NPEW 2018

Arctic Zero CEO: sugar alcohols, questionable sweeteners pose threat to fast-growing category

SAN DIEGO, CA. (February 16, 2018) – Arctic Zero, the brand that introduced a better-for-you ice cream alternative eight years ago, continues to pioneer and innovate in the rapidly growing frozen dessert category. Citing unmet consumer demand for low calorie ice cream with clean ingredients, Arctic Zero will introduce its new product line -- Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream – at Natural Products Expo West. Made with real milk and cream – yet only 280-360 calories a pint – Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream is sweetened with cane sugar, making it the only light ice cream pint made without sugar alcohols or corn syrup. Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream will join the original whey protein-based and lactose-free Arctic Zero Fit Frozen Desserts in grocery freezers this spring. The brand will offer samples of the light ice cream in Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookies, and Mint & Chocolate Cookies flavors at Natural Products Expo West Booth #5517.

“Arctic Zero listens to our consumers,” said Amit Pandhi, CEO of Arctic Zero. “Our original lactose-free, GMO and gluten-free Fit Frozen Desserts were designed for those with dietary restrictions such as diabetics and people with ingredient sensitivities. While we created a Fit Frozen dessert with premium, clean ingredients, we’ve heard consumer feedback that we missed the mark on delivering the taste and texture of real ice cream. They also told us that others in the category tempt with taste, but do not satisfy their desire for clean ingredients, particularly when it comes to sweeteners. Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream tastes amazing, delivers real ice cream texture and does it with cane sugar.”

Most low-calorie ice cream pints on the market are sweetened with erythritol and stevia – sweeteners that have been known to cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea and bloating.

“We are pleased to introduce our product at Natural Products Expo West, where we know attendees are vigilant about quality of ingredients and clean labels,” said Pandhi. “We see the writing on the wall regarding sugar alcohols, stevia and other sweeteners with unpleasant side effects. It is our belief that as research mounts and consumers learn more, these sweeteners will be phased out of products – much like what we’ve seen happen with sucralose.”

According to Pandhi, Arctic Zero’s own market research shows consumers read and compare labels and prioritize clean ingredients, even over low calories.

“We worked hard to craft a product with delicious, rich ice cream flavor and a creamy texture, sweetened naturally with cane sugar and still only 280-360 calories,” said Pandhi. “Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream will surprise by the scoop and on the label. It will set a new standard for how low-calorie ice cream can taste terrific, with a cleaner ingredient profile that consumers prefer.”

“People like to indulge – in fact, indulgence is no longer considered guilt-inducing, but a key element of self-care,” said Pandhi. “Great taste is the most important thing to consumers, but that’s balanced with a desire for high-quality, and more ethical, ingredients. With Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream, we are addressing those priorities.”

In addition to sweetening with cane sugar, Arctic Zero light ice cream is non-GMO Verified and contains rBST free dairy.

“Healthy shoppers are avoiding artificial ingredients, and ingredients that can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable,” said Pandhi. “We weren’t interested in jumping on a bandwagon of low-calorie ice creams that contain ingredients that don’t meet Arctic Zero standards. We carefully crafted a light ice cream that is true to our company DNA of clean ingredients – that means no artificial sweeteners, no sugar alcohol and no stevia.”

For Arctic Zero fans who prefer the original whey-protein based frozen desserts, which are sweetened with monk fruit, the brand will continue to improve and release new products in its original line.

“Arctic Zero created a category that has grown tremendously in the years since our low calorie ‘Fit Frozen desserts’ appeared on the market,” added Pandhi. “There has been an explosion in demand for low calorie ice cream.”

The ice cream industry continues to grow – 2016 sales reached $6.6 billion, up 3.4 percent over the previous year according to Nielsen, with products that fit within the Food and Drug Administration's definition of "healthy" driving the growth, expanding 85 percent last year.[1] The low-calorie ice cream segment is projected to hit a billion dollars in three years.² Primary consumer motivation is for low calorie treats with the great taste and creamy texture of real ice cream.

New Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream has the taste and texture of premium ice cream and is made from clean ingredients, including skim milk, cream and cane sugar. Each pint of Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream contains between 280 and 360 calories, or 70 to 90 calories per serving with 2.5 grams of fat or less. The product is available in seven delicious flavors, including Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookies, Mint & Chocolate Cookies, Vanilla Bean, Cookie & Brownie Dough and Toffee Crunch.

Arctic Zero Light Ice Cream will be available at natural and traditional grocers in the spring of 2018. Along with the new Light Ice Cream product line, Arctic Zero will debut new, colorful packaging that evokes the pure joy of ice cream.

About Arctic Zero

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Diego, Arctic Zero is the pioneer of frozen desserts without all the fat and calories. Arctic Zero thoughtfully crafts delicious light and lactose-free frozen treats for every taste bud, giving people choices that they can be proud of and enjoy! Arctic Zero is committed to selecting only clean ingredients – never using sugar alcohols or anything artificial—and offers gluten-free, non-GMO and low-glycemic options. For more information, please visit arcticzero.com or find Arctic Zero on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.