Protanica-fortified Heartbar oatmeal squares, Heart Brand Foods’ newest heart-healthy snack bars, were launched at Natural Products Expo West held last week.
The latest formula now contains a sustainably harvested, organic and non-GMO plant sterol extract from Protanica, a proven cholesterol-reducing agent, made by Arboris, noted the company.
Fifteen Heartbar flavours were introduced at the Expo, including banana walnut, apple cinnamon, blueberry, chocolate chip, chocolate brownie almond, cranberry flax, oatmeal raisin, double chocolate chip and white chocolate macadamia nut.
Vice-president of marketing for Heart Brand Foods, Michelle Canellopoulos, said: "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. Our partnership with Protanica does just that and more."
With 83 million of the country's population suffering from cardiovascular disease, Americans are shifting towards heart-healthy meals, focussing more on risk-factor reduction. One-third of the grocery outlets in the US, in 2011, looked for food labels claiming "reduces the risk of heart disease", according to FMI.
President and CEO of Arboris, LLC, Manuel Canales, stated: "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. We are pleased to be part of two important food trends: heart-healthy and non-GMO foods."
Fifty years of clinical studies involving 140 humans have proved the effectiveness and safety in using plant sterols to reduce bad cholesterol levels (a characteristic 8-10%).
Image: Heart Brand Foods' new oatmeal squares. Photo courtsey of PRNewswire.
