Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By JEFF WELLS

Whole grains rock, and packaged breads are billed as the headline act By: By JEFF WELLS

ANY WAY IT'S SLICED, today's bread aisle is a whole new loaf.

Annual sales have risen to more than $16 billion, and by some estimates that number could reach more than $18 billion within the next four years. Manufacturers have expanded their lines to include healthful, value-added options that would've been unthinkable just a couple years ago. They're also beginning to dabble more in specialty and ethnic varieties, like pita, naan and English muffins.

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