News release from 7-eleven
Slurpee® Goes Sugar-Free At 7-Eleven®
New Crystal Light® Raspberry Ice Slurpee Offers Sugar-free, Reduced Calorie Alternative
Dallas, July 9, 2002 - Leading convenience retailer 7-Eleven, Inc. and Kraft Foods’ Crystal Light®, the top-selling non-carbonated low-calorie beverage, have partnered to introduce sugar-free Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Slurpee®.
The new raspberry-flavored Slurpee offers a beverage alternative to consumers concerned about sugar intake and calorie consumption. At 50 calories and
11 grams of carbohydrates per 12-fluid ounce serving , the sugar-free flavor is ideal for consumers who are managing carbohydrates everyday, including sugars, and would like to enjoy a Slurpee.
According to John Ryckevic, product director for proprietary beverages at 7-Eleven, Inc., the company receives frequent calls from customers asking about the sugar levels in Slurpee. “We have an audience that has expressed a need for a sugar-free Slurpee – from adults who grew up drinking Slurpees but may be watching their calories now, to a 5-year-old girl who wants her diabetic brother to be able to enjoy a Slurpee with her.”
Last October, 7-Eleven and Kraft Food Service introduced a Crystal Light Lemonade flavor in Detroit and Kansas City to test the first ever sugar-free Slurpee. The test resulted in the development of the new Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Slurpee flavor to launch nationally this summer.
As the top-selling non-carbonated, low-calorie soft drink in retail and food service outlets, the Crystal Light brand also ranks number-three of all diet beverages sold in the United States, with an overwhelming 93 percent awareness level among consumers.
“While women are the number-one consumers of Crystal Light,” said Mike Murnane, director of Customer Business, Kraft Food Service, “we believe Crystal Light Raspberry Ice in a Slurpee version will appeal to a much wider audience.”
“Working women come into our stores in the morning for coffee, and moms come in with their kids after school for Slurpees and snacks,” Ryckevic said. “Now, with Crystal Light, we’ll have a sugar-free, reduced-calorie option for our customers – female and male, young and not-as-young – who are watching calories, carbohydrates or sugar.”
In addition to calorie-conscious consumers, Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Slurpee provides people living with diabetes a frozen beverage treat. A registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator can help consumers understand how this product can fit into their personalized meal plan.
Over the last decade, the Center for Disease Control reports the number of people living with diabetes has increased to 16 million, a 49 percent increase. The majority of cases are Type 2 diabetes. No longer just a disease of adults, Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed in children too. American Diabetes Association projections estimate the number of diabetes cases diagnosed will continue to increase by 1 million every year.
“The first thing people want when seeking refreshment is something cold to drink,” Ryckevic said. “And at 7-Eleven, more than half of our customers, regardless of what they’re buying, purchase a beverage of some type. Now those conscious of calories, counting carbohydrates or watching sugar intake won’t have to rule out a Slurpee.”
Following the flavor’s introduction this month in Detroit and Kansas City, 7-Eleven plans to expand the sugar-free Slurpee flavor nationally in July in stores that have at least six Slurpee flavor barrels.
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. (NYSE: SE) is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry and is observing its 75th anniversary in 2002. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates or franchises approximately 5,800 7-Eleven® stores in the United States and Canada and licenses approximately 17,000 7-Eleven stores in 17 other countries and territories throughout the world. During 2001, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $31 billion. Find out more online at
www.7-Eleven.com.
About Kraft Food Service
Kraft Food Service is a division of Kraft Foods North America, Inc., the largest branded food and beverage company headquartered in the United States and the second largest worldwide. Kraft Food Service provides a diverse portfolio of brands, marketing and sales expertise and resources to the U.S. foodservice industry.
About Crystal Light
Crystal Light® is a registered trademark of Kraft Foods Holdings Inc. Crystal Light® is the top-selling non-carbonated diet beverage and the number three brand overall of diet beverages in the United States.
Dana Manley
7-Eleven, Inc.
214.828.7345
Crystal Light Slurpees
WOW Look at the number of carbs in those slurpees!
when I was actually buying slurpees I pretty much always went for the big sizes. Plus, 11g carbs is still too much for me to take in from a snack at one sitting! Especially from a totally artificial beverage. 
And I have to admit it's certainly progress and that's a very good sign.
Oh well, two steps forward, one step back! 
Heh, I'm just a little bitter I suppose. 
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