Hansen's Natural Soda Now Made With Real Cane Sugar

Key Facts

-- 30% of consumer calls to Hansen's requested the switch to cane sugar

-- According to a recent statement from the FDA, products containing high fructose corn syrup cannot be considered 'natural' and should not be labeled as such

-- Many dietary organizations recommend products sweetened with cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners

-- Some studies suggest high fructose corn syrup is partially responsible for rising incidence of obesity and diabetes

-- Many consumers prefer the taste of cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup

-- Hansen's Natural now makes sodas sweetened with natural cane sugar

Hansen's Natural, a leading marketer of all-natural and functional beverages, has replaced high fructose corn syrup with real cane sugar in its line of exotic-flavored, all-natural sodas. Hansen's said consumers requested the formulation change. The company has begun shipping naturally sweetened Hansen's soda to grocery and natural food stores nationwide and sodas will appear on shelf beginning this spring/summer. Hansen's Natural Sodas are available in a variety of great-tasting natural flavors derived from extracts of exotic fruits and spices from around the world. The line contains no preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, no sodium, and no caffeine. Hansen's Natural Sodas are also gluten free and dairy free and OU Kosher certified.

Quotes

"Consumers asked and we listened," said Gregg Arends, vice president, marketing for Hansen's. "Mother Nature had it right, real sugar tastes better than corn syrup. Why mess with what works?"

"I commend Hansen's Natural for removing the high fructose corn syrup from their sodas," said Jane Hersey, National Director of the Feingold Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and awareness of the impact of food and food additives on health, learning and behavior. "As a mom and consumer-advocate, I believe it's essential that companies use natural ingredients in their products; it's the healthier choice."

Hansen's Natural sodas come in these delicious flavors: Kiwi Strawberry, Vanilla Cola, Mandarin Lime, Ginger Ale, Key Lime, Cherry Vanilla, Grapefruit, Creamy Root Beer, Raspberry, Orange Mango and new Pomegranate flavor.

The company notes that while it heeded consumers' request for all natural cane sugar, it cannot always comply with all consumer demands. For this reason, the company was not able to provide Eileen in Cedar Rapids with peanut-gouda soda. But, feel free to keep the suggestions coming -- the next great flavor may yet be discovered.