In Japan, Snow Brand Milk Products has introduced a microwaveable cheese fondue. Sold under the Heidi A Girl of the Alps brand, each cup contains three-to-four-servings of cheese fondue. The lid of the cup has steam holes in order to provide safety when microwaved. Though most consumers do not think of fondue as being a kids’ food, this one is designed for kids’ dipping pleasure.

Zeletavska Syrian has launched a curd-type cheese with cream in Czech Republic. The product is packaged in a tub the shape of an old fashioned milking bucket.

Morinaga Milk Industry has recently welcomed the first on-the-go yogurt series in Japan. The new product comes in three flavors common to the Asian cultured dairy products industry: blueberry, aloe and apple.

In Malaysia, King’s Dairies has released a vanilla-flavored ice cream under its King’s Ole brand. What’s unique about this frozen novelty is not the flavor, which is basically chocolate-coated vanilla ice cream. It’s the shape, which has been designed to look like a doughnut.

In Japan, Kagome Labio introduced Botanical Lactic Acid Bacteria Labre, a 20% calorie-reduced lactic acid bacteria drink featuring Lactobacillus brevis. L. brevis is a lactic acid bacteria said to improve an individual’s health. The drink also contains milk, soy and apples.

Contributed by Christy Brinnehl, analyst, Global New Products Database (GNPD) Consulting Services, a division of Mintel International, a global research company. For more information call 312/932-0400, or visit www.gnpd.com.

For reprints of this article, please contact Jill DeVries at 248/244-1726 or at devriesj@bnpmedia.com.