General Mills is launching a brand of "gourmet-style" dinner sauce and crust mixes called "The Good Table."
It debuts at a time when the Golden Valley-based company and other packaged-food makers are struggling with a shift in consumer tastes away from more processed foods.
So, it's no big surprise to see the Good Table brand playing up its absence of high-fructose corn syrup, added monosodium glutamate and artificial colors and flavors.
The product is geared toward chicken and fish dishes and comes in four flavors: Parmesan & Herb, Southwest Tortilla, Thai Peanut (for chicken) and Lemon & Herb (for fish). The Good Table has two parts: a coating sauce to keep meat moist, and a crust mix with stuff such as crushed tortilla chips and tomato pieces.
The brand "deepens our commitment to following our consumers' tastes and interests, offering a nutritious way for consumers to make great-tasting, restaurant-style meals at home," said Michael Bortinger, the firm's associate marketing manager.
The Good Table products have a suggested retail price of $2.99, and are available at Wal-Mart and some other retailers nationwide. The new brand will be rolled out to more retailers in October, according to General Mills.
Mike Hughlett • 612-673-7003
