Crammed with cranberries

Homing in on the functional food trend, Ocean Spray has launched a wave of products, which boast high levels of proanthocyanidins - flavanols that occur naturally in cranberries and which help protect the body against bad bacteria.

New additions include dried cranberry snack Craisins, a range of Cranberry Smoothies, and single serve variants of the three best-selling flavours in Ocean Spray's multi-serve ambient range.

The firm claims it is anticipating a successful 2008 following reports from market analyst Mintel that last year saw a record number of cranberry new product launches.

Kristen Borsari, senior marketing manager at Ocean Spray ITG, says: "There were just 54 cranberry product launches in 2006, according to Mintel. It is a fantastic achievement for the cranberry industry and testament to the growing popularity of cranberry worldwide that in 2007 this number leaped to 900.

"As consumer demand drives new product development, we are seeing a broader range of applications, from cereals and Trail Mix to ready meals and salad toppings."