LEAN CUISINE® Market Creations Voted Product of the Year in Frozen Foods

SOLON, Ohio, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With crisp vegetables, tender chicken, al dente pasta and a variety of savory and creamy sauces, LEAN CUISINE® Market Creations are truly a dinner revolution, delivering on taste, quality and innovation. In fact, consumers recently participated in a nationwide survey of product innovation, naming these steamed dinner entrees Product of the Year* in the frozen food category!

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110209/SF44522)

Product of the Year is the world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods. Voted on by more than 60,000 shoppers nationwide, products are judged on elements of innovation such as ingredients, form, function and design. Winning items are selected from a variety of categories including food, beverage and personal care, representing the best new products in the marketplace.

"We're thrilled that LEAN CUISINE® Market Creations have been voted Product of the Year in frozen food," said Christine Dahm, VP of Marketing for LEAN CUISINE®. "And the fact that this line of entrees is being positively endorsed by thousands of real consumers makes the win even more special."

Delicious dinners that go from pouch to plate in minutes, each recipe comes in an innovative steam bag that locks in nutritious ingredients and unlocks delicious flavor. The unique steam valve releases just the right amount of moisture, circulating gentle steam and evenly cooking each ingredient.

Following up on the success of its 2010 launch, LEAN CUISINE® introduces two new LEAN CUISINE® Market Creations varieties steaming their way to the dinner table:

• NEW! Chicken Poblano features chicken tenderloins with penne pasta, green beans, tomatoes, Poblano peppers, roasted corn and black beans in a chili cheddar sauce  
• NEW! Chicken Pot Stickers features chicken pot stickers with green beans, red peppers, water chestnuts, edamame, orange and yellow carrots in a sweet chili ginger soy sauce

LEAN CUISINE® Market Creations entrees have a suggested retail price of $3.99 and are available in the freezer section of supermarkets nationwide. Visit the "Where to Buy" section on LeanCuisine.com to find a grocer near you.  And don't forget to check out our wellness resources while you're there. From delicious meal options to fitness planners, LEAN CUISINE® makes it easy to eat what you love while staying on track.

For additional information / hi-res images of the Product of the Year USA winners for 2011, please visit www.productoftheyearusa.com.

* 2011 Winner, Frozen Food Category. Survey of 60,493 people by TNS.

About Nestle USA

Named one of "The World's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for thirteen consecutive years, Nestle provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day.  From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine® to baking traditions with Nestle® Toll House®, Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very experience of life itself.  That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about.  Well-known Nestle brands include: Nestle® Toll House®, Nestle® Nesquik®, Nestle® Coffee-mate®, Stouffer's®, Lean Cuisine®, HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches, Nescafe®, Nescafe® Taster's Choice®, NESTLE® Juicy Juice®, Buitoni®, DREYER'S/EDY'S®, Nestle® Crunch®, Nestle® Butterfinger®, Wonka®, DIGIORNO®, TOMBSTONE® and CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN® frozen pizza.. Nestle USA, with 2009 sales of $10.4 billion, is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world's largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2009 sales of $99 billion.  For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.

All trademarks are owned by Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.

About Product of the Year:

Product of the Year is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by real consumers. Established 24 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 28 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Backed by the votes of 60,000 consumers, the distinct red POY logo serves as shortcut for shoppers in the supermarket, saving them time and money. For manufacturers of the winning products, the award is a powerful marketing message proven to increase retail distribution and sales by an average of 10-15%. Product of the Year accepts entries every year from consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care, household care, etc. with a product then being chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study. For more information visit www.productoftheyearusa.com.

SOURCE Nestle USA