The Nordic region is a hotbed of development for dairy alternatives
using healthy ingredients like oats and soya, says Organic Monitor,
and marketers are responding to consumer health awareness by
repositioning products as functional...
The value of the European functional foods market is a mere
fraction of the US market, according to a new report from
Datamonitor that highlights untapped potential in the continent.
Consumers in the UK are seeking a more natural approach to weight
management, according to Mintel, a trend that signals some of the
latest ingredients in the sector could be right on the money.
The UK's Food Standards Agency may review its advice that people
should eat at least two portions of fish a week for its health
benefits, in the light of environmental concerns.
Smoothies are set to be the high street success story for the UK
soft drinks industry over the next few years, figures suggest,
harnessing a growing trend for healthy fast food.
Christmas-time is closely associated with feasting on special foods
and (dare we say it?) gross overindulgence that ends only after
bells have rung in the New Year. But many of the seasonal treats we
enjoy also have a healthy aspect....
Functional and energy drinks in Japan are coming under pressure
from perceived healthy options such as ready-to-drink teas, mineral
water and tonic drinks, according to a recent report from
Euromonitor International.
Reducol could have a big impact on heart disease rates in France,
say Forbes Medi-Tech and Carrefour, the supermarket giant that
recently launched a range of yoghurt products containing the
cholesterol-lowering ingredient.
New European standards and public awareness about contaminants in
fish oil are opening up a new marketing angle for omega-3, with
both finished product and fish oil companies touting their
product's purity.
West Europe's energy drink sales accelerated by 15 per cent to a
volume of 383 million litres and a value of over €3 billion in
2005, according to drinks consultancy Zenith International.
Weight management was a topic on many people's lips at HIE in
Frankfurt last week, with a particular emphasis on satiety. But
while several satiety-boosting ingredients are grabbing industry
attention, are consumers ready for...
With the cold season well and truly upon us, it seems that Brits
are turning to herbal remedies in a bid to stave off the sniffles.
Both Boots and the National Association of Healthfood Stores this
week reported an increase in sales...
Even though Americans are willing to spend money on healthy
products, they are less likely than other nationalities to make
long lasting behavior changes, according to a new report from
Business Insights.
As consumers increasingly self-manage their health with the aid of
new technologies, the current debate over nutritional labelling is
only a transitional phase, said a market expert at last week's
Healthy Foods Summit.
Successful introduction of new nutritional concepts revolves around
developing the market stakeholder-by-stakeholder, according to
Health Focus Europe.
An EU-funded project to identify consumer attitudes to metabolic
syndrome, genetics in nutrition and agro-food technologies could
help inform food makers about product types and approaches that are
likely to be well received.
A new report has highlighted a lack of awareness about
cholesterol-levels amongst many British women, which could be
addressed by marketing from food manufacturers and educational
efforts from heathcare organisations.
Beverages represent one of the most interesting categories for
Pycnogenol outside of supplements, as formulators are seeking to
add value to established product lines and deliver healthy
ingredients in convenient formats.
Beverages with a healthy twist are booming within the Chinese
beverage market according to a report from global beverage research
specialists Canadean.
Move over caffeine. A new breed of energy drinks are referencing
illegal drugs in their marketing - but without actually containing
them - in a bid to capture the lucrative, party-going youth market.
UK consumers are embracing sports nutrition as they aim to lead
healthier lifestyles - even though they may not need the cocktail
of nutrients intended for the pros. But as the market develops,
manufacturers are advised to ensure...
Cargill has indicated that it may take its Regenasure glucosamine
chondroitin ingredient into functional beverages - yet it has
emerged that another company's foray into the market has not proved
positive, raising questions as...
The movement towards ensuring nutritional ingredients are suitable
for all consumers, no matter what restrictions their religion or
lifestyle may pose has been picked up by tocotrienol producer
Carotech, which has received Halal certification...
The sun might still be out over much of Europe, but August is the
month when retailers start placing their orders of products to help
boost the immune system and ward off coughs and colds over the
winter months.
The Australian Consumers Association has questioned general
consumer use of protein bars and shakes in a report that could have
repercussions for the mainstream sports and energy market and call
into question marketing techniques.
Mention vitamins A to E, and most people will know why they need
them and what foods to find them. Not so vitamin K, a comparatively
little known vitamin that has been the subject of several recent
scientific investigations for its...
As the World Cup football tournament in Germany reaches half-time,
more voices are raised questioning McDonalds, Budweiser and Coca
Cola's presence amongst the sponsors of an event that, at some
level, is intended to encourage...
CoQ10 continues to be popular with European skin care formulators,
whereas US supplement-makers are more eager to leverage research on
its internal energy-boosting abilities, data suggests. Moreover,
European consumers may not be...
Commercial weight loss programmes all result in about the same
levels of weight loss, says a new study in the British Medical
Journal, but not all are based around the principles of healthy
eating.
Flora, the Unilever-owned margarine brand, is embarking on a major
campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of omega-3, following
consumer research indicating that the message is not being heard by
all family members.
Functional foods can benefit certain sectors of the population who
may not derive the nutrients they need from their daily diet, but
they may also pose a risk of overdose of certain vitamins and
minerals, according to a new report...
Sales of phytosterols in Europe are predicted to more than double
by 2012, but companies need to turn consumer awareness into
understanding and acceptance, says a new report from Frost and
Sullivan.
Healthy eating is no longer motivated simply by self-interest.
Family welfare has become the overriding concern, and children have
become the real driving force behind the health trend.
It is time to admit that society is fighting a part-time battle
against the bulge, willingly lambasting soft drinks, burgers and
chocolate, while shuffling silently away from a fairly dismal
exercise rate.
Postmenopausal women are not inclined to recognise functional foods
as a viable means of reducing risk of heart disease, finds a survey
that could inform marketing efforts aimed at this important
consumer group.
Sheep's milk has a higher content of essential vitamins and
minerals than cow's milk and could be used to cater to consumers'
appetite for healthy products. But presently it seems only
small-time producers are sizing...
Most adults should include soy products in their diet, says a new
white paper that reviews literature and studies investigating the
health benefits they may confer.
Awareness of lutein in Europe is growing apace, according to a new
consumer survey. But many consumers have not heard of age-related
macular degeneration, meaning that the carotenoid's potential in
reducing risk of the condition...
The UK's National Osteoporosis Society has issued a stark warning
that fad dieting is leading women to put their bones at risk by
consuming less calcium-rich foods than they did 20 years ago.
British supermarket giant Tesco has launched a British-grown tomato
that offers double the lycopene content of normal tomatoes, as the
company continues to expand its functional food range.
Russian consumers prefer domestic nutritional supplement brands
over imports, according to a market report from DSM Group, but
marketing and research should be supported at state level to
increase confidence.
The omega-3 market is one of the biggest trends in the supplement
market today, but it seems it is crossing from general wellness
towards products aimed at specific consumers and indications.
Brain-power foods, portion control and products targeting the
senior population are likely to be the food sectors to look out for
in 2006, according to Mintel.
Norwegian omega-3 producer Epax has announced it has de-mergered
from its parent company Pronova Biocare, after experiencing 25 per
cent growth for 2005.
Consumers may be spending more on diet products, but it seems they
are having little effect on overall obesity rates since they are
not being used as part of an overall healthy diet, according to a
new report from Datamonitor.
Sports and energy drinks have stolen a march on foods to become the
powerhouse of the global market in performance products, according
to a new report from Leatherhead Food International.
Supplement marketers seem to be taking notice of the growing trend
towards vegetarianism, bringing more products to market that do not
contain animal-derived ingredients.
