ST. PAUL, Minn., April 19, 2009 – Land O’Lakes offers another delicious way to help support a healthy lifestyle by introducing an American deli cheese with 30% less sodium than its regular American deli cheese, but with full-flavor thanks to the addition of sea salt. The new product is called LAND O LAKES® 30% Less Sodium American Deli Cheese Product.
Company officials said they developed the product in response to the consumer trend toward healthier living. “We strive to offer a product that has both great taste and is better for you,” said Land O’Lakes Deli Brand Manager Erin Gislason. “It's a delicate balance to manage, but with the addition of sea salt to this product, LAND O LAKES® 30% Less Sodium American Deli Cheese Product really does deliver on both promises."
The National Salt Reduction Initiative, a New York City-led partnership of national health organizations, cities and states, is promoting heightened awareness on sodium (from salt) as it has asked food manufacturers and restaurants to decrease salt in packaged goods by 20 percent over the next five years. Manufacturers have been asked to publicly commit to the food category targets in early 2010. The American Heart Association (AHA) has updated their 2010 dietary guidelines for sodium consumption to be no more than 1,500 mg, down from their previous recommendation of less than 2,300 mg consistent with data published last year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The AHA guidelines are designed to reduce the risk of heart and other cardiovascular diseases.
While this product contains less sodium than regular American Deli cheese, the sea salt help give it a naturally flavorful creamy and smooth cheese taste that consumers love about LAND O LAKES® Deli American Cheese Product.
LAND O LAKES® 30% Less Sodium American Deli Cheese Product can be found behind the deli counter in your local grocery store or deli. The package is distinguished by its broad green band stretching across the width of the loaf and calling out the feature. Retailers receive the product in 5-lb. blocks, which deli operators can then slice fresh to order, similar to other cheese found in the service deli.
LAND O LAKES® 30% Less Sodium American Deli Cheese Product is available in the Eastern United States, and is manufactured at the company’s plant in Spencer, Wisconsin. Product will be available beginning in May 2010.
Land O’Lakes, the makers of America’s No. 1 selling deli cheese, is the only service deli cheese manufacturer featuring a less sodium American cheese made with sea salt. This latest offering is part of a company effort to introduce innovation and healthy living to the deli category. In 2009, Land O’Lakes introduced 2% Milk American cheese as a way for consumers to balance health and taste. The product is made with 2% milk to naturally reduce the level of fat in the cheese. The Less Sodium American cheese expands on that strategy of taste and health balance.
Land O’Lakes also has introduced innovation in the dairy case through such products as LAND O LAKES® 1-Lb. Salted Butter in Half Sticks, LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil and the FlavorProtect® Wrapper, Land O’Lakes exclusive, specially-designed butter wrapper that seals in freshness and keeps out other flavors.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., a Minnesota-based food and agriculture company, is a leading supplier of quality dairy products. In 1921, Land O’Lakes began making butter from sweet—not sour—cream. Ever since that breakthrough, the company has been a leading producer of butter and other pure, wholesome dairy products that deliver simple goodness to consumers.
Source: Land O' Lakes Inc.