A study by Austrian, Italian and Dutch scientists has uncovered an allergen (Api g 2) in celery that is not affected by digestion or heat and may cause severe allergic reactions. “Api g 2-sensitized patients are at risk to develop adverse reactions upon consumption of cooked celery stalks,” the authors wrote. They noted that identifying allergens at the molecular level and adding them to the array of known allergens could help consumers avoid needless dietary restrictions and might help food formulators who are developing processed foods that include possible allergenic ingredients. “Inclusion of recombinant Api g 2 in the current panel of allergens for molecule-based diagnosis will … help clinicians in the management of food allergic patients,” the researchers said.

Small and mid-sized organic producers and farmers transitioning to organic food production are getting financial help from the USDA to implement resource conservation practices, the agency announced. The assistance – this year totaling $50 million – was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill to help organic farmers protect natural resources “and create conditions that help foster organic production,” according to USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. Producers eligible for the assistance include those certified through USDA's National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic production, and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification because annual organic sales are less than $5,000, the agency said. Appropriate use of the aid money would be, for example, to plant cover crops, create pest management plans or put in place organic nutrient management systems.

Germany has asked the European Commission to establish a dataset of certified organic producers to help reduce the risk fraudulent organic labeling. Several cases of conventional meat falsely labeled as organic have surfaced in Europe, and Germany believes a database would allow organic regulators to take swift action against producers who falsely label their products as organic to be able to charge higher prices. It would also ease concerns of organic consumers who want assurance that they are getting what they are paying for. Organic regulators would have to update the database immediately if they revoke a producer’s organic certification, which are at any rate often forged or passed off as current. Germany’s proposed new system would also permit supermarket chains to check whether their suppliers were still certified to deliver organic produce.

U.K.-based drug development firm SEEK will soon begin the final stages of human trials of a new drug containing theobromine, a natural ingredient found in cocoa and chocolate, for the treatment of persistent cough, which afflicts an estimated 800 million people worldwide and has a significant impact on an individual’s employment and psychosocial conditions, as well as on healthcare costs. Opioid-based drugs, such as those containing codeine, are associated with serious safety issues linked to the ways they metabolize codeine into morphine. Human trials in Korea found that theobromine doesn’t exhibit the side effects of opioid-based drugs. Researchers found that theobromine inhibits the “firing” of the vagus nerve, which is characteristic of persistent cough. Other benefits of theobromine include its use as a vasodilator, diuretic, and can stimulate the heart. A Phase III trial should begin within six months, and a drug could be on sale in Europe within two years.

Though there is a possibility that the USDA may get more proactive in restricting genetically modified farming, natural food retailers can play a key role in fighting “big ag” and preventing GM foods from entering the food supply. Consumers who patronize natural food stores are “the best demographic to lead the tipping point,” according to Jeffrey Smith, author of “Seeds of Deception”. Natural foods shoppers are intent on avoiding GM food, but are often not clear on the reasons why or and don't know how to go about it. That’s where retailers can step in and educate shoppers on the health dangers of GM foods, offer easy non-GM options and make viral “the message of the tipping point.” The whole idea is to “mobilize the trendsetting, health-conscious shoppers” to keep GM foods off the shelves.

In October 2010, Walmart announced its intention to extend its locally-produced offerings by doubling the share of food produced in-state to 9 percent by 2015. The move is to meet one of the strongest current consumer demands, underlined by the growth in farmers markets, which exceeded 6,000 this year. Other supermarket chains are also addressing the trend, which is based on a perception of higher quality and a desire to support local farmers and communities. Supply, however, could be constrained by farmers’ reluctance to scale up, knowing they can often attract retail prices at farmers markets, as well as the additional formalities required to move to supplying wholesalers, such as insurance, transportation, packaging, and food safety conditions. However, with the trend powered by Walmart, there’s a good chance that it will become mainstream sometime in the future. 

Nestlé Chief Executive Paul Bulcke says that part of the solution to rising global healthcare costs “lies in the gap between food and pharmaceuticals”. His company’s goal is to close that gap – and spur company growth – first by launching Nestlé Health Science SA create “specialist food-based products” that will help thwart and even treat serious health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. An institute within that new company will conduct biomedical research to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease. From that knowledge Nestlé hopes to develop food products or supplements like its Clinutren line, which are added to soups and other foods to help prevent weight loss in cancer patients. Total sales at the company’s current Healthcare Nutrition unit, which will be folded into Health Science SA, were $1.63 billion in 2009.

With ASEAN encouraging and integrating organic production and export among its 10 member nations, Thailand stands to benefit if its farmers can focus on adopting organic production methods. Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said that  Thailand could be used as a manufacturing and exporting center to countries beyond the region. Thai organic exports account for 0.21 per cent of the total global trade value of organic products, which is slated to reach $60 billion in 2010 . The country’s organic industry association expects the value of Thai organic exports will grow by 10 percent in 2011 to $119.5 million. Organic products targeted for export are rice, fruits, coffee, vegetables and garments.

Research by U.S. and Israeli scientists has found that a father’s nutritional patterns are passed on to the next generation through the sperm rather than through social influence. The fathers had never seen their offspring and spent very little time with the mothers. Researchers tested whether environmental conditions are inherited by offspring (i.e., transgenerational effects) by analyzing genes in mice whose fathers were fed a low-protein diet. Hundreds of genes changed in the offspring of those protein-starved males, researchers found. The findings add to scientific evidence that epigenetics – inheritable chemical modifications to DNA – may be an important way to pass information about the environment from one generation to the next. The researchers acknowledged they are not sure now the information is encoded and passed from father to offspring.

Seventy-five percent of children surveyed by U.S. researchers consumed caffeine on a daily basis, usually in soft drinks, and the more caffeine the children consumed, the less they slept. However, even though caffeine is a diuretic, it was not linked to bedwetting. The researchers surveyed the parents of more than 200 children five to 12 years old about the types and amounts of snacks and beverages their children consumed each day. The researchers found that some children as young as five consumed the equivalent of a can of soda a day, but older children drank more caffeinated beverages. Children between the ages of eight and 12 years consumed an average of 109 mg of caffeine a day, equivalent to nearly three 12-ounce cans of soda.

A study by researchers in Norway suggests that the reason overweight or obese people have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood is because the vitamin is diverted to fat cells, where it is absorbed and prevented from circulating. A vitamin D deficiency then occurs -- leading potentially to a variety of health problems -- even when obese people take in sufficient amounts from the sun, foods or supplements. The researchers studied 1,779 patients with excess body weight, finding a correlation between higher weight and lower amounts of the hormonal form of vitamin D known as 1,25(OH)2D. That compound maintains proper calcium levels in the body, and a deficiency has been associated with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.

With the goal of developing a new healthier “High Fiber Grains Cluster” comprising widely cultivated wheat, barley and rice, four Australian research institutions will collaborate closely over the next three years to boost beta glucans and arabinoxylans, key contributors to the soluble component of dietary fiber in the various grains. The University of Melbourne, The University of Adelaide, The University of Queensland and CSIRO will pump more than $7 million into the project. The university partners will receive more than $3.4 million from the CSIRO’s Flagship Collaboration Fund. The beta glucans and arabinoxylans found in soluble fiber block the re-absorption of cholesterol from the gut, research has shown, so more of this cholesterol is lost naturally from the body during the digestive process.

No. 2 ranked baby food producer Beech-Nut has joined with Disney Consumer Products to create a line of toddler – 12 months and older – foods whose packaging features Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Piglet characters. The foods are made with natural ingredients, according to Beech-Nut, and contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The foods are also fortified with vitamins and minerals and contain fiber, whole grains, fruit, yogurt, vegetables and protein. The 20 new toddler products include steam-cooked microwaveable meals, whole grain and fruit snacks, and 100 percent juice beverages. Beech-Nut says the new steam-cooked microwaveable meals will be advertised in an upcoming TV commercial campaign and other promotional programming developed with Disney's entertainment divisions.

PepsiCo’s juice division Tropicana Products says it is market-testing an addition to its “Good for You” food product line: a portable snack for children that blends “real squeezable fruit, packed with nutrition.” According to Tropicana, the idea is to provide America’s moms a fun way to get fruit into their kids’ daily diets. Called Tropicana Tropolis, the lunchbox and grab-and-go snack provides fiber and vitamin C, but no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Varieties of the new snack, which are packaged in “fun-to-squeeze” pouches, include CherryWorld, GrapeWorld and AppleWorld. The product will be tested in select stores in limited markets beginning late January 2011, with a rollout set for 2012, if tests are successful.

The European Parliament has passed a resolution saying that attempts to evade the EU ban on battery cages for laying hens, which will take effect in January 2012, must be opposed. Battery cages are a form of tight confinement of hens that allows efficient, high volume production of eggs. Animal welfare advocates oppose them as inhumane. The resolution was drafted to prevent unfair competition from producers who continue to use the unlawful confinement methods. According to a European Parliament statement, members want "urgent action" – including “dissuasive sanctions” – to ensure that egg producers comply. Some MEPs worry that serious egg shortages are likely to occur if member states and egg producers not in compliance with the ban are barred marketing their eggs.

Several trade associations that represent the dietary supplement industry have thrown their support behind FDA efforts to crack down on tainted products marketed as dietary supplements that contain the same active ingredients as approved drugs or other ingredients that do not qualify as dietary ingredients. The products are often promoted for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding and contain undeclared or deceptively labeled ingredients. The agency announced an RSS feed on its Web site to quickly warn consumers about questionable products, and created a mechanism for industry to alert the FDA about tainted products and the firms that make them. Substances found in tainted products include active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or their analogs and other compounds, such as novel synthetic steroids. FDA enforcement procedures include warning letters, product seizures and criminal prosecutions.

Under pressure from the FTC, the Dannon Company has agreed to drop exaggerated health benefit claims for its Activia yogurt and DanActive dairy drink. Specifically, the company agreed to stop saying that one daily serving of Activia relieves irregularity, and that DanActive helps people avoid catching colds or the flu. According to the FTC’s complaint, Dannon made the claims in its ads and on product packaging, while also stating that the claims were scientifically proven. The FTC charged that Dannon’s ads were deceptive because there was no substantiation for the claims and no clinical proof as Dannon had said. Under the settlement, Dannon is barred from claiming that any yogurt, dairy drink, or probiotic food or drink reduces the likelihood of getting a cold or the flu.

In a “report card” on the progress the U.S. has made toward meeting the goals of a 2005 National Action Plan for improved public health, the National Fruit and Vegetable Association awarded several failing grades. Adult and teen fruit and vegetable consumption are unsatisfactory, for example. Advertising of low nutrition foods is decreasing, but “it has not been replaced with advertising for more nutritious foods.” According to the NFVA, the economic cost attributable to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption grew from $29.3 billion to $56.2 billion over the last ten years, because of growing costs of treating diet-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. The association gave an “A” grade to the new fruit and vegetable vouchers in the federal Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

According to a recent article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming omega-3 fatty acids doesn’t enhance weight loss for people already exercising regularly and dieting. Using an initial sample of 128 overweight individuals, but with a 27 percent withdrawal rate from the 24-week program, the research team at The Cooper Institute in Dallas, TX, found that those taking omega-3 fatty acids showed no significant difference in weight loss from those given a placebo. However, the researchers did conclude that individuals could realize other health benefits by adding regular doses of omega-3 acids to their diets.

With India’s organic exports hovering at an unsatisfactory $110 million a year, the organic producers in the country have formed an association that will seek, among other goals, to boost organic exports to $1 billion within four years. To accomplish that, the new Organic Trade Association of India (OTC) is calling for removal of certain trade restrictions and is asking the government to support the specific needs of different organic product categories. The OTA says it will tackle farm, certification, regulatory and international trade issues. Shri Siddharth, India’s secretary for commerce and industry, told industry representatives that his agency will try to work with other government departments to boost organic exports. The government needs to be aware that some organic niche products are expensive and meant for export, not for public distribution.

Despite several previous claims that dairy could be unhealthy, continued scientific research shows otherwise. Multiple studies, including several from 2010, have shown no correlation between dairy products and an increased risk of heart related problems. A 2010 study from Sweden showed a 25% decline in the risk of death from cancer and heart disease when consuming more calcium than the recommended daily amount. Research in Australia supports those findings with a study that found a 69% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease in subjects consuming the highest amounts of full-fat dairy products compared with those that consumed the lowest amounts. There is also good news for people on diets as studies have shown that adequate amounts of calcium may help reduce the feeling of hunger and lead to higher weight loss.

A new study, published in the June 2010 Journal of the American College of Nutrition, clearly shows that eating almonds can help treat—and may even prevent—type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Nearly 16 million Americans already have pre-diabetes (the precursor to type 2 diabetes) and half of all Americans could develop some form of the disease within the next decade. The 16-week study—one of the first to put a number on prevention data—confirms that following the American Diabetes Association’s recommendation of obtaining 20 percent of total calories from almonds can reduce LDL cholesterol levels and increase insulin sensitivity in those with pre-diabetes.

Kraft Foods and mobile entertainment agency skyrocket have partnered to produce Kraft’s first eBook, "Spread a Little Joy," a compilation of recipes featuring Philadelphia cream cheese. The book, available in Apple’s AppStore or at Amazon.com for $9.99, contains more than 70 recipes for appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts, all made with Philadelphia cream cheese. According to Kraft, this is the first branded eBook built on skyrockit's turnkey platform solution that enables rapid conversion of multiple digital file formats into eBooks in one to two weeks. Kraft Foods has been experimenting with different forms of electronic delivery, including a premium branded iFood Assistant app and Big Fork Little Fork, an iPad app.

The Organic Consumers Association has published its opinions on the leading trends in organic food and agriculture for the coming year. With consumer spending likely to be constrained for a while yet and the “new frugality” possibly here to stay, organic marketers have to communicate value and added benefits. Organic food also needs to tie in with broader environmental and sustainability trends. For example, the President's Cancer Panel reported in 2010 that babies were being born with up to 300 synthetic chemicals in their systems; other studies show that schoolchildren have 10-13 pesticides in their systems that almost disappear when switched to an organic diet. Additional issues to be addressed include demand for sustainable packaging, the leeching of cancer-causing chemicals from packaging, avoiding animal testing, and the effects of pesticides and GMO. Organic farming is growing, with more acreage being given over to it, younger people entering farming by focusing on organic agriculture, and urban agriculture based around organic food. These trends are supported by non-profit Slow Money, which has invested $3 million in sustainable food businesses.

Researchers in Germany and Switzerland have found that though alcohol does slow down digestion after a calorie-rich meal, it doesn’t lead to indigestion problems such as heartburn, gas or bloating. The study included 20 people who drank either white wine or black tea with a meal of cheese fondue, followed by either cherry schnapps or water 90 minutes later. The participants were tested on two days at least one week apart. Established scientific breath tests were used to assess the effects of alcohol consumption on the digestive system.  “Healthy readers should be reassured that they can continue to enjoy this traditional meal with the beverage of their choice without undue concern about postprandial digestive comfort,” the authors concluded.

A report from the Dietary Guidelines Alliance says that American parents aren’t particularly interested in monitoring calories consumed by their children, and think it impractical anyway, even when they know what a calorie is (many don’t). Much more important to parents is serving nutritious foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy and being physically active. Seventy-four 74 percent of parents feel that there should be a balance between the amount of food and beverages consumed and the amount of physical activity. An important message to convey to parents, according to the report, is that they should become committed to “consistent physical activity” but in a fun family context so that children will learn healthy activity habits from their most important role models.

H. J. Heinz Co. is launching a new Taste of Home family of baby foods in the U.K. in resealable plastic pots that are easy and convenient to use on the go. The resealable pots can be reheated as well. Besides the plastic pots, Heinz is introducing a new look to its baby food packaging, designed by Pearlfisher, in January. The new design with its consistent color scheme calls attention to the healthy and wholesome nature of the products as well as the taste. The Taste of Home range of savory meals targets three age groups: babies aged 4+ months, 7+ months and 10+ months. Each meal is steam cooked, contains at least three vegetables or fruit and is textured for each stage of development.

British pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline announced it will acquire all of the stock of Maxinutrition, a UK company that manufactures protein-enhanced functional nutrition products, from Darwin Private Equity for £162 million, including repayment of outstanding debt. Maxinutrition’s brands include Maximuscle for gaining muscle, strength and power; Maxifuel for sports endurance; and Maxitone for female toning and weight management. Maxinutrition is Europe’s leading sports nutrition company in terms of market share. Sales growth, according to GSK, has been 21percent CAGR over the last three years. Sales were about £36 million for the fiscal year ended April 2010. GSK said it would invest in expanding Maxinutrition’s brands globally wherever GSK has “infrastructure and capabilities.”

A study by U.S. researchers has found that consistent physical exercise lowers the risk of dying from colon cancer. The research was designed to determine whether exercise influenced either the incidence of colon cancer diagnosis or the risk of dying from the disease. Researchers examined data on more than 150,000 men and women, linking levels of physical activity between 1982 and 1997 and the number of colon cancer diagnoses between 1998 and 2006. The study found that people who exercised on a consistent basic for at least ten years had the lowest risk of colon cancer. Strenuous physical activity was not necessary, researchers said. "You go for a 30-minute walk every day, and you're going to reduce your risk of a number of diseases,” said first author Kathleen Y. Wolin, ScD.

Beset by a rise in chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cancer, Chinese consumers, especially women and the elderly, have turned to wellness foods and beverages, whose sales in 2009 were $1.5 billion, up 28 percent from five years ago. Multinational food giants Nestlé SA and PepsiCo and other companies have begun to mine the health food market opportunities in China. A new Quaker oatmeal product, for example, contains the traditional Chinese folk medicines wolfberry and tremella, a fungus thought to benefit the skin. Nestlé is clinically testing five new functional food products, including a mulberry yogurt for diabetics that regulates blood sugar. And, according to Euromonitor, Chinese consumers spent $9 billion on meal replacements, vitamin pills, sports nutrition products and other dietary supplements.

U.S. researchers report that eating rice improves overall diet quality and reduces risk for many chronic conditions and obesity, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Analyzing data on 5,213 rice consumers  from a 1999-2004 health and nutrition survey, the researchers found that the diets of children and adults who ate rice had higher amounts of folate and other B-vitamins, potassium, fiber and vitamin A, and less total fat, saturated fat and added sugars. “Compared with non-rice eaters, rice eaters are less likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome” and “are more likely to have an overall better diet quality,” the researchers concluded.

The search by health-conscious consumers in Canada (and elsewhere) for nutritious foods that are also convenient has spurred the dramatic growth of snack bars, including granola, cereal and breakfast bars. In Canada alone – where consumers eat 73 snack bars a year on average – the market is worth $720 million. But some nutrition experts say snack bars are just junk food. According to a nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, “They’re basically cookies masquerading as health food.” A comparison of the fat, sodium, sugar and caloric content of a Nature Valley peanut butter bar with a Kit Kat candy bar shows them to be very similar. Originally a healthy mixture of rolled oats, nuts and spices, granola bars are often loaded with chocolate, marshmallows, sugar and artificial flavors.

Large taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages would raise a substantial amount of money, but wouldn’t make much of an impact on obesity, a U.S./Singapore study has found. The researchers analyzed data from the 2006 Nielsen Homescan panel of people who scanned store-bought food and beverage purchases for a year. They then used computer models to predict the impact of various tax rates on sugary drinks. They determined that a 40 percent tax on sugar-sweetened drinks would raise $2.5 billion a year and lead to an average annual weight loss of 1.3 pounds. Taxes on sugary beverages “have the potential to positively influence weight outcomes, especially for middle-income households,” the researchers concluded, and “would also generate substantial revenue that could be used to fund obesity prevention programs.”

Organic Monitor’s third edition of its report on the global organic food and drink market (“The Global Market for Organic Food & Drink: Business Opportunities & Future Outlook”) shows the organic category is expanding fast in 2010, buoyed by improved distribution in mainstream channels. After growing at double digit rates for several years, 2009 growth slowed to just 5 percent, largely held back by weakness in some European markets – especially the UK and Germany. Strong growth in the North American market for organic food and drink this year means it has replaced Europe as the world’s largest, although it has been relying on imported supplies, particularly from Latin America. Organic food and drink, mostly fresh produce, appeal most to consumers seeking healthy and nutritious foods. Fruit and vegetables are typical entry points for new organic consumers.

A U.S. study has found that drinking eight ounces of cranberry juice (27 percent concentration) twice daily did not prevent a recurrence of urinary tract infections (UTI) any more effectively than a placebo in otherwise health young women. The researchers had predicted a higher recurrence rate among the placebo group than the juice group. Instead they were surprised to find that urinary tract infections recurred at a 20 percent rate among the cranberry juice drinkers, compared to a 14 percent recurrence rate among those who drank the placebo juice. Urinary tract infections are one of the most commonly acquired bacterial infections. About eleven percent of women aged 18 and over have a UTI every year. Researchers suggested the possibility that study participants were better hydrated, urinated more frequently and therefore experienced less bacterial growth.

Testing for a way of stopping testosterone resistant prostate cancer cells from metastasizing to the bone, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have discovered that pomegranate juice may provide the answer. The study found that certain components of pomegranate juice acting on a molecular level increased cellular adhesion and reduced migration in cultured cells. Researchers also say it would be possible to apply the components of the juice to drug therapies fighting other types of cancers as the genes and proteins involved in cancer cell migration are similar. The lab plans to run additional tests to study any side effects. 

U.S. and Mexican researchers have found that first-time mothers who take a prenatal supplement of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) while pregnant may bear babies with higher birth weights. For the study, 1,094 pregnant women received either a placebo supplement or 400 mg of DHA a day from 18-22 weeks of pregnancy  through delivery. The women had a prior median daily dietary intake of about 55 mg of DHA . Of the total number of participants in the study, 38 percent were having their first baby. Birth weights of babies of the first-time mothers who took the DHA supplement were significantly greater, as were head circumferences. Also, the authors noted, only 7.1 percent of the babies of the DHA mothers “exhibited intrauterine growth retardation,” compared to 14 percent of the other babies.

A study by New Zealand researchers warns that functional foods are being produced with increasingly high levels of milk proteins that make them “hyperallergenic” and likely to cause severe reactions in people who are allergic to milk. Consumers, regulatory authorities and the food industry all share the responsibility of preventing “inadvertent exposure,” the researchers said. Food allergies affect about six percent of children and four percent of adults. Allergic reactions can range from mild abdominal discomfort to death from anaphylaxis. Functional food companies have begun to add allergenic proteins without adequately warning consumers. The researchers found, for example, that in comparison with cow’s milk, a product known as Wh2ole contains at least three times the concentration of β−lactoglobulin, one of the main allergens in cow’s milk.

A Canadian study has found that high levels of folic acid in pregnant women can reduce birth defects, but may also be associated with adverse medical conditions such as colorectal cancer in others. For the study, researchers examined survey data on red blood cell folate concentrations in 5,248 Canadians. They found that folate deficiency is virtually nonexistent in Canada, but 40 percent showed high folate concentrations. In addition, 22 percent of women of childbearing age were below the level necessary to guard against neural tube defects. Some physicians have recommended that folic acid levels in Canada’s food supply be doubled to make sure women of childbearing age get enough of the nutrient. But, the researchers concluded that “there appears to be little rationale for doubling folic acid levels in the Canadian food supply."

Major marketers of children’s vitamins have agreed to stop making false and unproven claims about their supplements and will refund $2.1 million to buyers, the Federal Trade Commission announced. NBTY, Inc., and two subsidiaries, NatureSmart LLC and Rexall Sundown, Inc., made deceptive claims about the amount of omega-3 fatty acid DHA contained in their Disney- and Marvel Heroes-licensed children’s multivitamin gummies and tablets. The FTC said the companies also made unsupported claims that a daily serving of the products promotes healthy brain and eye development in children. The settlement bars the companies from further misrepresentations of ingredients and health benefits. Product packaging and print ads promoting the vitamins said the products contained DHA, but actually contained only a trace amount. The FTC will administer the $2.1 million refund program.

Ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, which has the Bolthouse Farms baby carrot account, is taking a page from the junk food marketing book. It has created a $25 million multimedia campaign, which is being tested in two cities in the U.S., that includes TV spots, billboards, packaging, school vending machines and an iPhone game. The concept behind the campaign is to transform baby carrots from a vegetable to a brand without emphasizing the “boring” fact that carrots are healthy. How? The ad agency decided to skip the rational approach and target the emotions by humorously positioning carrots as everyday junk food. According to a Bolthouse executive, “Kids get it instantly – they get how silly it is, and they like it.”

After some initial pilot testing, McDonald’s is rolling out its newest breakfast menu option to all 14,000 restaurants: maple-flavored oatmeal with diced red and green apples, raisins, cranberries and cream. Served in a small cardboard cup, the under-300-calories oatmeal dish is priced at $1.99. A national advertising campaign will be launched in early January. The first fast-food chain to offer breakfast oatmeal was Starbucks in 2008. It’s $2.45 version is the company’s best-selling food, despite a lack of TV advertising. Since then Jamba Juice unveiled its version, a slow-cooked oatmeal that comes with brown sugar, fresh fruit or fruit compote. McDonald’s maintains a big lead in the $60 billion breakfast market with 17 percent, despite competition from Burger King, Subway and Starbucks.

The founders of Australia-based ZAG Beverages believe its new OSKI® Positive Energy Drinks are just what young Australians need, pointing to the results of a study by Lonergan Research, which showed nine out of ten young Australians use high caffeine- or sugar-content snacks and beverages to give them energy, but that many are concerned about the impact on their health. The new product is a healthier and natural energy option, with no caffeine and no artificial stimulants, and little sugar. Instead, they contain natural ingredients, including Siberian Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Schizandra and L-Theanine, which ZAG claims together will help to improve and maintain alertness as well as sustain physical performance and provide energy. The product has been trialling in South East Queensland and ZAG hopes to roll them out nationally, and possibly overseas, in 2011. 

The Chicago metropolitan area with its demographically diverse nine million people is seeing an upsurge in growth among all shapes and sizes of food retailers, including organic and other “green” grocery stores, specialty foods stores, independents, discounters like Walmart and big chain supermarkets like Safeway. Whole Foods Market Inc. has opened 10 stores in the Chicago area, while Supervalu unit Jewel-Osco opened a “green” store that boasts eco-friendly features such as a vegetation-covered roof. Walmart plans to open several dozen stores in Chicago. And Dominick’s, part of Safeway Inc., and Jewel-Osco had a total of 248 stores, representing nearly 47 percent of the Chicago market, according to food industry researcher Shelby Publishing Co.

A British study that analyzed national health data using a computer model found that if people ate five portions of fruit and vegetables a day while limiting dietary salt and sugar intake to recommended levels, 33,000 deaths could be prevented or delayed each year. The computer model linked consumption of food components with biological risk factors (blood pressure, serum cholesterol and obesity) and subsequent mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer using data for the years 2005 to 2007 for all four U.K. countries. Eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day would prevent 7,000 deaths a year from coronary heart disease and almost 5,000 from cancer. Sticking to the recommendations on dietary fiber would save 4,000 lives, fats 7,000 and salt 7,500.

Affiliates of Roark Capital Group have acquired well-known weight management brand, Atkins Nutritionals, for an undisclosed amount from North Castle Partners. Atkins Nutritionals has been in business since 1989 and currently sells its products in roughly 30,000 retail stores in the United States and 20 other countries. The current management team will remain in place led by CEO Monty Sharma, who also invested in the acquisition. Ezra Field, Managing Director of Roark, says the acquisition fits Roark’s strategy investing in strong consumer brands with clear market positioning and opportunities. Roark Capital Group's strategy of acquiring middle-market private companies has led to a portfolio of around 3,500 franchisees generating $5 billion worldwide with over $1.5 billion in managed equity capital.

The Coca-Cola Company and flavor ingredients supplier Chromocell Corporation announced they will work together to develop sweetness enhancers, natural sweeteners and other flavor ingredients. Coca-Cola said it hopes the collaboration will result in “a robust pipeline of innovation across categories and sweetness options” for its beverage lines. Chromocell says its technology, which uses “naturally-occurring systems,” allows testing of  extracts and ingredients from fruits, herbs and vegetables for new flavor ingredients. Coca-Cola launched Stevia extract, a natural, zero-calorie sweetener, in collaboration with Cargill. Stevia is currently being used in 20 Coca-Cola products. Besides receiving research funding, Chromocell will earn royalty payments based on sales of products developed from its technology.

U.S. researchers working with mice have found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound found in green tea, reduced the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by about 40 percent, probably due to the compound’s anti-inflammatory activity. In the study, which used mice that spontaneously develop type-1 diabetes, one group was fed a control diet, while a second group was given a supplemental dose of EGCG in drinking water. At 32 weeks more than two-thirds of the animals in the control group had developed diabetes, while only a fourth of the EGCG group developed diabetes. The researchers suggested that EGCG probably “exerts a cytoprotective effect on human pancreatic islets exposed to the inflammatory milieu relevant to type 1 diabetes” but said further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanism before clinical trials are launched.

The largest pork producer in the U.S. – Smithfield Foods, Inc. – has joined genetically modified seed producer Monsanto in proclaiming itself a “sustainable” enterprise. New Hope 360 blogger Kelsey Blackwell says the term sustainable may soon join the ranks of other “meaningless eco claims” like “natural, green and earth smart.” Monsanto, which has been accused numerous times of environmentally unfriendly activities, including dumping toxic waste materials into rivers and landfills, recently unveiled a new motto: “The sustainable company.” It proclaims that “sustainable agriculture is at the core of Monsanto.” Smithfield recently hired a chief sustainability officer, yet the CEO said sustainability would be very difficult because of price demands of big customers like Walmart. Blackwell calls all of this “greenwashing,” a trend among firms well aware of growing consumer interest in environmentalism.

A West Australian organic farmer is considering suing to recover financial losses sustained when genetically modified canola seeds contaminated two thirds of his arable land. Australia has a zero-tolerance organic policy regarding GM foods. The farmer says his tests detected GM canola seeds had drifted 1.5 km within his boundaries, contaminating about 540 acres. The National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) is investigating the problem, the farmer says. “Our livelihood is at stake as we are a certified organic farm and rely on the premium that comes with selling guaranteed GM-free organic food, in Australia and in overseas markets,” he adds. Despite governmental promises that GM technology can be segregated and contained, it is becoming apparent to many that it really can’t be.