Company was not Atkins' forte

By Carolyn Susman

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Bob Atkins' widow, Veronica Atkins, who lives in West Palm Beach, discusses the bankruptcy of the company she sold following her husband's death.

With the fall of Atkins Nutritionals, critics are again claiming that Dr. Atkins' low-carb approach is to blame. How do you see this? Do you think it will hurt his legacy?

It is important to separate the products-company from the lifestyle. ANI was established to aid patients and lifestyle followers by providing quick and easy in-between meals in the form of shakes and bars. It quickly expanded to other products. As the pioneer in the industry, ANI expanded into most of the major food sectors. Once the "giants" entered this popular market sector, it naturally became more difficult for ANI to continue to be the leader in all food categories. My husband created a market that became so large, even his own company could no longer compete. Despite the media's comments that the diet is a fad, I have been informed that 44 percent of American households are currently watching their carbohydrate intake.

What do you want people to think of when they think of him now?

I want people to think of him as a physician who was interested in preventative medicine and helping patients with nutritional and natural approaches to illness as opposed to medication or surgery.

Do you think if you had remained with the company the outlook might have been different? (She sold it for $500 million after his death in 2003 and used money from the sale to establish the Atkins Foundation.)

Not really. My personal involvement in the company was minimal. Bob's life, and as a result mine, were much more involved in his medical practice. After his death, I needed to fully separate my Foundation activities from the commercial side. Eventually, once the low-carb sector began to expand so rapidly, there had to be a shakedown in the industry. Don't forget, the company was acquired with a significant amount of debt financing.

How does the bankruptcy affect you personally, from an emotional standpoint?

Obviously, anything perceived as negative that involves the Atkins name is sad for me; especially when the majority of the public may not understand the true reasons behind the reorganization. However, I am very involved in continuing his legacy through his Foundation and the funding of scientific research that has already begun to support his clinical findings.

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