From smoothies to snacks: PepsiCo launches Naked fruit, nut and veggie bars

Naked, historically, manufactures juice and smoothies, but has developed the new SKUS to give consumers even more “access to the best fruits and vegetables”​.

The snack bars have been rolled out this month in the refrigerated section of a number of retailers across the US, including Sprouts and Whole Foods. The line comes in three flavors: blue machine (berries, almonds, carrots and organic quinoa), green machine (apples, kale and pistachios) and red machine (cherries, almonds, cranberries and spinach).

Each 40g Naked bar contains 160 calories and retails for $2.29, while a four-pack box retails for $7.99.

“Naked fruit, nut and veggie bars contain no preservatives, are excellent sources of vitamins A, C, E and iron, and are verified by the Non-GMO Project,”​ said the company.

Chilled snacks​

PepsiCo said Naked snack bars remain chilled from the moment they are produced, through shipment and until they are purchased to ensure “only the highest-quality, best-tasting bars hit shelves every time.​

“Our customers demand delicious on-the-go products that pack a nutritional punch. That’s why, at Naked, we’re always expanding our offerings, innovating and hitting on key food and beverage trends – like chilled snacks – with the best blends of fruits and vegetables that meet consumer’s evolving needs,”​ the company told BakeryandSnacks.

It said it hopes to continue expanding this line of NPD to fit the five-a-day fruit and veggie recommendations into consumers’ daily routine through “innovative forms”​.

PepsiCo’s full-year 2017 organic sales across its entire snacks and beverages portfolio increased by 2.3% to $19.53bn compared to 2016.