Tropicana Essentials(R) 100 per cent pure orange juice with added Calcium +
Vitamin D hits store shelves as demand surges for the 'sunshine vitamin'

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 3 /CNW/ - Canadians thirsting for a little sunshine to get them through the last leg of a cold, dark winter can look to the Tropicana(R) brand, which now contains vitamin D, long known as "the sunshine vitamin," in its new Tropicana Essentials(R) 100 per cent pure orange juice with added Calcium + Vitamin D.

Consumer demand for alternative food and beverage sources of vitamin D is surging as media and health-care professionals turn up the volume on its important contribution to health. Meanwhile its fundamental role in enhancing calcium and phosphorus absorption and utilization has long established vitamin D as a key player in bone health.

"Consumers have long known the bone-building power of calcium, and now we have an opportunity to talk about the important role vitamin D plays in helping the body to absorb calcium that would otherwise be lost," says Ottawa-based registered dietitian Hélène Charlebois, RD, BSc. "And, with emerging research indicating that bone health is likely only one of the many benefits related to adequate intake of vitamin D(1), incorporating food and beverage sources into a nutritious breakfast is a wise idea."

Health Canada's recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin D for Canadians aged two and older is 200 IU (international units) or five (5) micrograms. A 250 mL serving of Tropicana Essentials(R) with added Calcium + Vitamin D contains 100 IU (2.5 micrograms) of vitamin D (50 per cent of the daily value for Vitamin D), and 30 per cent of the daily value for calcium - as much as an equivalent amount of milk.(2)

A healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D and regular physical activity helps to achieve strong bones and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Tropicana Essentials(R) with added Calcium + Vitamin D is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. It also provides all the nutrition benefits of regular 100 per cent orange juice - a whole day's supply of vitamin C, a good source of folate and potassium, and no fat or sodium.

"Orange juice with calcium and vitamin D gives consumers a convenient, delicious way to get more calcium and vitamin D in their diets," says Dale Hooper, VP Marketing, PepsiCo Beverages Canada. "100 per cent pure orange juice offerings, such as Tropicana Essentials(R) Calcium + Vitamin D, contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and contribute to a healthy lifestyle; now with added calcium and vitamin D - it's the perfect combination of taste and nutrition."

New Tropicana Essentials(R) Calcium + Vitamin D is now widely available across Canada in 1.75L cartons and 2.63L jugs. For full nutritional information visit www.tropicana.ca.

    
    Sources:
    (1) Stechschulte SA, Kirsner RS, Federman DG. Vitamin D: bone and beyond,
        rationale and recommendations for supplementation. Am J Med. 2009
        Sep;122(9):793-802.
    (2) Canadian Nutrient File, Health Canada, 2007.
    

ABOUT THE TROPICANA BRAND IN CANADA

Tropicana is the market leader in juices and the first not-from-concentrate, refrigerated juice in Canada. It is a key brand in the portfolio of PepsiCo Canada, the nation's leader in beverage refreshment, with a roster of Canada's leading brands. PepsiCo Canada markets and distributes a full line of great-tasting and nutritious juices, juice blends and cocktails under the Tropicana brand, including Tropicana Pure Premium(R) Orange Juice. For information visit www.tropicana.ca.

Follow link to to view social media release profiling Tropicana's new Brighter Mornings for Brighter Days(TM) marketing campaign, launched on March 1st, 2010: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadas-Juice-Leader-Become-National-Provider-Brighter-Mornings-Brighter-Days-1123045.htm

About Helene Charlebois, RD, BSc

Hélène is a Registered Dietitian/Nutrition consultant. She owns and operates HC Nutrition Consulting & Wellness, her private practice in Ottawa with three office locations. She counsels her clients on weight and obesity management with expertise in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and women's health issues such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

As a nutrition consultant, her expertise is sought by various businesses and industry to help develop newsletters, webletters, podcasts, blogs and nutrition health resources for distribution to health care professionals and to the public.

Hélène was elected to the Board of Dietitians of Canada representing East-Northern Ontario and Quebec and is the past chairperson for the Consulting Dietitians of Canada.

ABOUT PEPSICO CANADA

PepsiCo's businesses in Canada are organized into two business units. PepsiCo Foods Canada (PFC), including Frito Lay Canada and the Quaker Foods and Snacks business; and PepsiCo Beverages Canada, including Pepsi-Cola Canada, Gatorade and Tropicana, and markets a variety of beverages under the following trademarks: PEPSI, DIET PEPSI, 7UP, MOUNTAIN DEW, MUG, AQUAFINA, SOBE, LIPTON and BRISK ICED TEAS, STARBUCKS BOTTLED FRAPPUCCINO, GATORADE, DOLE and TROPICANA.

ABOUT PEPSICO

PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 18 different product lines that each generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. The main businesses - Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade - also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to consumers in over 200 countries, including Canada. With more than $43 billion in worldwide 2008 revenues, PepsiCo employs 198,000 worldwide who are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

For further information: Maureen Juniper, PraxisPR, [phone] x 226, [email protected]; OR Liz Luzza, PraxisPR, [phone] x 222, [email protected]