Category Insights: Juices and Juice Drinks

Category Insights: Juices and Juice Drinks

When it comes to the beverages we drink, consumers are going back to the basics. According to Nielsen (Healthy Eating Trends around the world 2015), the most desirable attributes are foods and beverages that are fresh, natural and minimally processed. Foods and beverages with all natural ingredients and those without genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are each considered very important and the absence of artificial colors, flavors and foods made from vegetables/fruits […]

Changes in EU Food Additives regulation will benefit products formulated with Stevia

Changes in EU Food Additives regulation will benefit products formulated with Stevia

Recently, an amendment to the EU food additives regulation has removed the requirement for Stevia blends to contain at least 75% stevioside or reb A, giving food and beverage manufacturers possibility of formulating better-tasting, Stevia-sweetened products. Regulation (EU) 2016/1814 , which was effective on 3 November, amends the specifications for steviol glycosides set out in an annex to regulation (EU) No 231/2012. Under the old legislation, stevioside and/or reb A had […]

Clean Labels: Shelf Life vs. Sodium Content, is it Possible to Have the Best of Both Worlds?

Clean Labels: Shelf Life vs. Sodium Content, is it Possible to Have the Best of Both Worlds?

The demand for minimally processed fresh products, easy to prepare and ready to eat, as well as the globalization of the food trade, poses enormous challenges for food safety and quality. With a growing global population raising its own sustainability issues, it is not difficult to understand that food security has become a major concern in the 21st century. Consumers want healthy food, which is why the meat industry must respond […]

Traffic Light Food Labeling System

Traffic Light Food Labeling System

In the last decades, the rushed lifestyle has caused changes in eating habits, promoting people to eat more processed fast foods increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases among others. Such reality has made people more conscious of a healthy lifestyle although a grand percentage of the population is still unaware and uninformed of the consequences of bad eating habits. By being aware of this situation, some countries have […]

Functional Ice Cream

Functional Ice Cream

Ice Cream and desserts are not only delicious, but also can provide nutritional value. This is the case of Greek Frozen Yogurt ice cream that not only provides a rich and creamy texture, but also offers a high source of protein with a variety of flavors, helping manufacturers to stand out in a market full of competition which mainly promote their brands high protein content. Another interesting alternative is launching smaller […]

Functional Foods

Functional Foods

The main purpose of a healthy diet is to provide the human body with necessary nutritional values. Nowadays, the advances in science provide basic concepts such as how to avoid nutritional deficiency and to teach the concept of proper nutrition. Consumers in general are more aware of the relationship between an optimal nutritional diet and a healthy lifestyle, consequently interesting them in the consumption of foods that provide health benefits. Functional […]

Functional Juices and Nectars

Functional Juices and Nectars

While the typical juice product is characterized as high sugar content, incorporating vegetables can help reduce sugar content while providing healthier benefits to the product. The variety of healthy juice options is more likely to be well received among consumers who are actively working on improving their diet to combat obesity. Brands that incorporate cereals and grains in their formulations not only help reduce huger, but also provide the product with […]

Is nitrite free processed meat possible for the mass market?

Is nitrite free processed meat possible for the mass market?

  By Nathan Gray   While no single substitute for nitrite can replace all of its functions a combination of emerging technologies and plant-based ingredients could be used to reduce or completely replace nitrite in processed meats, say researchers. The review, published Trends in Food Science & Technology, explores a variety of different technologies and ingredients that could be used for the reduction or replacement of nitrites in the production of […]

Is Sugar the Next Tobacco?

Is Sugar the Next Tobacco?

  Are Health & Wellness concerned consumers increasing the link of added sugar to systemic inflammation, leading to cardiovascular disease and a host of other chronic diseases and ailments?* Let’s take a look of some information about it: •  Worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980. •  Over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese. •  65% of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity […]

Drivers and Trends Margarine / Butter

Drivers and Trends Margarine / Butter

  Margarine and butter Market, is evolving according to trends and current needs, changing, more educated and at the end, more demanding consumers. In relation to consumption moments, authenticity or “Homemade” plays an important role appealing to the emotional side of consumers through products close to home, using tradition and treasured memories. Butter consumption associated with pleasurable experiences or indulgence, makes that “Premium” products be relevant, with mixtures of ingredients that […]