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PowerBar Introduces New Pria(R) Grain Essentials(TM) Nutrition Bars for Women

Posted on: Thursday, 12 October 2006, 15:01 CDT

BERKELEY, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by consumer demand for more variety in the organic food category, PowerBar has expanded its women's nutrition product line with POWERBAR(R) PRIA(R) GRAIN ESSENTIALS(TM) -- a new offering of great-tasting, crispy snack bars made with 70 percent certified organic ingredients, naturally satisfying whole grains and specific nutrition for women.(1) The line marks the first major organic product introduction from Nestle USA. Available nationwide fall 2006, the bars provide 23 vitamins and minerals, including 40 percent of women's recommended daily calcium requirement, and are formulated with a special form of inulin, a natural dietary fiber that helps boost calcium absorption.(2)

"Healthy snacking can be a challenge for women who are managing their weight. At the same time, more and more women are seeking out organic food choices," said PowerBar Pria Brand Manager Andy Hill. "Women can feel good about choosing our new Pria Grain Essentials bars for a convenient and satisfying snack in between meals. With just 160 to 170 calories, each bar packs wholesome organic ingredients, naturally satisfying whole grains and more calcium than a glass of milk."

Scientific research reveals a strong link between satiety, the feeling of fullness, and the consumption of foods made with whole grains. Although current US Dietary Guidelines recommend three daily servings of whole grains, on average US adults consume only one serving per day. Made with 70 percent certified organic ingredients, Pria Grain Essentials bars offer eight grams of whole grains to provide women with a satisfying snack between meals and a convenient way to get a half-serving of the whole grains they need each day.

PowerBar Pria understands that, along with exercise, proper calcium intake is critical to maintaining strong and healthy bones over a woman's lifetime. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), nine out of 10 women are not getting the calcium they need every day. Also, it is known that only about 30 percent of dietary calcium is normally absorbed by the body, and improvement in absorption can also add to calcium effectiveness. New Pria Grain Essentials bars deliver 40 percent of a woman's daily value of calcium, and are formulated with a specific blend of inulin, a natural source of fiber that, studies show, can boost women's calcium absorption. Recent research also suggests that consuming inulin can increase satiety, reduce hunger and prospective food consumption.(3)

"Inulin is naturally found in high concentrations in chicory root as well as a number of other fruits and vegetables," said Eric Zaltas, PowerBar Manager of Scientific Affairs. "In a recent clinical study, a special mixture of inulin-types, which has been added to Pria Grain Essentials, boosted calcium absorption by 6 to 8 percent and had a positive effect on bone density over one year."(2,4)

The new Pria Grain Essentials line features a delicious crispy, crunchy texture and is offered in three flavors -- Orchard Apple Cinnamon Crisp, Chocolate Almond Bliss and Country Honey 'N Oats. In early taste testing, sixty-one percent of women surveyed preferred the Pria Grain Essentials Orchard Apple Cinnamon Crisp bar over a comparable flavor from a leading nutrition bar in the category.(5)

Available fall 2006, the Pria Grain Essentials line will be distributed nationwide via major retailers and the Pria Web site (http://www.powerbarpria.com/), and will be sampled at Pria-sponsored Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer fundraising events. Suggested retail price is $1.69 per bar.

About PowerBar

PowerBar is committed to helping enhance the health and wellness of active individuals by providing convenient nutritional products and sound nutrition information. Backed by decades of sports nutrition experience, PowerBar's product line includes a full spectrum of great-tasting food and beverage options developed to meet the nutrition and energy needs of everyone from athletes to individuals seeking healthy food choices. PowerBar proudly fuels world-class athletes including Lance Armstrong, Tiki Barber and Michael Phelps, and sponsors premier organizations and events including The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program, the Chicago, Boston and ING New York City Marathons and a global Ironman partnership. PowerBar is owned by Nestle SA.

Sources: 1. Pria Grain Essentials bars are certified organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI), global leader in providing organic certification services. Organic ingredients are produced without the use of antibiotics, added growth hormones or pesticides. 2. Abrams SA, Griffin IJ, Hawthorne KM, Liang L, Gunn SK, Darlington G, Ellis KJ. A combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;82:471-6. 3. Cani PD, Joly E, Horsmans Y, Delzenne NM. Oligofructose promotes satiety in healthy human: a pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 May;60(5):567-72. 4. Studies have shown that consuming 8 grams per day of inulin (a natural dietary fiber) increases calcium absorption. Each PRIA Grain Essentials bar contains 3 grams of inulin. 5. In a blind taste test conducted with 154 women in two cities, 61% of consumers preferred PRIA Grain Essentials Orchard Apple Cinnamon Crisp bar over CLIF Bar Cranberry Apple Cherry. Tragon Research Consumer Testing, March 2006.

PowerBar

CONTACT: Bethany Mousseau of Stanwood & Partners Public Relations,+1-781-544-3677, bmousseau@wyoming.com, for PowerBar

Web site: http://www.powerbarpria.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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