January 29, 2004

OLD ORCHARD LOCARB FRUIT JUICE BEGINS SHIPPING TO STORES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

SPARTA, Mich., January 29, 2004 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized obesity as an epidemic in America and as people across the nation struggle to maintain their weight loss goals, Old Orchard Brands is now shipping its line of Old Orchard LoCarb fruit juices to stores across the nation.

The five flavors of Old Orchard LoCarb   -- Apple, Apple Kiwi Strawberry, Apple Cranberry, Apple Raspberry and Grape -- have 75 percent less sugar, carbohydrates and calories compared to other fruit juices. The company developed the Old Orchard LoCarb fruit juices in response to the changing dietary habits of families in North America.

"Everywhere you turn these days you see another low-carb menu or product," said Michael McDonald, vice president of sales and marketing for Michigan-based, Old Orchard Brands.   "Juice beverages for the most part have been overlooked yet is one of the first things that people say they miss while trying to maintain a low carb diet. With Old Orchard LoCarb, people pursuing popular diets like the Atkins' Diet, The Zone or the South Beach Diet can enjoy fruit juice again while watching their carbs."

The Old Orchard LoCarb juice cocktails are 25 percent juice, preservative free and sweetened using Splenda ® no-calorie sweetener. Each eight-fluid-ounce serving of Old Orchard LoCarb contains 130 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. Depending on the flavor, there are 30-40 calories and 6 to 10 carbs per serving. In addition, the juices contain no dyes as they are naturally colored using the Aronia Berry, which contains more than 100 percent of the daily value of vitamin C and 8 to 10 times higher amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents than the cranberry.

Sparta, Michigan-based Old Orchard Brands is one of the fastest growing fruit juice brands in the United States. The privately held company started operations in 1978 and offers consumers 29 frozen concentrate flavors and 36 bottled flavors in a variety of 100 percent fruit juices, blends and low-carbohydrate fruit juice cocktails. For more information visit www.oldorchardjuice.com.