VendingMarketWatch.com |

Nestea® announced the addition of Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit to its line of ready-to-drink (RTD) iced teas. Recently selected by retailers as one of the "Top 12 Cool New Products,"1 Nestea Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit will be available nationwide beginning in February 2009. The product will be available in vending.

Nestea Red Tea is derived from the South African Rooibos ("roy-boss") plant with the sweet and refreshing taste of Pomegranate and Passion Fruit. Long valued as a source of antioxidants, red tea is naturally caffeine-free. With only 50 calories per 8-fluid-ounce serving, Nestea Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit contains no artificial colors and all-natural fruit flavors for immediate revitalizing refreshment.

"This exotic new flavor is a significant addition to our existing tea portfolio, and blends the natural goodness of red tea with pomegranate and passion fruit flavors," said Penny McIntyre, senior vice president and general manager of coffee and tea for Coca-Cola North America, in a prepared statement. "Built on over 50 years of brand equity and consumer trust, our products continue to evolve to offer consumers a variety of refreshing tea choices, all with the great taste they expect from Nestea."

Nestea Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit joins Green Tea Citrus, Diet Green Tea Citrus, Iced Tea with Lemon and Diet Iced Tea with Lemon flavors in the brand's product line-up. Earlier this year, Nestea Green Tea Citrus and Diet Green Tea Citrus were re-introduced with 50 percent more antioxidants.

Nestea Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit will be packaged in straight-wall 20-ounce PET bottles and 12-packs of 16.9-ounce PET bottles. Nestea products are sold in supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores and vending.

The introduction of Nestea Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit will be supported in 2009 with a fully integrated marketing program including elements such as national print advertising, digital media, point-of-purchase displays, public relations and consumer sampling programs.