Back By Popular Demand, Banana Creme-Filled Hostess(R) Twinkies(R) Hit Store Shelves

Original Twinkies Flavor Introduced 77 Years Ago In Chicago

For the first time since World War II, Hostess(R) Twinkies featuring Banana Creme filling -- the original filling flavor of the iconic snack cake -- will be a regular fixture in retail stores nationwide. The banana flavor, which was replaced with vanilla creme following a banana shortage in the 1940s, had only been available during special limited time offers. Overwhelming consumer demand during a recent promotion, however, prompted Twinkies' bakers to bring it back for good.

"Twinkies have been a favorite snack and icon of Americana for generations," said Kevin Kaul, Marketing Director for Hostess. "As the flavor that started it all, we're excited to add Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies to our core line of iconic treats."

Vanilla creme filled Twinkies will continue to be offered along with banana creme filled Twinkies.

  Twinkies Facts
  -- Twinkies were first introduced by James A. Dewar in 1930 while working
     as a Hostess bakery manager in Chicago.
  -- A city famous for its BBQ also has a sweet tooth.  Residents of Memphis
     eat more Twinkies per capita than any other U.S. city.  Rounding out
     the top five Twinkie loving cities are Little Rock, Salt Lake City, St.
     Louis and Oklahoma City.
  -- Over half a billion Twinkies are sold each year.
  -- A St. Louis billboard advertising "Twinkle Toe" shoes inspired the name
     for the two-for-a-nickel treat and an American icon was born.
  -- It's an urban legend that Twinkies last forever.  The shelf life of a
     Twinkie is really only about 25 days.
  -- President Clinton chose the Twinkie as an "object of enduring American
     symbolism" for the National Millennium Time Capsule in 2000.

Interstate Bakeries Corporation, the maker of Hostess products, is one of the nation's largest wholesale bakers and distributors of fresh baked bread and sweet goods under various brand names including Wonder(R), Hostess(R), Dolly Madison(R), Baker's Inn(R), Home Pride(R), Merita(R) and Drake's(R). For more information visit www.hostesscakes.com.

Source: Interstate Bakeries Corporation