Food Processing - April 2008 - (Page 18)

BY DIANE TOOPS, NEWS & TRENDS EDITOR ROLLOUT a Low-sodium popping Orville Redenbacher’s, which claims to be America’s No. 1 popcorn, introduces SmartPop! 30% Less Sodium. All of the brand’s SmartPop! flavors are 94 percent fat free, made of whole grains and have zero cholesterol and trans fat. And with flavors such as Butter, Kettle Korn, Movie Theater Butter, and Organic Butter, popcorn lovers have an alternative to the bland tastes often associated with other reduced-sodium snacks. According to a recent survey conducted by the ConAgra brand, three out of four consumers who currently don’t buy lower-sodium items said they would purchase a reduced sodium product if it had the same taste as snacks that were higher in sodium. Orville Redenbacher’s guarantees its new SmartPop! 30% Less Sodium tastes just as good as original SmartPop!, or consumers can receive a full refund on their purchase if not satisfied. “With the new advancements in flavor technology, even we were amazed by how great the new SmartPop! tastes,” says Stan Jacot, vice president of marketing for ConAgra Foods’ popcorn business. “By significantly reducing the level of sodium, the improved SmartPop 30% Less Sodium still offers consumers a great healthful snack that is now even better for them.” Suggested retail price is $2.69. a Uncle Ben’s gone wild Mars Food US, a Rancho Dominques, Calif.based division of Mars Inc., rolls out two varieties of Uncle Ben’s rice made with a combination of long grain and native wild rice combined with all-natural herbs and seasonings. Made with whole grains, they are low in saturated and trans fats, low in cholesterol, a source of fiber (3g per serving) and a good source of many vitamins and minerals. Turning an everyday meal into something special, Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice Herb Roasted Chicken is made with 100 percent natural flavors and includes chicken and a variety of spices. Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice Sun-Dried Tomato Florentine is made with spinach, tomato and whole wheat berries, providing an exotic variety that appeals to today’s discriminating palates. Suggested retail price is $1.89-1.99. a Hormel chili in a tray Chili is a comfort meal that satisfies, but traditional chili isn’t always an option for today’s dynamic consumer lifestyles. Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods debuts Hormel Chili Meals. Ideal for a satisfying lunch on-the-go or snack anytime, these shelf-stable meals come in microwave-ready trays and heat up in only 90 seconds. Hearty varieties include: Chili ’n Mac, macaroni, 18 • FOOD PROCESSING APRIL 2008 beans and beef in tomato sauce; Chili ’n Penne, chili and beans with penne pasta; and Chili ’n Spuds, chili and beans with diced potatoes. According to a recent study by GfK Consumer, a division of GfK Custom Research North America, chili is consumed by 92 percent of U.S. households. “As schedules become more hectic, time constraints really affect the way we eat,” says Marty Wolesky, product manager. “By offering Hormel Chili Meals in a portable, microwave-ready tray, busy consumers can enjoy chili with a hearty serving of pasta or potatoes anytime.” Suggested retail price is $2.49. WWW.FOODPROCESSING.COM http://WWW.FOODPROCESSING.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Food Processing - April 2008

Food Processing - April 2008 Contents Editor's Plate NewsBites The Trends Rollout Food Biz Kids Consumer Taste Test - Indulgent, Superpremium Chocolate...at 3 Calories a Pop Cover Story - Annual Capital Spending Report - To Build or Not to Build? Ingredients - Trendy Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables Plant Operations - iPlant: Assessing the State of Automation Plant Operations - Your Sanitation Can Be Greener Packaging - For Which Oven? MRO Q&A New Supplier Products Toops Scoops

Food Processing - April 2008

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