Patricia Bannan, M.S, R.D Discusses Hormel Food’s New Healthy Line Natural Choice

By Kelly Turner on September 7th, 2009

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Patricia M. Bannan, M.S., R.D., is a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian specializing in nutrition and health communications. Bannan currently serves as spokesperson for Hormel® Natural Choice®meats, a line of 100 percent natural meats with zero preservatives and no nitrates or nitrites added. Through this partnership, Bannan continues her commitment to helping people lead a healthy lifestyle.

I asked Patricia a few questions about Hormel’s new line of healthy deli meats, and their new “Shop Smart, Live Well” grocery guide that helps consumers find health and value at the grocery store.

‏Why did you decide to get involved with Hormel?

I’ve teamed up with the makers of Hormel® Natural Choice® 100 percent natural deli sandwich meat to help Americans make smart food choices without compromising the values that are important to them, by sharing tips and tricks on how to navigate the supermarket and bring nutrition and value into their everyday lives. I know that many Americans are overwhelmed these days with product options and messaging at their local grocery store so without some guidance, it can be hard to cut through the clutter and find true value items.

Therefore, I’ve worked with the makers of Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat to create the “Shop Smart, Live Well: Value Without Compromise” Supermarket Guide that helps shoppers find the most value in the food they buy. The guide provides a great resource for teaching grocery shoppers how to identify and understand natural products in the supermarket; make simple, smart shopping choices; and create easy yet delicious recipes for their families. Also included are ways to begin educating kids about healthy, all-natural living. To download a copy of the guide, simply visit http://www.hormelnatural.com.

What should people be aware of when buying deli meat?

A good rule of thumb is to choose products that have simple, short, and easy to understand ingredient lists. According to a recent study by the makers of Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat, that’s something Americans are already looking for when at the grocery store. The survey found that nearly nine in ten (88 percent) Americans feel it’s important for the ingredient list on food they buy to be easy to understand.

Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat have short, easy-to-understand ingredient lists, so [consumers] know exactly what they are eating and can feel good about serving them to their family.

What sets Hormel Natural Choice apart from other deli meat?

Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat are great-tasting and 100 percent natural, with zero preservatives, and no nitrates, nitrites or artificial ingredients added. They are also gluten free, with no MSG added and are low in fat and trans fat free.

Additionally, Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat are available nationwide and competitively priced against other, non-natural mainstream pre-sliced deli sandwich meat brands. So you don’t have to pay a premium for a nutritious product from a trusted brand.

Finally, Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat have short, easy-to-understand ingredient lists, so parents know exactly what they contain and can feel good about serving them to their family. In short, the deli sandwich meat offer a nutritious, budget-friendly and great-tasting option allowing families to have it all without sacrifice.

What is the TRUETASTE technology chamber? How does it affect the final product?

Hormel Foods uses an all-natural, cutting-edge water-based pasteurization process called High-Pressure Processing (HPP) on its Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat. The product is sliced, sealed and packaged, and then placed in a TRUETASTE™ technology chamber where 87,000 pounds per square inch of water pressure are exerted, protecting against harmful bacteria. The process is all-natural, USDA approved and doesn’t compromise the great taste, texture, appearance or nutritional value.

HPP protects Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat against harmful bacteria and spoilage organisms, keeping the meat safe without affecting the texture, appearance, nutritional value or great taste of the meat.

Why are nitrites something to be avoided?

I recognize that a lot of confusion exists around the terms, words and key claims shoppers see floating around the supermarket or on the ingredient lists of the food they buy. In the Hormel® Natural Choice® “Shop Smart, Live Well” brochure, I attempt to define these terms to make shopping for wholesome products easier for families.

Specifically, sodium nitrite is a preservative found mainly in packaged meat to maintain color and help protect against bacteria. Hormel Foods doesn’t need to add sodium nitrite to its Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat; instead it uses the High-Pressure Processing (HPP) technique to protect against harmful bacterium naturally.

It’s also important to remember that all food can be part of a well-balanced diet if eaten in moderation. For families who are looking for nutritious, natural food options, the “Shop Smart, Live Well” brochure helps them seek these products out and find the options with the most value.

Natural is a term not regulated by the FDA- what does all natural mean to Hormel?

The USDA defines the term “natural” for meat and poultry products as not containing any artificial flavoring, color ingredients, chemical preservatives or artificial or synthetic ingredients, and are minimally processed.

Hormel Foods, using the USDA definition as a guideline, created Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat without the use of preservatives; instead the company utilizes an innovative, water-based process that protects the meat against bacterium naturally, while still retaining the true flavor, texture and appearance. The result is a great-tasting, high-quality, all-natural deli sandwich meat that contains zero preservatives, artificial colors or flavors and has a short, easy to understand ingredient list. So families know they can trust Hormel Foods to bring them a great tasting product that’s also great for them.

If you could give one piece of advice, or one thing to look for, when buying prepared meat, what would it be?

When it comes to buying pre-packaged deli meat, going all natural is a great option. Hormel® Natural Choice® deli sandwich meat, for instance, are free of added flavors, colors and preservatives so they taste the way meat is supposed to taste: fresh and full of flavor. Plus they are priced competitively, so you don’t have to compromise good for you with good for your wallet.