Clermont, Fla.-based Uncle Matt’s Organic unveiled two new offerings for kids: No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Box and No Sugar Added Strawberry Lemonade Juice Box. The shelf-stable line contains zero added sugars, is sweetened with stevia and boosted with 150% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C, it says. Uncle Matt’s Organic No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Box and No Sugar Added Strawberry Lemonade Juice Box is available in packs of eight.
“As a parent, I am especially excited about the launch of Uncle Matt’s Organic No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Boxes that are both kid and mom approved,” says Susan McLean, vice president of marketing and innovation at Uncle Matt’s Organic. “These juice box offerings taste delicious. … The Tetra Pak shelf-stable format is incredibly convenient for lunchboxes and travel as well.
“So many offerings for kids are still loaded with sugar as well as artificial colors, flavors and ingredients,” McLean continues. “We are proud to launch an organic beverage option that was carefully crafted with vitamins and antioxidants for added functional and wellness benefits.”
A 6.7-ounce Lemonade juice box contains 10 calories, 150% of the DV of vitamin C per serving, 25% DV of vitamin D and 25% DV of zinc and contains not-from-concentrate lemon juice and strawberry puree. Sweetened with organic Reb M Stevia, the juices deliver the desired, sugar-like sweetness that consumers want, with zero calories, and without the health concerns associated with artificial sweeteners, the company says. Additionally, the juice drinks are USDA Certified Organic and contain no GMOs.
According to the American Heart Association, the average American consumes more than three times the recommended amount of sugar. The number for kids is even worse, as they are consuming 81 grams per day, equaling over 65 pounds of added sugar per year. American children are ingesting over 30 gallons of added sugars from beverages alone.
Finding ways to reduce intake without sacrificing on taste is key. When exploring alternatives to table sugar, the American Heart Association has stated that leaning on natural alternatives to sugar, like stevia, may be your best option, according to Uncle Matt’s Organic.
With a one year shelf-life, Uncle Matt’s Organic No Sugar Added Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade juice boxes are available for a suggest retail price of $4.99 for a 8-pack of 6.7-ounce boxes.