 |
| Bees
are responsible for 40% of Haagen-Dazs' flavors currently
sold in the market. |
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Haagen-Dazs is
warning that a creature as small as a honeybee could become a big
problem for the premium ice cream maker's business.
At issue is the disappearing bee colonies in the
United States, a situation that continue to mystify scientists and
frighten food makers.
That's because, according to Haagen-Dazs,
one-third of the U.S. food supply - including a variety of fruits,
vegetables and even nuts - depends on pollination from bees.
Haagen-Dazs, which is owned by Nestle, said bees
are actually responsible for 40% of its 60 flavors - such as strawberry,
toasted pecan and banana split.
"These are among consumers' favorite
flavors," said Katty Pien, brand director with Haagen-Dazs.
"We use 100% all natural ingredients like
strawberries, raspberries and almonds which we get from California. The
bee problem could badly hurt supply from the Pacific Northwest,"
Pien said
Pien said Haagen-Dazs is hoping scientists get a
breakthrough in this mystery soon. Otherwise, she said, the company may
have to "re-examine the flavors that we currently offers our
customers."
"We have to ensure that we have enough
supply to maintain our variety," she said.
Additionally, a supply shortage of key
ingredients could push up retail prices for its products, she said.
Pien said the company is donating $250,000 to
both Pennsylvania State University and the University of California,
Davis to fund research into the bee colony collapse disorder (CCD).
She said Haagen-Dazs is also rushing to raise
consumer awareness about the problem by launching a new flavor this
spring called Vanilla Honey Bee.
"We'll use part of the sales from this
flavor help the honeybees," she said.
"This is the first time that Haagen-Dazs
has adopted a cause like this," said Pien. "We are taking this
very, very seriously because it impacts not just our brand but the
entire food industry."
