SAB tests nutritional beverage
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Consumer Industries Editor
CAPE TOWN SA Breweries (SAB), the subsidiary of global brewer SABMiller, launched a nine-month test phase in Gauteng of the group's first nonalcoholic drink this week.
The drink, a malt-based nutritional supplement called Rhino Malta was developed by African Malt Farms, a wholly-owned SA Breweries subsidiary.
Mark Lachman of African Malt Farms says this is expected to be the first of a number of maltbased products the company will develop. It will be distributed through spaza shops, wholesalers, Shoprite and Spar chain stores in Gauteng from the end of this month.
The drink was developed in response to the 1999 National Food Consumption Study.
The study showed that children in SA aged between one and nine were consuming about twothirds of the recommended daily allowance of key vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and vitamins A, B6 and C.
The beverage is completely nonalcoholic, made with malt and natural ingredients, and has high levels of key vitamins and minerals. It is intended as a meal supplement, not a replacement.
It is expected to sell for about R3 for 250ml or R9 a litre.
About R10m has been invested in developing the drink after the concept of a liquid nutritional supplement was discussed at last year's World Summit on Sustainable Development.
If the product sells well, it will be rolled out nationally. Lachman said there had been interest from other African countries as well as from India and China.
The potential SA market for the product within five years is projected at 250 000 hectolitres.
Apr 23 2003 06:58:04:000AM Charlotte Mathews Business Day 1st Edition
Wednesday
23 April 2003
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