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Food industry says products in step with new guidelinesCHICAGO, Jan 31, 2011 (Chicago Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- The latest set of nutritional guidelines received sweeping support from the packaged-food and grocery industries. But some experts question whether the government's recommendations are effective at communicating with consumers about healthy eating. First lady Michelle Obama's partnership with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., they say, and TV shows such as "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" may get more attention from consumers. "That's the way to communicate how to eat better in 2011," said Phil Lempert, a grocery industry consultant. "Dietary guidelines are how to communicate in 1970." This time around "people are going to care a lot less," Lempert said. "They come out every five years, and there don't appear to be any big surprises." For example, most Americans already know to watch their sodium intake, he added. The food industry has been cutting saturated fat, sodium and calories from products for several years. More recently, companies have begun adding nutrients such as fiber and antioxidants. This is partly in response to a variety of factors including consumer requests and expectations of new government guidelines. Major food retailers and manufacturers issued statements Monday backing the federal government's recommendations. Many also took the opportunity to highlight their products' compliance with the updated guidelines. Wal-Mart said it looks forward to working with the government "to make healthier food more accessible for millions of Americans, while making these choices more affordable for our customers." Kraft Foods Inc. cited previously announced plans to reduce sodium in its foods by an average 10 percent by 2012 and its plans to double whole grains across its Nabisco products by 2013. ConAgra Foods Inc. also reiterated its efforts to cut sodium from a broad range of products. The company said its Healthy Choice entrees can aid in controlling food portions, timing four new Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers meals with the USDA's announcement Monday. ConAgra also said its Hunt's line of canned tomato products could help consumers eat more from the red and orange subgroup of vegetables. Sales growth of healthier products have been outpacing conventional foods, said Mark Andon, vice president of nutrition at ConAgra. He noted Healthy Choice sales increased at a double-digit rate for the 12-week period ended Jan. 16. ___ (c) 2011, Chicago Tribune. Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |