Scientists, educators and marketing experts gathered this week to discuss how consumers influence and receive food-health and food-safety messages at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans. The health and wellness trend has been remarkably strong over the past couple of years and, as consumer demand for ‘better for you’ products escalates, the knowledge of how to communicate the healthy food message becomes pivotal. Nancy Childs, PhD, Professor... ...Read more »
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars and SumoSalad have confirmed their reputations as retailers to watch following the NRA American Express Rewards for Excellence last night. The awards, organized by the National Retail Association (NRA), were held for the 14th time, with Crust presented with a specially created encouragement award in the Best Food Retailer category after the judges found it very hard to split Crust and SumoSalad. The competition for Best Food Retailer incorporated a strong list of... ...Read more »
The US Candy Expo was held in Chicago last week with the world’s biggest names in candy showing off their latest creations. Mars Inc. signalled their intentions to improve their share of the premium chocolate market with the introduction of a different M&M’s product. Premium M&M’s result in Mars changing the M&M production formula for the first time, as well as changing the packaging and look of the product. The new product complements the presence of Mars’... ...Read more »
The South Australian Government’s program to help rid school canteens of junk food has come under fire from the Liberal Opposition due to concerns about food additives. The ‘Rite-Bite’ campaign initiated by the Labor Party is designed to reduce fat, sugar and salt content in school canteens across South Australia, but the lack of policing of preservatives and additives worries the opposition. Shadow Education Minister, David Pisoni, has now called for an investigation into... ...Read more »
The creation of foods which cater directly toward specific consumer preferences and needs may appear a forlorn goal but Nestlé are seeking to make it reality. The Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland, is beginning a collaborative study with leading international brain research institutions, Alberto Santos Dumont Association for Science, Brazil, and the Brain Mind Institute of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, to evaluate the influence of individual genetic... ...Read more »
As public concern about the obesity epidemic has grown over the past five years so too has the number of stores providing healthier choices on their menus. According to research by the Heart Foundation, 88% of Australian consumers now believe that food retailers have a social responsibility to provide healthier options to consumers. Consumers are therefore demanding to be provided with healthier options and companies adapting to the changing preferences are doing so with great success. With... ...Read more »
Children are a big reason for the growth in popularity of organic goods, say major organic industry members. “A substantial amount - up to a third – of our organic category is estimated to be consumed by a person under eight,” says Rick Carmont, brand category manager with the world’s leading dairy exporter, Fonterra. Don Fraser, consultant to organic retail success story Macro Wholefoods Market says consumer concern over food origins and ingredients has parents looking for certified organic... ...Read more »
There has been a clear shift in consumer preferences over the past 5 years as people seek to enhance their lifestyle. This has led to an explosion of drinks and confectionery with caffeine and vitamin supplements designed to replenish and boost energy levels. Consequently, it is no surprise that energy drink sales increased by over 400% worldwide over a five year period. Now confectionery companies are trying to cash in on these new preferences with Hersheys and Mars creating new confectionery to... ...Read more »