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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HEALTHY® CHOICE ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR BLENDS WITH ULTRAGRAIN®
Revolutionary new whole wheat flour blend that offers a seamless 1:1 replacement for traditional white flour
The whole grain revolution is here to stay, with savvy consumers eager to find healthy whole grain options that deliver on taste, texture and variety. According to a new survey by ConAgra Foods1, 48 percent of Americans say they are adding more whole grains to their menus. Almost half of those are doing so with foods containing a portion or blend of whole grains. To help retail bakers and food manufacturers navigate this changing landscape, ConAgra Foods is bringing together two brands known for innovation–Healthy Choice, for two decades a pioneer in great-tasting, good-for-you foods, and Ultragrain, the revolutionary 100 percent whole wheat flour-to deliver a unique whole grain flour blend that offers a direct replacement for standard white flour that is flexible enough to function across all applications. Now, with Healthy Choice All-Purpose Flour Blend T-1, everything from sandwich slices and pizza crusts to cookies and pastries can instantly provide some whole grain without changes in production, reformulation or equipment.
As retailers look to fast track more and more whole grain mainstream products, Healthy Choice All-Purpose Flour Blend T-1 is the ideal first step in transitioning to higher levels of whole grain. With 30 percent Ultragrain and 70 percent premium enriched white flour, the T-1 blend provides the nutrition of 30% whole grain with the clean flavor, appearance, taste and ultra-smooth texture of white flour. Research shows that even the most taste and appearance-sensitive consumers-kids-enjoy products made with this transitional whole grain flour blend.2 For higher inclusion levels, Healthy Choice All-Purpose Flour T-2 with 55 percent Ultragrain is available.3
Richard Charpentier, culinary artist and food technologist for ConAgra Mills noted, "Bakers and product developers have an unparalleled opportunity to meet the needs of today's sophisticated consumer with healthy, delicious and innovative hybrid baked goods. Whole grains are a future food waiting for creative and imaginative new applications."
Blends Effective in Transitioning Consumers to Eat More Whole Grains
Ultragrain, a unique, all-natural, 100% whole wheat flour debuted to food manufacturers in fall 2004, and its potential as a breakthrough product has been widely recognized. Starting with a unique variety of white wheat, the flour is specially milled to deliver the clean taste and smooth texture of white flour while maintaining the nutritional advantages of whole grains. Mixing Ultragrain with other flours has emerged as an effective, palate-pleasing strategy for encouraging consumers to purchase and eat more whole grains. In fact, major food manufacturers have used Ultragrain flour blends to vault new products-such as ConAgra Foods' popular Kids Cuisine Dip & Dunk Cheese Pizza Strips, The Max pizza and el eXtremo burritos, Healthy Choice® Cinnamon Bakes and select Lightlife Smart Menu vegetarian entrees, as well as Sara Lee's best-selling Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grains White Bread and new Hearty & delicious breads, and Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers, all of which have enhanced their nutritional profile with Ultragrain while maintaining their flavor, and favor, with moms, kids and other consumers.
With Ultragrain in the mix, the new flour is rich in whole grain nutrients, with higher levels of fiber, minerals, B vitamins, phyto-nutrients and antioxidants than traditional refined white flour, and it compares very favorably with traditional refined all-purpose white flour, which typically has none of the nutrient-rich bran and germ of whole wheat.
ConAgra Mills offers the broadest portfolio of whole grains in the industry and the most complete selection of multi-use premium flours, including proprietary, value-added products designed to meet consumer needs. For more information about Ultragrain or any ConAgra Mills product, please call your sales representative at 800-851-9618, or visit www.conagramills.com. For Ultragrain technical support, call 402-595-4282
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About ConAgra Foods, Inc.
ConAgra Mills is a food ingredients brand of ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG). ConAgra Foods is one of North America's largest packaged food companies, serving grocery retailers, restaurants and other foodservice establishments, and also supplying a portfolio of ingredients to food manufacturers. Popular ConAgra Foods brands include: Angela Mia, Banquet, Chef Boyardee, ConAgra Mills, Egg Beaters, Gilroy Foods, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Lamb Weston, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Spicetec and many others. For more information, please visit www.conagrafoods.com.
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1 The survey was conducted by Ipsos U.S. Express on behalf of ConAgra Foods among a nationally representative sample of 1,023 American adults from April 25-27, 2006. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.
2 Chan, H-W., et al., Incorporating white whole wheat flour (Ultragrain®) into traditional grain foods in an elementary school cafeteria. In: Whole Grains and Health: A Global Summit, Minneapolis, MN, May 18-20, 2005
3 Recipe adjustments may be required with higher whole grain inclusions.
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