HDPE Bottle Adds Shelf-Life to Odwalla Juices

In an effort to help expand distribution capabilities, Odwalla Inc. (Half Moon Bay, CA), a manufacturer of a variety of all-natural, fresh-squeezed and nutritionally fortified juices and smoothies, has introduced HDPE bottles for its all-natural juice beverage line. In doing so, the West Coast company has increased shelf-life by a reported 40%.

The custom-designed 450-ml (15.2-fl oz) and 325-ml (11-fl oz) bottles, which unlike the previous packaging incorporate a nylon layer for barrier protection, enable Odwalla's refrigerated juices to better retain fresh fruit flavor notes, the company says. The new packaging, which features a tamper-evident, screw-on resealable cap as opposed to the previous press-on cap, is the first significant packaging change for the 20-year-old beverage producer. The new bottle, made by Graham Packaging (York, PA), helps the non-shelf-stable juices stay fresh by an average of 40% longer over previous packaging by reducing oxygen permeation.

The extended life of the product enables Odwalla to distribute products nationwide — juice products are now being distributed as far as Atlanta. "When Odwalla was founded nearly 20 years ago, our juice could only be distributed locally. Today, consumers coast-to-coast can enjoy the great taste of Odwalla's nourishing products as a result of our significant investments in production and, now, packaging," says Stephen Williamson, Odwalla's chairman and CEO.

The obelisk-shaped bottle features a four-sided wrap label with engaging company folklore and product information, including Orthodox Union kosher certification on most beverage flavors. Odwalla's in-house artists custom-created each of the juice line's 64 labels with bolder graphic designs that resonate with the company's "O-Zones," Odwalla's refrigerated coolers. Odwalla's triangular logo is embossed on each screw-on cap, adding to the bottle's identity.

Odwalla is providing the enhanced packaging to consumers at the same price, but in slightly smaller sizes to help offset the new bottle's material costs, which are 50% greater. Nationwide rollout will immediately begin for Odwalla's newly packaged 450-ml and 325-ml sized juices, nutritionally fortified juices and smoothies where its beverages are sold.

The company is also planning to launch juice products in 1/2-gallon and gallon HDPE bottles later this fall.

For more information:
Odwalla Inc., Half Moon Bay, CA, Tel: 650-712-5178
Graham Packaging, York, PA, Tel: 717-849-8500

Edited by Bill Noone