Shaklee recently launched Meology Kids, an all-in-one, personalized vitamin gummy pack offering for kids. Each box of Meology Kids includes a month's worth of gummy packs. Inside each pack are two multivitamin gummies, one immunity gummy, and one omega-3 jelly.
"We wanted to create a product that tasted great and was fun to take so it appealed to children, but we also wanted to make sure that it was a nutritionally superior offering without any of the bad stuff so caretakers feel confident in what they are providing," said Melina Baxter, Chief Marketing Officer for Shaklee. "From core vitamins and minerals to immunity-boosting nutrients, to 300 mg of DHA and EPA to support brain and eye function, Meology Kids is built to eliminate the guesswork for parents. This one pack, delivered in convenient monthly boxes, provides just what your children need for a strong nutritional foundation."
Proprietary technology
The gummy packs are a follow-up to Meology for adults which uses a patent-pending algorithm and product recommendation engine for ingredient selection. Meology Kids uses a proprietary technology made in-house using Shaklee's completely customized machine, built exclusively for Meology Kids. The technology was manufactured and built in Shaklee's Groveport, Ohio facility.
Ingredient selection
“Meology Kids is an introduction to foundational nutrition. So we focused on creating products that together deliver those foundational nutrients kids need to grow up well. Including micronutrients necessary for optimal growth and development, nutrients to help support growing brains, healthy eyes, and strong muscles, joints, and bones, as well as nutrients to provide immune support and help fill gaps for picky eaters,” explained Erin Barrett, PhD, Director of Scientific Affairs and Product Innovation at Shaklee.
Delivery formats
According to Barrett, the R&D process followed the design goals as provided by Shaklee’s R&D, Science, and Business teams. The primary challenges were to incorporate the specific characteristics and qualities of alternate product delivery forms (i.e., gummies and jellies), into the proprietary design of the dispensing and packaging equipment to yield a personalized final product.
Barrett explained that the omega-3 jelly included in each pack represented a new product format that required a unique approach for equipment customization.
“We had to carefully manage the formula so that we could maximize the levels of DHA and EPA and still maintain a great flavor and pleasant texture. Working with the product form was not difficult, per se. Rather, it required a different thought process toward equipment design and execution.”
Nutrition goals
Barrett said that when they set out to create this new product, the goal was to build an all-in-one vitamin gummy pack that delivered superior nutrition, healthy ingredients, convenience, and personalization.
“The result was Meology Kids: delivering a nutritional value that supersedes other popular brands in a proprietary new daily pack format that is also convenient and designable with fun icons and a child’s name,” said Barrett.
