In a move set to reintroduce a familiar sound to Canadian households, frozen juice is making a comeback at one of the nation’s major retailers. Loblaw has announced the return of frozen concentrated drinks under its iconic yellow and black No Name brand across its stores nationwide. The upcoming lineup will feature a variety of flavors, including White Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Limeade, Grape Punch, Fruit Punch, and Berry Punch, as confirmed by Loblaw spokesperson Rachel Siekanowicz in a statement to CBC News. These new products are slated for release before the end of June.
This reintroduction follows Coca-Cola’s discontinuation of its Minute Maid frozen juice line, marking the end of the only remaining producer of concentrated frozen drinks in the Canadian market, located in Peterborough, Ont. Other frozen juice brands in Canada, such as Old South, had ceased production years earlier after Lassonde, a Canadian company, exited the category due to declining demand for frozen-from-concentrate juice. Loblaw noted that the forthcoming No Name juice will not be sourced from a Canadian manufacturer, as currently, there are no local producers of frozen juice concentrate.
Frozen juice from concentrate, a product that has been around for over 80 years, experienced a decline in popularity over time, reflecting a broader trend of reduced consumption of juice. Emma Balment, a market strategy and understanding director at Ipsos, explained that only about seven percent of juice consumption in Canada is derived from frozen concentrate. Prices for Loblaw’s upcoming frozen juice offerings will vary by store, with an expected starting price of approximately $2.25 for a 283-milliliter container.
While Loblaw’s No Name brand is gearing up for the return of frozen drinks, other retailers like Metro are also exploring options to reintroduce frozen concentrate products. Metro, based in Montreal, is expected to list frozen concentrate items in the near future, although its operations are limited compared to Loblaw’s national presence.
Although Minute Maid’s departure initially seemed to mark the end of mass-produced frozen concentrates in Canada, there are hints that a domestic producer may be considering rejoining the market. Industry insiders suggest that a Canadian company might be planning a reentry into the frozen juice sector, potentially offering relief to consumers seeking this nostalgic product. This development could especially benefit Newfoundlanders who enjoy making “slush,” a festive cocktail traditionally made with frozen juice, sugar, and alcohol, during the holiday season.
