SAN DIEGO - Feb. 28, 2005 - Once available primarily in specialty stores, Chicken of the Sea® is bringing gourmet-quality, real-wood-smoked Pacific salmon in a foil pouch to the canned and pouched seafood aisle of grocery stores across the nation.

The fresh-tasting salmon will be on store shelves March 1 and available in a convenient, ready-to-eat 3-ounce pouch for a suggested retail price of $2.99. The smoked salmon is wild caught from Alaska and is part of Chicken of the Sea's commitment to bring new products to the seafood aisle, and Alaska's Salmon Revitalization Strategy to increase productivity and innovation in its fishing industry.

"The wild-caught salmon allows more people to enjoy the great taste and health benefits of smoked salmon, adds to our growing line of pouched seafood and offers ease and convenience for consumers' busy lifestyles," said Don George, senior vice president of marketing for Chicken of the Sea.

Culinary Expert Lena Cutler said Chicken of the Sea's Smoked Pacific Salmon also provides bold flavors that allow everyday cooks to make restaurant-quality meals and appetizers pleasing to the taste buds.

"By adding Chicken of the Sea Smoked Pacific Salmon to everyday dishes, people can add pizzazz to traditional menu options," said Cutler. "Try using smoked salmon in place of ham, chicken or other protein sources to create unique palate-pleasing flavors in gourmet dishes."

In addition to its great-taste, Sharon McNerney, a registered dietician, notes that smoked salmon is low in calories and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

"Smoked salmon is high in omega-3, which has been reported to help everything from arthritis and asthma to acne and depression," said McNerney. "And it keeps the heart healthy."

The nutrition guidelines released last month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends eating two 4-ounce servings per week of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Besides being cardio-protective, the U.S. Tuna Foundation highlights research that links omega-3 fatty acids with optimal brain function and cognition, improved eye and skin health, protection against certain cancers, and more.

Chicken of the Sea Smoked Pacific Salmon is part of a group of quality seafood introductions that began with Chicken of the Sea's introduction of America's chunkiest and best tasting tuna* in February 2004.

"The new smoked salmon is part of our 'best-in-class' brand strategy that started when we introduced the chunkiest national brand chunk light tuna," said George.

According to ACNielsen, chunk light tuna accounts for more than 75 percent of all tuna sold at retail. However, George noted that consumers were looking for a chunkier, firmer chunk light product.

"By offering consumers quality, 'real chunk' light tuna, we differentiate our brand, reinvigorate the category and pave the way for many new items, including smoked salmon, in shelf-stable seafood," said George.

Since the introduction of the chunkier chunk light, Chicken of the Sea also became the first national brand to offer a complete line of pouched seafood, including shrimp, clams, oysters, crab, and imitation crab. Soon, the seafood leader will move into the frozen food aisle with the introduction of Chicken of the Sea Frozen Shrimp.

Alaska's Salmon Revitalization Strategy is a multi-year plan that includes investment by the state in infrastructure, capital improvement, quality and marketing for the Alaska salmon industry.

A seafood category leader, Chicken of the Sea provides a variety of shelf-stable seafood products, including tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, mackerel and sardines. The Chicken of the Sea brand and famous Mermaid icon are among the most recognized brands in America.