Red Lobster Launches New Fresh Fish Initiative ORLANDO, Fla., May 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Red Lobster unveiled Thursday a new national menu that features fresh fish in a variety of succulent new preparations. The changes represent Red Lobster's biggest emphasis on fresh fish in its 34-year history and come amid growing evidence that eating fresh fish may have positive health benefits as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol "The new Red Lobster menu features larger portions of fresh fish, select cuts and new dishes. The dishes emphasize bold flavors highlighting Asian, Italian and Southwestern cuisines. "We want Red Lobster to be known as the place for the highest-quality, freshest fish," said Red Lobster President Edna Morris. "Our fresh fish entrees are generously portioned, prepared in traditional and creative new ways." Growing scientific evidence Last month, health experts reported two long -term studies that showed that people in those studies reduced their risk of heart attack and heart disease by eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The extensive studies drew their conclusions from long-term research involving tens of thousands of men and women. A study in The New England Journal of Medicine on April 11 reported that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are strongly associated with a reduced risk of sudden death among men who had no prior evidence of heart disease. Another study in the Journal of the American Medical Association on April 10 reported that among women, higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. The researchers found that the more frequently a woman ate fish, the less likely she was to suffer a heart attack or to die of any cardiac cause. Prior to this most recent research, the FDA evaluated available scientific data and concluded that the evidence about whether omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease was suggestive but not conclusive. While the agency has not yet authorized any definitive guidance about the possible role diets rich in fish may have in reducing heart disease, the American Heart Association has added the recommendation to eat fish two times per week to their heart-healthy guidelines. The most recent studies were reported on top of a growing body of scientific evidence that eating fish regularly can have major health benefits. Health experts say an excellent way to get omega-3 fatty acids is by eating fish such as salmon or trout. These species are also a good source of protein and do not contain the high saturated fat levels found in fatty meat products, according to the American Heart Association. Other varieties of fish, such as grouper and tilapia, are low in calories, total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and are high in vitamins and minerals. Buying power Red Lobster, which is the world's largest casual dining seafood company, is among the largest purchasers of seafood in the world, purchasing about 100 million pounds every year. The company has used its purchasing scale to buy the freshest seafood from suppliers and to create specifications across the globe for larger, thicker portions of fresh fish for both lunch and dinner. "Every day and at every restaurant, guests will be able to get different types of fresh fish -- such as salmon, trout, grouper and tilapia," said John Altomare, senior vice president of Operations and Menu Development for Red Lobster. "And they will be able to dine on a variety of superb preparations. We know that guest increasingly want simple, elegant preparations with bold flavors. They'll get that at Red Lobster." Fish will arrive at more than 660 Red Lobsters across North America fresh and never frozen. Bold flavors, fresh herbs Red Lobster has added five new fresh fish preparations -- to be offered as manager's specials. The preparations highlight bold flavors, fresh herbs and produce including:

* Sesame ginger seared fresh fish with Asian vegetables and noodles that highlights the growing popularity of Asian cuisine. It features fresh snow peas, broccoli, mushrooms and red bell peppers. * Pan-seared fresh fish with cilantro lime cream sauce that features fish seared with Cajun spices. The bold cilantro and lime flavors are reminiscent of the Southwestern United States. The dish includes fresh bell peppers, lime juice and cilantro. The dish is served with wild rice pilaf and fresh seasonal vegetables. * Grilled fresh fish with tomato basil vinaigrette is served with grilled asparagus. The fish is nestled on top of wild rice pilaf. * Grilled salmon and lobster mashed potatoes. Red Lobster chefs developed this dish especially for its signature lobster promotion -Lobsterfest 2002. * Grilled basil-infused fresh fish with arugula salad that features herbs and flavors reminiscent of Italy. The fish is infused with fresh basil oil. The arugula -- a peppery salad green -- is dressed with sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. The fish is then nestled on the salad.

Center-cut portions To ensure it has the freshest, best cuts of fish in casual dining, Red Lobster set new specifications for its distributors that ensured more consistent sizes and cuts of fish. Fillets of salmon, for example, will be cut from the center of the fish -- for a moister, flakier portion. Each day, the Red Lobster fresh fish menu will change depending on which fish were delivered that day. A variety of preparations -- from grilled to broiled to blackened -- will allow guests to have fresh fish prepared their way. Red Lobster serves more than 140 million guests annually and operates in the United States and Canada. The company enjoyed record sales of $2.2 billion in fiscal 2001 (ending May 31). It is the winner of the 2002 Menu Masters Award from Nation's Restaurant News, and the 2001 Menu Strategist of the Year Award from Restaurant Business magazine. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal identified Red Lobster's wine list as one of the three best in casual dining and Red Lobster was also recognized as the United States' best seafood restaurant in a nationwide poll released by Restaurant and Institutions magazine in March. The company employs 60,000 crewmembers and is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc. Darden also owns and operates Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar restaurants. For the Red Lobster nearest you, call 1-800LOBSTER or visit www.redlobster.com. Seven Ways For Seven Days Delicious Ways To Incorporate Fish Into Your Week

Monday Did Monday leave you too tired to cook dinner? If so, make the healthy choice for fast food. Opt for sushi, which is readily available in delis and Asian restaurants. Tuesday Try fish tacos! All the rage in culinary circles, these succulent tacos feature your favorite steamed or grilled fish, fresh cilantro, veggies and a light vinaigrette, all wrapped in a soft-shell tortilla. Wednesday

If you're out of ideas already and timid about experimenting, invest in a seafood cookbook. Make a point of trying two new recipes each week until you develop your own repertoire of favorites. Or, try www.deliciousdecisions.org, The American Heart Association's web site for heart-healthy recipes. Thursday Fall back on an old favorite, but give it a new twist. Substitute fish or shellfish for meat and poultry in your favorite casseroles, stir-fries, salads, soups, and pasta recipes. Friday Having a dinner party tonight and need a quick appetizer? Enjoy thinly sliced smoked salmon on water crackers with a sprig of fresh basil for a delicious starter. Saturday Dining out tonight? Fish is so versatile! Substitute salmon, tuna or mackerel for the usual steak or hamburger. At Red Lobster, you can order your favorite fish broiled or grilled to your liking, or you may want to try a more exotic preparation, such as sesame ginger seared fresh fish with Asian vegetables and noodles. It features fresh snow peas, broccoli, mushrooms and red bell peppers. Sunday Want to jazz up those boring eggs? Stir leftover grilled salmon from last night's dinner into a serving of scrambled eggs and your Sunday brunch will be a cut above the rest! American Heart Association Dietary guidelines at-a-glance Achieve an overall healthy eating pattern. * Choose an overall balanced diet with foods from all major food groups, emphasizing fruits, vegetables and grains. * Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables and grain products. * At least 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. * At least 6 daily servings of grain products including whole grains. * Include fat-free and low-fat dairy products, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats. * Eat at least two servings of fish per week. Achieve a healthy body weight. * Maintain a level of physical activity that achieves fitness and balances energy expenditure with caloric intake; for weight reduction, expenditure should exceed intake. * Limit foods that are high in calories and/or low in nutritional quality, including those with a high amount of added sugar. Achieve a desirable cholesterol level. * Limit foods with a high content of saturated fat and cholesterol. Substitute with grains and unsaturated fat from vegetables, fish, legumes and nuts. * Limit cholesterol to 300 milligrams (mg) a day for the general population, and 200 mg a day for those with heart disease or its risk factors. * Limit trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acids are found in foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils such as packaged cookies, crackers and other baked goods; commercially prepared fried foods and some margarines. Achieve a desirable blood pressure level. * Limit salt intake to less than 6 grams (2,400 mg sodium) per day,

slightly more than one teaspoon a day. * If you drink, limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Serving Size RAW WT Recommended daily values

Calories

Fat, grams

Saturated Fat, grams

1500--2500