Muhammad Ali Creates Health Food Line

Confectionary company Mars is teaming with 65 year old Ali to market a new line of reduced calorie snacks and drinks branded GOAT to help combat obesity in America. GOAT is an acronym for Ali's own title, 'Greatest Of All Time.'

Muhammad became concerned with obese children after his son Sadi struggled with weight issues as a youngster.

The obesity rates for people aged six to 19 in the U.S. have more than tripled since 1980.

He says, "It is time to pass on the values, beliefs and principles that made me a champ to the next generation of champions.

"I believe that better nutrition and respect for the mind and body will give everyone today the opportunity to rise above and be the best they can be."

Ali plans to introduce reduced-calorie foods and beverages for young adults, evoking his status as a three-time heavyweight boxing champion and American icon.


Lonnie Ali, told the New York Times that Ali was concerned about obesity in youngsters. "What Muhammad is working on is his legacy. How are people going to remember him? Muhammad says we should all be in a race to do good," she said.

Jack W. Plunkett, chief executive of Plunkett Research, a market research firm in Houston, told the New York Times nutritionally enhanced foods were increasingly good sellers. He also noted that Mars Inc., a multibillion-dollar company that is developing GOAT products with Mr. Ali and Peter Arnell, chairman of the Arnell Group, would be involved only if it believed the foods would be major sellers, earning $50 million to $100 million a year.

Mr.Plunkett speculated that Ali could easily earn $1.5 million a year from this venture. George Foreman has earned more than $137 million for promoting the George Foreman grill.

Muhammad Ali recently sold 80% of the rights to his name and image for $50 million.