In celebration of the U.S canned tuna industry’s 100th anniversary Bumble Bee has expanded its distribution of Prime Fillet Solid White Albacore, according to the company: “the new gold standard in canned tunaâ€, to supermarkets across the country.
Bumble Bee’s canned tuna's new gold label, introduced earlier this year in markets along the East Coast, is now available to consumers throughout the USA as a tribute to 100 years of an American household favorite. And already the product is hailed as the gourmet-style, affordable tuna that will encourage more domestic consumption over popular international labels. It is available in most U.S supermarkets nationwide. The suggested retail price is $1.99 per six-ounce can.
Produced by Bumble Bee Seafoods, North America's leading canned seafood provider and number one canned albacore producer, Prime Fillet is a superior tuna product consisting of the finest grade of hand-selected solid white albacore packed only in water.
Prime Fillet, which initially was tested in markets along the East Coast from Maine to Florida, is now available to consumers in supermarkets throughout the United States.
"We wanted to introduce an exceptional quality product during the 100th anniversary year of our industry. So, we began this process in early 2003 with a regional introduction of Prime Fillet on the East Coast of the U.S., where there is generally higher albacore consumption," said Christopher D. Lischewski, president and CEO of Bumble Bee Seafoods. "The response was fantastic and feedback showed us that East Coast consumers loved Prime Fillet. When demand increased, including from consumers residing in other regions, we opted to celebrate the industry's 100th birthday by making our gold-level product available throughout the country this year."
He continued, "Within the first four months of being introduced on the East Coast, Prime Fillet has grown to a four percent share of overall solid white albacore sales."
Lischewski is optimistic of acceptance in new, expanded markets. "We are confident that consumers across America will be receptive to Bumble Bee Prime Fillet because it's such a high-quality, gourmet canned tuna -- a concept that's regaining popularity here -- which also is affordable. International labels have been very popular in the U.S., but they can cost $10 a can or more. With Prime Fillet, consumers have a reasonably priced, domestic choice and the chance to more frequently enjoy premium, gourmet-style canned tuna."
He added, "Consumers are inclined toward nutritious, high-quality alternatives to convenience foods and Bumble Bee Prime Fillet meets this need. Its superior quality and taste means it can be enjoyed without adding high-calorie mixing ingredients."
The albacore product is rich in protein, providing many of the same health benefits as fresh fish. With only 70 calories per serving, the product also is high in Vitamin B.
According to Lischewski, the quality of its company’s product is unparalleled in the U.S. market. "There are various tuna products that are labeled 'packed in water,' but in actuality they contain a combination of water and vegetable broth as a flavor enhancer. Because Bumble Bee Prime Fillet contains only the finest grade of albacore, water and a little salt, it doesn't need to be flavored with vegetable broth. With the absence of vegetable broth, consumers are assured of more tuna packed into every can."
Bumble Bee Prime Fillet is packaged in a unique high-gloss gold and black can that helps to differentiate it on supermarket shelves. "We purposely adopted the European-style can, which is actually upside down, with lithographic printing directly on the can, not a wrapped label," Lischewski noted. "This style of packaging supports the product's 'premium gold' quality and positioning. In a sense, it also denotes how Bumble Bee is turning the tuna industry upside down to the benefit of the consumer."
Source : Bumble Bee Press Release