Saffron Road Participates in Social Venture Network Spring Conference in San Diego, CA

Brand Demonstrates Leadership in Transforming the Way the World Does Business through ‘Courageous Conversations’

Stamford, CT – April 25, 2013 – American Halal Company, Inc.’s Saffron Road brand is pleased to be among a select group of socially responsible companies to participate in the Social Venture Network’s (SVN) Spring Conference, April 25-28, themed ‘Courageous Conversations.’

SVN, the first network of entrepreneurs who pioneered socially responsible business, has been fostering a movement toward a more just and sustainable economy for more than 25 years, and has spawned many of the world’s most successful triple-bottom-line businesses.

Among other business leaders, Saffron Road’s CEO, Adnan Durrani, will be one the conference’s speakers – addressing the topic of “Big and Small Changemakers: Creating Smart and Effective Partnerships” on Saturday morning between 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Also on the panel with Mr. Durrani are Caryl Levine, owner of Lotus Foods, and Errol Schweizer, Executive Global Grocery Coordinator of Whole Foods Market.

Given the brand’s commitment to ethical consumerism, the Saffron Road team is constantly challenging the way they do business to ensure all aspects of the brand adheres to their values and enables sustainable growth for the company. They are also supporters of the SVN Bridge Project, an initiative that raises the profile and voices of diverse entrepreneurs including entrepreneurs of color, young business leaders and women entrepreneurs.

You can read more about this event and Mr. Durrani’s participation at: http://www.csrwire.com/blog/posts/786-courageous-conversations-an-interview-with-social-entrepreneur-adnan-durrani

Saffron Road Would Like to Congratulate Whole Foods Market for their Commitment to Full GMO Transparency by 2018

Stamford, CT — March 8, 2013 — Saffron Road would like to congratulate Whole Foods Market for their announcement today to have all products labeled to indicate if they contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as their commitment to full GMO transparency by 2018.

“With the growing concern among consumers about the inclusion of GMO ingredients in food products, this is a step in the right direction for transparency and the consumer’s right to know,” said Saffron Road’s CEO, Adnan Durrani.

In an effort to make their own contribution, Saffron Road recently released Chana Saag, the first Non-GMO Verified frozen entrée in the U.S. Saffron Road also has four other Non-GMO Verified products: Chana Saag Whole Wheat Chapatti Wraps and 3 flavors of Crunchy Chickpeas. The company will be coming out with four Non-GMO Verified simmer sauces later this year.

Earning the Non-GMO verification has been a big priority for Saffron Road, as part of their ongoing effort to provide ethical and sustainable products for consumers.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saffron-road-congratulates-whole-foods-market-on-commitment-to-non-gmo-transparency-196474521.html

Saffron Road Leads the Category in Innovation around World Cuisine

Brand Debuts New Globally-Inspired Prepared Foods at Natural Products Expo West Show March 8^th-10^th

Stamford, CT – February 20, 2013 – American Halal Company, Inc is pleased to announce that its Saffron Road brand will be exhibiting at the upcoming Expo West Show by New Hope Natural Media in Anaheim, California March 8^th-10^th. Saffron Road will be exhibiting its new Certified Gluten Free Crunchy Chickpea snack line, Simmer Sauces and Chana Saag, the first frozen entrée in the country to be Non-GMO Verified.

Since its launch in 2010, Saffron Road continues to bring much-needed innovation to the frozen aisle and the prepared foods category in general. Starting with just four frozen Indian Entrée skus, Saffron Road now markets nearly 40 products – from antibiotic free ethnic frozen entrees, gluten free chicken nuggets, phyllo & samosa hors d’oeuvres and whole wheat chapatti wraps, to shelf-stable tetra broths, simmer sauces and organic chickpea snacks.

“One of the keys to our sustained success comes from listening – listening to what consumers want in ethnic foods, as well as listening to our retailer partners on what categories need innovation and change,” says Jack Acree, SVP of Sales & Marketing. The brand is not only carving out a niche in ethnic foods, but its products also address critical trends such as Gluten Free, All-Natural, Non-GMO, and Halal. “Addressing trends and special diets is part of our strategy; going the extra mile to have credible, third parties certify our products enables us to earn the trust of consumers and move our products off shelves with our retail partners,” continues Acree.

In addition to the brand’s own booth, Saffron Road products will also be featured in the Gluten Free Certification Organization’s (GFCO) gluten free showcase in the grocery section.

Please visit booth #5515 to sample Saffron Road’s new globally-inspired snacks, simmer sauces and entrees. While at the booth, be sure to ask the Saffron Road team about their new line of Chapatti Wraps coming to market soon.

“Our new World Cuisine products are ideal for retailers who wish to tap into consumers’ growing desire for healthier gourmet snack and meal options, both in the frozen and shelf stable aisles of their stores. These imaginative All-Natural products provide consumers with a bit of adventure and refreshing culinary excellence, while further delivering on Saffron Road’s passionate dedication to natural foodies’ appetite for organic and Non-GMO Verified products,” says Adnan Durrani, Chief Executive Officer.

Saffron Road Introduces New All Natural, Certified Halal South Asian Chapatti Wraps for the Freezer Aisle — Brand Provides Innovation in Gourmet Frozen Wraps Category

Stamford, CT – February 5, 2013 – Saffron Road™, the packaged food brand of American Halal Co., launches three All Natural, hand-wrapped, Halal Certified, whole-wheat chapatti wraps. Saffron Road’s new wraps capture popular South Asian recipes in the form of a perfect on-the-go meal, a wrap.

“The frozen ethnic food aisle will never again be the same,” says Adnan Durrani, CEO of Saffron Road. “Saffron Road has done it again – introduced an authentic line of ethnic products never before sold in the U.S.: Whole Wheat Chapatti Wraps. This includes a very unique Chicken Keema Wrap, a comfort dish popular in Pakistan. We hope these all natural and healthier wraps elevate further the purity and culinary excellence on the grocery freezer shelves.”

Saffron Road’s wraps include:
- Chana Saag – Tender chickpeas and spinach sautéed with authentic Indian spices wrapped in a whole-wheat chapatti flatbread. All Natural, Certified Halal, Vegetarian, Non-GMO Verified and made with milk from cows not treated with rBST.
- Keema with Chicken & Basmati Rice – Sautéed ground chicken, scallions, red peppers and peas wrapped in a whole-wheat chapatti flatbread. All Natural, Humanely raised chickens, Certified Halal, Chickens raised without antibiotics.
- Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice – Roasted Chicken simmered with tandoori spices in a robust, creamy tomato sauce wrapped in a whole-wheat chapatti flatbread. All Natural, Humanely raised chickens, Certified Halal, Chickens raised without antibiotics.

“We have proven that consumers want premium flavors and ingredients in the frozen isle and will continue this innovation in terms of providing options that are Non-GMO Verified, offer Halal protein and are more authentic – such as being made of real, whole-wheat Chapatti bread,” says Jack Acree, EVP of Sales of Marketing.

All four new products have already been purchased by Whole Foods Market and will be in select regions beginning in early February. The suggested retail price for the wraps is $4.29.

About Saffron Road
American Halal Co. markets All Natural Halal Certified food under the Saffron Road brand. Adnan Durrani, the CEO, and Jack Acree, the EVP, are serial entrepreneurs having been involved in companies like Vermont Pure Spring Water, Stonyfield Farms, Inc., Alexia Foods, and Terra Chips. The Company’s management and Board represent a team of proven entrepreneurs at building premium food brands. Saffron Road’s mission is to offer All Natural Halal Certified and Gluten Free foods, which are also holistic, sustainably farmed, and antibiotic free. Saffron Road’s products are sourced from livestock which is fed only 100% vegetarian feed and are humanely treated. The Company seeks to bring its mission to a higher awakening with the local and global community, embodying a socially conscious company ethic as well as setting the standard for premium quality Halal Cuisine.

Saffron Road Introduces First Non-GMO Verified Frozen Entrée in the USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stamford, CT – January 9, 2013 – Saffron Road™, the packaged food brand of American Halal Co., launches the first frozen entrée of its kind nationally at the end of January. The new gourmet, frozen entrée, Chana Saag with Cumin Rice, is the first frozen entrée in the USA to be Non-GMO Verified.

In addition to Saffron Road’s existing 12 World Cuisine frozen entrees (including four Indian varieties), the brand will launch a Chana Saag Entrée to appeal to the growing popularity of Indian cuisine in the U.S. Saffron Road’s unique twist on Chana Saag includes tender, organic chickpeas and leafy fresh spinach mildly spiced and sautéed with exotic Indian herbs served in a bed of cumin rice. This entrée is verified Non-GMO, All Natural, Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Certified Halal.

“Earning the Non-GMO Verification for our products is a big priority for Saffron Road and a huge added value to passionate natural food consumers who are actively seeking out Non-GMO foods,” says Adnan Durrani, CEO of Saffron Road.

The new entrée will be available nationwide later this month at Whole Foods Market stores for the suggested retail price range of $5.49 to $5.99.

“We were motivated to add another ethnic frozen entrée to our portfolio as consumers continue to ask for more vegetarian and Non-GMO options,” says Jack Acree, EVP of Sales of Marketing. “We continue to look for more gaps to fill in the marketplace; look for Saffron Road to produce even more innovative products throughout 2013,” continues Acree.

Saffron Road Offers Retailers More Options to Feed Shoppers’ Growing Desire for World Cuisine — Brand Debuts New Globally-Inspired Appetizers & Snacks at Fancy Food Show January 19th-22nd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stamford, CT – January 7, 2013 – American Halal Company, Inc is pleased to announce that its Saffron Road brand will be exhibiting at the upcoming Winter Fancy Food Show by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT). Saffron Road will exhibit a new frozen appetizer and shelf-stable, Non-GMO Verified snack line to the trade food industry for the first time in San Francisco from January 19th-22nd.

Saffron Road’s new products include four frozen Phyllo Hors D’oeuvres: Turkish Figs & Goat Cheese (vegan), Dates, Tamarind & Walnuts, Crispy Samosas with Saag Paneer, and Crispy Samosas with Vegetables (vegan). New shelf-stable snacks include three flavors of Crunchy Chickpeas: Wasabi Falafel and Bombay Spice Crunchy Chickpeas.

The new Appetizers, which are All Natural, Handmade, and Halal Certified, capture the best of South Asian and Middle Eastern culinary traditions and serve as a healthier alternative for retailers looking to stock the freezer aisle with ethnic options their shoppers can feel good about eating. The Crunchy Chickpeas are the company’s first entry into the snack foods market; their unique flavor profiles and Organic, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Verified, Halal Certified ingredients carve them a distinct place on the snack aisle. Of special note to snackers, each one oz, serving of Saffron Road Chickpea Snacks contains six grams of protein and only four grams of fat – a rare occasion where there is more protein than fat in a snack food.

“Our new appetizers and snacks are ideal for retailers who wish to tap into consumers’ growing desire for healthier gourmet snack options, both in the frozen and shelf stable aisles of their stores. These imaginative All-Natural products provide consumers with a bit of adventure and refreshing culinary excellence, while further delivering on Saffron Road’s passionate dedication to natural foodies’ appetite for organic and Non-GMO Verified products,” says Adnan Durrani, Chief Executive Officer.

In addition to exhibiting its new items, Saffron Road’s own Jack Acree will also be participating in the Fancy Food Show’s Education Program. An accomplished veteran of the natural foods business, Jack will share some of his insights on the topic of “Learning the Lingo of Specialty Foods” on Saturday, January 19th from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Please visit booth #1347 to sample Saffron Road’s new appetizers and snacks. While at the booth, be sure to ask the Saffron Road team about their new line of World Cuisine wraps and new frozen entrée coming to market soon. Aside from the brand’s booth, look for Saffron Road products in the showcase, What’s New, What’s Hot!

“Both of our new product launches demonstrate our aggressive business model and focus on addressing gaps in high volume categories all throughout grocery stores,” says Executive Vice President Jack Acree.

Media Contacts: Lisa Mabe, Hewar Social Communications, 202.505.2890, lisa@hewarcommunications.com
Kate Pearson, American Halal Company, Inc., 203.961.1954 x100, kate@americanhalal.com

For more information about Saffron Road, please visit saffronroadfood.com. You can also join us on Facebook at facebook.com/saffronroadfood, on Twitter at twitter.com/saffronroadfood or on Pinterest at pinterest.com/saffronroadfood.

Saffron Road Participates in Social Venture Network Fall Conference in Rye Brook, NY — Brand Demonstrates Leadership in Fostering Sustainable Business & Economy

Stamford, CT – November 15, 2012 – American Halal Company, Inc’s Saffron Road brand is pleased to be among a select group of socially responsible companies to participate in the 25^th Annual Social Venture Network (SVN) Fall Conference November 14-17.

Among other business leaders, Saffron Road’s CEO, Adnan Durrani, will be one the conference’s speakers – addressing the topic of “Bringing Renewed Spirit to Business” Friday morning between 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. The four-day Conference is the final celebration of SVN’s 25th Anniversary year and will engage with an influential and diverse network of social entrepreneurs from around the world to explore, inspire and create innovative ways to build a just and sustainable economy for the next 25 years and beyond.

In addition to speaking at the Conference, Saffron Road’s CEO is on the Co-Host Committee that is organizing The SVN Hall of Fame, which will celebrate mission-driven entrepreneurs and impact investors who have broken barriers and paved the way for new leaders to create enterprises that benefit customers, employees, local communities and the planet. Among the companies and social entrepreneurs Saffron Road will be hosting at SVN are Stonyfield Farms, Organic Valley, Cliff Bar, Virgin Unite (Sir Richard Branson), Body Shop, Seventh Generation, Eileen Fisher, Ben & Jerry’s, and Mohammad Yunnus.

“Saffron Road is proud to be a part of the SVN Conference again this year. Our company supports sustainable business practices from our operations on the farm, to the way we deliver our products to the retail shelf,” says Adnan Durrani, Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to celebrating 25 years of SVN success, as well as sharing new ways to help foster a more sustainable business community and economy. I am excited about the session I will be leading at SVN which will focus on reviving the spiritual and holistic values within a socially responsible enterprise, which is Saffron Road’s core mission,” Durrani continues.

Given the brand’s commitment to ethical consumerism, The Saffron Road team is constantly challenging the way they do business to ensure all aspects of the brand adheres to their values and enables sustainable growth for the company.

Saffron Road To Win Multicultural Award at AMCC — American Muslim Consumer Conference Highlights Brand’s Efforts to Champion Consumer Inclusivity

Stamford, CT – November 14, 2012 – The American Muslim Consumer Conference (AMCC) will honor Saffron Road™ with the 2012 Multicultural Award at the 4^th Annual AMCC this Saturday, November 17^th in Newark, New Jersey. This Multicultural Award is presented each year to a company that promotes diversity and multiculturalism, and is inclusive to all minorities in America. The Saffron Road brand is making a major impact in addressing unmet consumer needs in the multicultural market while also remaining inclusive of a whole range of diverse consumers who value pure, humane and high-quality foods.

“We will be honored to accept the 2012 AMCC Multicultural Award and are grateful for the continued support of the AMCC community for our brand’s success in multicultural marketing,” says Chief Executive Officer, Adnan Durrani. “As the recent Presidential election proved beyond a doubt, Pax Americana has arrived and surprise – it’s largely now multicultural. Given that there are now 112 million ethnic Americans, almost 40% of the US population, we are proud of the fact that Saffron Road’s core mission is to celebrate and appeal to this dynamic multicultural consumer. We are one of the very few, if not the sole, Halal brand widely available nationally in major US supermarkets. Given our core values are dedicated to farming sustainably, 100% natural purity, and livestock, which is humanely raised and antibiotic free, it is no surprise that we have been able to gain tremendous success as the cross over brand between Halal and natural where our values resonate with majority of discerning consumers. We hope this accolade will motivate other Halal companies to also cast a wider net of pluralistic values that appeal to consumers of all faiths,” continues Durrani.

“The Saffron Road brand is making a major impact in addressing unmet consumer needs and serves as an excellent example of a Halal food brand that not only appeals to Muslim consumers, but to a whole range of diverse consumers who value pure, humane and high-quality foods. The Ramadan campaign in 2011 was very successful and Saffron Road was able to convert the media backlash into a positive spin which should be used as a case study for companies facing similar issues and challenges,” commented Sabiha Ansari, Event Director of the AMCC.

In addition to accepting an award, Saffron Road’s CEO will again be moderating the much anticipated Entrepreneur Showcase. The brand will also sample products, including its new Crunchy Chickpea Snacks made with organic chickpeas, in the conference exhibition hall.

All Saffron Road products are Halal Certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). Halal is an Islamic tradition that has healthfully fed literally billons of people over the last 1,400 years. Halal promotes the sacred tradition of respect for the land, fair treatment for farmers, humane treatment of livestock and clean, healthy food to eat. There are upwards of 8 million American Muslims with over $170 billion in purchasing power that are looking for Halal products.

Saffron Road products are sold nationwide at major retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Publix, Kroger, Safeway and other fine supermarkets and natural foods stores.

To register for the AMCC, visit www.americanmuslimconsumer.com.

Saffron Road New Snack Line Earns Non-GMO Verification — New Crunchy Chickpeas are Now Verified Non-GMO

Stamford, CT – Oct. 31, 2012 – Today Saffron Road™ is pleased to announce that its new snack line, Crunchy Chickpeas, just earned the Non-GMO Verification from the Non-GMO Project. This comes at an especially relevant time, as October is Non-GMO Month, a month for awareness about the failures of GMO technology, and discovering the risks GMOs pose to our health, our families, and our planet.

Polls consistently show the majority of Americans want clearly labeled food and say they will not buy foods that have been genetically modified. Today Saffron Road™ announces its efforts to meet consumers’ needs for proper labeling and non-GMO foods by joining the Non-GMO Project’s Verification Program.

“We’re proud to meet another consumer need by not only providing Non-GMO foods, but also products that are Certified Non-GMO,” says Saffron Road’s Executive Vice President, Jack Acree. “We support the Non-GMO movement and believe everyone deserves an informed choice about whether to consume genetically modified products. We believe providing our consumers with even more information and assurance to make educated choices about what to consume for themselves and their families, is important,” continues Acree.

GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are any plant, animal or microorganism that has had its genetic material altered using genetic engineering (GE) techniques. The Non-GMO Project is an initiative of the North American organic and natural product industry to create a standardized definition of Non-GMO and a third party verification program to assess product compliance with this standard. The Project’s Product Verification Program is entirely voluntary, and participants are companies who see the value of offering their customers a verified Non-GMO choice. Many of the individuals and businesses leading the way with the Project are the same ones responsible for creating the original organic standards.

“Earning the Non-GMO Verification reinforces our brand’s commitment to keeping GMOs out of our products, and providing only the highest-quality foods for our consumers,” says Adnan Durrani, CEO of Saffron Road. “Over twenty years ago we vigorously supported the organic food movement and I see the urgency in early adoption of the Non-GMO project as being just as crucial today,” continues Durrani.

Consumers will soon be able to find the Non-GMO Verification Mark, the trusted Non-GMO standard for consumers, on Saffron Road’s Crunchy Chickpea packaging. The brand expects several more of its products to gain the verification across the next few months. For a list of our verified products or products Saffron Road have enrolled see: www.nongmoproject.org.

Saffron Road Wins Cooking Light Magazine 2012 Taste Test Award

Three Cheese Lasagna is a Hit in the Grocery Category

Saffron Road™ Three Cheese Lasagna Entrée was named a Taste Test Award Winner as part of Cooking Light’s third annual Taste Test Awards, also known as “The Tasties,” which name the best-tasting and healthiest grocery store products and stand-out artisanal treats from across the country in 19 categories. The feature appears in the October issue, and will also be available online at CookingLight.com/TasteTestAwards. Here is what the Cooking Light panel of judges had to say about our Three Cheese Lasagna:

“Close to homemade, this lasagna tastes like someone put a lot of work into it. Gooey, cheesy goodness that falls firmly into the quick-cook comfort food category.”

For the grocery category, the Cooking Light editors did an exhaustive search to come up with this year’s list of 30 winning products in 13 categories. In each category, one Grand Prize Winner is selected as well as one or more Taste Test Award Winners.

To qualify for the grocery category, products must be available in most major markets nationwide. Products that contained artificial trans fats, too much salt, or too much saturated fat were eliminated. Then a tasting panel of Cooking Light editors and registered dietitians did a blind taste-test of 200 finalists to come up with this year’s list.

“We’re thrilled to have our World Cuisine twist on lasagna win this coveted Taste Test Award,” says John Umlauf, Vice President of Culinary Operations at American Halal Co (parent company of Saffron Road). “Our culinary team was inspired by both Italian and French cuisine, but consumers won’t have to travel all the way to Europe to get this amazing flavor – it can be enjoyed from the comfort of their homes in just minutes,” continues Umlauf.

“Cooking Light’s Taste Test Awards illustrate exactly what we’ve been telling consumers for the past 25 years—healthy is delicious,” says Cooking Light editor Scott Mowbray. “From kitchen staples and lunch bag snacks in the grocery category to decadent cheeses and indulgent sweets in the artisanal category, this year’s winning products are stand-outs in the ever-growing world of food products.”

Saffron Road products are sold nationwide at retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Publix, Kroger, Safeway and other fine supermarkets and natural foods stores.

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