Butterball® Partners With National Salt Reduction Initiative to Reduce Sodium

GARNER, N.C., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Partnering with the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), Butterball® LLC joins a nationwide effort to cut the salt in packaged and restaurant foods by 25 percent by 2014 – an achievement that would help reduce the nation's salt intake by 20 percent.

As a trusted turkey brand recognized for its leadership and innovation, Butterball provides a variety of high quality, great tasting products for consumers to enjoy, including lower sodium and better-for-you options. While the majority of Butterball's products already fall within the NSRI 2014 guidelines, the company is actively working to make further sodium reductions.

Even though Butterball Whole Turkey, traypack and lunchmeat products already fall within NSRI guidelines, Butterball plans to further reduce sodium in those products and has committed its deli meat and turkey franks to meet NSRI guidelines by 2014:

• Butterball plans to reduce the sodium levels of turkey ham and turkey pastrami by 20 percent by 2012
• Sodium in the remaining deli products will be reduced on average by 10 percent, which will exceed 2014 goals

In addition to being recognized as a prominent company to partner with the NSRI, Butterball also offers 27 turkey products that have been certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as meeting its criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol.  Consumers can distinguish these items by looking for the well-known AHA heart-check mark on the package.  

"Whether they are celebrating a special holiday with a Butterball Whole Turkey or enjoying an every day family meal with Butterball Ground Turkey, consumers deserve a variety of better-for-you choices that fit their needs and preferences," said Kari Lindell, director of retail marketing for Butterball.  "By working with partners like the NSRI and AHA, we show consumers that Butterball turkey can be a healthier option for their meals."  

As many consumers aim to kick off a healthy new year, they can rely on Butterball's wide variety of better-for-you offerings to stay on track.

For more information on Butterball products, including nutritional details, visit www.Butterball.com.

About Butterball, LLC

Butterball, LLC offers consumers opportunities to celebrate traditional holidays and every day meal occasions with the Butterball branded line of products.  As the most recognized name in turkey, the brand represents over 50 years of cherished memories with consumers worldwide.  The retail, deli and foodservice products are distributed throughout the United States and in over 20 countries.  The tradition of providing quality great tasting products that make meals something to celebrate every day has made the brand America's Favorite.

Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball is the largest producer of turkey products in the United States.  The company's three pronged approach to Doing Business Right focuses on self-governance, sustainability and social responsibility.  The initiative plays a key role in providing internal oversight for integrating values that are important to the company.

As the industry leader in quality and food safety, the company employs numerous processes to ensure the health of flocks and implements recognized prevention measures to exceed food safety standards in its six plants, located in North Carolina, Colorado, Arkansas and Missouri.  In addition, Butterball has surpassed important workplace safety and health benchmarks set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Production Program, (VPP.)

For more information about Butterball, LLC, visit www.butterballcorp.com.  For more information on Butterball products, visit www.butterball.com. You can also call 1-800 BUTTERBALL for answers to your most puzzling questions about turkey preparation.  

SOURCE Butterball, LLC