July 02, 2011, to July 09, 2011
Premium beauty product sales rebounded strongly in 2010, driving the recovery of the global beauty and personal care industry. Also fueling the recovery was “dynamic innovation activity” in skin care, the largest market category, Natural Products Insider reports. The category is expected to grow three percent a year to $100 billion in sales by 2015, one fourth of which will come from sales of anti-aging products. Thanks to the focus on innovation, technically advanced skin care formulations based on stem cell technology and aesthetic medicine are showing up in new cosmeceutical products. A major disappointment, however, has been the slow start of nutricosmetics products, which have not yet surmounted the skepticism of consumers.
Retail sales of health and wellness foods and beverages in the U.S. totaled $153 billion in 2010, accounting for one fourth of global sales in the category, according to Euromonitor International. “General wellbeing” comprises the largest subcategory, accounting for 40 percent of U.S. health and wellness sales. Euromonitor says general wellbeing is popular because “it does not make any overt allusions to ‘disease’.” In fact, marketers of health and wellness products are advised to avoid mentioning disease because that “needlessly narrows down a potential mainstream audience to a select target group.” Weight management products remain the second largest sales category, but growth is stagnant; energy boosting products and products to improve digestion are being well received; but beauty-from-within foods and beverages have not yet caught on in the U.S.
Spice and seasonings manufacturer McCormick & Company said it will acquire all of the shares of Kamis S.A., a privately held Polish flavorings company whose market comprises Poland, Russia and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. According to McCormick, Kamis is a brand leader in spices, seasonings, mustards and other flavor products in Poland with annual sales of zł 300 million (zloty, or $105 million). The purchase price is about zł 830 million (zloty, or $291 million). McCormick said the acquisition, which will close in September, extends its presence in Western Europe into Poland and other markets in Central and Eastern Europe. The company also recently announced a joint venture in Turkey.
June 25, 2011, to July 02, 2011
The Stepan Company, a provider of food and other types of chemicals, said it has acquired the nutritional fat products of Lipid Nutrition, LLC, and will integrate them into the food and health specialties product lines of its subsidiary Stepan Specialty Products, LLC. The product family, which will include the Clarinol, Marinol and Pinnothin product lines, will be renamed Stepan Lipid Nutrition. Clarinol Conjugated Linoleic Acid is a dietary supplement used to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass. Marinol concentrated omega-3 triglycerides are used in clinical and infant nutritional products to promote cardiovascular and neurological health. Pinnothin, derived from pine nuts, functions as an appetite suppressant.
Researchers from a U.S. genomics company and a Norwegian supplier of krill oil report that a diet supplemented with omega-3-rich krill oil seems to control genes in the liver associated with cholesterol metabolism and the production of glucose and fat. Scientists fed three groups of lab mice either a normal diet with soybean oil, a normal diet plus fish oil and soybean oil, or a normal diet plus Aker Biomarine’s krill oil and soybean oil. After three months, the researchers assayed 20,118 genes, finding that 4,892 genes associated with obesity and insulin resistance were significantly changed in the krill oil group, but only 192 genes in the fish oil group. Further study is needed to determine “if the gene expression patterns observed in this study have effects on metabolic disease,” they concluded.
Dieting adolescents who develop extreme weight control behaviors and binge eating are likely to continue these harmful activities into adulthood, U.S. research has found. The researchers analyzed data from a 10-year longitudinal study that examined eating, activity, and weight-related variables among more than 2,000 young people. Among females, the use of extreme weight control behaviors increased from 8.4 percent to 20.4 percent between early adolescence and early young adulthood and from 12.6 percent to 20.6 percent between middle adolescence and middle young adulthood. Extreme weight control behaviors among males increased from 2.1 percent in middle adolescence to 7.3 percent in middle young adulthood. The findings point to a need for “early and ongoing efforts aimed at the prevention, early identification, and treatment of disordered eating behaviors in young people," the researchers concluded.
June 18, 2011, to June 25, 2011
Processed foods are getting more healthful as they take on more characteristics of natural and organic foods, including reduced sodium and sugar and more good fats and fiber. Driving processed food makers in that direction are several forces: front-of-packaging labeling, government initiatives, physician statements on the links between diet and obesity and diabetes, and rising consumer interest in living a healthier lifestyle. But these trends present technical challenges as food processors struggle, for example, to reduce sodium and sugar content levels, or increase omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content, while maintaining flavor and texture. Campbell’s Soup says it tested "well over 200 batches" of lower-sodium recipes for its vegetable beef soup without finding any that satisfied consumers.
Canadian dietary supplement maker Atrium Innovations Inc. and the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (INAF) announced a multi-year commitment to study the impact of nutrition on metabolic syndrome. The two organizations have budgeted more than $5 million for the collaborative effort, which includes some funding from governmental agencies. Atrium CEO Pierre Fitzgibbon said the goal of the “sophisticated science-based approach” will be to develop products that help consumers “maintain their health and prevent serious diseases.” A particular focus of the research initiative is to gain a better understanding of metabolic syndrome, and to investigate the impact of small fruits, fish oil, probiotics and systemic enzyme therapy on inflammation.
Researchers in Denmark could not find a link between greater consumption of whole grains and specific whole grain foods and the risk of prostate cancer. The prospective study looked at data from 26,691 middle-aged men (50 to 64 years old) who provided information about their diets and various risk factors associated with prostate cancer. Over 12 years of follow-up study, 1,081 prostate cancer cases occurred. But there was no statistical association found between prostate cancer risk and eating whole grains generally, or eating specific whole grain products such as rye bread and oatmeal, with the risk of prostate cancer.
June 11, 2011, to June 18, 2011
The higher rate of neural tube defects (NTDs) among newborns in the U.S. Hispanic community could be prevented by fortifying corn masa flour with the B vitamin folic acid, according to a research commentary by the March of Dimes. Hispanic women are about 20 percent more likely to have a child with spina bifida or anencephaly than non-Hispanic white women, probably due to the their lower intake of folic acid. Corn masa flour is used to make common Latin American food products such as corn tortillas and tamales. The U.S. FDA has long required fortification of cereal grains used in bread and pasta with folic acid, with the result that NTDs have dropped by 33 percent. Fortification of the flour with folic acid must be approved by the FDA.
The Organic Trade Organization (OTA) has called an Op-Ed piece by David Mastio in The Washington Times a "biased, inaccurate and just plain irresponsible” attack against the organic food industry. OTA claims that Mastio is using misinformation and public hysteria over the recent Escherichia coli outbreak to attack organic food producers and points out that Federal food safety rules also cover the organic products industry and no evidence exist showing organic products are more at risk of E. coli contamination than chemically produced foods. It added that organic producers also have to meet third-party standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program, including emphasis on sanitation in the production process.
A British analyst firm focusing on the organic industry says the recent E. coli outbreak in Europe that has killed 22 people and sickened more than two thousand others will probably have limited impact on organic devotees over the long haul. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control traced a German farm and are analyzing 18 sprouts including bean and broccoli to determine if they’re the source of the outbreak. Amarjit Sahota, director of Organic Monitor, says sales of organic produce have taken a hit all over Europe but he doesn’t expect the outbreak to hurt the organic industry in the long term. Organic buyers are more worried about health issues associated with traditional farming, he notes.
June 04, 2011, to June 11, 2011
British food retailer Waitrose has introduced a line of nutritionally balanced foods, Waitrose LOVE Life, that will appear in stores beginning June 30. According to the company, the range of products is designed to complement the staple grocery items in essential Waitrose and the more “indulgent” products from Duchy, Heston and Menu From Waitrose ranges. The company said the new product line includes more wholefood ingredients and avoids saturated fats. The product launch will be supported with a quarterly magazine, recipe cards and a dedicated section on Waitrose.com where MyWaitrose members can share recipes and tips. The products were developed by Waitrose nutritionists and in-house chefs.
U.S. researchers examining the effects of different doses of the prebiotic fibers known as galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on bone health found in a rat study that GOS was associated with increased absorption of calcium and magnesium and, in turn, increased bone density. The rats were fed a normal diet enriched with two, four, six or eight percent GOS, or no GOS, for eight weeks. The GOS was found to decrease pH in the upper large intestine and increase bifidobacteria concentrations. As the dose of GOS increased, so did absorption of calcium. Absorption of magnesium also increased, but this was not dose-dependent. Analysis of bone density found increases at several skeletal sites. The researchers concluded that “GOS seem to have potential to contribute to improved peak bone mass and strength.”
To determine the safety of the sweetener aspartame, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced it is seeking all available scientific data available on its use as a food and drink additive and tabletop sweetener. Prompted by the European Commission, the agency will conduct a full re-evaluation of aspartame to be completed in 2012. The call for data extends to September 2011 “to ensure that EFSA’s risk assessment of the safety of aspartame will be the most thorough and up-to-date yet.” The agency wants all available scientific and technical data, whether published, unpublished or newly generated, related to the use of aspartame, a low-calorie sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.
May 28, 2011, to June 04, 2011
Rising costs of raw materials are forcing fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in India to raise the prices of their products. Prices of most commodities remain high; most are still rising and tea prices in May were up over 13% on April, although the price of some edible oils were down in May. Some companies in India have already raised their prices, some more than once, and some will take further pricing action. Others are still considering raising prices, although fierce competition in the shampoo category has seen prices slip there.
Nestlé subsidiary Gerber Products Company said the FDA has approved a qualified health claim for infant formulas made from 100 percent whey, which includes Gerber Good Start milk-based formulas. The FDA said that such partially hydrolyzed formulas may reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in healthy infants from birth to four months whose family history includes allergies. The FDA acknowledged, however, that the relationship between the formulas and reduced risk of atopic dermatitis is “uncertain” due to a lack of scientific evidence. The hydrolyzed formulas are not to be used to feed infants who are allergic to milk or show milk allergy symptoms.
Scientists at Unilever’s Netherlands facilities have found that combining savory aromas with salt replacers like potassium chloride allows reduction of sodium content in foods by as much as 30 percent without affecting the flavor. They suggested that enhancement of potassium chloride with a savory aroma offers one solution to the problem of cutting sodium content in foods, but others are needed to meet World Health Organization guidelines. One application of the technology would be in instant bouillons, the scientists said.
May 21, 2011, to May 28, 2011
Harish Manwani, Unilever chairman and president for Asia, Africa, and East and Central Europe, said, in a long and wide-ranging interview, that his company plans to increase emerging market share of Unilever’s total revenues from 53% to 70%. Unilever views developing and emerging (D&E) markets as mission critical for its future growth and plans to allocate more than 60% of research and development (R&D) and brand-development resources in D&E countries. India has emerged as one of the most important D&E markets for Unilever. At the same time, the country provides the company with a large pool of managerial talent, with some 140 Indian managers currently working in senior positions worldwide. Brazil is an equally important market at the moment, but Russia and China remain among the countries where the company is "relatively under-represented", although they are now the company’s fastest growing markets. Aside from growing its business, Unilever also intends to cut its environmental footprint by half by ensuring that 100% of its raw materials, such as palm oil and tea, come from sustainable sources. Manwani also identifies innovation as key to continuous market development but also highlighted the need to strip out costs as far as possible in order to mitigate the impact of rising commodity prices.
Despite a weakened global economy, the U.S. herbal dietary supplement market sustained a long pattern of robust growth in 2010, a reflection of burgeoning consumer interest in “good nutrition and natural lifestyles,” according to a multi-source report from the American Botanical Council. The Council reported that total herbal supplement sales in all retail channels rose by 3.3 percent in 2010, slower than the 4.8 percent growth rate from 2008 to 2009. Total single-ingredient herbal supplement sales in the mainstream food, drug, and mass market (FDM, including drug stores and mass market retailers) channel rose either 6.1 percent, according to Symphony IRI, or 4.8 percent, according to Nielsen’s SPINS FDM. The two data providers used different parameters in compiling their data.
Gary Berger, BOCA brand manager at Kraft Foods, said that U.S. retailers are re-locating meat alternatives in the store and giving them more shelf space as more consumers buy non-meat options and the category becomes increasingly mainstream. BOCA is looking to get new consumers to try non-meat products and is working with Weight Watchers to position the brand as a healthy weight management food option. BOCA is facing a growing number of competitors, but believes its healthy soy-based products will enable it to retain its leadership in the meat alternatives market. It defends the safety of its products but has introduced a non-GMO soy range to address concerns of consumers worried about GMO ingredients.
May 14, 2011, to May 21, 2011
Bloomberg reports that Coca-Cola Co. is planning to take advantage of Kenya’s rising consumer spending power by spending $62 million through 2014 to raise production capacity in the country. The investment in expansion and upgrading of seven production facilities reflects the company’s $12 billion, 10-year growth strategy in Africa. The company hopes to double annual revenue on the continent to $200 billion by 2020, increase profit margins and double beverage servings. The company produces Coke, Fanta and Dasani bottled water in Kenya and plans new products in its fruit juice business.
Nestlé Middle East has launched Nestlé Saudi Arabia, the company's direct sales and distribution operations in the country. It is part of Nestlé's efforts to expand in Saudi Arabia's growing market of 28 million mostly young consumers. Nestlé has been in the country since 1955 and the expansion is made possible by the Saudi government's decision to allow international companies to establish and manage their distribution and sales operations, Nestlé's expansion includes partnerships with local universities and institutions to train future Saudi executives and staff.
In an effort to homogenize the analytical methods and reference standards used to determine steviol glycoside content in stevia products, the International Stevia Council (ISC) said it has created an independent Proficiency Testing Program. The ISC said the many analytical methods and reference standards in use today vary widely in quality and consistency, leading to inaccurate information on stevia product composition and purity levels. According to the ISC, the Proficiency Testing Program will allow participants to benchmark performance of their methods, analytical standards and analysts’ competency in a statistically relevant, blind testing scheme managed in accordance with international quality standards.
April 23, 2011, to May 14, 2011
Though cheap, convenient and fatty fast foods are usually blamed for the increased weight of immigrants to the United States, a more subtle factor may be the desire of immigrants to “fit in,” researchers have found. In other words, immigrants to the U.S. choose typical American dishes to show that they belong and to prove their “American-ness.” For the study, Asian-American and white college students were asked questions that essentially tested whether they felt insecure about their “American-ness.” A question about English speaking skills, for example, prompted three-fourths of Asian-Americans to mention a typical American food as their favorite. But only 25 percent of Asian-Americans who had not been asked if they spoke English chose those foods.
U.S. researchers have found that children and teens who eat with their families a minimum of three times a week are less likely to be overweight or have other nutritional health problems than other children. The researchers looked at data from 17 recent studies that examined eating patterns and child nutrition among 182,000 children between the ages of three and 17. Five of the studies that assessed the link between family meals and nutrition found children who ate with their families three times a week were 24 percent more likely to eat healthier foods and maintain healthy eating habits, the researchers found. Other benefits: a reduction in the odds for overweight (12 percent), eating unhealthy foods (20 percent), and disordered eating (35 percent).
Danish food ingredient supplier Danisco has launched a new brand of sterols derived from a sustainable pine source and designed for food and dietary supplements that target cardiovascular health. According to the company, PinVita phytosterols lower the level of unfavorable LDL cholesterol in the blood by reducing cholesterol absorption. PinVita’s easy-to-formulate, ready-to-use solutions are available for applications such as dietary supplements, fats and oils, dairy and bakery products. The company says free and esterified formats of PinVita have limited impact on the taste, texture and appearance of the final consumer product. The PinVita plant sterols are suitable for allergen- and GMO-free products as well.
April 16, 2011, to April 23, 2011
Mixing an energy drink like Red Bull with alcohol changes the reaction to alcohol that a drinker experiences, compared to a drinker who imbibes alcohol only, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Drinking alcohol makes people act impulsively. For the study, researchers randomly assigned 56 male and female college students to one of four groups that drank alcohol alone, alcohol plus an energy drink or a placebo, then measured task execution times. Adding the energy drink to alcohol did not increase impairment, but did change the perception of impairment. “The mix of impaired behavioral inhibition and enhanced stimulation is a combination that may make energy drink consumption riskier than alcohol consumption alone,” the researchers concluded.
Data from U.S. health and nutrition surveys has found a significant increase in the use of dietary supplements among adults over the last two decades. According to the surveys, more than 40 percent of American adults were using dietary supplements such as multivitamins, calcium, vitamin D and folic acid from 1988 to 1994. The number increased to more than 50 percent in the years 2003 to 2006, with multivitamins being the most prevalent supplement. In that same time period, 61 percent of women aged 60 and over were taking a calcium supplement, up from 28 percent in 1988 to 1994. Intake of folic acid supplements did not increase among childbearing age women: folic acid is widely available in vegetables, beans and legumes, and in processed foods fortified with folate.
The Illinois House has passed legislation that would ban trans fats in foods served in restaurants, movie theaters, cafes, bakeries and school vending machines. Foods likely to be affected by the ban include French fries, onion rings, popcorn shrimp, pies, cakes and fried chicken. The ban, if approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, would take effect in 2013 (2016 in school cafeterias). California is the only other state to enact such a ban, though more than a dozen jurisdictions, including New York City, have implemented similar bans on trans fats, which have been shown to increase levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), reduce levels of good cholesterol (HDL), and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.