Spread it around

Prepared Foods, June, 2002 by Claudia D. O'Donnell

Spectrum Naturals, Petaluma, Calif., and omega fatty acids have been a winning combination for some time. Organic vinaigrette salad dressings in balsamic, ginger-garlic and raspberry were introduced back in 1999 in the U.S., with a similar line turning up in the U.K. in 2000. The source is flax oil.

More recently, "omega mayonnaise" has been hitting retail shelves. Spectrum Naturals introduced Organic Omega-3 Mayonnaise (shown here), "which helps provide consumers with the essential fatty acid omega-3, a nutrient that is essential to the body and must be obtained from outside food sources' claims the company. A 16-fl.-oz. container retails for $4.99 at health food stores nationwide.

The GNPD noted that Heart Beat Foods, Div. GFA Brands, Inc., Cresskill, N.J., introduced Smart Balance Light mayonnaise in March of this year. The label notes that the "right balance of fats helps improve cholesterol ratio." It claims half the fat and calories of regular mayonnaise, is fortified with vitamin E and--retailing at $2.39 for a 16-fl.-oz. glass jar--is also less than half the price. The omega-3s are likely from the canola and/or soy oil, as no other primary sources are mentioned.

www.smartbalance.com/main.html

www.spectrumnaturals.com