ConAgra Foods to unveil microwave popcorn made with 100% whole grain

15/12/05 Popcorn lovers now have more reasons to enjoy one of America's favorite snacks. ConAgra Foods has announced a significant breakthrough in more nutritious snacking--starting in February 2006, its popular Orville Redenbacher's(R) and ACT II(R) microwave brands will not only be made with popcorn that is 100% whole grain, but will also have 0 grams of trans fat.

With new research highlighting the benefits of eating popcorn for adding whole-grain goodness to American diets, the removal of trans fats from ConAgra Foods' microwave popcorn lines make Orville Redenbacher's and ACT II even smarter nutritional choices for popcorn lovers. In the new 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid food guide, two of the most important recommendations are for Americans to increase their intake of whole grains and reduce or eliminate trans fats in their daily diets.

Orville Redenbacher's and ACT II together offer more than 120 different products and 30 flavor varieties --including new Organic Butter and Kettle Corn Mini-Bags in Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop!(R) line. By February 2006, almost all of Orville Redenbacher's and ACT II flavor varieties will be 0 grams trans fat (those few remaining will be 0 grams trans fat by the end of 2006).

Many studies show that Americans regularly do not get the recommended three servings of whole grains in their daily diets; in fact, most eat less than one full serving a day. But popcorn, because it's a whole-grain snack, can help improve this. A recent study analyzing the USDA's dietary intake data shows that if people ate popcorn regularly, they could more than triple their whole-grain intake. In addition, they would increase their fiber intake by 20 percent.

Previously, ConAgra Foods reformulated all of its soft margarine lines, including Fleischmann's(R), Parkay(R) and Blue Bonnet(R), to be 0 grams trans fat while retaining their great taste. Other nutritious brands from ConAgra Foods include Healthy Choice(R), Egg Beaters(R), Butterball(R), and Hunt's(R) tomato products.

Orville Redenbacher's (R), Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop! (R), ACT II (R), Fleischmann's(R), Parkay(R), Blue Bonnet(R), Healthy Choice(R), Egg Beaters(R), Butterball(R) and Hunt's(R) brands are registered trademarks of ConAgra Brands Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of ConAgra Foods Inc.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. is one of North America's largest packaged food companies, serving grocery retailers, as well as restaurants and other foodservice establishments. Popular ConAgra Foods brands include: ACT II, Armour, Banquet, Blue Bonnet, Brown 'N Serve, Butterball, Chef Boyardee, Cook's, Crunch 'n Munch, DAVID, Eckrich, Egg Beaters, Fleischmann's, Gulden's, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Kid Cuisine, Knott's Berry Farm, La Choy, Lamb Weston, Libby's, Lightlife, Louis Kemp, Lunch Makers, MaMa Rosa's, Manwich, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Parkay, Pemmican, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Rosarita, Ro*Tel, Slim Jim, Snack Pack, Swiss Miss, Van Camp's, Wesson, Wolf and many others.

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