Bravo Foods International, makers of low fat fortified milk drinks has teamed up with the Diabetes Research Institute in an effort to advocate new source of nutrition for children with diabetes.
The manufacturer claims that the new partnership will help consumers better identify a beverage that offers health benefits through the inclusion of the Diabetes Research Institute logo on the company's Slim Slammers milk drink packaging.
Amidst growing need to offer more nutritional snack foods and beverages to children, combined with the exponential rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes among children (according to the Centers for Disease Control), Slim Slammers is being marketed as an alternative drink for those seeking a low sugar alternative.
Since 2001, the National Soft Drink Association has tracked 76 proposed bills in 28 states that have attempted to restrict or ban the sale of soft drinks in schools (USA Today, February 13, 2003). Additionally, a recent report from the World Health Organization highlighted the need to better regulate our nutritional intake, including a recommendation that people limit the consumption of foods with high sugar content.
The report suggested that carbohydrates should provide the bulk of energy requirements - between 55 and 75 per cent of daily intake, but that added sugars should remain beneath 10 per cent.
"At a time when consumers, and especially parents, are concerned about the high levels of sugar and fat in the foods that they and their children eat, Slim Slammers flavored milk offers a healthier option for achieving a balanced diet and providing a good source of calcium," said Luigi Meneghini, M.D., assistant professor of Clinical Medicine, and Director, Eleanor and Joseph Kosow Diabetes Treatment Center at the Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine. "In fact, Slim Slammers has the same sugar and fat content as 1 per cent low-fat milk, making it a tasty and fun alternative that appeals to children of all ages. Additionally, since the product has no added sugar, it's an ideal option for children with diabetes."
"The production and sales of Slim Slammers allow Bravo Foods to support efforts of children, parents and the Diabetes Research Institute to improve the nutritional value of our children's beverage choices," said Roy Warren, CEO, Bravo Foods International. "Slim Slammers addresses issues of childhood obesity and increased prevalence of diabetes by filling a void in the marketplace with a wholesome and great tasting flavored milk with no sugar added."
Publix, the first supermarket in the nation to offer its customers the milk drink, is selling three flavors of Slim Slammers in the dairy case, whose packaging features Warner Bros. Looney Tunes characters: Vanilla featuring Bugs Bunny, Chocolate featuring Taz, and Strawberry featuring Sylvester. Sold in re-sealable, extended-shelf-life, 11.5 ounce plastic bottles, the drink is fortified with 20 per cent to 50 per cent of the daily value of 11 essential vitamins, and are rich in protein and calcium.
Bravo Foods holds licenses from Warner Bros. Consumer Products to utilize the Looney Tunes characters and names on milk products throughout the fifty US States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, China and Mexico. The milk is available in the US.through production agreements with milk processors and currently is available in five flavors under the brand name Slammers Fortified Reduced Fat Milk throughout the US.