Burke Corporation Announces New Natural Meat Topping Line

Four Fully-Cooked Meat Products Introduced Under New NaturaSelect Brand

Nevada, IA - Burke Corporation, an industry leader in fully-cooked meat products, announced the launch of its NaturaSelect brand which features a natural line of four fully-cooked meat toppings: Italian sausage, seasoned ground beef, sliced Canadian-style bacon and pepperoni. NaturaSelect products are made from premium-quality, natural fresh pork and beef and are minimally processed, with no artificial ingredients used.

The pork and beef are raised without the use of antibiotics and fed natural feeds; additionally the beef is raised without growth hormones. No nitrites or nitrates are added to the Canadian-style bacon or pepperoni. All products in this new line are fully cooked to reduce labor and training costs and quick-frozen to maintain freshness and shelf life.

"Interest in natural and organic foods in the U.S. seems to be exploding," says Liz Hertz, Burke marketing manager. "Once a niche market, this category is moving into the main stream—everyday foods for everyday people. Consumers now expect to find natural foods not only as ingredients in specialty aisles, but also on restaurant menus and in frozen prepared foods. The food industry is working diligently to satisfy customers' desire for a natural choice."

According to the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), about two-thirds of consumers regularly used natural foods and 40 percent used organic foods in 2004.

"Burke Corporation is pleased to offer restaurants and manufacturers this high-quality, natural alternative," said Hertz. "Our NaturaSelect line will provide the same great taste, consistency and convenience Burke's fully-cooked meats are known for, but with the added benefit of being natural."

NaturaSelect products are ideal for menu applications and frozen prepared foods where a natural choice is important -- pizza, pasta, appetizers, soups, sandwiches, and casseroles. The meat is packaged in ten pound cases for foodservice. Bulk packaging and private label are also available.

SOURCE: Burke Corporation