New Jersey-based company FACT announced this week that its first retail client, Western Bagel Baking of California, has launched bagels containing its Healthy Lifestyle premix ingredient on the US market.
The FACT ingredient replaces conventional digestible carbohydrate in the new high fiber Alternative Bagels which are available in two flavors - Country White and Roasted Onion. They are on sale both at Western Bagel's California stores and through food retailer Albertson's in Southern California.
Market tests are also planned at selected supermarket chain Publix stores, and Western Bagel expects the product to be available in other California stores and elsewhere over the next two months.
Jacqueline Danforth, FACT president, said the Healthy Lifestyle premix offers great taste and texture as well as better nutritional quality through increased fiber and reduced calories and digestible carbohydrates. "Besides the weight reduction benefits, our healthy alternative bagel premix is beneficial for people with chronic digestive disorders and diabetes," added Danforth.
Western Bagel's marketing director Corie Ustin said that they company had had a high demand from consumers for reduced carbohydrate products and the FACT product was selected for its taste. "Besides the reduction in carbs and calories for diet conscious individuals, the Alternative Bagel provides other health benefits which should open the door to a whole new category of consumers with restricted diets," she said.
Western Bagel has national and international distribution under the Western Bagel and other brand names.