CHICAGO – Sara Lee Premium Meats received a makeover, and Hillshire Brands is rolling out improved product formulations and redesigned packaging.

The improved product formulations mean that Sara Lee Premium Meats turkey, chicken and ham deli meats now comply with American Heart Association criteria for heart healthy food as part of an overall healthy diet. Product packaging will bear the HeartCheck logo.

“In listening to our consumers, we know they are looking for great taste but also want to understand what goes into the products they are purchasing,” said Joe O’Malley, director, Sara Lee Premium Meats. “With the recent steps we’ve taken to improve our deli meats, we’re providing consumers with heart-healthy options that have the fresh, delicious flavor that they have come to expect and nothing more.

Sara Lee Premium Meats has taken additional steps to further improve and build upon these products, according to the company. Its sliced-to-order turkey, ham and chicken products now contain:

• No added hormones
• Zero grams trans fat
• No MSG
• No gluten
• No fillers
• No artificial flavors

Changes in the product formulations represent a new direction for the Sara Lee Premium Meats brand. Innovations include a new logo, packaging and point-of-sale materials on its sliced-to-order deli meats. The packaging will bear a redesigned logo with a striking ribbon graphic wrapped around the product. A consumer web site, www.saraleedeli.com, will offer consumers detailed product information and recipes.

Sara Lee Premium Meats are available in 29 varieties. The average cost of Sara Lee Premium sliced-to-order deli meat is $6.49-$8.99 per lb., which varies by product and/or geographic region.