Snapple Finally Ready to Abandon HFCS for Cane Sugar, in Early 09    Snapple – once billed as being made from “the best stuff on earth” – seems ready after years of deliberation to finally abandon high-fructose corn syrup in its core line in favor of pure cane sugar.  Sources said Dr Pepper Snapple Group likely will make cutover starting in late fall, while updating glass bottle to slightly slimmer, taller look.  Label will ditch familiar racetrack contour surrounding brand name in favor of more contemporary look already visible in superpremium teas and juices.  Price rise is likely but with most input variables rising, that’s no surprise.  Change, viewed by many Snapple distribs and retailers as overdue, removes what has increasingly become liability as some consumers view HFCS as taboo despite lack of any conclusive evidence that it’s worse for you than other forms of sugar.  At same time, DPSG is considering ditching both 4-packs and 12-packs in favor of just 6-packs on West Coast.  “Makes some sense if you think about it,” one distrib said.  “We only sell Snapple 12-packs to our grocery stores anyway and they just sit on the shelf” at SRP north of $11. “12-packs only move when they are on ad at $7.99 or $8.99.”   Of course, on East Coast – where 12-packs have been priced as low as $4.99 on deal – that configuration is too crucial to give up.   

Also in works are packaging upgrades for both superpremium tea/juice line and for Snapple Antioxidant Water, Vitaminwater challenger that has been slow to get off ground.  Tho Snapple rep did not return calls seeking comment, moves suggest now-indie co is seeking to return some semblance of premium status to key brand after yrs of erosion.   “It’s a year late, but better than never,” said one distrib of sweetener change.