June 9, 2004:
Kraft Foods and Dr. Arthur Agatston Form Alliance

On June 9, 2004, Kraft Foods Inc. announced that it signed an agreement forming an alliance with Dr. Arthur Agatston, cardiologist and creator of the South Beach Diet™. As the deal develops, we will post the details on the site. Here's the latest information from a Kraft press release:

Kraft, which markets many of the world's leading food brands, including Kraft cheese, Maxwell House and Jacobs coffees, Philadelphia cream cheese, Oscar Mayer meats, Boca products, Balance bars, and Post cereals in more than 150 countries, will use the South Beach Diet™ trademark to promote some Kraft products that can be used by people following the South Beach Diet™ program. In addition, Kraft and Agatston will advance their mutual goals of helping people eat and live better through nutrition research at the Agatston Research Institute, which the company will help support.

"With 64% of adults in the U.S. considered overweight and 46% on some form of diet last year, we are looking for innovative new ways to make weight management easier and more enjoyable," said Lance Friedmann, Senior Vice President, Global Health & Wellness. "Dr. Agatston's lifestyle approach to weight management — along with his focus on increasing whole grains and vegetables while lowering saturated and trans fat in the diet — are consistent with Kraft's commitment to improved nutrition. Given the continuing popularity of the South Beach Diet™ and healthful eating in general, we will use the South Beach Diet™ trademark as a flag on certain Kraft products to identify some convenient, great-tasting food choices that fit within the doctor's recommendations."

"My goal is to change the way America eats," said Dr. Agatston. "I look forward to working with Kraft, one of America's most trusted companies and brands, to help achieve this together."