ConAgra Foods Introduces Orville Redenbacher's(R) and ACT II(R) Microwave Popcorn with a New Great Tasting Butter Flavoring with No Added Diacetyl

Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn (Photo: ConAgra Foods, Inc.)

OMAHA, Neb.-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ConAgra Foods today announced that it has reformulated its Orville Redenbacher’s and ACT II microwave popcorn brands with a new butter flavoring that has no added diacetyl. These newly reformulated products are arriving on store shelves now.

“Microwave popcorn has been one of America’s favorite snacks for years because it is delicious and convenient. Orville Redenbacher’s and ACT II have all of the nutrition benefits of a whole grain, zero grams of trans fat per serving, and now no added diacetyl flavoring,” said Stan Jacot, vice president of Marketing for ConAgra Foods’ popcorn business. “Our flavor experts have reformulated all varieties of Orville Redenbacher’s and ACT II microwave popcorn to address any consumer perceptions about diacetyl and to make our popcorn factories as safe as possible. We want to assure our consumers they can continue to enjoy their favorite popcorn with complete confidence.”

With the new formulations now hitting store shelves, consumers will notice some slight changes to the packaging. All packages with the new formulas will have “No Added Diacetyl” printed near the date code. Additionally, ConAgra Foods is introducing a new packaging design for all of its reformulated microwave popcorn products that will state “New Great Tasting Butter Flavor” on the front of the box, along with “No Added Diacetyl Butter Flavorings” printed on the side of the box near the nutritional information.

“Popcorn is a great snack for the holidays,” said Carolyn O’Neil, registered dietitian and nutrition expert. “Many of us tend to give in to temptation and overeat high-calorie foods, but microwave popcorn is a perfect healthful snack option because it’s a good source of fiber, is low in calories, tastes great and it’s fun to eat.”

Orville Redenbacher’s and ACT II brands offer a wide variety of products to suit consumers’ tastes, and both are the only leading brands to include both zero grams of trans fats per serving and no added diacetyl. A few of Orville Redenbacher’s newest varieties include: its new Natural line, with Simply Salted, Simply Salted 50% Less Fat, Buttery Garlic, and Buttery Salt & Cracked Pepper flavors; and its new SmartPop! 30% Less Sodium line, featuring both 100-calorie and regular-size serving bags, and Butter, Kettle Korn, Movie Theater Butter and Organic Butter flavors. ACT II popcorn varieties include 110-Calorie Butter Popcorn Mini Bags, 94% Fat Free Butter, Butter Lovers, Buttery Kettle Corn and Extreme Butter.

To learn more, visit www.orville.com, www.actii.com and www.popcornfacts.com.

ABOUT ORVILLE REDENBACHER’S GOURMET POPPING CORN

For more than 40 years, the Orville Redenbacher’s name has been a valued and iconic household name that offers premium taste with quality ingredients. In 2007 Orville Redenbacher was inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame as the Icon of the Year, and Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn Light Butter Microwave Popcorn was ranked No. 1 by a leading consumer publication. As the No. 1-selling popcorn brand in the U.S., Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn is available in more than 70 varieties to complement any lifestyle, taste or occasion. For more information on the brand and products, visit Orville Redenbacher’s Web site at www.orville.com.

ACT II

ACT II is known for offering consistent quality at a great family value, and it’s proud to present some of the most enticing popcorn products and flavors available, from such classics as Light Butter and Movie Theatre Butter to special flavors, such as Kettle Corn, now with zero grams trans fat (excluding Carmel Corn). Our other great products range from Pop 'N Serve Tubs to individual popcorn balls. Remember ACT II for light, fluffy, great-tasting popcorn every time.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE:CAG) is one of North America's leading packaged food companies, serving grocery retailers, as well as restaurants and other foodservice establishments. Popular ConAgra Foods consumer brands include: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, Reddi-wip, PAM and many others.

ABOUT DIACETYL

Diacetyl is a naturally occurring ingredient that provides a creamy, buttery taste. It is found in thousands of food and beverage products, including butter, wine, coffee, pastries, cake mixes, cookies, crackers, candy and even some fruits and vegetables. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other scientific authorities, this specific ingredient is safe for consumers to eat. The workers who handle large and highly concentrated quantities of butter flavoring with diacetyl in manufacturing plants face risks, and brands such as Orville Redenbacher and ACT II have protected employees from those risks for many years. By removing added diacetyl from the plant environment, the factory employees are protected even further.

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

Regina Demars, 402-595-6727

regina.demars@conagrafoods.com

or

Stephanie Childs, 402-595-6258

stephanie.childs@conagrafoods.com