in his first Pepsi campaign with his brothers in 1983. The commercial was part of Pepsi’s “New Generation” campaign which included a sponsorship of the “Bad” Tour. Jackson was also featured in Pepsi’s “Music Icons” commercial that premiered during “The X Factor” in 2011.

Brad Jakeman, president, Global Enjoyment Brands, and chief creative officer, PepsiCo Global Beverages Group, says, “Pepsi has always been at the forefront of pop culture, helping to shape the music landscape. This unique global partnership, around such a legendary music milestone, invites Pepsi fans from around the world to experience Michael Jackson’s music in an engaging and very now kind of way—it’s a model example of how Pepsi’s ‘Live for Now’ campaign can manifest itself in a way that resonates the world over.”

The Pepsi cans will feature the iconic silhouette of Jackson with the launch of collectible limited-edition can designs. The campaign will also feature contests around the world that gives fans the opportunity to win merchandise.

“We are thrilled to bring Michael and Pepsi back together, as they were in 1988, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ‘Bad’ album and tour and to put Michael on one billion Pepsi cans—perhaps a Guinness record,” comment John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson. Branca and McClain add, “We’re excited to see it all come to life.”

The campaign will run in start first in China and the United States. Approximately 20 additional markets in Asia, South America and Europe will be added to the international marketing campaign throughout the rest of the year.

Chief marketing officer, Frank Cooper, of Global Consumer Engagement, PepsiCo says, “Michael Jackson will always be the King of Pop, and his music has always inspired fans and artists alike. But, this partnership goes beyond nostalgia and will engage with consumers all around the world with iconic imagery on more than one billion Pepsi cans, digital content and epic, live events, so that they can continue to connect with Jackson’s music and honor his legendary impact on entertainment.”

Watch the “New Generation” commercial below!

Source: Packaging Design

The optimism regarding the overall word economy has increased, but only a little bit as there is uncertainty that spans the globe. In the year ahead, more companies plan on hiring employees and the majority plan to increase investment spending. Companies are also reporting higher profitability and a decrease in concerns to barriers to growth even though oil/energy prices remain high worldwide and other ongoing concerns such as legislative/regulatory issues.

Industrial manufacturers also feel more optimistic about the U.S. economy during the next 12 months. They reported 70% optimism in the first quarter of 2012 from 30 percent in the fourth quarter during 2011. This follows last years historically low level of 5 percent optimism in last year’s third quarter.

optimism about the world’s economic prospects is also up to 44%, rising 28 points from 16 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. There remain 45 percent of the respondents that remain uncertain and 11 percent who are pessimistic about the world economy.

Of all the respondents, 92 percent of expect positive revenue growth from their operations, with 17 percent hoping for double-digit gains and 75 percent seeing single-digit growth.

“Optimism regarding the U.S. economy among U.S. industrial manufacturers improved markedly during the first quarter of 2012, while views of the worldwide economy remain guarded, improving only modestly due to continued high levels of uncertainty. The positive gains in sentiment, primarily in the U.S., have been buttressed by higher forecasts for own-company revenue in 2012, as well as perceived decreases in barriers to growth. Moreover, margins remained positive, aiding confidence levels and supporting plans for hiring and investment,” says Barry Misthal, global industrial manufacturing leader for PwC. “Following a prolonged period of streamlining and cost-cutting during the economic downturn, there is no question that companies have achieved efficiency gains, while balance sheets improved measurably. Hence, management teams are increasingly focusing on strengthening their product offerings and competitive positioning, as well as evaluating global expansion strategies through both M&A and new facilities building.”

Looking back at the first quarter of 2012, 68 percent of U.S. industrial manufacturers surveyed believed the U.S. economy was growing, up 40 points from 28 percent reported in the fourth quarter of 2011. None believed it was declining, and 32 percent saw no change from the fourth quarter of 2011. Thirty-six percent of the respondents marketing abroad believed the world economy was also growing, up 20 points from the fourth quarter of 2011, while 16 percent believed that the world economy was declining, off 20 points from the fourth quarter, and 48 percent said they saw no change.

To read more of the report, click Here.

Source: Packaging Digest

HOT TAMALES, America’s favorite cinnamon-charged candy, is heating things up this spring with a new look. HOT TAMALES unveils new package graphics for the brand that consumers have loved for over 50 years.

HOT TAMALES new package graphics reveal a more modern, fiercer packaging design. While still maintaining its traditional fireball, the bold new flames highlight the heat within. The new red background is a darker red, accentuating the new flames in a bright red. Completing the hipper packaging, the varied colors in the word “FIERCE” show the rising heat sensation of the candy.

These new graphics are available nationally on all HOT TAMALES Cinnamon packages including the popular: large theater box (8.3 oz.), large peg bag (8.3 oz.), small theater box (5.0 oz.), count goods bag (1.8 oz.), and $.25 cents change maker (.78 oz.).

Donald Houston, Senior Marketing Manager, comments, “Early indications show that longtime HOT TAMALES fans love the new look and new fans, in the 18-24 year old range, are gravitating to the new graphics. While we have changed the look of the graphics, consumers can be sure they will be getting the same great HOT TAMALES taste that they have come to know and love. We anticipate a continued, very positive consumer reaction.”

In addition to new graphics the brand has also recently introduced new HOT TAMALES 3 ALARM with three levels of cinnamon heat. Along with the introduction of the of the new candy, the HOT TAMALES 3 ALARM Report on “What’s HOT with College Students” asked college students between the ages of 18-24 a wide range of questions on “HOT”, current topics. The sizzling hot responses are an interesting peek at American culture through the eyes of America’s College Students. The entire HOT TAMALES 3 ALARM Report on “What’s HOT with College Students” can be found at www.hottamales.com.

HOT TAMALES Candies have only 7 calories a piece, 0 grams of fat and are kosher and gluten free.

Source: Just Born Inc. www.hottamales.com

Ikea recently announced that they will soon be giving away cardboard digital cameras to selected retail stores. The new camera is unlike anything we have ever seen, the packaging is the product. Not only is it all cardboard, but it is also 100 percent recyclable and can hold 40 pictures. The main purpose of the cameras is meant to help customers of Ikea share photos of the Swedish chain’s furniture being used in their homes.

The new camera, dubbed Knappa, was debuted in a at a recent press event in Milan, Italy, amid speculations that Ikea was hoping to move into digital products, although a company spokesperson told BBC that the camera was not “a move into selling any digital equipment.”

Swedish Designer, Jesper Kouthoofd, is the creator of the Knappa, which has a modern take on the disposable camera. He created a device with packaging that is also the product and has USB capabilities.

The product is also a move towards going green and being sustainable. The company has made previous moves towards going green with the introduction of solar panels to the California stores.

Check out the video below, where designer IKEA Jesper Kouthoofd talks about Knappa:

In the print packaging sector alone last year, the number of firms in financial trouble fell by 73 percent in the first quarter earnings in 2012, which was compared an overall drop of only 17 percent across all other sectors. Other businesses in manufacturing saw levels fall by 49 percent with the exception of food and beverage production, which only reported a 37 percent fall.

Companies outside of the manufacturing sector did just as poor with sectors such as property services showing a 122% increase in distress and the construction sector reporting a 104% rise in the number of firms in difficulty.

Julie Palmer, a partner of Begbies Traynor said: “Manufacturing is the star of the economy at present and the engine that could drive a recovery.”

“Typically in a recession, front-end businesses – such as print and packaging companies – are hit quite hard, as businesses slash spending in areas such as advertising. This has a knock-on effect on the print sector.

“The drop in the number of printers and packaging companies reporting distress suggests that people are starting to spend money again in this area, and that there is a willingness on behalf of UK businesses to move forward. While it is still early days, these results indicate that we may be moving out of recession.”

Although there was a positive year-on-year trend, the number of businesses in difficulty still increased by 55 percent in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the previous three months, which a insolvency specialist attributed to a traditional post-Christmas slump.

Palmer added: “Tough seasonal trading conditions usually create quarter-on-quarter increases in distress in January, February and March each year. Some sectors such as retailing and construction are yet to see improvements, but the overall fall in distress compared to 12 months ago is a sign of some momentum towards overall recovery.”

Story/Image Source: Print Week

An analysis recently released by Visiongain indicates that the personal care packaging markets value will increase to $40.99 billion in 2012. Over the next decade, the personal care packaging market is expected to record strong and sustained growth due to the recovering economy and will be supported by its frequent innovation and sustainability practices.

In The Personal Care Packaging Market 2012-2022 report, the author stated that “The European and North American markets are now very mature and saturated and the main way in which suppliers will seek to increase their sales and market share is through innovation. Sustainability will also play a large part due to government legislation and the cost benefits derived from conforming to these environmental standards.”

The report was filled with visual explanations with 115 tables, charts, and graphs of trends within the personal care packaging market. The predictions and forecasts for the 2012-2022 period are based the global personal care packaging market as well as five material submarkets (rigid plastic, flexible plastic, metal, paperboard, and glass), and found end use applications (hair care, bath & shower, oral care, and skin care) of personal care packaging.

Visiongain also forecasts and analyses to 10 national personal care packaging markets over 2012-2022. In this report, Visiongain provides profiles of the 20 leading companies within the market as well as 3 interviews with leading personal care packaging companies to coincide with the analysis.

The Personal Care Packaging Market 2012-2022  report  will not only be of great value to both current in future investors into the personal care packaging industry but also to companies and researchers who want to expand their knowledge of the industry.
Source: visiongain