Royal Cake Co. introduces a new line of cereal bars for the private label market. The new cereal bars are baked in a national brand bar format and are offered in Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Mixed Fruit and Raspberry flavors. Flexible pack sizes are available. Royal Cake Co. also offers branded and private label cookies and snacks. — Royal Cake Co., 315 Cassell St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27107; 800-521-1721; royalcake.com

Ferrania Imaging Technologies announces a program that makes it easier for retailers to put customized ready-to-use 35-mm. cameras and promotional materials in their stores. Retailers now can create customized ready-to-use camera packages that capitalize on special seasons, community events, in-store activities and other selling opportunities. Ferrania also introduces ready-to-use 35-mm. cameras with black-and-white film, marketed under the Solaris brand name, but also offered in private label. — Ferrania Imaging Technologies, 6063 Hudson Road, Suite 121, Woodbury, Minn. 55125; 888-846-2846; ferraniait.com

American Italian Pasta Co. launches a reduced-carbohydrate pasta for mainstream marketing. The new pasta has half the net grams of carbohydrates per serving – 19 grams per serving vs. the industry standard of 39 grams – and uses an increase in fiber and protein content to lower carbohydrate levels. AIPC's reduced-carbohydrate pasta is available in five varieties, including spaghetti, rotini, elbows, lasagna and penne, and will be sold in 12-ounce cartons. — American Italian Pasta Co., 4100 N. Mulberry Dr., Suite 200, Kansas City, Mo. 64116; 816-584-5000; aipc.com

Mia Foods launches Cinnamon Sticks, a new low-fat and cholesterol free product that are oven baked in less than five minutes. The product looks like pizza crust divided into 20 pieces and is sold in supermarket bakeries. Shelf life at room temperature is three months. Cinnamon Sticks are distributed under its own brand as well as private label. — Mia Foods Inc., 9555 10th Ave., Saint-Georges, Quebec G5Y 8J8, Canada; 418-227-4000

PlanetWise Products introduces Scoopable Feline Fresh – Clumping Pine Cat Litter, a new formulation that allows for complete odor control in the litter box. The litter has a super-absorbent, clumping pine cat litter technology that uses a natural byproduct of the lumber industry, Southern Yellow Pine. Scoopable Feline Fresh will absorb moisture, neutralize odor and form a firm clump that can easily be removed. — PlanetWise Products, P.O. Box 8727 Pine Bluff, Ark. 71611; 800-480-6631; planetwiseproducts.com

Pasco Beverage Co. responds to today's health-conscious trends and introduces an orange juice cocktail with 45 percent less calories and carbohydrates than regular orange juice. This introduction will soon be followed by Less Cal/Less-Carb Apple Juice, Fruit Punch and Lemonade.

Pasco also introduces its frozen nectars in Guava, Mango and Strawberry Banana varieties, pointing to the Hispanic market as a "tremendous opportunity for corporate brand managers." — Pasco Beverage Co., 15000 U.S. Hwy. 301 N., Dade City, Fla. 33525; 800-243-3761; pascobeverage.com

Coby's Cookies Inc. manufactures Brownie Bites, identified as a "Little brownie (with a) big taste." The snack is packaged in an 88-gram bag under the Sunshine Joe Coffee Co. brand, but is also available in private label in the United States and Canada. — Coby's Cookies Inc., 488 Ashwarren Road, Downsview, Ontario, M3J 1Z5, Canada; cobysinc.com

TransPecos Foods offers customized appetizer solutions, now with new "ovenable" coatings. TransPecos Foods supports its program with a 71-million-pound capacity facility where products are made and packaged in various retail packaging options. — The 2550, San Antonio, Texas 78205; 210-228-0896; transpecosfoods.com

Okabashi Brands Inc. announces the launch of the Okabashi Private Label (OPL) program, designed with products aimed at consumers seeking a practical, comfortable and stylish shoe for activities at the beach, pool, spa or fitness center. There are two women's styles and one men's style. The shoes incorporate built-in foot therapy with hundreds of massage beads at the instep and toes for invigorating stimulation. The shoes are 100 percent water proof, slip resistant and light weight. — Okabashi Brands Inc., P. O. Box 1508 Buford, Ga. 30515; 770-945-1330; okabashi.com

Madelaine Chocolate features solid milk chocolate Bumble Bees, which are creamy milk chocolate wrapped in eye-catching, bright yellow and black 'bumble bee' foil. Sixty pieces are featured in a graphically coordinated display box. Madelaine's also features Lady Bugs, designed the same way in display boxes. All Madelaine products are certified kosher dairy. — Madelaine Chocolate Novelties, 96-03 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Beach, N.Y. 11693-0166; 800-322-1505; madelainechocolate.com

The Bodacious Food Co., maker of three varieties of Geraldine's Bodacious Cheese Straws, announces the introduction of its new Low-Carb Cheese Straw. The new Geraldine's Bodacious Low-Carb Cheese Straw is made of 50 percent real aged Wisconsin Cheddar cheese, but has 60 percent less net carbs that the traditional cheese straw for a total of 4 net grams. The all-natural, low-carb snack also includes real butter and a blend of whole wheat, soy and oat flours, spices and no preservatives. — The Bodacious Food Co., 339 Gennett Dr., Jasper, Ga. 30143; 800-391-1979; bodaciousfoods.com

Coral Inc. offers Coral Complex2 to help with the absorption of calcium into the system. Calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis, the company says, can create an imbalance in the body that can be rectified by the addition of coral. Coral Complex2 is nature-made, gathered from above-sea islands that were submerged under the ocean. The product provides calcium, plus 73 other co-minerals, giving women's bodies everything they need to rebuild bone and prevent osteoporosis. Coral Inc. features Coral Complex2 capsules, enhanced with vitamin D and other ingredient to support mineral absorption, and also carries EcoPure Coral Powder, an extra-fine product that is 100 percent pure coral powder. — Coral Inc., 226 East Enterprise, Incline Village, Nev. 89450; 800-678-9884; coralcalcium.com

Intertape Polymer Group understands that carton-sealing tape doesn't have to be beautiful, it just needs to do the job. That's why they have launched Ugly Tape as part of its MailAway line of mailing and moving products. Ugly Tape is made from an aggressive natural rubber adhesive and stands up to humidity, heat and cold. Where the ugly part comes in is the product's basic packaging focusing on the product itself, which has a yellowish hue because it's made of natural rubber. The rolls are slightly wavy, and the company says, "It just looks ugly, but it holds great." — Intertape Polymer Group Inc., 3647 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, Fla. 34210; 941-727-5788; intertapepolymer.com

Thanks to two acquisitions in 2003, the Alltrista Consumer Products Co. is now one of the largest plastic cutlery manufacturers in the United States and offers an array of plastic cutlery, straws and book matches for private label programs. Alltrista's plastic cutlery is made in the United States of shatter-resistant and dishwasher-safe materials. The forks, spoon and knives are packaged individually or in an assortment, and are available in a variety of box or polybag counts. Floor displays are also available.
— Alltrista Consumer Products Co., 345 S. High St., Muncie, Ind. 47305; alltrista.com

Shepard Medical Products introduces CareMates Antiseptic Hand Wipes, which were developed to eliminate harmful microorganisms from the skin quickly and easily. Packaged in portable containers, the wipes are pre-moistened with a powerful antiseptic formula. A single towel kills 99.9 percent of disease-causing microbes in seconds, the company says. The formula on the wipe conditions skin and leaves a light wintergreen fragrance. Shepard Medical Products will also be introducing CareMates Antiseptic Instant Hand Sanitizer and CleanCare Disinfectant Surface Wipes in the next few months.
— Shepard Medical Products, 260 East Lies Road, Carol Stream, Ill. 60188; 800-354-5683; shepard-medical.com

Albertsons introduces "Blue Ribbon" Beef — a new, high-quality brand in its stores across the country. The new brand offers a wide range of high-quality roasts and tender-aged steaks that are "guaranteed twice" to meet custom satisfaction. If customers are not completely satisfied, the store will refund the customer's money and replace the cut of beef, the company says. "Albertsons Blue Ribbon" is in Albertsons stores, "Jewel Blue Ribbon" is in the company's Jewel/Osco stores, and "Lancaster Blue Ribbon" is in its Acme stores. — Albertsons, Boise, Ida.

CVS Pharmacy's store brand health and beauty aids have gotten a makeover thanks to MLR Design's innovation. The new CVS brand identity showcases a stylishly colorful bullseye motif that highlights the product names and benefit copy. — CVS Pharmacy, Woonsocket, R.I.

Longs Drug Stores debuted a store with a new look late last year, featuring almost 18,000 square feet, intense merchandising, simplified color schemes and signage and much more, as well as some new private label offerings. The beauty aisles now feature Yakity Yak, a new cosmetics line for teens, and Haute Province, a cosmetics line with a French heritage. Its Radiance line of vitamins has been expanded, as well. — Longs Drug Stores, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Wegmans brings in 2004 with a sibling to its Vanilla Cola, which debuted last August. Its new Diet Vanilla Cola has the same vanilla flavor with no calories and is on shelves now. In the cereal aisle, Wegmans debuts its Whole Grain Cereal. The new product is a crunchy blend of whole grain wheat and brown rice flakes and is a source of 12 essential vitamins and minerals, including iron. —Wegmans, Rochester, N.Y.

H-E-B has some new meats at the deli to give customers' sandwiches a boost.
H-E-B Smoke Beef Bologna and H-E-B Smoked Garlic Bologna have added some flare. H-E-B wants to keep babies nourished, too, as it grows is Baby line of baby food, formula, juice and water. H-E-B Infant Formula is available in powder, liquid concentrate and soy-based formulas. The H-E-B Baby Juice is 100% real fruit juice with no added sugar, and the H-E-B Distilled Baby Water is ready to mix with infant formula and comes in three sizes. — H-E-B, San Antonio, Texas

Food Lion Trail Mix Bars come six to a box and are packed with almonds, raisins, peanuts and cranberries. Also new to Food Lion shelves are new Justice League Fruit Snacks featuring a range of superheroes including Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and others. Snoopy, too, has a place on the shelf with Food Lion's Peanuts Fruit Snacks featuring Peanuts characters on Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Watermelon and Sour Apple fruit snacks. — Food Lion, Salisbury, N.C.

Hannaford Bros. introduces a high-end line of frozen appetizers, entrees and desserts under the On The Go Bistro name. The line has 120 meat, pasta and seafood entrees. — Hannaford Bros., Scarborough, Maine

Associated Wholesale Grocers is ramping up its dollar merchandising program with the addition of 300 food products this year. Marketed under the Purity private label, the food items will include cereals, snacks, beverages, canned goods and pet foods. — Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, Kan.