Del Monte Foods celebrates February's National Canned Food Month

07/02/05 In light of the recently updated Dietary Guidelines - which nearly doubled the recommendation to 4 1/2 cups of fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables daily -- Del Monte Foods believes that February's National Canned Food Month is the perfect time to celebrate the nutrition, convenience and great taste that canned food provides for today's busy consumers.

A nutrition study conducted by the University of Illinois showed that canned fruits and vegetables generally provide as much dietary fiber and nutrients as their cooked fresh and frozen counterparts. In addition, a three-part nutrition study conducted by the University of Massachusetts found that when prepared in a recipe, dishes made with canned ingredients provide comparable nutritional value and flavor appeal to those dishes made with fresh or frozen.

According to other recent studies, the canning process increases the availability of certain nutrients. The heat from cooking or canning tomatoes makes lycopene - an important carotenoid that may help protect against prostate cancer and heart disease - more available to your body. As a result, processed tomato products, such as canned tomatoes and sauces, are among the best food sources of lycopene.

Canned corn may be healthier for you than corn on the cob, according to a study by Cornell University scientists. The study shows that the heat processing of sweet corn increases both total antioxidant activity and the level of lutein - a naturally occurring type of phytochemical found in many fruits and vegetables that may help to fight disease and may help to preserve eyesight.

While consumers are looking for quick, convenient and nutritious meal ideas, there remains confusion about the easiest and most affordable ways to get the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Below are some facts about the nutritional benefits of Del Monte canned food.

Many of Del Monte's products deliver the nutritional benefits recommended in the new Guidelines and, compared to fresh and frozen, provide a convenient and affordable source for consumers to obtain these important nutrients.

Nearly 90% of Del Monte's fruits and vegetable products are all natural. Del Monte harvests most of its fruit and vegetable products immediately at the peak of ripeness to retain nutrients and flavor. The products are then cooked naturally without preservatives or other additives.

Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded and private label food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating over $3 billion in pro forma net sales in fiscal 2004. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte®, Contadina®, StarKist®, S&W®, Nature's Goodness(TM), College Inn®, 9Lives®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, Pup-Peroni®, Snausages®, and NawSomes!®, Del Monte products are found in nine out of ten American households.

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