DERRIMON Trading Company Ltd has expanded its product portfolio to include a line of reduced sugar and no-added-sugar drinks.

The three beverages, Viva, Busta Chill, and Juciful Vibes, are in response to a ban on sugary drinks in schools and public institutions, effective January 1, by Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton. In making the announcement to restrict sugary drinks in schools and public health institutions, Tufton argued that there was evidence that excessive consumption of drinks with added sugar helps to generate non-communicable diseases.

In a release yesterday, Derrimon said the new reduced sugar and no-added-sugar drinks are in line with the Ministry of Health’s recently-introduced Nutrition Standards for Schools, and will also appeal to health-conscious consumers.

The products also add to other reduced sugar drinks distributed by Derrimon, including Fruta Lite juices and Chubby soft drinks.

“We always try to satisfy the needs of our customers, and we knew we needed some more beverages for people focused on healthy lifestyles, but we also needed to make sure that we found drinks that taste good,” said Derrick Cotterell, chairman and CEO of Derrimon. “Too often, reduced sugar and low-calorie means low-flavour, so we made sure to find products that our Jamaican people will enjoy.”

Viva is an all-new fruit-flavoured sparkling water with zero added sugar and zero calories. According to Derrimon, it is naturally flavoured and has vitamins and antioxidants. Viva sparkling water also contains green tea extract and comes in five flavours, namely strawberry watermelon, pomegranate blueberry, orange mango, peach, and black raspberry.

Busta Chill, a new product from the Busta brand, is a reduced-sugar version of the popular soft drink.

It comes in a 350ml bottle, and contains just 4.8 grams of sugar per 100ml. The reduced sugar drink comes in four flavours, namely grape, blueberry, kola champagne and pineapple.

Meanwhile, Juciful Vibes, which is also a new product, is a reduced-sugar line from the beloved Jamaican Juciful brand. It is packaged in 280ml and 450ml bottles and contains only 6g of sugar per 100ml in four flavours: pineapple, orange, fruit punch and cherry pineapple.

“Viva, Busta Chill and Juciful Vibes all meet the new sugar requirements set out for beverages in schools, yet maintain the same delicious flavourful taste our consumers know and love,” said Cotterell.