A study in the March 10, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that obesity was rapidly overtaking cigarette smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in this country. Millions of Americans (estimates suggest as many as 32 million) have turned to low-carbohydrate nutrition to combat this growing epidemic. "People have turned to a controlled-carbohydrate lifestyle for better long-term health," said Wiant. "Some food companies jumped on the low-carb bandwagon but turned a blind eye to the science behind this nutritional approach. They are doing a disservice to the American public."

Atkins Quick Quisine(TM) Pizza, which contains 70 to 80 percent fewer digestible grams of carbohydrates than traditional pizza, is the latest in a growing line of more than 200 low-carbohydrate foods and nutritional supplements from ANI. Available in three flavors -- Supreme, Smokehouse and Pepperoni -- each of the single-serving pizzas in the Atkins Quick Quisine(TM) Pizza line has only 11g Net Carbs*, contains more fiber and protein than traditional counterparts, and has no hydrogenated oil. The Supreme pizza is topped with Italian sausage, pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms, green and red peppers and onions. The Smokehouse variety is topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage and bacon.

Consumers will not only be able to find the Atkins Quick Quisine(TM) Pizza in supermarkets, but they will also have a choice while dining out. "Consumers who are following a controlled-carbohydrate program, such as Atkins, dine out as frequently as people who are not," said Mark Rodriguez, senior vice president for food service, Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. "With the help of Sara Lee's Foodservice Division, we equip foodservice operators with quality food for their patrons to enjoy away from home, without altering their lifestyle." Sara Lee Foodservice unveiled the Atkins branded pizzas during the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago May 22 to 24, 2004.