IRVING, Texas, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Hostess Brands, Inc., maker of America's most iconic bread brands, is partnering with the National Sodium Reduction Initiative (NSRI), as part of the company's continued efforts to reduce sodium levels in its bread portfolio, which includes Wonder®, Nature's Pride® and Merita®, among other brands.  In addition to having existing products meet NSRI's sodium reduction guidelines by 2012, new breads will be formulated with reduced sodium levels. 

As part of the company's commitment, Wonder Bread today will be featured on the "Halt the Salt" episode of the national, Emmy award winning daytime talk show, THE DOCTORS. Wonder became the first brand to take THE DOCTORS' "Halt the Salt" pledge and publicly commit to the NSRI guidelines for sodium reduction. Check local listings for show times.

"Hostess Brands is proud to join the NSRI program as part of the company's ongoing sodium reduction efforts," said Stephany Verstraete, Vice President of Bread Marketing at Hostess Brands, Inc.  "We know consumers are making healthier choices.  We want our brand brands to be among these choices and we are working hard to produce great tasting, healthier products from brands they know and trust."

NSRI is an unprecedented public-private partnership of more than 50 cities, states and health organizations established to help reduce sodium in foods by 20 percent over the next five years and improve the health of the American public.

Hostess Brands breads have a long history of providing nutritious options for American families and the company has already made significant strides as part of the current NSRI initiative.  Earlier this year, Hostess Brands introduced Wonder® Smartwhite®, a new bread with the taste and soft texture of white bread – but with the fiber of 100% whole wheat bread and one third less sodium than regular white breads. Wonder® Classic and Wonder® Made With Whole Grain White have also been reformulated with reduced sodium.

Nature's Pride, the only all natural bread brand to be available across the country, offers reduced sodium levels in all of its varieties.  

Also, this month, Merita, one of the most popular bread brands in the Southeast, introduced two new bread varieties that offer the great taste consumers love about Merita, but with more nutrition.  Merita® Smartwhite® provides more calcium, one third less sodium than regular white bread and nine vitamins and minerals all at 50 calories a slice. Merita® Made With Whole Grain White has eight grams of whole grains per serving, more calcium, less sodium than regular white bread and nine vitamins and minerals. Merita® Old Fashioned has been reformulated with less sodium, but still provides the same great taste.

About Hostess Brands, Inc:

Hostess® Brands, Inc. is one of the nation's largest providers of fresh-baked bread and sweet goods, sold under various brand names including Wonder®, Merita®, Home Pride, Nature's Pride®, Hostess®, Drake's®, and Dolly Madison. The Company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.  

For additional information about Hostess visit hostessbrands.com

SOURCE Hostess Brands, Inc.