Splenda Earns Prestigious American Culinary Federation Seal Of Approval

The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), the nation's premier organization for professional chefs and cooks, has awarded SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener for High Volume Use, made by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, Fort Washington, Pa., its prestigious Seal of Approval. The product was submitted for extensive testing and was approved by members of ACF's Seal of Approval committee, effective April 7, 2011.

"We are thrilled to have earned our second American Culinary Federation Seal of Approval for SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener products," says Carol Ewing, SPLENDA director of marketing at Diamond Crystal Brands, Inc. "SPLENDA pouches for high-volume beverages make our popular tabletop sweetener conveniently available for no-sugar offerings of sweet tea, lemonade and many signature beverages. It is an honor to receive ACF's endorsement of this product, its quality and menu applications."

Keith Davis, CEC, AAC, chair of the ACF Seal of Approval committee, applied the organization's rigorous testing criteria to the product, which comes in a larger package designed specifically for back-of-house and vending applications. The committee evaluated the product's physical performance, performance when various cooking methods were applied, adaptability, and accuracy of labels and marketing materials.

"The products were tested using a variety of fresh fruit preparations, a variety of sweetened beverages and assorted desserts and baked items, and passed all of our committee's standards for excellence," said Davis. "ACF is proud to award SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener for High Volume Use our Seal of Approval."

The ACF Seal of Approval program offers foodservice manufacturers the opportunity to have products endorsed by the premier organization of professional chefs in the U.S. Unlike other entities that offer tasting endorsements only, the ACF Seal requires extensive product testing and evaluation. After three years, ACF determines if the product needs to be retested.

About the American Culinary Federation
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members in 225 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org.


About SPLENDA
Diamond Crystal Brands, Inc., a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation, headquartered in Savannah, Ga., is a foodservice manufacturer and supplier of branded and private label dry packaged food products. Our state of the art production facilities manufacture sugar packets, sugar and non-dairy creamer canisters, salt and pepper packets, dry blended savory products, dessert mixes, drink mixes, salt and pepper shakers and sugar substitutes. Diamond Crystal Brands also markets SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, the No. 1 sugar alternative in the country. Diamond Crystal Brands is also a leading manufacturer of liquid portion condiments, including salad dressings, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup and jellies. Additionally, the Hormel Health Labs line of products, consisting of foods, beverages and specialty items, is marketed, targeting the healthcare market.