Smart Ones -- Low Carb 'tv' dinners

[wovenwonder]

Here is some info about the new Smart Ones entrees:

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/031125/1146000944_2.html

Heinz to Unveil New 'Smart Ones' for Low-Carb Dieters
Tuesday November 25, 11:46 am ET
By Dinah Wisenberg Brin, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES


PHILADELPHIA (Dow Jones)--H.J. Heinz Co. (NYSE:HNZ - News) plans to introduce six new Smart Ones frozen meals aimed at high-protein, low-carbohydrate dieters. But it hopes to see a shift in debate over the trend, which has hurt sales of high-carb products across the food industry.
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Officials of the Pittsburgh ketchup and food company, which reported second- quarter earnings Tuesday that fell a penny-a-share short of Wall Street's consensus forecast, also said they had a "very good meeting" recently with McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD - News) .

Heinz has the McDonald's ketchup business in Canada and has been discussing other opportunities with the fast-food chain.

Heinz plans to introduce the new Smart Ones line in conjunction with Weight Watchers International Inc. (NYSE:WTW - News) classroom lessons on "the truth about carbs," Heinz Chief Growth Officer Casey Keller said on a conference call.

Smart Ones sales have been hurt by consumers following eating plans like the Atkins diet that favor protein over carbohydrates. While Heinz is responding with new Smart Ones entrees aimed at carbohydrate-conscious consumers, the " truth about carbs" program is an opportunity to "reposition this debate, because frankly the debate is about caloric intake, not carbohydrates versus protein," a Heinz official said on the call.

The new entrees will have more protein than existing Smart Ones.

Regarding Heinz's recent meeting with McDonald's, "I thought it was a very good meeting and we made great progress," a Heinz executive said.

"I think it's a slow burn and I think we'll make progress. ... In my own view the two companies should be working together and I think that view is echoed by many in McDonald's," he said.

Heinz continues to focus efforts on its top 15 brands, which produce 60% of sales. Nine of the 15 brands generated increased sales year-over-year in the second quarter, with the 15 combined registering 6% sales growth in constant currency, Keller said.

Ore-Ida frozen potatoes continued negative sales trends and lost market share, but the company said the share should rebound after Heinz introduces new extra- crispy varieties. Classico sauce share rose sharply, Smart Ones was stable and ketchup market share was flat in the quarter, Keller said.

The company reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of 54 cents a share versus year-earlier net income of 60 cents a share. Excluding divested businesses sold to Del Monte Foods Co. (NYSELM - News) and special items, Heinz earned 50 cents a share a year earlier. The 8% operating earnings-per-share increase is consistent with company goals.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call (News - Websites) had produced a consensus earnings estimate of 55 cents a share.

Sales, excluding divestitures, grew 7.7%, reflecting volume growth of 1.6% and favorable foreign-currency exchange rates of 6%. Divestitures had an 8.1% hit on sales, causing sales overall to decline 0.4% to $2.09 billion.

Heinz plans to start shipping the new Smart Ones entrees on Dec. 1 but doesn't expect to see significant distribution in stores until Feb. 1, a spokesman said after the call. The company expects to start seeing results from the products in its fiscal fourth quarter ending in April, spokesman Jack Kennedy said.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

There's a huge market for Atkins-friendly microwavable meals. I can't say that I'm happy with their educational plans, but I'll try the meals if they are truly low carb.

Pre-Atkins I used to eat a Healthy Choice meal every day for lunch. I miss the simplicity of not always having to have to plan my meals.

 

[DoeWDW]

I prefer to eat "real" food as much as possible but there are times when a meal like this could be very handy. I'll be watching for them in the stores and checking out the carb counts.

I, too, am not thrilled by their position that it's calories, not carbs. That can be true with some eating plans but on my low-carb plan, calories are NOT a factor unless I go WAY overboard!

 

[wovenwonder]

It all comes down to public demand and where the profits for a company will fall.

Smart Ones sales have been hurt by consumers following eating plans like the Atkins diet that favor protein over carbohydrates.

 

[nativetxn]

Great information! I will try them when they are available if they are truly low carb. It would be good to have some low carb frozen dinners for those times when I'm not home, Wilgus would eat them to keep from having to cook