Kellogg Announces New Functional Food Line

Kellogg Company (Battle Creek, MI) has launched Ensemble functional foods, a new line of products that contains natural soluble fiber from psyllium husk or whole oats, which studies have shown can reduce cholesterol when taken with a heart-healthy diet. The claim was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, allowing Kellogg to market the line after two years of research and development.

``Our new family of foods provides a variety of great tasting choices based on the presence of positive attributes. Ensemble(tm) contains natural soluble fiber that's clinically proven to lower cholesterol,'' said Bill Mayer, M.D., M.P.H and President of Kellogg Ensemble Functional Food Company. The 21 items in the Ensemble functional food line are divided into seven categories: frozen entrees, bread, dry pasta, ready-to-eat cereal, baked potato crisps, frozen breakfast/dessert mini-loaves and cookies. They will be on store shelves in the Midwest by next March and available nationally later in 1999.

According to Arnold Langbo, the company's chairman and CEO, the Ensemble food line marks ``the beginning of a new era for people who are in pursuit of improved health and well-being, foods that will actively help reduce the risk of disease and manage specific health conditions.'' Kellogg Company is the global leader in manufacturing ready-to-eat cereals and a leader in grain-based convenience foods. Ensemble Functional Food Company is a subsidiary of Kellogg Company which focuses on research, development and marketing of innovative foods that help consumers in the prevention and management of health conditions.