IRVINE, CALIF. — Morinaga America, Inc. is expanding its portfolio of Hi-Chew products with the launch of Hi-Chew Reduced Sugar. Available in mango and strawberry flavors, the candy contains 30% less sugar than the company’s traditional fruit chews.
Hi-Chew Reduced Sugar offers a double layer of fruit flavor and is made with fruit juice and fruit puree, plus natural and artificial flavors. It contains no colors from synthetic sources. The fruit flavor is made with dietary fiber (inulin) and other formulations to reduce sugar content. It is available at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.29 per 2-oz pack.
The fruity confection is part of a growing better-for-you product lineup, said Teruhiro Kawabe, president and chief executive officer of Morinaga America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based Morinaga & Co. Ltd. The company last year introduced Chargel, a line of pre-workout gel drinks featuring fruit juice, vitamins and other functional ingredients.
“We're so thrilled to offer consumers this better-for-you candy choice in two of our most popular flavors,” Mr. Kawabe said. “While Hi-Chew Reduced Sugar has a lower sugar content than our original mango and strawberry chews, we’re confident that consumers will quickly learn that it has the same great flavor experience they’ve grown to love.”
