New Foods Introduced to Replace “Bad Fats” with “Good Fats”

Consumers can follow prevalent health advice thanks to Mediterranean-style Creta Farms Gourmet EVOO Deli Meats™ – the nation’s only deli meats made with heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil.

Lansdale, PA. (May 2008) – With the unveiling of new studies debunking the 1990’s “low-fat” mantra, recent research from Harvard University corroborates the fact that it’s not solely the total amount of fat people eat that affects weight control and risk of some diseases, but it is the kind of fat they consume that matters.

“What is becoming clearer is that bad fats, meaning saturated and trans fats, increase the risk for certain diseases, while good fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, lower the risk,” reports Harvard’s School of Public Health. “The key is to substitute good fats for bad fats.”

One food company has mastered that formula with tasty results – introducing CRETA FARMS Gourmet EVOO Deli Meats – the nation’s only deli meats made with heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil. Popular for years throughout Europe, the EVOO deli meats are being introduced to the Philadelphia region, primarily through Acme Markets and local independent retailers, through a partnership between local business, Clemens Family Corporation and Creta Farm, Greece.

“My husband’s diabetic, so I’ve been cooking with extra virgin olive oil for almost 25 years,” says one woman who participated in recent taste tests of the first deli meat to bring incredible flavor and health benefits together in one bite. “It’s good for him and for our whole family, but taste is important, too. I like this and can’t taste the olive oil in the meat at all. It’s delicious.”

Using a unique process that’s been patented in 90 countries, much of the saturated fat is removed and replaced with EVOO. Beginning with hand-trimmed, premium lean meats, EVOO is carefully added in the preparation stage to allow absorption and distribution of the olive oil. To ensure that the premium lean meats are complemented with high quality EVOO, CRETA FARMS™ uses EVOO produced from the finest, high-altitude, hand-picked olives that are cold pressed within 24 hours of harvest to ensure consistency and freshness. This meticulous detail to product quality contributes to the taste, texture, and better-for-you properties attached to CRETA FARMS Gourmet EVOO Deli Meats.

“We are excited because we know the product is really going to connect with people,” says Wayne Marchant, president of CRETA FARMS U.S. “We’re combining the healthy flavors of the Mediterranean with the tasty traditions of the American deli.”

It’s a welcome addition for the many people who yearn to incorporate healthy items into their diet without giving up tastes and flavors. With the Mediterranean lifestyle becoming more common in the States, the new deli meats are capitalizing on food trends that are expected to persist.

“The trend for healthy diet and lifestyle continues to grow, with antioxidants, fatty acids and the concept of satiety for weight management still hitting the news,” writes Laura Crowley in a FoodNavigator.com report on 2008 food trends. “Mediterranean cuisine…will take on more of a fusion approach, incorporating ingredients and cooking styles of various specific countries.”

While EVOO has been made wildly popular in America by today’s leading chefs and television food personalities, researchers have long been captivated by the oil called “liquid gold” since its introduction to Greek life nearly 5,000 years ago. Yet it’s only been in recent years that scientists have been able to definitively prove just WHY it has stood the test of time as the healthiest of all oils.

Today, nutritionists recognize the oil as being an important saturated fat replacement, increasing good cholesterol and antioxidant compounds in the blood while boosting metabolism and delivering a delicate flavor to foods. EVOO contains monounsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids (considered “healing fats”), natural antioxidants and high-density lipoprotein (the “good cholesterol”). Studies have shown that people can reduce their risk of heart disease, gallstones and colon cancer by replacing saturated fats in their diet with monounsaturated fats. By consuming two tablespoons of olive oil a day, people can benefit from its healing attributes, lower their oxygenation levels of low-density lipoproteins (the “bad cholesterol”) and increase the antioxidant compounds in their blood.

The American Heart Association certifies all of the CRETA FARMS turkey, ham, and roast beef products heart-healthy. Even bologna – a favorite of children but usually the bane of parents’ attempts to stock the fridge with healthy fare – has gone gourmet, thanks to CRETA FARMS. Boasting lower saturated fat than typical beef or pork bolognas, the company’s authentically Mediterranean-seasoned bologna is an extra nutritious, antioxidant-rich alternative that people of any age can enjoy. By incorporating CRETA FARMS Gourmet EVOO Deli Meats into their diet, families can start living healthier lives while still enjoying the great taste of premium deli meats.

“We know many of our customers are looking for ways to incorporate heart-healthy ingredients like extra virgin olive oil into their meals,” says Judy Spires, president of Acme Markets, which will feature extensive product sampling to accompany the launch at its stores. “The CRETA FARMS Gourmet EVOO Deli Meats are a delicious way for them to fulfill that desire without sacrificing taste. We’re proud to add this new product to our deli cases.”