Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread Reformulates Its Two Most Popular Breads

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee North American Fresh Bakery is reformulating the recipes of its two most popular breads — Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White bread and Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread. The High Fructose Corn Syrup in both breads also has been removed and includes sugar only. In addition, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat now includes vitamin D and is considered an excellent source of calcium.

"Sara Lee Soft & Smooth breads are among the best selling breads in the United States and our core audience, parents with children, has indicated that they want product options without High Fructose Corn Syrup," said Jeff Dryfhout, director, Sara Lee North American Fresh Bakery. "With this new recipe Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread is responding to the needs of our consumers while continuing to provide great-tasting breads with the mild taste and soft texture families love."

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White bread gives consumers:

— A good source of fiber

— A good source of vitamin D

— 10 grams of whole grain per two-slice serving

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread with Calcium & Vitamin D gives consumers:

— An excellent source of whole grain with 26 grams per two-slice serving

— An excellent source of calcium

— A good source of vitamin D

"High Fructose Corn Syrup has been on the minds of many. While health organizations note no difference in how High Fructose Corn Syrup and sugar are metabolized in the body, this removal provides options to moms and the overall consumer who prefer products made with sugar only," said Connie Diekman, M.Ed, RD, LD, FADA and former president of the American Dietetic Association.

Average suggested retail pricing for both Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread and Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White bread will remain the same at $2.79 (varies by region of the country).

The USDA's MyPyramid Food Guidance System urges consumers to make at least half of all the grains eaten whole by getting a minimum of about three ounce equivalents of whole grain per day, or 48 grams of whole grain. While many factors affect heart disease, balanced diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol, including foods like Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White and 100% Whole Wheat bakery bread, may help reduce the risk of this disease.

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth breads are available in grocery retailers where Sara Lee North American Fresh Bakery products are sold. For more information about Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread, bun and bagel products visit www.youknowwhattheylike.com or check out Sara Lee Soft & Smooth on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saraleesoftandsmooth.

About Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bakery Bread

Products included in the Soft & Smooth bread and bun lines are: Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Plus Made with DHA Omega-3 and Made with Whole Grain White bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Plus Made with DHA Omega-3 100% Whole Wheat bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread with Calcium & Vitamin D, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White Hamburger and Hotdog Buns, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain Wheat Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat Mini Bagels and Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain Plain, Cinnamon and Blueberry Mini Bagels.

About Sara Lee Corporation

Each and every day, Sara Lee delights millions of consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the world's best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate almost $13 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 180 countries. The Sara Lee community consists of approximately 41,000 employees worldwide. Please visit http://www.saralee.com for the latest news and in-depth information about Sara Lee and its brands.

Source: Sara Lee Corporation