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 An article on the website GroundReport.com posts a list of restaurant trends as well as “fresh, healthy dishes” and ingredients that will gain popularity in 2016, including poke (“po-kay”), hot ice creams, seaweed, ube (purple yam), fermented foods, etc. Of special note, however, was the declaration that “the no-carb Atkins craze is over.” Ignoring the fact that the Atkins diet is actually more of a low-carb (especially low processed carb) plan than a no-carb plan, the article does have good news for the bread industry: “the triumphant return of bread is upon us.” Toasts, bagels and flatbreads featuring ancient grains and wholesome ingredients are all reasons for bread lovers to celebrate.
"Healthy Food Trends of 2016 That Will Influence Your Diet", Ground Report, March 24, 2016
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 The Mintel database of new food product launches shows a distinct upward trend in organic and non-GMO claims in recent years that include “everything from gluten-free to prebiotics.” Nearly 14 percent of U.S. retail food products launched in 2015 made organic claims, up from 11 percent the year before. The claim that has begun to resonate more and more with American food companies and consumers is non-GMO: 16 percent of new products declared they were non-GMO in 2015, up 10 percent from and three percent in 2012. Other popular food claims in 2015’s product launches were allergen-friendly (up from 23 percent to 26 percent), and vegan claims (up from five percent to seven percent).
"Mintel GNPD data: 15.7% of new US food/bev products made non-GMO claims in 2015 vs 2.8% in 2012", NUTRAingredients-USA.com, March 17, 2016
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 New research shows that caffeine works best when a person is rested, not sleep-deprived or sleepy. Caffeine clogs the body’s adenosine system, which is a sort of brake that allows the brain to switch off and fall asleep. Drinking coffee when well-rested blocks adenosine, allowing stimulation of brain chemicals such as dopamine. This doesn’t happen after a long work day because those chemicals have been largely used up. That’s why a cup of coffee is most beneficial in the morning, or after a nap. It heightens creativity, boosts typing and data processing speed, and eases mathematical computation. Studies also show caffeine intake, at the right times and in the right doses, may also increase longevity, reduce cognitive decline in men, and
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"How to Transform Your Coffee Into a Wonder Drug", Bloomberg Business, March 17, 2016
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 Claiming to be non-GMO – as some restaurants, grocery chains and food companies have at least partially done – is not only problematic, it’s increasingly difficult to defend from a scientific standpoint without proof that GMO foods present a threat to humanity. It’s problematic because GMO crops and animal feed are inescapable. Staunchly anti-GMO Chipotle had to finally admit its meat and cheeses come from GMO-fed cows. Whole Foods acknowledged “GMOs are ‘pervasive’ and can be found in 70 percent of packaged foods.” Meanwhile, the scientific community seems less hostile to the food industry’s growing application of GMO technology as it waits for some reliable evidence that GMO foods are safe – or unsafe.
"In defense of GMOs", Canadian Grocer, March 13, 2016
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 General Mills says it is doubling farm acreage devoted to organic agriculture to 250,000 acres by 2019, when it expects sales of its organic and natural products will reach $1 billion. The company has increased organic acreage by 120 percent since 2009, making it one of the top five organic ingredient purchasers in North America. It has also been on a buying spree since 2000, acquiring natural and organic brands that totaled $675 million dollars in sales last year. Brands include Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, LÄRABAR, Liberté, Mountain High, Food Should Taste Good, Immaculate Baking, and Annie’s.
"General Mills to double organic acreage sourcing to meet growing demand for natural and organic foods", News release, General Mills, March 09, 2016
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 Natural and organic food company Annie's has unveiled three USDA certified organic breakfast cereals in partnership with parent company General Mills. Each is free of artificial flavors, synthetic colors, preservatives and artificial sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. All are made with whole grain oats as the first ingredient and contain only eight grams of sugar per serving. The three varieties include Berry Bunnies, Frosted Oat Flakes and Cocoa Bunnies. Annie’s was acquired by General Mills in 2014.
"New Annie's Cereals bring the yum, plus the benefits of organic", News release, Annie's, Inc., March 03, 2016
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 Unlike the term “organic,” as it applies to farming anyway, the word “natural” is not regulated by the U.S. government. Despite that, Americans are increasingly drawn to foods with that claim on their packaging, and food companies are very aware of its marketing value, winking at the fact that forty-five percent of those surveyed by Consumer Reports believed that natural was a verified claim. The proportion of Americans who regularly buy “natural” foods climbed to 62 percent in 2015 from 59 percent the year before, though buyers really didn’t know what they were paying for. So the three out of five people polled by CR who believe natural means non-GMO, as well as no artificial ingredients, colors, chemicals or pesticides, could be very
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"More shoppers buying 'natural' food, yet most don't know what it means", USA Today, January 27, 2016
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 As bake mix companies retool their stale, stodgy recipes to replace artificial ingredients with more natural stuff, young baking entrepreneurs are rushing to meet the demand from health-conscious Millennials for recognizable all-natural and organic ingredients. One of these entrepreneurs is Sarah Jones Garibaldi, whose Miss Jones Baking Company is playing the David to giants like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines and Pillsbury. Her five products – two cake mixes, a brownie mix and vanilla and chocolate frosting – debuted in grocery stores last November, and the company is struggling to meet demand. Garibaldi says the concerns about synthetic cake mix ingredients are not just a health issue. More Millennial diners simply prefer not to “waste
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"Millennial-focused all-natural baking line battling Betty Crocker", USA Today, January 21, 2016
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 In a letter to employees, Campbell’s CEO Denise Morrison explained why the company supports mandatory national labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and why it proposes that the federal government provide a national standard for non-GMO claims on food packaging. In addition to the fact that 92 percent of consumers say they want GMO ingredients listed on food labels, the “Campbell’s purpose” requires the company to acknowledge that people want to know what’s in their food “so they can feel good about the choices they make, for themselves and their loved ones.” Campbell’s also promises to set the standard for food transparency.
"Why We Support Mandatory National GMO Labeling", News release, Campbell Soup Company, January 07, 2016
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