Truvia Brand Enters Yogurt Category with YoCrunch 100 From Breyers Yogurt Company

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.

13 Jan 2010 --- Cargill Health and Nutrition and Breyers Yogurt Company 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.

"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 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.