FALLS CHURCH, Virginia - The low-carb industry found its voice today as the Carbohydrate Awareness Council (CAC) unveiled its ambitious plans with the launch of its website CarbAware.org. The first order of business of the organization is the CarbAware Executive Summit, scheduled for January 14-15, 2004 near the nation's capitol. 

The CarbAware Executive Summit will bring together executives from long-established food producers, newer "low-carb" niche companies, and complimentary industries. They will establish common goals, visions, and standards that will foster cooperation to promote and strengthen the position of the industry by enhancing growth and consumer awareness.

With many forces shaping the rapidly growing low-carb dietary movement, Dr. Gil Wilshire, MD, the council's President and Chief Scientific Officer notes "We're seeing a tremendous wealth of new evidence-based research confirming the benefits of low-carb nutrition on obesity, diabetes and a host of other degenerative conditions. It's time for those of us within the low-carb industry to come together with a clear focus. We need common goals to provide consumers with reliable information. We must also have a mechanism to counteract the baseless but well-funded smear campaigns being waged by those interested in preserving the status quo."

The CAC's mission statement delineates a clear plan of action. One program, due for release in early 2004, is an industry "seal of assurance" for consumers to distinguish low-carb products which meet the industry guidelines for quality and carbohydrate content from those which do not meet the industry standards.

"We've recently witnessed a number of companies jumping on the low-carb band-wagon suggesting their foods are low-carb," says Chief Operating Officer, Regina Schumann. "The seal of assurance under development will communicate to consumers that food products with the seal are within the industry guidelines. They will begin to see the seal on products in supermarkets and specialty grocers, as well as in restaurants and fast food outlets beginning in 2004."

In addition, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, service providers and consumers can also look forward to the industry's first tradeshow and conference scheduled for late-spring 2004. The details of the CarbAware Expo & Conference will be released shortly after the executive summit. For more information one may visit the council's website at www.carbaware.org.