It takes a lot for a food product to succeed. In fact, out of more than 30,000 new food items that were introduced in 2003, less than 5 percent were hits. (And less than 10 percent of all new products are still on supermarket shelves three years after they launch.) To help you avoid spending money on the likely failures, here are this week’s Hits and Misses:
HIT
Kagome Autumn RedsThis juice, a fusion of vegetables and fruit, including apples, red grapes, tomatoes and sweet bell peppers, is probably like nothing you have ever tasted before. It has high levels of the phytonutrient lycopene and other beneficial antioxidants. No sugar added, no preservatives, and no artificial flavors. This beverage is also a great source for potassium (390 mg). Retails for $2.69 for 30 oz.http://www.kagome.us/autumn.aspx
CONSUMER-NOMINATED HIT
Propel Fitness WaterHere’s what Bobbi S. from Clarksburg, West Virginia, had to say about this product. “This is the best-tasting flavored water drink I've tried so far!! It is non-carbonated and low in calories -- only 10 per 8 ounce serving. Also, it contains no artificial sweeteners and filled with vitamins to help you stay nourished...A GREAT COMBINATION!!” Thanks, Bobbi! Your SupermarketGuru tote bag is on the way! Retails for 6 pack of 16.9 fl. oz. /$4.99 or $1.49/23.7 fl.oz. www.propelfitnesswater.com
MISSES
Birds Eye Voila! Chicken Teriyaki & VegetablesFound in the frozen food section is this meal kit that serves three and requires little preparation. The combination of broccoli, chicken breast meat with rib meat, carrots, edamame, water chestnuts and garlic teriyaki sauce won’t be the best tasting dinner you ever had, because in this case flavor is sacrificed for convenience. In addition, the company makes the claim of 11g of “net carbs” when there are actually 15g of total carbs. But the biggest problem with this product is the statement made at the top of the package “A Naturally Delicious Complete Meal.” We see high fructose corn syrup listed twice in the ingredient list. Not much nothing natural about that! Retails for $5.19.www.birdseyefoods.com
Simply Asia Soy Noodle Soup BowlAre you hip to the benefits of soy? More and more great-tasting foods with soy are lining the supermarket shelves, and the key reason is that more than 500 scientific studies seem to confirm the disease-fighting potential of soy. This noodle bowl is promising. It’s packed with 7 grams of soy protein. With only 70 calories per serving and 0 grams of fat, you won’t have to be too concerned about this product being bad for your diet. Easy to prepare in the microwave or by adding bowling water, it would seem to be a great lunchtime soup at work. But, here’s a couple of things to consider about this product. Number one, the make a claim on the package that it contains 8.5 “net carbs.” There are actually 11 grams of total carbs listed on the nutritional panel, so don’t be misled. Another thing to keep in mind is that about 55% of all soybeans are genetically modified. If you choose to avoid those, always check the label to make sure you are buying soy products that are organic (which this product is not). Clean up your labeling and switch to Organic soy – then it’s a hit! Suggested retail price is $1.39 to $1.79.www.simplyasia.net
CONSUMER-NOMINATED MISS
Mountain Dew Baja BlastHere’s what Juna H. had to say about this product. “I like lime soda but this tasted like pineapple with a weird aftertaste of lime. They should warn that it tastes like pineapple. I poured it out.” Thanks, Juna! Your SupermarketGuru tote bag is on the way! Available only at Taco Bell. www.mountaindew.com
Phil Lempert is food editor of the “Today” show. He welcomes questions and comments — as well as nominations for “hits” and “misses” in this column — which can be sent to phil.lempert@nbc.com. If he selects your nomination for publication, he’ll send you a SupermarketGuru.com Tote Bag! You can also visit his website at .