New Line of Beech-Nut Toddler Foods Makes 'No Junk Promise(TM)' to Moms

LATHAM, N.Y., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation today announced that the company is introducing Beech-Nut Let's Grow!(TM), a full line of nutritious toddler meals and snacks that don't sacrifice nutrition or taste for convenience. In keeping with the company's ongoing commitment to innovation and advancing nutrition for infants and toddlers, the new Beech-Nut Let's Grow! foods will be the first to feature Beech-Nut's "No Junk Promise(TM)" to moms. The "No Junk Promise" assures moms that their little ones are getting the best possible nutrition without the added junk that many food manufacturers, even infant and toddler food manufacturers, include in their products, including: high fructose corn syrup, excessive sodium and added refined sugar.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080929/AQM512A)

In order to feature the No Junk Promise, Beech-Nut products must follow a strict set of guidelines to ensure that they meet the following criteria:

-- No artificial flavors, colors, MSG or preservatives -- All-natural ingredients without any trans fats or added refined sugar -- Excellent source of vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and development

"At Beech-Nut we recognize that moms need more options for convenient and nutritional food for their toddlers that also taste great," said Christoph Rudolf, president and CEO of Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation. "By introducing Beech-Nut Let's Grow! we are offering moms all three, along with the added promise that we're doing our part to cut the unnecessary junk out of their little one's diet."

The Beech-Nut Let's Grow! line was created based on the new Beech-Nut Advancing Nutrition platform, which outlines strict nutritional guidelines that all new products must meet in order to make it to the baby food aisle. Through the Beech-Nut Advancing Nutrition platform, Beech-Nut pledges to provide the most nutritious food to support the healthy development of infants and toddlers.

To further this mission, each Beech-Nut Let's Grow! product is designed to support one of three key areas of toddler health: healthy digestion, a healthy immune system, and healthy bone and teeth development. The new line features 19 products that are all-natural with added vitamins and minerals and made with real fruits and vegetables for foods that taste good because they are made of good ingredients, not artificial flavors.

Comparing the Competition

Beech-Nut Let's Grow! (TM) toddler line is designed to offer moms healthier choices when feeding their toddlers. In comparison to the Gerber GRADUATES(R) line, Beech-Nut Let's Grow! has many clear advantages:

-- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! Tummy Meals and Mini Meals have up to 50 percent less sodium than Gerber GRADUATES(R) Lil' Entrees(R) and Lil Meals(TM). -- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! meals have 200 mg of sodium or less per 6 oz., serving, while: -- Gerber Lil' Meals have as much as 470 mg of sodium, which is more than a large order of some fast food french fries (350 mg). -- Gerber Lil' Entrees have as much as 430 mg of sodium, per 5.5 ounce serving. -- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! Fruit Nibbles are all natural with vitamins and minerals and contain a full serving of fruit and five times more fruit puree than Gerber Juice Treats(TM). They also contain 100 percent of the Daily Value of Vitamin C versus just 20 percent in Gerber GRADUATES Juice Treats. -- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! cookies and biscuits contain no added refined sugar, while Gerber GRADUATES cookies and biscuits have both sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

Toddler Food Firsts

In addition to offering Tummy Meals and Mini Meals, Fruit Nibbles, cookies and biscuits, the Beech-Nut Let's Grow! line introduces three product groups brand new to the toddler category: Wakey Flakes toddler cereal, Yogurt Nibbles and Seven-grain Nibbles.

-- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! Wakey Flakes are the first cereals made especially for toddlers. Wakey Flakes are designed to support a healthy digestive system and include 1g of Soluble Fiber per serving to give toddlers sustained nutrition during the day. -- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! Yogurt Nibbles are the first yogurt-coated, whole grain snacks for toddlers. Yogurt Nibbles are made with real fruit and yogurt. -- Beech-Nut Let's Grow! Seven-grain Nibbles are the first seven grain snack for toddlers. Seven-grain Nibbles are an excellent source of calcium and made with seven different whole grains, including wheat, oat and quinoa. Beech-Nut Let's Grow! Line-up New Beech-Nut Let's Grow! toddler meals and snacks varieties include: -- Wakey Flakes Cereal -- Apple Cinnamon Oats and Multi-Grain with Banana -- Tummy Trays (6 oz single serve) -- Chicken Vegetable Noodle, Turkey Vegetable Stew and Vegetable Beef -- Mini Meals (6 oz single serve) -- Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti Rings, Chicken & Stars and Chicken & Cheesy Potatoes -- Fruit Nibbles -- Mixed Fruit and Berry Medley -- Yogurt Nibbles -- Strawberry/Banana, Berries & Cherries and Tropical Fruit -- Seven-Grain Nibbles -- Mixed Veggie and Sweet Potato -- Cookies and Biscuits -- Arrowroot Cookies, Banana Cookies and Biter Biscuits

The new Beech-Nut Let's Grow! products will be on store shelves in fall, 2008. Prices may vary by product and retailer.

About Beech-Nut

Since 1931, Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation has been built on a history of innovation and dedication to infant nutrition. Headquartered in Latham, New York, Beech-Nut is the number two leading baby food brand in the United States and is committed to deliver more nutritious choices for parents and babies. As a subsidiary of Hero Group of Lenzburg, Switzerland, a global leader in consumer goods and infant feeding, Beech-Nut is able to combine resources to continuously improve food and nutrition for infants.

For information contact: Lorie Eigenrauch, 314.552.6783 Leigenrauch@webershandwick.com Ann Balsamo, 314.552.6723 Abalsamo@webershandwick.com

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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation

CONTACT: Lorie Eigenrauch, +1-314-552-6783,
Leigenrauch@webershandwick.com , or Ann Balsamo, +1-314-552-6723,
Abalsamo@webershandwick.com , both for Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation