New Heartbar™ Oatmeal Squares with Protanica® Non-GMO Plant Sterol will Debut at Natural Products Expo West

Booth # 2554 – Heart Brand Foods’™ new Heartbar™ oatmeal squares are making their debut at Natural Products Expo West where show attendees can stop by the booth for samples and learn more about this delicious heart-healthy snack bar. The updated Heartbar formula now includes natural, non-GMO plant sterols from Protanica®, an ingredient proven to reduce cholesterol.

New Heartbar™ Oatmeal Squares with Protanica® Non-GMO Plant Sterol will Debut at Natural Products Expo West (Photo: Business Wire)

A variety of Heartbar flavors will be on display at Expo West, including apple cinnamon, banana walnut, blueberry, chocolate brownie almond, chocolate chip, cranberry flax, double chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter dark chocolate and white chocolate macadamia nut. While enjoying Heartbars, booth guests are also invited to have their picture taken in our special photo booth on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We are very excited to offer our Heartbar Oatmeal Squares in a variety of popular flavors to consumers who are looking for ways to eat healthier, more nutritious foods and live life to its fullest,” said Michelle Canellopoulos, Vice President of Marketing for Heart Brand Foods. “Our partnership with Protanica does just that and more.”

The trend toward heart-healthy meals and snacking continues to grow. With 83 million Americans already afflicted with cardiovascular disease, the market for heart-healthy products is shifting from general heart health maintenance to higher concerns over risk-factor reduction. In 2011, an impressive one-third of all grocery shoppers sought out “reduces the risk of heart disease” claims on food labels (FMI, 2011).

“As the demand for healthier snacks and foods in general continues, the timing for the new heart-healthy Heartbar oatmeal squares with Protanica inside is excellent,” said Manuel Canales, President and CEO of Arboris®, LLC makers of Protanica (www.protanica.com), a non-GMO functional food ingredient. “We are pleased to be part of two important food trends: heart-healthy and non-GMO foods.”

More than 140 human clinical studies over the past 50 years have shown that plant sterols are safe and effective in reducing LDL “bad” cholesterol levels (typically by 8-10 percent), and that adding them as an ingredient to foods is a safe and convenient approach to dietary management of cholesterol.

As the makers of Protanica, Arboris sees growing acceptance and adoption of plant sterols as a functional food ingredient in North America and believes that, in time, an increasing number of food products including dairy beverages, baked goods, yogurts and others will include heart-healthy sterols in their offerings.

Protanica has distinct advantages among plant sterols on the market today. It is compatible with non-GMO verified foods and has been clinically tested and demonstrated to be safe and effective.

Heart Brand Foods is committed to making great tasting foods that also help lower cholesterol. Heartbar brings the heart healthy benefits of plant sterols to consumers in convenient, great tasting snack bars.

About Arboris®, LLC and Protanica®

Protanica® is produced by Arboris®, LLC, the world-leading non-GMO sterol manufacturer. Since 2004, when Arboris started its world-class manufacturing plants, the company has provided a long-term, reliable and dependable supply of plant sterols to major food companies in Europe and Australia. Protanica®, introduced in 2014, is a supported sterol product offered to North American food manufacturers and retailers. Unlike soy sterols, Protanica® is derived from a non-GMO, sustainably harvested, and non-allergenic source.

For more information on Protanica® and its heart-healthy benefits, please visit www.protanica.com and for more on Arboris®, LLC, visit www.arboris-us.com.

About Heart Brand Foods™

Heart Brand Foods™ believes in making heart-healthy, great tasting foods while living life to its fullest. Its non-GMO Heartbar oatmeal squares are available in 15 delicious flavors. Heartbars deliver balanced nutrition with approximately 16g of whole grains, 7g of protein, 6g of fiber, low sodium and specially infused plant sterols that help naturally lower cholesterol. They can be found at an expanding set of retailers, including Costco, Target, Safeway, Pavillions, Vons, Sprouts, Mother’s Market, Vitamin Shoppe, Amazon and www.heartbrandfoods.com.

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