Sunset Brands Enters into Letter of Intent to Acquire ZOIC Nutrition Drink
As part of the transaction, Sunset Brands expects to form a joint venture with LifeForce Labs to co-develop new healthy food and beverage products.
"Sunset Brands is building a portfolio of better-for-you foods, and ZOIC marks our entree into the high growth functional beverage market," stated Todd Sanders, president and CEO of Sunset Brands. "Formulated by the lead developers of Gatorade(R)'s alternative markets model, ZOIC was created to satisfy the increasing consumer demand for low glycemic, low calorie, low fat and controlled carbohydrate beverage alternatives that are good tasting, functional and convenient. ZOIC complements our product lines, and we plan to leverage our distribution capabilities to roll-out ZOIC nationally on a much larger scale than its current regional scope."
ZOIC -- meaning "of or pertaining to life" -- is a protein rich beverage that is designed to fit most lifestyles as a snack alternative or meal complement for busy consumers. ZOIC is the first and only product of its kind to be "Heart Smart Certified" by The American Heart Association. It was awarded the "Healthy Heart Claim" by the Food and Drug Administration and meets all guidelines of the American Diabetes Association. Many of America's most prestigious health and wellness institutions, including Mt. Sinai Medical Center and the Cleveland Clinic, have designated ZOIC as client recommended. Each 11-ounce can of ZOIC contains 21 grams of protein, 2 net carbohydrates, 25 essential vitamins and minerals, zero cholesterol and is 99 percent fat free, 99 percent lactose free, caffeine free, and antioxidant rich.
ZOIC was developed by LifeForce Labs, which was co-founded by John Serieka and Bruce Svetz. Together Serieka and Svetz bring over 35 years' experience in sales, marketing and operations with food and beverage companies including PepsiCo, Kraft Foods and The Quaker(R) Oats Company. While at Quaker Oats, Serieka and Svetz served as lead developers of Gatorade(R)'s alternative markets model, which built Gatorade(R)'s strategically critical on-premise business channel from a regional $5 million to over $300 million nationally before being incorporated into the $2 billion PepsiCo Foodservice business. With the help of the existing infrastructure at Sunset Brands, Serieka and Svetz will continue to oversee the sales, marketing and operations of ZOIC. As noted, Sunset Brands will enter into a joint venture with LifeForce Labs to co-develop new food and beverage products on a non-exclusive basis for Sunset's commercial use.
