The natural polyphenol resveratrol found in grapes and red wine has been shown in numerous studies to offer significant health benefits, and a new study shows why. Researchers in China and the U.S. have discovered that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone derived from cells that manufacture and store fat. The hormone itself has numerous beneficial effects on obesity-related medical complications, and together with resveratrol, displays anti-obesity, anti-insulin resistance and anti-aging properties. “Results from these studies should be of interest to those who are obese, diabetic and growing older,” one researcher said. “The findings should also provide important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of these diseases.”

Sixty percent of today’s British consumers prefer naturally low-fat or low-calorie foods, says a Mintel report, while 63 percent of those who dieted in the last three years used calorie-reduced food. Many find diet foods less filling. Seventy-three percent find each small pack of diet foods more expensive and 41 percent prefer to eat their usual regular food items in smaller portions. Thirty-eight percent think that low-fat food taste and quality has improved, but 54% prioritize taste over calorie or fat content. Nearly a half do not feel that low-fat foods are really healthy and 44% are not sure if diet food sweeteners are really safe.

In an attempt to freshen wilting sales, the British organic industry will unveil a £2 million consumer awareness campaign  with the theme “Why I Love Organic.” Organic food sales declined 14 percent to £1.7 billion in 2009, the worst sales performance in two decades, according to the Co-operative Bank. The U.K.s Organic Trade Board believes the slump in sales is due to widespread consumer misunderstanding of what the term organic means. The goal of the three-year campaign, therefore, is to raise awareness of the benefits of organic food and farming and to encourage more purchasing of organic produce. Backed by the European Union, the campaign has the support of more than 75 U.K. retailers and brands, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Green & Black’s, Rachel’s and Yeo Valley.

In a recent webcast, several food industry experts shared their insights into U.S. regulations governing food and supplement health claims and into consumer purchase preferences. Attorney Anne Maher pointed out that food and supplement ad categories that are the most closely monitored have to do with treatment/cure prevention claims, immunity claims, products for children’s health/performance and weight loss. As to consumer buying trends, food marketing professor Nancy Childs said that nutrition is important to consumers but most important is taste. Citing data from FMI Research, she noted that health claims as a purchasing influence slid from 29 percent in 2008 to 25 percent in 2009. However, functional foods are still important despite the recession, because they “provide value and justify higher/holding prices to consumers.”

Dioxin contamination found in thousands of eggs in Germany has halted production at over 1,000 meat and poultry farms. The original contamination happened when oils for biofuels was used for animal feed. A European Commission spokesperson said that food exports from Germany were unaffected and there was no need for a ban. Prosecutors have named Harles und Jentzsch, a company in northern Germany that produces animal feed, in preliminary proceedings. Research has shown dioxins affect pregnant women and lead to higher cancer rates.

Stonyfield and Organic Valley, two of America's leading organic suppliers, have started the Stonyfield Organic Farmers Grant-a-Wish Program to offer organic farmers grants to improve their farms. Stonyfield's goal is to help small organic farmers and raise awareness through their "organic stories initiative". The contest has been narrowed down from 72 to 6 competitors and online consumer votes will determine how to award the $31,000 in grants. Finalists' projects range from walk-through flytraps to ponds and had to be creative, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.

Tomatoes have been found to contain a variety of beneficial compounds that improve lipid (fat) metabolism, but until now the reason why has been a mystery. For this study, researchers in Japan tested various compounds extracted from tomatoes and found that one compound, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic, fights dyslipidemia, a condition which is caused by an abnormal amount of lipids, such as cholesterol or fat, in the bloodstream. The compound enhanced fatty acid oxidation and helped regulate hepatic (liver) lipid metabolism. According to the researchers, the findings suggest that 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid found in tomatoes has anti-dyslipidemia affects and can therefore help prevent vascular diseases.

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing a new form of plastic packaging that will tell consumers about a product’s freshness, through color changes in the plastic, and help reduce the 8.3 million tons of food the U.K. throws away each year. The aim is to develop intelligent plastic packaging, removing the need for the expensive freshness labels currently in use. The Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme provided £325,000 in funding as part of its support for new ideas to launch small companies.

Dean Foods and its local and regional dairies have launched a “Start Right End Right” promotional campaign for their line of flavored milks that have been reformulated with 10-15 percent fewer calories and 20-25 percent less sugar. The campaign, which is “geared toward helping families make wholesome milk part of everyday nutrition,” offers tips and facts at the Web site (www.StartRightEndRight.com) and on Facebook. As part of the campaign, the company has created a national sweepstakes offering families a top prize of $25,000, plus a $5,000 prize for a school of their choice. The company’s flavored milk products contain 150 calories and 22 grams of sugar per serving, in addition to being low-fat. A fat-free version is also available, according to the company.

A study in mice by U.S. researchers has concluded that the elevated fat and cholesterol levels found in the typical American-style diet play a significant role in the onset and spread of breast cancer. Tumors developed quickly in mouse models of breast cancer (PyMT mice) that were fed a diet containing 21.2 percent fat and 0.2 percent cholesterol. The number of tumors was nearly twice that of the control group that was fed normal chow. In addition, the tumors were 50 percent larger than those observed in mice that ate a normal diet. “These data provide new evidence for an increased utilization of cholesterol by tumors and for its role in tumor formation,” the researchers concluded. High levels of blood cholesterol not only accelerate development of tumors, they also “exacerbate their aggressiveness.”

Organic rice and rice products producer Lundberg Family Farms has opened a 37,558-foot warehouse powered completely by solar energy. The warehouse uses 1,690 solar panels at the facility in Richvale, Calif. The company says the panels will produce 500,000 kilowatts of electricity, more than enough to power the building. According to the company, 20 percent of the electricity it consumes comes from solar energy. By purchasing renewable energy credits to offset the rest, the company can claim its energy use is 100 percent green. The warehouse was built to U.S. Green Building Council’s certification standards and is designed to capture and filter storm water runoff. It features high-efficiency water conservation fixtures such as dual flush water closets, waterless urinal and electronic faucets that reduce water by 39 percent, saving 15,625 gallons annually.

Food safety practices within an organization can be a significant risk factor in causing, or preventing, foodborne illness, according to a new U.S. study. Kansas State University professor Doug Powell says the way businesses and organizations operate above and beyond minimal food safety regulations and inspections – their “food safety culture” – is often overlooked. For the study, Powell and colleagues analyzed three food safety breakdowns: an E. coli outbreak in Wales in 2005, a listeria outbreak in Canada in 2008, and a salmonella outbreak in the U.S. in 2009 linked to peanut paste that killed nine and sickened 691. Key lessons derived? Food producers, restaurants and others should know the risks associated with their products, how to manage them, and most important, how to communicate with and compel staff to employ good practices.

The U.S. Organic Trade Association reports that organic produce sales continued double-digit growth (11.4 percent) in 2009, despite the economic slowdown, and was the only segment of the organic food market that didn’t lose ground. For example, sales of organic dairy and packaged/prepared foods declined one percent. According to the OTA, total 2009 organic sales in the U.S. were $26.6 billion, growing at a rate of 5.3 percent, while organic food sales grew by 5.1 percent. Total U.S. food purchases grew by 1.6 percent. The reason for the solid growth and sales? According to an OTA spokeswoman, Americans “were cooking more at home and not eating out as much, therefore they were still buying fruits and vegetables and bringing them home.” Produce accounts for 38 percent of the organic food market, the OTA said.
 

A study by scientists at the U.S. research firm Life Sciences Research Organization, Inc., that examined peer-reviewed research on the effect of dietary supplements on mental energy has found that Ginkgo biloba and omega-3 fatty acids seem to offer some genuine health benefits. According to the researchers, many foods, beverages and dietary supplements claim they increase mental energy. Researchers looked at 35 food ingredients, dietary supplements, dietary constituents, and dietary factors that promised a positive impact on mental energy, which they defined as consisting of mood, motivation, and cognition. Four constituents and supplements were then reviewed: Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, glucose, and omega-3 fatty acids. The strongest evidence suggests that Ginkgo biloba does affect mood and attention and omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Slowly but steadily, the vegan diet that bars consumption of any animal-derived foods or ingredients is catching on in the U.S., thanks to ready availability of vegan foodstuffs like tempeh and tofu, a wider array of recipes, and other factors. Recent survey results peg the total vegan market at about one percent of U.S. consumers – or about a third of self-professed vegetarians. Besides food and recipe availability, the increase in the vegan population can also be tied to an increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware American population, and to concerns among shoppers about where their meat really comes from. Also, celebrities like Bill Clinton and Mike Tyson have touted their vegan diets. And many chefs say vegan entrees are one of the hottest restaurant menu trends of 2011.

A small British software company has developed an app for the iPhone that makes it easy to determine whether a food or ingredient contains allergenic ingredients. The app – known as IsItInIt – uses barcode-reading technology and the smartphone’s camera to determine the ingredients on more than 85,000 food products. Nutritionists see the advance as a major breakthrough for Britons who suffer from food allergies. To make the technology work, users enter details of their allergic condition, including specific offending foods and ingredients, at a Web site. The site’s database then synchs up with the app on the phone. A red warning signal is transmitted to the user as soon as the bar code is scanned into the phone. About 45 percent of Britons – 25 million people – suffer from food intolerances.

Canadian nutrition supplement maker Atrium Innovations Inc. has acquired Ontario-based Seroyal International, a provider of premium dietary supplement brands targeting healthcare practitioners channels in Canada and in the U.S. Seroyal’s annual revenues are about US$40 million. Ninety percent of Seroyal’s sales come from three main products: Genestra, Unda and Pharmax. Another brand, the joint venture-owned CoreLab, is a health food store brand sold in the U.S. Atrium acquired Seroyal for a total cash consideration of US$110 million plus future earn-out payments. Atrium markets a portfolio of dietary supplements for the health and nutrition industry in more than 35 countries, primarily in North America and Europe. According to Atrium CEO, the acquisition ”adds premium, high margin and complementary brands” to Atrium’s product line.

Chocolate startup Tcho Chocolate is entering the lucrative U.S. chocolate industry, worth some $16.9 million in 2009, as well as the global market. Tcho is a premium brand and the company is focusing on flavor and the taste experience. The company started selling chocolate in the U.S. only in 2009, but has already begun expanding international operations: consumers in the U.K., Ireland, and Japan can now buy Tcho Chocolate products from select stores, and emerging markets are targets too. The company uses the top quality beans from Ecuador, Madagascar, Ghana, and Peru. The San Francisco factory is both traditional and state-of-the-art. The top executives include the founders of Wired, the technology magazine, and workers can monitor operations using an i-Phone application. US distribution is currently focused on the West Coast, but distribution to other major cities should follow. 

Meat production is resource intensive, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization expects meat output to double by 2050. Researchers in Freising, Germany, have been working on finding alternatives that are healthy, sustainable, and taste just as good as the original. Specifically looking at lupin seeds and lupin protein, Dr. Eisner has developed a protein that yields a fat-like structure. The team showed, for example, that adding lupin protein to low-fat sausages improved the “fat-like impression” without adding to the fat content. A milk substitute has also been developed using the lupin proteins that is lactose and cholesterol-free and could be used in ice cream and cheese production. Dr. Eisner reports that while 2.5 acres of land allocated to meat production earns 950 Euros in income, if used to grow plants for a variety of uses it produces around 1770 Euros.

Two surveys conducted by Harris/Decima on behalf of Dempster's Bakery found only 10% of Canadians are eating the recommended amount of grain per day. The majority in all age groups fell short of the recommended 6-8 servings per day despite more than 80% of respondents agreeing about the positive health benefits of whole grains. The 25-34 year olds are doing the best with 15% reaching the goal. Dieticians say the problem stems from misinformation and not understanding which foods contain the right carbohydrates. They recommend simple changes such as oatmeal for breakfast and whole grain bread or pasta to meet the requirements.

The U.S. State Department has been actively lobbying European countries to support genetically modified (GM) crops, according to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. For example, in 2007 the U.S. Embassy in Paris called on State to create a “retaliation list” of  EU member states that oppose GM crops. France has taken steps to ban a GM maize strain produced by Monsanto, temporarily halting marketing and cultivation of the MON 810 strain within its borders. The crop is authorized in all EU countries. "Country team Paris recommends that we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU," U.S. Ambassador Craig Stapleton wrote on December 14, 2007. Other countries targeted for pressure included Spain and the Vatican, according to the WikiLeaks disclosures.

Seventy percent of Chinese worry about food safety and think government should improve management and surveillance to protect people, says a survey by Insight China magazine and Tsinghua Media Survey Lab. Consumers are concerned about incidents like the 2008 baby formula contamination, which killed six children and made over 300,000 ill. They worry most about the health impact of puffed and fried foods popular with children, but they are also concerned about many other types of produce, processed and instant food. Other perceived threats include excessive pesticide residue and abuse of food additives. The central government is trying to improve food safety by investing in quality inspection centers and proper food hygiene, and by ensuring accurate public information.

Considered a cracker since production began in 1947, Nabisco wants to repackage Wheat Thins as a standalone snack food. Nabisco, a division of Kraft Foods, spent $16.2 million during the first three quarters of 2010 on marketing for the Wheat Thins brand, up from $14.3 million for all of 2009. People between the ages of 18-24 are the largest consumers of snack foods and are the main target for marketers at Nabisco. Advertising campaigns cover a variety of venues; commercials featuring real customers who have talked about the product on social networks, samples at community events, and sponsoring television programs. Changes that will be finished in 2011 include losing pictures of toppings on the product and new phrasing to drop references to crackers.

Representatives of L’Oreal and Clarins talked about their commitment to sustainable development practices, such as more organic ingredients use, product safety, and greener packaging. L’Oreal taps into renewable energy sources, such as biomethane, solar, biofuel, geothermal, and other local solutions and aims to cut GHG emissions and generated waste and water consumption per finished product to 50% by 2015. Clarins targets a 20% GHG reduction by 2011 and eschews the practice of carbon offset. It aims to promote fair trade and also plans to use more organic ingredients, but criticizes the number of different organic certifications worldwide. 

U.S. flavor company Sensient Flavors has developed a list of ten exotic flavors that present “opportunities for innovation” to food and beverage manufacturers in 2011, including aquaje, a sweet tasting Peruvian fruit whose flavor has been compared to that of the carrot, and berbere, an Ethiopian blend of cayenne pepper, allspice, cardamom, cloves, fenugreek, ginger, black pepper, and salt. Sensient’s list was developed using its trend framework that “filters trends from the broad, macro level down to the flavors themselves,” according to the company. Other innovative flavors listed by Sensient include sweet-and-sour energy-boosting borojo from Columbia and Ecuador; Ceylon cinnamon, a complex flavor with hints of citrus that is already used in the U.K. and Mexico; and tart, tangy hibiscus from South America and the Caribbean.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America and has been brought into the political spotlight by the First Lady's "Let's Move" initiative. George Ball, current chairperson of the W. Atlee Burbee Company, says that research by his company has shown that getting kids to eat healthy is a matter of the parents setting a good example. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported only 26% of U.S. adults consider they eat 3 or more servings of vegetables a day. Ball says if parents actively involve their children in growing fruits and vegetables the children learn to enjoy eating the results. Even fresh produce grown using containers in a home is an improvement over unhealthy alternatives. To educate people about fruits and vegetables Ball previously helped organize community leaders, schools, and churches in establishing local gardens.

A recent study at Case University revealed that foods claiming to be trans fat free could lead to unhealthy amounts being consumed, and it is legal. Current regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration says a company can claim its product to be fat free if it contains under 0.5 grams of fat. The American Heart Association and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend limiting consumption of trans fat to 1.11 grams per day due to the health risks, and just 3 servings of a fat free product containing 0.49 grams puts a person above that threshold. Previous studies have shown that an increase from 2 grams to 4.67 grams of trans fat per day can increase risks of cardiovascular disease by 30%. The study recommends smaller incremental reporting requirements to address the problem.

Food industry writer Anna Soref’s ”trends and hot products” for 2011 include the use of the “Aggregate Nutrient Density Index” as an innovative method for measuring and monitoring foods consumed, as well as the cross-merchandising and blending of gourmet and natural foods. Other predictions include: more healthy snacks and convenience foods for kids; sports supplements bolstered with the amino acid beta-alanine; energy drinks that substitute functional ingredients for caffeine; replacement of sodium with chemical flavorings; increased use of “resveratrol’s cousin,” the amino acid pterostilbene; more use of exotic grains as Americans move beyond gluten-free and traditional wheat, rice and oats; and the appearance of shelf- and heat-stable probiotic formulations.

Meat consumption in developing nations is on the rise, but scientists worry that the increasing demand for meat will put a heavy strain on natural resources, especially available farmland. The problem is that meat production requires a lot of land: 40 square meters to produce a kilogram of meat. That same amount of land, however, will produce 120 kilograms of carrots and 80 kilograms of apples. According to Dr.-Ing. Peter Eisner of Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, plant-based food ingredients could play an important role as protein and fat substitutes in the years to come. Eisner, for example, has developed a "milk substitute" from lupin proteins that works well in foods such as ice cream and cheese, but contains no lactose or cholesterol and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Misleading – but government-approved – food labeling practices can result in a major intake of detrimental trans fat, according to a U.S. study. The vague labeling policy can cause consumers to exceed the daily recommended value of 1.11 grams of trans fat from processed foods, leading to adverse long-term health side effects. Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling rules allow a product containing .49 grams of trans fat to list the trans fat content on the label as zero, thus masking a significant amount. According to study author Eric Brandt, the agency should revise its labeling protocol to require food labels to report trans fat content in smaller increments. That would enable consumers to recognize significant levels of trans fat in foods and avoid or manage their intake.

Dr. Conrad Woolsey of Oklahoma State University says that the consumption of energy drinks when young may cause behavioral changes later in life by manipulating the pleasure-reward and stress neurotransmitters, partly because it takes 25 years for a human brain to develop fully. Tolerance for the pleasure inducing ingredients can lead to addictive behavior as shown by a study that found college students drinking 3-4 energy drinks a week were a higher risk for abusing amphetamine-based medication. Ingredients stimulating stress neurotransmitters can also cause young people to develop anxiety and depression. A survey of college students also linked regular consumption of energy drinks with a higher risk of alcohol dependency. Representing energy drink companies, the American Beverage Association has replied by saying the association between higher energy drink and alcohol consumption does not mean energy drinks caused the alcohol drinking. The ABA maintains caffeine in energy drinks is safe but has not commented on other ingredients.

Evian's 2011 "Live Young" campaign will build on the 2009 campaign based around videos of rapping babies on roller skates that have attracted millions of views in the US and internationally since their launch. This year, Evian will use music videos as well as urban events, and has enlisted the video specialists from Eclectic Method and other musicians to create footage of the culture and sights from Los Angles and Miami. The videos, which will appear on Evian's Facebook page, should encourage fans to "make the most of every moment" and will feature homegrown talent in promotional spots during the months of January and February.

Writers for the Des Moines Register newspaper who spoke with experts about trends in technology, health and dining found, for example, that Iowa’s chefs are catering more to the dietary requirements of vegans and vegetarians. Though “still a meat-and-potatoes kind of place,” they wrote, Iowans can find restaurants that serve tasty vegetarian meals. Other Iowa trends uncovered: gourmet pizza shops offering smaller pizzas and one slice servings; epicurean meals served in “one-night restaurants” at special events; increased use of non-traditional pork cuts, such as pork bellies and shanks; more menus featuring hand-crafted sausages and sausage dishes; greater use of unusual and exotic ingredients, such as smoked olive oil, hay, local Iowa honey and pimento cheese; and the re-emergence of pies, “both sweet and savory.”

Scientists who tested two high-carbohydrate formulas found that a drink containing chia seeds and Gatorade had the benefit of using less sugar, but otherwise offered no performance advantage to highly-trained athletes undergoing rigorous exercise. The study compared a traditional carb-loading formula – 100 percent Gatorade – against a formula consisting of half Greens Plus Omega 3 Chia seeds and half Gatorade. Six highly-trained males did a one-hour run on a treadmill followed by a 10 k time trial run on a track. The researchers concluded that the Omega 3 Chia formula was a “viable option” for lower-sugar carb loading prior to vigorous exercise of more than 90 minutes, but offered no measurable performance advantage over plain Gatorade.

A study by U.S. researchers has found that caffeinated coffee increases plasma levels of a protein called sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) that regulates the biological activity of sex hormones associated with development of type 2 diabetes. For the study, the researchers identified 359 new diabetes cases matched by age and race with 359 apparently healthy controls from 40,000 women enrolled in a large-scale cardiovascular trial. Researchers found that women who drink at least four cups of coffee a day cut their risk of diabetes to less than half that of non-coffee drinkers. Women who also carried the protective copy of the SHBG gene benefited the most from coffee consumption. The protective effect was not found among decaf coffee drinkers.

A study by Australian and Finnish researchers has found that an unhealthy lifestyle as youths mature into adulthood  has a significant impact on unhealth lipid and lipoprotein levels in adults. The researchers studied 539 young adults who were measured at the start of the study in 1985 when aged 9, 12, or 15 years and at follow-up between 2004 and 2006. An unhealthy lifestyle – lack of exercise, smoking, obesity, saturated fat consumption, etc. – was shown to affect whether an individual maintained weight, lost weight, or developed risky cholesterol levels. The researchers concluded that weight control, increased physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and improved socioeconomic position as a person grows from youth to adulthood “are likely to be of benefit in preventing adult dyslipidemia,” the researchers concluded.

Oil-in-water emulsions (e.g., mayonnaise) and water-in-oil emulsions (e.g., margarine) have been around a long time. But a more recent type of emulsion, a double phase or multiple emulsion  known as water-in-oil-in-water (WOW), is gaining favor in the food and beverage industries because of its potential in fat reduction and other applications. WOW emulsions are difficult to make, requiring processing through a high-pressure homogenizer to create stability. But the possible benefits make the complex process worth undergoing. WOW emulsions are expected to be used as delivery vehicles for flavors and active ingredients, including health-promoting ingredients – water-soluble vitamins, botanicals, polyunsaturated fatty acids and others – in functional foods. Other possible applications include fruit pigment protection and salt reduction. Using WOW technology, for example, a food product could taste saltier to a consumer, but actually contain less salt.

Postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density were able to increase density by consuming milk and yogurt fortified with vitamin D and calcium over 30 months, researchers in Greece report. The study involved 40 women aged 55 – 65 years who were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group and one that consumed 1,200 mg of calcium and 7.5 micrograms of vitamin D3 daily for 12 months. Vitamin D was then increased to 22.5 micrograms for 18 months. The researchers found that vitamin D levels dropped significantly in the control group during the winter months, but remained the same for the dietary calcium/vitamin D group. The dietary group also experienced significant drops in levels of C-terminal telopeptides (CTx) after six and 12 months. CTx weakens bone weakening by breaking down type-I collagen.

There is no significant difference between protein-enriched and standard protein meal replacements in terms of weight loss, liver function, kidney function or bone density, according to a one-year study by U.S. researchers who tested 100 obese men and women over age 30. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups who ate either a high-protein weight loss meal (2.2g protein/kg of lean body mass per day) or a standard protein (1.1g) meal. After a year, both groups had lost about the same amount of weight on average. The researchers concluded that “protein-enriched meal replacements as compared to standard meal replacements recommended for weight management do not have adverse effects on routine measures of liver function, renal function or bone density at one year.”

A poll conducted by Mambo Sprouts Marketing has found that eco-conscious grocery shoppers have become suspicious of “natural” labels on food products and urge creation of standards for so-called natural products. The poll, conducted among 1,000 consumers of organic and natural products, found 34 percent of either “not very” or “not at all” confident in “natural labeling,” while 65 percent were “very interested” in seeing standards set or certification for products that are labeled “natural.” Thirty-three percent preferred oversight of natural labeling by an independent organization, while 27 percent preferred government oversight agency. As to recession-induced shopping practices, respondents said they will continue to shop for the best value on eco- and healthy products, clip or download coupons, and choose store brand organic products.

Breakfast cereal manufacturers are responding to government pressure and increased consumer sensitivity to health issues by reformulating product lines to contain less salt and sugar, and more healthy ingredients. One example of the trend is Kellogg’s Special K, which is now promoting healthy benefits from its fiber, protein, and 10 essential nutrients. Governmental scrutiny of health claims is intense in Europe, but industry watchers expect the U.S. to follow suit if the European rules prove effective. In the meantime, cereal companies are getting in step with the times, offering products like Three Sisters Cereal’s hot cereal that is all-natural, contains whole grains, flax seed, real fruit and ALA omega-3 fatty acids. The General Mills cereal Wheaties Fuel boasts of being an excellent source of fiber and 100 percent of the daily value of B vitamins.

A U.S. study has found a “cross-heritability” between alcoholism and obesity, indicating that a family history of alcoholism puts individuals, particularly women, at higher risk for obesity. The data were compiled from surveys of 80,000 people conducted in the 1990s and in 2001 and 2002. Cross-heritability is a predisposition to one condition that puts people at risk for other conditions. The risk appears to be growing, the researchers found, thanks to changes in the food we eat and the availability of more foods that interact with the same brain areas as addictive drugs. Obesity in the U.S. has doubled from 15 percent of the population in the late 1970s to 33 percent in 2004. Obese people have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers.

Italy has joined a growing list of countries that have banned or imposed surcharges on plastic shopping bags by retail shops for environmental reasons. Violation of Italy’s new law carries penalties, but shopkeepers in the country claim they have received no official notices or explanations except through the media. According to an environmental group, each Italian on average uses about 300 plastic bags annually. If each consumer used only ten biodegradable bags a year, 180,000 tons of gasoline would be saved, Legambiente said. Other governments that have imposed bans or surcharges on plastic bags include Mexico, China, Tanzania, India, Ireland, and cities in Australia, South Africa and Taiwan.

Lower prices and a recovering world economy should contribute to a rebound in the sales of whey and lactose, which saw a drop in demand in 2007-2008, Denmark’s 3A Business Consulting reports. Price increases during that time period forced food manufacturers to replace whey and lactose with less expensive ingredients. ”Demand has been re-established at previous levels in 2010,” according to 3A managing partner Tage Affertsholt. The global market for whey powder and proteins was valued at $5 billion in 2010 and could reach $6.4 billion by 2014. The 2010 global market for lactose ingredients was worth about $1.6 billion and could reach $2 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of three percent. Whey and lactose are used in mainstream processed foods as well as functional foods, especially sports and energy products.

The drive to cut waste in Britain is gaining momentum as taxes for landfills are up almost 50% in the last two years to about $100 per ton and the European Union requirement to halve all trash sent to landfills comes close to its 2013 deadline. In 2003 and again in 2008, the British government passed legislation to curb the increasing amount of waste sent to landfills. Working with government agencies, companies have made changes to packaging such as reducing boxes and bows on candy. Consumers are also looking critically at the packages in stores as seen when the Lincolnshire County Council, which has seen annual complaints rise from 3 to 100, sued over packaging of luxury meat. The store later reduced the packaging by more than 50 percent. In contrast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency encourages waste reduction but has no federal regulations or taxes.

Scientists in South Dakota are launching two clinical trials testing the efficacy of an anti-obesity compound derived from a Chinese herb. According to South Dakota State University researcher Gareth Davies, earlier lab and animal testing has found that the compound, which they call AIHBG-10, stops the development of fat cells. The compound essentially  changes the gene expression in fat cells, preventing them from developing from a pre-fat cell to a fat cell. Davies said the compound may have potential in treating side effects resulting from some medications, especially anti-psychotic drugs, which often lead to abnormal weight gain. One of the clinical trials will test the compound in patients receiving anti-psychotic medications.

Known for his work reinvigorating American wines and gourmet chocolate, John Scharffenberger is working on adding tofu to his list of accomplishments. Scharffenberger is presently the CEO of Hodo Soy Beanery, founded by Minh Tsai with help from his family. Tofu produced by Hodo is gaining recognition among chefs and consumers for the flavor and the fact that the company uses preservative free organic soybeans. It’s very different from the bland blocks many Americans think of when picturing tofu. Currently limited by the life span of the product, the company plans to expand into Portland, Seattle, Vancouver and Los Angeles by spring. Scharffenberger says his goal is not to replace hamburgers but to market the tofu as a healthy, tasty, and easy addition to items such as salads.

High levels of dietary sodium are associated with hypertension, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2008, Britons consumed an average of about 8.6 g of sodium a day, much more than the 1–2 g a day required for good health. Now a British study that analyzed food-purchasing data for more than 21,000 British households and more than 44,000 food products has found that much of the sodium consumed in the U.K. – apart from table salt, which accounts for 23 percent – comes from five processed-food categories: bacon, bread, milk, cheese, and savory sauces (totaling 37 percent). “Accordingly,” the researchers concluded, “the targeting of sodium content reductions in these categories … could lead to large potential gains in public health.”

Starting in 2012 the USDA will require all meat suppliers to put nutritional labels on 40 of the most popular pieces of meat. The information provided on the new labels, such as calorie and fat counts, allows consumers to make better decisions on just what type of meat is healthier for them. Nutritional labeling also brings meat products up to the level required on other food. The U.S. currently processes 15% of the world's meat and Americans on average eat almost 8 ounces a day, about double the world's average. This new transparency on meat products could prove harmful to suppliers as consumers see the 350 calories and the amount of saturated fat in just 4 ounces of 73% lean ground beef.

Self confidence, courage and pride are a few of the intangible benefits that accompany weight loss experienced by women who regularly eat Special K breakfast cereal, according to the newly revised Special K Challenge. The new version of the Challenge – whose theme is "What Will You Gain When You Lose?" – still emphasizes shedding pounds but adds an emotional element rooted in self esteem. The message of the new ad campaign, which includes traditional (print, TV, etc.) and digital (Facebook, etc.) media, is that losing weight and keeping it off are not temporary goals, but lifelong lifestyle commitments. According to a Leo Burnett ad agency executive,  "Shifting the focus to how you want to feel provides the ongoing, positive motivation to take the longer view.”