New Products

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America has added a new product to the Snickers portfolio. Snickers Peanut Butter Squared adds peanut butter to the classic Snickers combination of peanuts, caramel, nougat and milk chocolate. The candy is the top-testing new bar launch for Mars in the last three years.


Each 1.78-oz. single pack includes two square-shaped bars and carries a suggested retail price of 89 cents. The bars also are available in fun-size bags in two sizes: 11.5 oz. and 21.5 oz.


ATLANTA — A Minute Maid product has achieved $1 billion in sales worldwide.

Coca-Cola, which owns the Minute Maid brand, reported that Minute Maid Pulpy marked the first Coca-Cola brand that was launched in an emerging market — the drink was launched nationally in China in 2005 — to reach the billion-dollar mark.

Last year, Minute Maid Pulpy was introduced in Algeria, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, followed by rollouts in Mexico and Kazakhstan.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Novartis vaccine for preventing meningococcal disease in children, the Swiss drug maker said.

Novartis announced the approval of Menveo (meningococcal [groups A, C, Y and W-135] oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine) for active immunization to prevent certain forms of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis in children ages 2 to 10 years. The FDA approved the vaccine last year for use in adolescents and adults ages 11 to 55 years.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Yardley of London, the luxury bath products division of Lornamead, has announced the launch of two new scents for 2011. Pomegranate rose and cocoa butter will join Yardley's line of moisturizing bath bars, which feature natural botanicals and essential oils.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Convenient care industry pioneer Kevin Smith took a leap more than 10 years ago and helped create the successful nurse practitioner-staffed retail clinic concept. Today, the industry trailblazer is embarking on a new venture to further revolutionize access to health care. Enter Zipnosis.com.


New twists on classic candy brands helped propel dollar sales in the chocolate candy segment ahead nearly 10%. An increase in prices contributed to the dollar sales gain, but a big boost came from line extensions and limited-edition flavors.

“The old standbys are comfort brands for consumers, and manufacturers continue to trade off their following with new products,” said Lisbeth Echeandia, VP trade marketing of consulting firm Frey Enterprises.

LAS VEGAS — While Apple’s iPad and the long line of next-generation electronic tablets hitting the market this year may have been the “sexy” items at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show, it was the unprecedented number of healthcare-related consumer electronics that better served as a harbinger of what’s to come.

Thanks to technological innovations within mascara, the category has driven sales of eye makeup, and looking forward, mascara formulas that are infused with eyelash-enhancing treatments and packaging that offers greater customization not only will volumize lashes but also sales at retail.