Multimedia News Release - Musselman's Survey of American Moms Shows Choosing Healthy Snacks is a Top Priority (press release)

Friday, August 26, 2005 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) Tags: childrens' health, health news, Natural News

https://www.naturalnews.com/011237.html

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Moms were next asked what is important to them when selecting snacks for their children. "It came as no surprise that taste, cost and convenience were considered somewhat or very important by over 90 percent of the moms we surveyed," said Bob Fisher, Director of Marketing for Knouse Foods, maker of the Musselman's line of apple sauce products. "We also found that over 80 percent felt nutritional value was important in selecting a snack, and over 60 percent felt reduced sugar was an important attribute."

Musselman's released the survey in conjunction with the launch of its new Sesame Street Fruit Flavored Apple Sauces, with 25 percent less sugar than regular apple sauce. As a licensee of Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization, Musselman's is proud that its new products support Sesame Workshop's Healthy Habits for Life initiative, which encourages young children and their caregivers to develop healthy eating, exercise, hygiene and other habits that can last a lifetime.

"Nearly all respondents felt that it is important for them to teach their children healthy eating habits. Today, educators, government agencies, non- profit organizations like Sesame Workshop and even the food industry are joining in that effort," Fisher observed. According to moms, the biggest challenge to getting children to eat healthy snacks is that kids don't like them as much as other high-sugar or high-fat snacks. The next challenge cited was advertising - kids see ads for other snacks and want those instead.

"We stand firmly with the folks at Sesame Workshop in our belief that the marketing messages we send out should not be targeted at kids, but instead, should support what today's moms are trying to do: provide healthy snacks that kids will love," said Fisher. In addition to having reduced sugar, Sesame Street apple sauce has no fat, no artificial flavors and is fortified with vitamin C and calcium. It comes in three kid-friendly flavors, Big Bird Green Apple, Elmo Cherry and Cookie Monster Grape, each featuring a favorite Sesame Street character. Musselman's also makes 4 oz. single serving apple sauce cups in regular, natural, organic, cinnamon, and six no-sugar-added varieties sweetened with Splenda.

"We are confident that today's moms know and appreciate the health benefits associated with apples and apple products," notes Fisher. "They are a vital source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber. They also continue to be a kid favorite." The survey asked moms what they thought about the nutritional value of eight name-brand snacks, and Musselman's received the highest overall ranking. Other brands perceived to provide nutritional value were Dannon and Dole.

Other consumer research studies support Musselman's findings that indicate convenient yet healthy snacking is a priority among most Americans of any age. A study performed by Chicago research firm, Mintel, showed that Americans eat 7.4 healthy snacks per week - at least one a day. And healthy snack sales reached $5.5 billion in 2003, up 41 percent since 1998.