9/21/2005    New Vacuum Food Sealers Bring Hottest Restaurant Cooking Trend - Sous Vide - Into The Home
Milford, Mass. (September 8, 2005) – It’s all the rage at top restaurants, and now you can try it at home. Simply put, sous vide translates to “under vacuum,” a new way of infusing flavor. And to help you get started there’s a new generation of Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealers that make it easy to bring the benefits of sous vide cooking right to your kitchen table!

The sous vide cooking technique originated in France and begins by vacuum sealing food with seasonings, such as oil or spices, in an air-tight bag. By removing the air with a vacuum food sealer, the pores of the food are opened and flavor from the seasonings are absorbed more quickly and more intensely, enhancing flavor. The sealed bag is then placed into water and cooked at lower temperatures for a longer period of time, pulling flavors into the food and keeping it moist throughout the cooking process. Sous vide is great for sealing in flavor, texture and nutritional value when cooking a variety of meats and vegetables—and because you cook at lower temperatures you’ll never overcook your food! Using a vacuum sealed bag means less mess, so clean-up is a snap!

Certain foods do not need to be cooked to achieve the enhanced flavor and texture accomplished by using a vacuum food sealer alone. Place your favorite fruit, like watermelon, peaches or pineapple, in a vacuum sealed bag with aromatic spices or flavored syrup and store the bag in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to eat. Using a vacuum sealer is a great way to enhance the flavor of a variety of cold foods, such as fresh vegetables and cheeses like marinated fresh mozzarella.

Try sous vide at home!

Earlier this year, Rival® Seal-a-Meal® introduced a new line of vacuum food sealers designed to
make home use easier than ever. In addition to enhancing flavor through sous vide, vacuum food sealers are an ideal way to store make-ahead meals, leftovers and groceries. The new line of

Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealers help keep stored food fresher up to five times longer, sealing
in flavor and nutritional value. Vacuum sealing is a great way to save time and money by buying in bulk or preparing make-ahead meals. For healthier portion control, simply measure and seal just the right amount. Keep summer fruits and vegetables fresh into the colder winter months, and easily store leftovers from your holiday feasts.

For more information on vacuum sealing, including recipes and tips, please visit www.seal-a-meal.com.

For Media Inquiries or More Information Contact:

Carrie Kocik, 360 Public Relations LLC
Ph: 617-585-5775
Email: ckocik@360publicrelations.com

PR Team, The Holmes Group, Inc.
Email:PRTeam@theholmesgroup.com


JCS/THG, LLC doing business as The Holmes Group, Inc, a fully integrated consumer products company, located in Milford, MA, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for Home Environment, Kitchen, and Lighting. With well-known brands such as: Bionaire®; Crock-Pot®; FamilyCare®; Holmes®; MasterGlow®; Patton®; Rival®; Seal-a-Meal® and White Mountain®; continuously develops, manufactures and distributes innovative, high quality products to meet consumer demands.


9/21/2005    No More "Mystery Meat"! Rival® Seal-a-Meal® Offers 10 Tips For Keeping Food Fresher And Safer
Milford, Mass. (September 1, 2005) – September is National Food Safety Education Month®* and a good time to think about food safety at home. Taking precautions during cooking and clean-up are very important, but it’s also important to store food properly. Often, food-related illness strikes when food is stored improperly, whether the food is leftover or fresh from the store.

“Air is food’s biggest enemy when it comes to safety and freshness. When storing food, an airtight seal helps prevent the growth of certain bacteria that can cause food to spoil or get moldy, while at the same time helping preserve freshness and nutritional value,” said Martin Starr, PhD, science advisor to Rival® Seal-a-Meal®. “The Seal-a-Meal® system allows you to remove the air from bags and canisters to create an airtight seal when storing food at home, making it an ideal way to keep food fresher and safer longer. In fact, using a vacuum sealer helps keep food fresher up to five times longer than traditional wraps and bags, and can help maintain the taste and nutritional value of stored food.”

Following are 10 tips for safer food storage:

1. What’s for dinner? Plan ahead and try to buy fresh raw meat, poultry or seafood no more than one or two days before you eat them. Buy only the freshest food and, if you don’t get to it in time, freeze for safe long-term storage. And remember to always check the expiration date to ensure the product is still fresh before freezing.

2. No more mystery meat! Label and date foods as you store them so you can easily reference what you have stored and how long foods have been in the fridge or freezer.

3. Chill out. Never let food thaw at room temperature - put it in the refrigerator or in cold water instead. Allow approximately one day for every 5 pounds of frozen fish, meat or poultry you need to thaw.

4. Get the air out. Use a vacuum food sealer, such as the Seal-a-Meal® system. An air tight seal helps prevent the growth of certain bacteria that can cause food to spoil or get moldy, while at the same time helping preserve freshness and nutritional value.

5. Are you going to eat that? Freezer burn happens when air surrounds food and causes the release of moisture. Food with freezer burn may be safe to eat but has lost much of its nutritional value, flavor and texture. The best way to avoid moisture and freezer burn is with an air tight seal.

6. Eyes bigger than your stomach? Store food in convenient portion sizes. This helps the waistline and is also a great way to ensure foods safely cool down for storage and re-heat for eating in the shortest amount of time.
7. Stay cool. The refrigerator should be no higher than 40 degrees and the freezer should always be below 0 degrees.
8. Hot and steamy! As a rule of thumb when reheating leftovers or make-ahead meals, heat them to 175 degrees throughout for 15 seconds.

9. Do you want a doggy bag? Promptly refrigerate leftovers. Perishable cooked foods should not stay at room temperature longer than two hours.

10. Blanch, blanch baby. Certain fresh vegetables should be blanched before they are stored. Blanching cleans off dirt and organisms that could cause the food to lose its flavor and texture.

Seal-a-Meal® has a new line of vacuum food sealers and accessories available in stores now. The new Seal-a-Meal® product line includes the first cordless vacuum food sealer available, as well as a Soft Seal™ Variable Vacuum Control feature for sealing delicate foods such as bagels, cookies and muffins. Seal-a-Meal® also offers a space-saving compact vacuum food sealer ideal for conserving valuable counter space.

More information on vacuum sealing stored foods is available at www.seal-a-meal.com. The new family of Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealers and accessories is now available at major retailers.

*Created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) International Food Safety Council.

For Media Inquiries or More Information Contact:

Carrie Kocik, 360 Public Relations LLC
Ph: 617-585-5775
Email: ckocik@360publicrelations.com

PR Team, The Holmes Group, Inc.
Email: PRTeam@theholmesgroup.com


JCS-THG, LLC doing business as The Holmes Group, Inc, a fully integrated consumer products company, located in Milford, MA, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for Home Environment, Kitchen, and Lighting. With well-known brands such as: Bionaire®; Crock-Pot®; FamilyCare®; Holmes®; MasterGlow®; Patton®; Rival®; Seal-a Meal® and White Mountain®; continuously develops, manufactures and distributes innovative, high quality products to meet consumer demands.



8/8/2005    RIVAL® SEAL-A-MEAL® OFFERS 10 TIPS FOR KEEPING FOOD FRESHER AND SAFER LONGER
Milford, Mass. (August 8, 2005) – September is National Food Safety Education Month®* and a good time to think about food safety at home. Taking precautions during cooking and clean-up are very important, but it’s also important to store food properly. Often, food-related illness strikes when food is stored improperly, whether the food is leftover or fresh from the store.

“Air is food’s biggest enemy when it comes to safety and freshness. When storing food, an airtight seal helps prevent the growth of certain bacteria that can cause food to spoil or get moldy, while at the same time helping preserve freshness and nutritional value,” said Martin Starr, PhD, science advisor to Rival® Seal-a-Meal®. “The Seal-a-Meal® system allows you to remove the air from bags and canisters to create an airtight seal when storing food at home, making it an ideal way to keep food fresher and safer longer. In fact, using a vacuum sealer helps keep food fresher up to five times longer than traditional wraps and bags, and can help maintain the taste and nutritional value of stored food.”

Following are 10 tips for safer food storage:

1. What’s for dinner? Plan ahead and try to buy fresh raw meat, poultry or seafood no more than one or two days before you eat them. Buy only the freshest food and, if you don’t get to it in time, freeze for safe long-term storage. And remember to always check the expiration date to ensure the product is still fresh before freezing.

2. No more mystery meat! Label and date foods as you store them so you can easily reference what you have stored and how long foods have been in the fridge or freezer.

3. Chill out. Never let food thaw at room temperature - put it in the refrigerator or in cold water instead. Allow approximately one day for every 5 pounds of frozen fish, meat or poultry you need to thaw.

4. Get the air out. Use a vacuum food sealer, such as the Seal-a-Meal® system. An air tight seal helps prevent the growth of certain bacteria that can cause food to spoil or get moldy, while at the same time helping preserve freshness and nutritional value.

5. Are you going to eat that? Freezer burn happens when air surrounds food and causes the release of moisture. Food with freezer burn may be safe to eat but has lost much of its nutritional value, flavor and texture. The best way to avoid moisture and freezer burn is with an air tight seal.

6. Eyes bigger than your stomach? Store food in convenient portion sizes. This helps the waistline and is also a great way to ensure foods safely cool down for storage and re-heat for eating in the shortest amount of time.
7. Stay cool. The refrigerator should be no higher than 40 degrees and the freezer should always be below 0 degrees.
8. Hot and steamy! As a rule of thumb when reheating leftovers or make-ahead meals, heat them to 175 degrees throughout for 15 seconds.

9. Do you want a doggy bag? Promptly refrigerate leftovers. Perishable cooked foods should not stay at room temperature longer than two hours.

10. Blanch, blanch baby. Certain fresh vegetables should be blanched before they are stored. Blanching cleans off dirt and organisms that could cause the food to lose its flavor and texture.


Seal-a-Meal® has a new line of vacuum food sealers and accessories available in stores now. The new Seal-a-Meal® product line includes the first cordless vacuum food sealer available, as well as a Soft Seal™ Variable Vacuum Control feature for sealing delicate foods such as bagels, cookies and muffins. Seal-a-Meal® also offers a space-saving compact vacuum food sealer, ideal for conserving valuable counter space.

More information on vacuum sealing stored foods is available at www.seal-a-meal.com. The new family of Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealers and accessories is now available at major retailers.

*Created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) International Food Safety Council.

For Media Inquiries or More Information Contact:

Carrie Kocik, 360 Public Relations LLC
Ph: 617-585-5775
Email: ckocik@360publicrelations.com

For Public Relations contact:
PRteam@theholmesgroup.com

For Customer Service contact:
Customerservice@theholmesgroup.com


JCS-THG, LLC doing business as The Holmes Group, Inc, a fully integrated consumer products company, located in Milford, MA, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for Home Environment, Kitchen, and Lighting. With well-known brands such as: Bionaire®; Crock-Pot®; FamilyCare®; Holmes®; MasterGlow®; Patton®; Rival®; Seal-a Meal® and White Mountain®; continuously develops, manufactures and distributes innovative, high quality products to meet consumer demands.



8/8/2005    SEAL-A-MEAL® LAUNCHES A FRESH IDENTITY
The Seal-a-Meal® brand is launching to retail this spring a new brand identity, new packaging and a broader product assortment featuring new to the market technology, consumer-friendly features and a broad array of relevant accessories. The launch will be supported by a year long integrated marketing campaign including a redesigned website, offering tips to consumers on the many uses of Seal-a-Meal® brand products.

The new look of the Seal-a-Meal® brand includes a strong logo that conveys its brand positioning with a new tagline, Air Out. Freshness In.™. Newly designed packaging features fresh, colorful foods which further help communicate to the consumer the benefits of vacuum sealing.

“We believe in the tremendous value that Seal-a-Meal® products provide consumers and we have invested in educating prospective users on the benefits of using these products to preserve the taste and nutritional value of their stored foods,” states Larry Kahn, Marketing Manager, Seal-a-Meal® brand. “In doing so, we have re-launched the brand via a new identity, packaging and a system of products that provide modern designs and “first to market” technology geared to making vacuum sealing easier and open to more uses than ever before.”

The next generation of Seal-a-Meal® vacuum food sealers introduces the first cord/cordless product available on the market today in the VS125 series. With price points ranging from $99.99-$129.99, this series features the new
Lock ‘n Seal™ Nozzle System and includes a contemporary new look available in a range of finishes. The innovative technology provides an option to use the product in the kitchen, on-the-go, or with a 12V Car Charger Adapter, offering consumers ease and flexibility and providing retailers a better value for their shelf space.

The core of the new line, the VS120 series, includes a patented Soft Seal™ Variable Vacuum feature for sealing delicate foods, the Lock ‘n Seal™ Nozzle System, and an Integrated Bag Roller. Available in white, black, silver and chrome, this series will be available at price points ranging from $69.99-$79.99.

With the expansion of the Seal-a-Meal® line, a family of new Accessories has been added to round out the product offering. Included are the Minute Marinating Canister™ (VSMK1) which reduces marinating time from hours to minutes; Bottle Stoppers (VSWB3) to keep oils, wine and other non-carbonated liquids fresh longer; new and improved Round Canisters (VSA3-R) that are easy to use, stackable and come in a set of three sizes; and an independent Bag Roll Holder and Cutter (VSBR) that can be wall mounted for convenient storage and use.

The new family of Seal-a-Meal® vacuum food sealers and accessories will be available at various retail channels beginning in April/May 2005.

For Public Relations contact:
PRteam@theholmesgroup.com

For Customer Service contact:
Customerservice@theholmesgroup.com


JCS-THG, LLC doing business as The Holmes Group, Inc, a fully integrated consumer products company, located in Milford, MA, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for Home Environment, Kitchen, and Lighting. With well-known brands such as: Bionaire®; Crock-Pot®; FamilyCare®; Holmes®; MasterGlow®; Patton®; Rival®; Seal-a Meal® and White Mountain®; continuously develops, manufactures and distributes innovative, high quality products to meet consumer demands.


8/8/2005    THE NEW MUST- HAVE KITCHEN APPLIANCE FOR BUSY MOMS
Milford, Mass. (March 21, 2005) – Today's busy parents need help keeping food fresh! According to a new survey commissioned by the makers of the Rival® Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Storage System, moms are interested in a better way to store food - to be able to save time by preparing make-ahead meals for use during their hectic weeks, and to keep groceries fresher longer.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of moms surveyed would be willing to spend a little extra time on the weekend preparing and storing meals to cut down on the amount of time they spend in the kitchen during the week. Still, many moms make multiple trips to the market and spend their nights in the kitchen because they want to serve fresh-tasting meals. Now there is a better way! Nearly all of moms surveyed (77%) said they would use a vacuum food sealer to store make-ahead meals and groceries if they knew it would keep food fresher longer, and help retain the original taste and nutrition of meals they serve their families.

Half of moms surveyed were surprised to learn that food stored in conventional wraps and bags loses flavor and nutritional benefits over time, primarily as a result of excess air surrounding the food. Vacuum sealing works by removing all of the air in each vacuum package to seal in nutrition and flavor, so moms don’t have to worry about freezer burn or spoilage. Compared with other common storage methods, food stored with a vacuum food sealer has been found to stay fresher up to five times longer! Prolonging the freshness of the foods moms cook and buy means more free time, better tasting food and less waste.

For busy moms, help is on the way!

This spring, Seal-a-Meal® will introduce its new line of vacuum food sealers and accessories. The new Seal-a-Meal® product line will include the first cordless vacuum food sealer available, as well as a Soft Seal™ Variable Vacuum Control feature for sealing delicate foods such as bagels, cookies and muffins. Seal-a-Meal® will also offer a space-saving compact vacuum food sealer, and a unique Minute Marinating Canister™ that cuts marinade time from hours to as little as 20 minutes.

“Vacuum sealing is a time-saver, a money-saver and, most importantly, a way to preserve the original taste and nutrition of foods,” said Larry Kahn, Marketing Manager, Seal-a-Meal® brand. “The Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Storage System is the must-have kitchen appliance for parents on the go.”

The new family of Seal-a-Meal® vacuum food sealers and accessories will be available at retail stores beginning later this spring.

Survey Methodology
Survey results are based on telephone interviews with a representative sample of 500 women aged 25 to 54, including 268 moms. Opinion Research Corp.’s Caravan conducted telephone interviews between March 3 and March 7, 2005. The margin of error is approximately plus or minus four-percent.
For more information and product images please contact:

Carrie Kocik, Laura Tomasetti & Associates
Ph: 617-367-6655 x3081
Email: ckocik@tomasettipr.com

For Public Relations contact:
PRteam@theholmesgroup.com

For Customer Service contact:
Customerservice@theholmesgroup.com

JCS-THG, LLC doing business as The Holmes Group, Inc, a fully integrated consumer products company, located in Milford, MA, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for Home Environment, Kitchen, and Lighting. With well-known brands such as: Bionaire®; Crock-Pot®; FamilyCare®; Holmes®; MasterGlow®; Patton®; Rival®; Seal-a Meal® and White Mountain®; continuously develops, manufactures and distributes innovative, high quality products to meet consumer demands.

Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Crock-Pot®, Soft Seal™, and Minute Marinating Canister™ are trademarks

5/9/2005    THE NEW MUST- HAVE KITCHEN APPLIANCE FOR BUSY MOMS!
Milford, Mass. (March 21, 2005) – Today's busy parents need help keeping food fresh! According to a new survey commissioned by the makers of the Rival® Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Storage System, moms are interested in a better way to store food - to be able to save time by preparing make-ahead meals for use during their hectic weeks, and to keep groceries fresher longer.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of moms surveyed would be willing to spend a little extra time on the weekend preparing and storing meals to cut down on the amount of time they spend in the kitchen during the week. Still, many moms make multiple trips to the market and spend their nights in the kitchen because they want to serve fresh-tasting meals. Now there is a better way! Nearly all of moms surveyed (77%) said they would use a vacuum food sealer to store make-ahead meals and groceries if they knew it would keep food fresher longer, and help retain the original taste and nutrition of meals they serve their families.

Half of moms surveyed were surprised to learn that food stored in conventional wraps and bags loses flavor and nutritional benefits over time, primarily as a result of excess air surrounding the food. Vacuum sealing works by removing all of the air in each vacuum package to seal in nutrition and flavor, so moms don’t have to worry about freezer burn or spoilage. Compared with other common storage methods, food stored with a vacuum food sealer has been found to stay fresher up to five times longer! Prolonging the freshness of the foods moms cook and buy means more free time, better tasting food and less waste.
-more-
For busy moms, help is on the way!

This spring, Seal-a-Meal® will introduce its new line of vacuum food sealers and accessories. The new Seal-a-Meal® product line will include the first cordless vacuum food sealer available, as well as a Soft Seal™ Variable Vacuum Control feature for sealing delicate foods such as bagels, cookies and muffins. Seal-a-Meal® will also offer a space-saving compact vacuum food sealer, and a unique Minute Marinating Canister™ that cuts marinade time from hours to as little as 20 minutes.

“Vacuum sealing is a time-saver, a money-saver and, most importantly, a way to preserve the original taste and nutrition of foods,” said Larry Kahn, Marketing Manager, Seal-a-Meal® brand. “The Seal-a-Meal® Vacuum Food Storage System is the must-have kitchen appliance for parents on the go.”

The new family of Seal-a-Meal® vacuum food sealers and accessories will be available at retail stores beginning later this spring.

Survey Methodology
Survey results are based on telephone interviews with a representative sample of 500 women aged 25 to 54, including 268 moms. Opinion Research Corp.’s Caravan conducted telephone interviews between March 3 and March 7, 2005. The margin of error is approximately plus or minus four-percent.
For more information and product images please contact:

Carrie Kocik, Laura Tomasetti & Associates
Ph: 617-367-6655 x3081
Email: ckocik@tomasettipr.com

Lori Klein, The Holmes Group, Inc.
Ph: 508-422-1553
Email: lklein@theholmesgroup.com

Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Crock-Pot®, Soft Seal™, and Minute Marinating Canister™ are trademarks of The Holmes Group, Inc.