Snackfood Category Leader Mars US Feeds the Need for Vending Snacks That Meet Stricter School Nutrition Guidelines

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Administrators at schools of all enrollment sizes report that many products are failing to make the grade when it comes to meeting the nutrition standards of changing school wellness and nutrition policies. But a new line of nutritious snacks from a leading US snackfood company may soon be moving to the head of the class.

A just-released national survey(1) of US schools conducted by the School Nutrition Association reports that three of the most frequently identified challenges faced by schools in implementing new stricter nutrition guidelines were finding products that meet the nutrition standards, concerns about the price of products that meet nutrition standards and acceptance by students.

Mars Snackfood US, a company that boasts three of the top 10 snacks sold in the vending category, anticipated just such challenges three years ago when it began developing a new line of nutritious snacks for school vending. The resulting Generation Max? snackfoods were so good, students in focus groups didn’t realize the snacks were better for them. Students in in-market tests responded equally well to the lines’ cookies, brownie bars, snack clusters, crackers and pretzel products.

As the 2007-2008 school year begins, the new Generation Max snacks are shipping to schools nationwide at price points comparable to traditional snackfood options and with lower sugar, lower fat, and additional nutrients to help students meet the Recommended Daily Values for a balanced diet.

Generation Max? features 10 single-serve snacks, all 150 calories or less. Each snack has less than 35% of calories from fat, less than 10% of calories from saturated fat and less than 35% sugar by weight. This meets one of the most stringent nutrition guidelines, called “35:10:35,” which has been endorsed by leading health experts. All of the snacks are labeled with 0 grams trans-fat, and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin D and B-vitamins.

Sales of Generation Max products are going well, according to Debo Mukherjee, vice president of Mars Health & Nutrition. “Mars Snackfood US was one of the first five companies to agree to support specific guidelines for competitive foods offered in schools,” Mukherjee said. “We take pride in all of our products which can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle. But, given the unique environment in schools, we are proud to support the initiative and become the first national snackfood business to develop a line of snackfoods specifically to meet the guidelines.”

The health and nutrition division of Mars Snackfood US has been active in developing a number of new nutrition-oriented product lines over the last few years. The Mars Health & Nutrition business unit was created in 2005 to establish an all-new portfolio of health-focused brands to serve emerging needs among consumers. As one of the world’s leading food manufacturers and a leader in snackfoods, Mars has spent decades and substantial resources on nutrition research, including sports nutrition, cardiovascular health, and overall health and wellness.

The CDC School Health Policy and Program Study(2) reported that 74 percent of middle schools and 98 percent of high schools have vending machines, canteens or snack bars where students can purchase food or beverages.

The new Generation Max product line is available nationwide. School administrators and school food service professionals can purchase Generation Max products through their Vend Products Distributor or by calling 1-800-381-VEND.

(1) From Cupcakes to Carrots: Local Wellness Policies One Year Later was produced in collaboration with the School Nutrition Foundation and the National Dairy Council and copies can be accessed online through the School Nutrition Association’s Web site www.schoolnutrition.org.

(2) CDC School Health Policy and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000

Mars, Incorporated

Emily Korns, RD, 908-850-2565

emily.korns@effem.com

or

Tag Team Global

Sara Coulter, 201-447-5531

cell: 201-819-1403

fax: 201-632-4853

scoulter@tagteamglobal.com