Hershey(R)'s Antioxidant Milk Chocolate and Hershey(R)'s Whole Bean Chocolate
Bars Debut
HERSHEY, Pa., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company, the largest
North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery
products, expands its Goodness Chocolate portfolio with the debut of
Hershey(R)'s Antioxidant Milk Chocolate and Hershey(R)'s Whole Bean Chocolate.
These innovative chocolates join Hershey(R)'s Extra Dark(TM) Chocolate and
Hershey(R)'s Sticks brands in offering consumers great-tasting Hershey's
chocolate with good-for-you benefits. Hershey's Goodness Chocolate portfolio
is available nationwide at mass retail, drug, grocery and specialty stores.
"Consumers are very interested in the goodness benefits of chocolate,
including the antioxidants found naturally in dark chocolate," said Michele
Buck, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, The Hershey Company.
"This interest is driving explosive growth in dark chocolate. Now, Hershey's
Antioxidant Milk Chocolate and Hershey's Whole Bean Chocolate bring the
goodness benefits of dark chocolate to the broader milk chocolate category."
Hershey's Antioxidant Milk Chocolate features more flavanol antioxidants
than the leading dark chocolate (260 mg of flavanol antioxidants per 40 g
serving, versus 110 mg in the leading dark chocolate), while delivering the
great taste of Hershey's Milk Chocolate. Its creamy, smooth texture contains
all the goodness of dark chocolate in a delicious milk chocolate bar.
Hershey's Whole Bean Chocolate is made with the goodness of the whole
cocoa bean to create a mildly sweet, smooth and delicious chocolate that is
lower in sugar (40 percent less than the leading milk chocolate bar) and high
in fiber and antioxidants. One serving of Hershey's Whole Bean Chocolate has
seven grams of fiber and 180 mg of flavanol antioxidants per 40 g serving.
Hershey's Goodness line of products delivers wellness benefits without
sacrificing great taste. Hershey's Antioxidant Milk Chocolate and Hershey's
Whole Bean Chocolate join Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolate and Hershey's Sticks
in the Hershey's Goodness Chocolate portfolio. Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolate
debuted in 2005 and features three expressions: Hershey's Extra Dark Pure
Dark Chocolate, Hershey's Extra Dark Cranberries, Blueberries and Almonds, and
Hershey's Extra Dark Macadamia Nuts and Cranberries. Each contains
good-for-you natural flavanol antioxidants and features 60 percent cacao dark
chocolate. Hershey's Sticks are a convenient, guilt-free way to indulge in
chocolate. Hershey's Sticks come in four smooth and creamy flavors -- Rich
Dark Chocolate, Mint Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Caramel-filled Milk
Chocolate. Each Stick is perfectly sized, containing only 60 calories per
stick.
Cocoa and Antioxidant Flavanols
Scientific studies have shown that specific, naturally occurring compounds
from cocoa beans called flavanols may be good for your health. Flavanols can
act as antioxidants and also are found in other plant foods like berries, teas
and red wine. Recent data from scientists at Hershey as well as the United
States Department of Agriculture indicate that cocoa beans, the seeds of the
fruit of the cocoa tree, are one of the most concentrated known sources of
flavanol antioxidants. To help consumers better identify chocolates that
contain higher levels of natural flavanol antioxidants, The Hershey Company
designed a distinctive antioxidant seal, which is found on the packaging of
all Hershey's Goodness Chocolate products. Like all indulgent treats,
Hershey's Goodness Chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a
healthy diet and active lifestyle.
Hershey's Antioxidant Milk Chocolate and Hershey's Whole Bean Chocolate
bars are available in 3 oz. take-home bars and 4.2 oz. pouches with a
suggested retail price of $1.99 and $2.99, respectively. Both products are
available at supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchants nationwide beginning
in March 2007. Support for Hershey's Goodness Chocolate begins in early March
and includes merchandising units, print and online advertising and sampling.
For more information, visit http://www.HersheysGoodness.com.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest North American manufacturer
of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly
$5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company
markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, and Ice
Breakers. Hershey is the leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate
segment, with such brands as Hershey's Special Dark, Hershey's Extra Dark and
Cacao Reserve by Hershey's. Hershey's Ice Breakers franchise delivers
refreshment across a variety of mint and gum flavors and formats. In addition,
Hershey leverages its iconic brands, marketplace scale and confectionery and
nut expertise to develop and deliver substantial snacks, including Hershey's
and Reese's single-serve cookies and brownies, and value-added snack nuts,
including Hershey's Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds and Hershey's Special Dark
Chocolate Covered Almonds. Hershey also offers a range of products to address
the health and well-being needs of today's consumer. Hershey's and Reese's
Snacksters offer consumers great-tasting snacks in portion-controlled
servings, while Hershey's dark chocolate offerings provide the benefits of
flavanol antioxidants. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate
offerings as Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate
products, Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate
gifts, and Dagoba, known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate
bars. Visit us at http://www.hersheynewsroom.com.
SOURCE The Hershey Company
-0- 03/21/2007
/CONTACT: Jennifer Nau, +1-630-932-7987, jennifern@jsha.com, or Hannah
Schroder, +1-630-932-7938, hannah@jsha.com, both of JSH & A PR, for The
Hershey Company/
/Web site: http://www.HersheysGoodness.com/
(HSY)
CO: Hershey Company
ST: Pennsylvania
IN: FOD
SU: PDT
DK-CD
-- AQWFNS1 --
0475 03/21/2007 05:20 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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