Last updated on September 6th, 2012 at 11:55 am
Oscar Mayer has a new line of meats called Selects that has no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. Oscar Mayer is the first brand to offer this choice across a complete line of meat products that includes hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts. In 2012, 50 percent of new Oscar Mayer products will have no artificial preservatives. Goals also are in place to build on its sodium reduction progress by reducing sodium 20 percent across the entire Oscar Mayer portfolio by year’s end.
The new line builds on the success of Oscar Mayer Selects Hot Dogs, which were introduced in March 2010, by adding even more options that have no artificial preservatives.
“Our goal is to have 20 percent of our portfolio made with no artificial preservatives by 2015,” said Heather Buettner, senior director new product development at Oscar Mayer. “The consumer response to Selects Hot Dogs was simply astounding.”
Only 0.5 percent of new products reach $100 million in the first year, according to Symphony IRI Group. Oscar Mayer Selects Hot Dogs achieved that and more, putting it in the top three new product introductions last year (Symphony IRI Group). Selects Hot Dogs also brought 20 percent incremental growth to the category, 70 percent incremental growth to the Oscar Mayer brand and brought non-users back to the category.
“Listening to our consumers, and finding better ways is just the way we do business,” said Buettner. “More and more, consumers today want simple, every day ingredients they know and trust. They want food they can feel good about that is affordable and easy to find. That’s why we’re bringing these new choices to the meat case and offering them at every day prices in every day stores.”
Oscar Mayer Selects includes 12 varieties: six hot dogs, five cold cuts as well as bacon. Products are: New York Style Beef Franks, Chicago Recipe Beef Franks, Angus Beef Franks, Angus Bun-Length Beef Franks, Beef Franks, Turkey Franks, Slow Roasted Turkey Breast, Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast, Applewood Smoked Ham, Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast, Slow Roasted Roast Beef, and Oscar Mayer Selects Bacon.
The complete line of Selects is now available in grocery stores nationwide.
“For Oscar Mayer, finding a better way is about more than new product introductions,” Buettner said. “To that end, Oscar Mayer, together with its suppliers and their farm families, is working to find better ways to keep animals healthy and in a safe environment while treating them with respect. Our consumers expect this from Oscar Mayer and our famous yellow band, which has always signified quality you can trust.”
