UN Unilever NV

New Improved Promise(R) Trans-Fat Free Spread Is a Heart Healthier Choice That Tastes Great - Spread Offers a Healthier Alternative to Butter or Margarine - ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Craving the fresh taste of butter with your morning toast or baked potato, but concerned about your health? Promise(R) spread is launching its heart healthiest buttery spread yet to "butter" up your meals in a great tasting, heart-healthy way. The spread's new Heart Health Essentials(TM) formulation was developed to deliver a unique overall nutritional profile of essential fatty acids, vitamins, no trans fat*, no cholesterol, and no partially hydrogenated oil. In fact, the reformulated Promise Buttery Spread has 75% less saturated fat per serving than butter and 40% less saturated fat per serving than the leading heart health positioned regular spread. The best news is that eating new improved Promise Buttery Spread instead of butter or margarine can help maintain a healthy heart, as part of a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.* (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050208/NYTU228 ) However, eating heart healthy shouldn't mean sacrificing good taste or the sensory pleasure of food. Promise's recent reformulation includes enhancement of its rich, buttery flavor. Preliminary research data from a taste comparison of major brands of soft margarine spreads suggest that margarine users significantly preferred Promise Buttery Spread (60% vegetable oil) over other heart health positioned regular spreads. Additional research will be conducted to confirm the preference for Promise. The research also indicated that both Promise Buttery Spread and Promise Light were ranked in the top tier of the 22 spreads tested in categories including "overall liking," "buttery taste/flavor," and "creaminess."(1) "Consumers are bombarded by messages every day with what they can't eat and the sacrifices they need to make, especially when it comes to taste. The challenge is that most consumers won't sacrifice great taste for health. At Promise our goal is to meet that challenge and to make products that genuinely deliver on both, making healthy eating easier and more enjoyable," explains Diggi Thomson, brand director for Promise. The federal government's new dietary guidelines encourage Americans to limit their intake of fats and oils high in saturated and/or trans fatty acids, by choosing products low in such fats and oils. The guidelines also encourage that total fat intake is kept between 20 to 30 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (such as omega-3 ALA and omega-6 essential oils). Promise Proves That Great Taste and Heart Health Can Go Hand In Hand For more than 30 years, Promise has been a leader in the healthy spreads category, launching into the premium health segment in 1972. In 1993, Promise was the first to introduce a fat free spread and, in 1997, Promise was the first of the spreads brand to go trans fat free across the entire line. And now, in 2005, New Improved Promise Buttery Spread delivers on all fronts, including: -- No trans-fats*, hydrogenated oils, or cholesterol -- Saturated fat 75% lower than butter and 40% lower than the leading heart health positioned spread. -- An excellent source of omega-3 ALA, combined in a healthy balance with omega-6 essential oils to help maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range. -- Excellent source of vitamins B6 and B12 that may help maintain cardiovascular health -- Good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that may help protect cells and tissues, including those in the heart. "Essential fatty acids like those found in Promise are associated with promoting cardiovascular health," says Ernst J. Schaefer, M.D., director of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory & Lipid and Heart Disease Prevention Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, and a member of the Unilever Scientific Advisory Board. "It's important that brands help consumers easily incorporate essential fatty acids into their diets. Trans fat free spreads like Promise are a great option." Promise Buttery Spread is perfect for cooking, baking, or as an accompaniment for any food. Starting early 2005, consumers will be able to choose from Promise Buttery Spread, Promise Light and Promise Fat Free at mass-market grocers and specialty shops in the U.S. They will be available in two sizes, one 15 oz. tub and two 7.5 oz. tubs, at a suggested retail price of $2.09. Promise Spread Nutritional Profile Saturated Trans Combined Sat. Per Serving Calories Fat Fat Fat & Trans Fat Cholesterol Promise 80 8g 1.5g 0g 1.5g 0mg Margarine 100 11g 2.0g 3g 5.0g 0mg Butter 100 11g 7.0g 0g 7.0g 30mg For more information about the new Promise, log on to http://www.promisehealthyheart.com/. About Unilever Unilever (NYSE:ULNYSE:UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Eternity by Calvin Klein, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of Unilever. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs more than 15,000 people in 74 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico - generating approximately $11 billion in sales. For more information visit http://www.unilever.com/ *Promise Buttery Spread contains 8g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat and 0mg cholesterol per serving; Promise Light spread contains 5g fat, 1g saturated fat, 0g trans fat and 0mg cholesterol per serving 1. Study conducted by Moskowitz Jacobs Inc., Dec 9-10, 2004. Additional studies are planned to confirm these findings. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050208/NYTU228 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Unilever CONTACT: Camille Payne, +1-212-880-5366, , for Unilever Web site: http://www.promisehealthyheart.com/ http://www.unilever.com/

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