FMI Update: Health and wellness reign

LAS VEGAS Health and wellness was a central trend at the FMI Show, which concludes tomorrow at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Kraft, for example, unveiled probiotic granola bars under its LiveActive label, while Nestle distributed a smaller version of its Haggen-Dasz premium ice cream pops, sized to come in at under 200 calories per serving. It isn't a reformulation of the successful line, as flavor counts, but is oriented to portion control considerations.

Anheuser-Busch also provided evidence of flavor's importance, as it featured the lime version of its Bud Light brand at the show. Coca-Cola, among other items, served up a new version of its Simply Orange juices that were made a bit less simple with a splash of either pineapple or mango. The idea is that the everyday juice drinker might want an occasional change of pace.

While a change of pace is fine, sometimes a change of locality is in order, so Garden Fresh is decided to take its customers to Margaritaville. The fresh salsa major is introducing a Margaritaville line of salsas, hummus, dips, guacamole and chips into the market, a line that already is rolling out in Wal-Mart and hits Target next month, according to the company.

Kids weren't forgotten in the show. InZone was promoting its new four ounce sized TummyTicklers, a line that come with a reusable character spout -- Bob the Builder was the toon in residence at the show -- that tops off eight and 11 unit packages. In the meantime, Betty Lou's introduced a two-unit line of Organic Harmony bars, in Happy Apple and Cranberry Crave varieties, that have 11 and 16 grams of whole grains respectively and use brown rice as a sweetener for those moms who are particularly wellness conscious.