Some of the current food trends are a continuation of what has been evolving over the past few years, while others are relatively new. “Functional foods” (add-ons for health) such as omega three’s, probiotics and antioxidants will continue to be buzz words in food circles.
Surveys tell us that the top reasons today’s consumers choose foods are because of taste, price, healthfulness, and convenience — in that order. Food manufacturers and restaurants will need to be attentive to these as they compete for consumer dollars.
More and more consumers are trying to …

Retailers, who begrudgingly went along when food makers pushed up prices to recoup record-high costs, are flexing newfound muscle and demanding price cuts to match the recent steep retreat in ingredient costs.
Food makers are resisting, saying the uncertain economy and volatile costs make price cuts unwise. But retailers aren’t backing down.
Consumers — who responded to the higher prices by favoring grocers’ in-house products over national brands and by shopping more at discounters — may end up with fewer choices all around.
“We don’t have to carry three brands,” Costco Wholesale Corp.’s …

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, March 16 /PRNewswire/ — The Flax Council of Canada announced that a panel of experts determined in January 2009 that whole and milled flax seed be given Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status. Expected within six months is a letter of “no objection”, finalizing GRAS status for flax by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gaining this status expands opportunities for flax use by food manufacturers worldwide.
Increasingly, to be accepted in the mass food industry in the U.S., a ‘new’ food ingredient needs to be shown …

The procedure of food processing provides availability of many food products that we are not able to eat otherwise. Without this ‘food processing’ we undoubtedly, would not have that large variety of food products available in the market. This is only because of various food processing methods that our supermarkets and superstore shelves are full of those things which are available only for a particular season of the year. Food processing enables 365 days availability of almost all the food items. Frozen and canned fruits, vegetables and meat products are …

Despite the challenges that swirl around us, 2009 has the potential to be the Best Year Ever. In fact, the unraveling of what has been and the new possibilities taking shape provide the perfect canvas on which we can all paint the life of our dreams more vividly than ever before. The key to tapping into this shimmering field of potential is listening within and aligning with our spiritual purpose. I’ll explain here why I believe this is true and how we can all come into a place of greater …

March 13 – Thailand offers significant opportunities in the food processing sector as domestic sales and exports of processed foods continue to rise.
In 2008, Thailand imported approximately $1.4 billion in food ingredients, a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Despite the global economic downturn, Thai food manufacturers will still seek high-quality food ingredients at reasonable prices. U.S. suppliers should focus their attention on new functional food ingredients, flavors and other ingredients for promoting health and wellness benefits in foods.
[b][u]Economic Situation and Market Summary[/u][/b]
Thailand is one of the …

Although many people do use them, many of the manufacturer’s coupons sent out every week in Sunday newspapers go unused. Given today’s economy, using these instant discounts would seem to be one of the easiest ways possible to save some money. Anyone who seriously want to keep more of their paycheck should consider using coupons.
Tons of paper coupons are discarded every week without ever being redeemed. These manufacturer’s coupons are distributed in huge numbers in an effort to win shoppers over to new products. It is amazing that so many …

For many consumers, antioxidant doesn’t go beyond vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, but as understanding of the antioxidant compounds in fruit and vegetables increases, more research is pointing towards the potential of polyphenols.
In the final part of its series on antioxidants, NutraIngredients looks at the rise of polyphenols and flavonoids, and what still needs to be done.
Data from Leatherhead Food International (LFI) shows that the world functional antioxidants market is increasing year on year by around 3 per cent, and was valued at US$ 400 million in …

A campaign that strongly opposes the inclusion of GDA-type nutritional labelling in the proposed new food information legislation has been launched by a consortium of health and industry groups in Denmark.
The guidance daily amount (GDA) scheme was developed by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA). It gives scheme gives info on calories, sugars, fat, saturates and sodium content per portion of the food – as well as percentage of the GDA for each for a healthy active adult of normal weight.
GDAs are …

Maize prices at the market yard moved down by about 3% to Rs.8050 per MT, but the prices have been higher by about 7.4% against last year, during the same time. Overall demand is slow for the domestic sector, specially poultry and starch and purchases are for immediate requirements rather than storage for a long period as rabi crop is due to arrive soon and in some cases arrivals have started.
In the futures market (NCDEX), prices were lower than last week by 1 – 1.5% for Mar – June deliveries. …