Chef-driven deli meats; Meals for cancer patients; Spreadable probiotics
NEW PRODUCTS
Ready-to-eat meals for cancer patients
Hormel Foods recently introduced its line of high-protein HORMEL VITAL CUISINE ready-to-eat meals, which are designed for cancer patients. The company worked with professional chefs and experts from the Cancer Nutrition Consortium (CNC)—an organization of nutritionists, dietitians, oncologists, and physicians from leading cancer research institutions—to create the nutrient-rich meals. They join HORMEL VITAL CUISINE’s existing protein shakes and whey powders.
“This product line was thoughtfully crafted, since many product attributes such as flavor, texture, and ingredients are known to affect patients differently during their cancer journey, during which eating and drinking can be challenging,” says Chet S. Rao, strategy and business manager for the specialty foods group at Hormel Foods.
The shelf-stable meals are available in three varieties: Chicken with Dumplings, Roast Beef with Mushrooms and Gravy, and Vegetarian Stew. They are ready in 60 seconds, contain 300 calories or more, and are easy to swallow. A seven-pack of each type can be ordered from vitalcuisine.com for $19.99.
Chef-driven deli meats
Chicago-based Greenridge Farm recently introduced a completely rebranded and reformulated line of “pure, simple, clean” deli meats, according to cofounder Sebastian Madej, who runs the company with his brother. Since Greenridge already used minimal preservatives, he says it was an easy choice and transition. The meats are free of nitrates, nitrites (except for those naturally occurring in celery powder and sea salt), artificial flavors, artificial colors, phosphates, MSG, gluten, and soy.
The line, which is sourced from local meat whenever possible, includes Applewood Smoked Ham, Five Pepper Turkey Breast, and Santa Fe Chicken Breast. It can be found at Chicago-area Mariano’s and Jewel locations and Midwest Costco stores, as well as on the spring menu at Chicago restaurant Graham Elliot Bistro; Elliot reached out to the company after his wife sampled the meats at Mariano’s. A line of fresh sausages in flavors such as Jalapeno & Cheddar and Black Forest is also available.
Spreadable probiotics
Butter substitute maker MELT Organic launched Probiotic MELT Organic Buttery Spread, the first butter, margarine, or edible oil of any kind to contain probiotics, according to the company. A 1-tablespoon serving delivers 500 million colony forming units of GanedenBC30.
“Research among health-conscious shoppers confirms that 70% prefer to consume probiotics in food rather than as a supplement. Along this same line, most consumers eat yogurt because of its naturally occurring probiotics, yet by the time yogurt is consumed, the total amount of cultures has deteriorated significantly,” says MELT Organic CEO Meg Carlson. “We wanted to make a product that enhances the flavor of foods you love and safely delivers your daily dose of probiotics with just two tablespoons on your morning toast or bagel.”
Made from organic virgin coconut, palm, canola, flaxseed, and high oleic sunflower oils, the spread is trans fat–, dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free. Each serving provides 26% of the daily recommended allowance of omega-3s. Packaged in a 10-ounce square tub, the spread can be found at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.99.