• USA Today, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 11:13 AM

ConAgra Foods will roll out a line of 12 Healthy Choice meals this summer called Cafe Steamers that can be "steamed" in the microwave in special containers. Although steaming technology is already popular in Europe and Japan, ConAgra is the first U.S. food company to market it for entire meals.

After suffering through five flat years, frozen-veggie sales closed 2006 up more than 6%, led by Birds Eye's rollout last year of Steamfresh vegetables. Green Giant followed with veggies, and now comes ConAgra with meals. "Steaming will do for frozen vegetables what the iPod did for music," says Bill Partyka, vice president of marketing at Healthy Choice.

Nutritionists say microwave "steamed" food may look or taste better, but it's not healthier. The new technology also does not come cheap. Cafe Steamers are up to 30 cents more than similar meals. And Birds Eye veggies in the Steamfresh pack are up to 25% more expensive.

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