Shelf-stable, microwaveable meals are ready to eat in 90 seconds

Nov. 19, 2008

While work days are getting longer, shoppers seem to have less and less time to eat lunch. According to the Mintel report, Lunchtime Eating, 30 percent of all consumers report having less than 15 minutes for lunch on a typical weekday. In fact, 35 percent of workers sometimes skip lunch.

Created for a healthy lifestyle, Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods rolls out Hormel Compleats. These convenient, portable, shelf-stable, microwaveable complete meals are ready to eat in 90 seconds.

Varieties include: Beef Steak & Peppers, in a savory sauce over noodles; Home-Style Beef, with mashed potatoes and gravy; Santa Fe Style Chicken, with rice, black beans and roasted corn; and Sesame Chicken, with Oriental vegetables and pasta.

They meet USDA guidelines for a “healthy lifestyle” and have less than 320 calories, less than 10 grams of fat, less than three grams of saturated fat, zero grams of trans fats, 600mg or less of sodium and include fiber, protein and vitamins.