Supplier Side

Study uncovers undeclared added sugar in ‘unsweetened’ coconut waters

As consumers continue to look for alternatives to drinks that are high in sugar, Lawrenceville, N.J.-based iTi Tropicals, a bulk importer of 100 percent pure coconut water, said it believes the unsweetened coconut water category is poised for rapid growth. Unsweetened coconut water offer consumers a pure coconut water taste with less total sugar, and it can be used by retailers to formulate reduced-calorie 100 percent juice blends, which are gaining in popularity with consumers.

However, consumers might not realize that two categories of coconut water products exist: those with added sugar and those without, iTi Tropicals said. And some sweetened coconut water products are failing to declare added sugar.

iTi Tropicals engaged Krueger Food Laboratories to determine if commercially available coconut waters are properly labeled. The laboratory identified 12 canned and bottled brands packed in Thailand that contain undeclared added sugars. The added sugars are used to sweeten the product and mask the taste of the naturally occurring minerals in pure coconut water and, in some cases, to replace coconut water sugars. iTi Tropicals said it worries that the continued sale of coconut waters with undeclared added sugars and other ingredients could jeopardize consumer confidence in the category.

It is incumbent on the industry to take proactive steps to put an end to this practice, iTi Tropicals said. The company hopes retailers and brand-holders will strive to ensure the ingredients added to coconut water are properly labeled.

Cascades expands converting activities

Cascades Inc., a Kingsey Falls, Quebec-based supplier of private label paper products, said it installed a new tissue converting facility in Wagram, N.C. The investment will reorganize and expand the company’s converting activities in the southeastern United States — a targeted area of growth for the company. The total estimated cost of the project is $55 million, and the startup is planned for the end of 2014.

“This investment will allow us to optimize our converting platform by relocating equipment presently used elsewhere, by adding new manufacturing equipment and installing robotized warehouse management,” said Suzanne Blanchet, president and CEO, Cascades Tissue Group. “In doing so, we are moving closer to many key markets and improving our productivity and logistics while enhancing customer service.”

The total annual capacity for the new converting plant is approximately 10 million cases on six converting lines, with the capacity to produce various tissue products, including bathroom tissue, kitchen towels, paper napkins and hand towels for both the away-from-home and consumer products markets, the company said.

“Cascades has made clear its intention to prioritize investments in the tissue paper and packaging products sectors,” said Mario Plourde, president and CEO of Cascades Inc. “This new investment in Wagram will allow us to further improve our tissue manufacturing and customer service through the addition of an ultra-modern converting plant that will be ideally situated to serve the growing needs of our customers.”