Abbott’s expanded Glucerna line for diabetics sports new packaging

-- Packaging Digest, 8/1/2007

Abbott Nutrition has launched an expanded, improved line of Glucerna nutrition products for people with diabetes. Offering better taste, expanded meal and snack options and new packaging, the improved line of products includes a unique cereal, along with an updated version of the popular Glucerna shake in a convenient, reclosable plastic bottle. Other new Glucerna product developments include snack shakes and mini-snack bars. The new cereal and reformulated shakes include two key ingredients: unique carbohydrate blends that have been clinically shown to help manage blood sugar spikes and a trace mineral, called chromium picolinate, that helps the body's own insulin work more efficiently. "People with diabetes need food that is both convenient and nutritionally sound to make nutritious choices easier and more enjoyable," says Michael J. Ferry, general manager of Abbott Nutrition's Healthy Living business.

The new Glucerna cereal provides an excellent source of fiber: 5 g of whole grains and 3 g of protein per serving. Glucerna cereal is available in three flavors—Crunchy Flakes 'n Strawberries, Crunchy Flakes 'n Raisins, and Crunchy Flakes 'n Almonds—and is sold in a 9.5-oz box with a suggested retail price of $4.49.

The improved Glucerna shakes were awarded the American Culinary Institute's Chef's Best Taste Award for diabetes products. The 200-calorie shakes are now available in a plastic bottle in four flavors: Creamy Chocolate Delight, Homemade Vanilla, Strawberries 'n Cream and Butter Pecan. Glucerna shakes are sold in six-bottle packs that carry a suggested retail price of about $9.99.

Glucerna snack shakes in cans and Glucerna mini-snack bars are designed as a mid-morning, afternoon or evening snack to fill the gap between meals. The 140-calorie, 8-oz snack shakes are available in Creamy Chocolate Delight and Homemade Vanilla flavors. The snack shakes are sold in four-can packs with a suggested retail price of $5.99.
Glucerna mini-snack bars offer 70 to 80 calories in a convenient, on-the-go snack option. The mini-snack bars are available in Chocolate Peanut and Oatmeal Raisin varieties, with a suggested retail price of $5.49 for an eight-bar box.

The line of Glucerna products is widely available in the pharmacy section of retail stores throughout the country.