Boar's Head First Deli Company on Target for National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI) 2012 Standards

SARASOTA, Fla., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., one of the nation's leading manufacturers of premium delicatessen meats and cheeses, announced today that they have pledged their commitment to the New York City Department of Health's National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), by meeting the recommended 2012 target levels for sodium in deli cold cuts and cheeses.  This makes Boar's Head the nation's first deli meat and cheese manufacturer to have both signed on to the initiative and met its 2012 goal. "Reaching these target levels in advance of the proposed NSRI deadline reflects the commitment Boar's Head made to this Initiative early in January 2010, when New York City Mayor Bloomberg contacted our company about the NSRI targets for packaged and restaurant foods," says, Michael Martella, President of Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc. "Boar's Head continuously maintains a leadership role in upholding the health and wellness status of its products."

The National Salt Reduction Initiative, a New York City-led partnership of 18 national health organizations and 29 city and state health authorities and their associations, has set targets to guide a voluntary reduction of sodium levels with the objective of reducing the amount of salt in packaged and restaurant foods by 25% over five years – an achievement that would reduce the nation's salt intake by 20% and prevent many thousands of premature deaths.

The sodium levels in certain categories of Boar's Head products are dramatically lower than the NSRI recommended levels for 2012 and have been for the past 25 years. Unlike some processed foods that rely on sodium for flavor, the taste of Boar's Head products comes from the quality of their ingredients, making it unnecessary to overuse salt as a flavor enhancer. Boar's Head uses only the finest ingredients: pure pork, turkey, chicken and beef, combined with real spices, without gluten, by-products, cereals, fillers, artificial flavors or colors. In addition, Boar's Head products are not meant to have a long shelf life, and therefore less salt is used as a preservative.  

"When we were approached by the New York City Department of Health to become a part of their Salt Reduction Initiative, we didn't hesitate," says Boar's Head Director of Communications, RuthAnn LaMore. "The Initiative fits with our longstanding commitment to producing healthy, high quality and great tasting foods. We are thrilled to be the first deli company in America to both sign on and meet the target."

Boar's Head, which has deep roots in New York City, first distributed products using the name Boar's Head Brand in the New York Metropolitan area in 1905. Products were delivered by horse-drawn wagon to small delicatessens and "Mom and Pop" stores. Today, while Boar's Head still maintains a sales and distribution facility in Brooklyn to serve the thousands of supermarkets, delis and independent grocers in the New York Metropolitan area, it has grown into a brand with over 500 products and is sold in almost all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Americans consume roughly twice the recommended limit of salt each day – causing widespread high blood pressure and placing millions at risk of heart attack and stroke – in ways that they cannot control on their own. Only 11% of the sodium in Americans' diets comes from their own salt shakers; nearly 80% is added to foods before they are sold. Through a year of technical consultation with food industry leaders, the National Salt Reduction Initiative developed specific targets to help companies reduce the salt levels in 61 categories of packaged food and 25 classes of restaurant food. For many food companies, reaching these levels by 2012 and the lower ones mandated by 2014 will be a challenge, which may be impossible to meet in some cases.  

Additionally, 30 Boar's Head deli meats proudly display the American Heart Association's distinctive red and white heart-check mark, which means that the product has been screened and certified by the American Heart Association to meet their criteria for saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

Boar's Head has a longstanding commitment to responding to consumers' health, wellness, and nutrition concerns.  Earlier in the year, Boar's Head launched a campaign, "Launch Your Own Assault on Salt," an initiative encouraging salt sensible food choices, which featured the Boar's Head line of cold cuts that are no salt added, low sodium, and lower sodium, including some of the Brand's most popular products such as 42% Lower Sodium Deluxe Ham, Golden Classic® 42% Lower Sodium Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, No Salt Added Swiss Cheese, and Lite Beef Frankfurters.

Boar's Head is a supporter of the Celiac Sprue Association, which is dedicated to helping individuals with celiac disease through research, education and support; and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, an organization focused on raising understanding of celiac disease among the general public and the healthcare community, and aiding research into its causes and treatments.  

Boar's Head also supports the American Diabetes Association  in championing the cause of diabetes prevention by promoting healthy lifestyle options through good eating habits and physical fitness, sponsoring their National School Walk for Diabetes Program. The company has been an ongoing supporter of a number of other national organizations and their causes including Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Feingold Association.

CONTACT: RuthAnn LaMore with Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., +1-941-955-0994

SOURCE Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc