Hit or Miss? Tea, spicy cookies and more

It takes a lot for a food product to succeed. In fact, out of more than 30,000 new food items that were introduced in 2003, less than 5 percent were hits. (And less than 10 percent of all new products are still on supermarket shelves three years after they launch.) To help you avoid spending money on the likely failures, here are this week’s Hits and Misses:

HITS

Invigor8 Energy Boost
This new product from Campbell’s is trying to cash in on the popularity of the Austrian Red Bull energy beverage. Made from 100 percent juice formulation, it is loaded with Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and has no added sugars. It does, however, contain caffeine (for an even bigger boost). A mixture of strawberry and grapefruit, it is a bit thick and syrupy but has quite a good flavor. We’d say that Invigor8 has the potential to be able to compete, especially as it actually tastes good. Suggested retail price is $1.99 for an 8 oz. can or $6.99 for a 4-pack.
www.invigor8.com

Revolution White-T with Blackberry
White tea is one of the least processed forms of tea. Some studies show that white tea has the same types of cancer-fighting antioxidants as green tea, but in even greater amounts. This bottled tea contains no carbs, sugars, sweeteners or additives. The splash of blackberry adds an unusual but appealing taste. It’s a little on the expensive side, but otherwise a great product! Other flavors are tangerine, raspberry and key lime. Retails for $7.69 for a 4-pack.
www.revolutiontea.com

SPECIAL COVERAGE News on nutrition, tastes and trends

Sparx Spicy Cookies
Like chocolate chip cookies? How about chocolate chip cookies with cayenne pepper?  That’s the ingredient in these cookies that makes the taste so unusual compared to your regular cookie. And, they are definitely spicy! Be sure to have a tall glass of milk nearby to wash it down. (If you don’t already know, the best way to kill the hotness from peppers is milk!) If you love hot, you’ll love these cookies; if not, don’t even try! Ingredients are all-natural. Comes in five flavors: Chipotle Chocolate Chip, Ancho Oatmeal Raisin, Cayenne Toffee Pecan, Chipotle Double Fudge, and Jalapeno Peanut Butter. Retails for $3.50 for a 4-oz. bag.
www.sparxfoods.com

CONSUMER-NOMINATED HIT

Al Fresco Chicken Sausage
Here’s what Ruth. H. from Bloomfield, Conn., had to say about this product: “The sausages are pre-cooked dinner sausages. They're considerably lower fat than pork sausages and taste good. The sausages were designed for low-carb dieters, or anyone who needs to make dinner quickly. Six varieties are currently made. The drawbacks are the price (about $3.99 per package of four sausages) and availability — they have a habit of selling out.” Thanks, Ruth! Your SupermarketGuru tote bag is on the way.
www.kayem.com

Only on TODAY.MSNBC.com! Food Editor Phil Lempert brings you the latest news and advice about shopping and cooking. LAST WEEK: Start your day with down-home soul food GO TO ALL FOOD WEDNESDAY COLUMNS

CONSUMER-NOMINATED MISS

Snackwell Chocolate-Covered Graham Crackers
Here’s what Joann T. had to say about this product. “They are very small, and the chocolate covering has a very waxy taste. Not very good.” Thanks, Joann! Your SupermarketGuru tote bag is on the way. Retails for $2.69.
www.nabiscoworld.com/snackwells/

Phil Lempert is food editor of the “Today” show. He welcomes questions and comments — as well as nominations for “hits” and “misses” in this column — which can be sent to phil.lempert@nbc.com. If he selects your nomination for publication, he’ll send you a SupermarketGuru.com Tote Bag! You can also visit his website at www.supermarketguru.com.

PLEASE NOTE: With this column, Food WEDNESDAY is going on vacation. Look for Phil Lempert’s next set of columns on Wednesday, August 18.

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