Researcher Discovers Cellular Mechanism That Permits Spread Of Food-Borne Bacteria September 20, 2009: 11:25 AM EST New research has uncovered a cellular mechanism that plays a key role in spreading a deadly food-borne bacterium linked to outbreaks of listeriosis traced to food processing plants in the U.S. and Canada. The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can cause pregnant women to lose their fetuses. It also has triggered fatal cases of meningitis in people with weak immune systems and in the elderly. The previously unknown process involves the bacterium spreading from a host cell to a second cell, where it overwhelms that cell's ability to defend against infection. The discovery may be relevant for other similar bacterial pathogens. Tina Rajabian, Balramakrishna Gavicherla, et al., "The bacterial virulence factor InlC perturbs apical cell junctions and promotes cell-to-cell spread of Listeria", Nature Cell Biology, September 20, 2009, © Nature Publishing Group

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Packing Fiber Into Pasta Products Is Doable, But A Little Tricky September 20, 2009: 11:13 AM EST Pasta manufacturers have a number of good options for adding healthy fiber to their offerings, beyond the traditional use of whole-grain flours, which tend to result in coarser, darker colored products - although adding lighter-colored wheat fiber can lighten the result. Pasta formulators are experimenting with digestion-resistant maltodextrin, resistant starch, polydextrose, and the chicory fiber extracts inulin and oligofructose. Each of these ingredients, of course, adds different flavors and textures, and requires different processing and cooking procedures. Also, by adding fiber, “the protein content of the formulation will be reduced,” a fiber company executive says. Cindy Hazen, "High-Fiber Pasta Solutions", Food Product Design, September 20, 2009, © Virgo Publishing, LLC

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Some Organic Purists Resist Lure Of Selling Out To The Food Industry Biggies September 19, 2009: 11:06 AM EST The lure may be strong and persistent, but some die-hards in the organic/natural foods industry are resisting the temptation to be gobbled up by food industry giants. Eden Foods and Nature’s Path, two prominent examples, prefer to stick to their original mission of staying small and delivering genuinely organic foods. By doing so, consumers can rest assured they are getting natural when they buy natural, they argue. That’s not as certain when consumers unwittingly buy products sold under trusted brand names absorbed quietly by industry heavyweights like Kellogg’s and General Mills. Steve Mills, "Organic foods: Big companies swoop in to capitalize on lucrative market", Chicago Tribune , September 19, 2009, © Chicago Tribune

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Campbell’s Builds On Success Of Natural Soups September 18, 2009: 11:27 AM EST With the addition of 12 new varieties to its Select Harvest soup line, Campbell Soup Company (Camden, N.J.) now has 50 all-natural soups that contain lower-sodium sea salt, natural chicken and chicken stock, no MSG, and no artificial flavors. Touting the new line as its most successful soup intro in years, Campbell's says its new marketing campaign features print, television and online ads touting wholesome ingredients, great taste and a simpler label. An exec says the soup line is successful because it offers women consumers “ingredients they would find in their own kitchens.” "Campbell Builds on Success of Select Harvest® Soups with New 100 Percent Natural Varieties", WEBWIRE , September 18, 2009, © WebWire

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Natural Ingredient Supplier Creates Breakthrough White Food Color September 17, 2009: 12:27 PM EST Denmark’s Chr. Hansen says it has plugged a big gap in the food coloring market created by consumer aversion to products tainted by synthetic dyes. The company has unveiled a natural white food color based on calcium carbonate, rather than the synthetic titanium dioxide. Consumers are wary of synthetic food dyes because of scientific studies associating them with childhood hyperactivity disorders. A Chr. Hansen exec says the creation of the natural white food color is evidence the company is powering a major trend: “converting the food color market from synthetic to natural solutions.” "Chr. Hansen launches groundbreaking natural white food color", Chr. Hansen, September 17, 2009, © Chr. Hansen A/S

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Scientists Find 'Modestly Increased' Risk Of Death From Gluten-Induced Disease September 16, 2009: 11:53 AM EST A new study in Sweden has found that celiac disease, an intestine-damaging ailment that restricts intake of nutrients, is associated with a higher risk of mortality, perhaps because of that nutrient restriction. The authors found that those with small intestine inflammation who had not been diagnosed with celiac disease likely had a worse prognosis because following a gluten-free diet often normalizes the condition. Compared to a control group the study found that patients with inflammation had a 72 percent increased risk of death; patients with celiac disease had a 39 percent increased risk. Celiac disease is induced by exposure to the wheat protein gluten. Because the disease often occurs with other disorders that assault the immune system, such as diabetes and arthritis, it can go undiagnosed and untreated, according to the study reported by Agence France-Presse. "The study … reinforces the importance of celiac disease as a diagnosis that should be sought by physicians,” says an American expert. Jonas Ludvigsson, Scott Montgomery, Anders Ekbom, Lena Brandt, Fredrik Granath, "Small-Intestinal Histopathology and Mortality Risk in Celiac Disease", The Journal of the American Medical Association, September 16, 2009, © American Medical Association

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Food Manufacturers Have Time-Saving Resource For Researching Healthy Ingredients September 16, 2009: 12:48 PM EST Food, drink, and supplement makers looking for healthy ingredients for their products will have an easier search, thanks to a Danish company’s subscription database of 200 antioxidants, fibers, omega fatty acids, phospholipids, etc. Screened across various benchmarks, the database is searchable by product type, as well as by health categories. A subscription to the database can cost as much as US$3,300, and there are no customers yet, but Bio2com believes it’s only a matter of time: "We have a lot of data … which can save companies a lot of time and resources," says a company exec. "Danes debut healthy ingredients database", 21food.com , September 16, 2009, © Food & Beverage Online

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Nano-capsules Boost Potential Of Spice Ingredient As Disease Treatment September 16, 2009: 06:08 AM EST The potent antioxidant known as curcumin, found in the spice turmeric, is being tested for safety and effectiveness in treating colon cancer, psoriasis, and Alzheimer’s disease. A key problem, however, is the fact that digestive juices in the gastrointestinal tract quickly destroy curcumin, allowing very little into the blood. Now researchers in Japan say they have developed nano-size capsules, called liposomes, that can boost the body’s uptake of curcumin. The scientists fed the encapsulated curcumin laboratory rats and more than quadrupled curcumin absorption. Antioxidant levels in the blood were also raised significantly. Makoto Takahashi, et al., "Evaluation of an Oral Carrier System in Rats: Bioavailability and Antioxidant Properties of Liposome-Encapsulated Curcumin", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, September 16, 2009, © American Chemical Society

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UK Government Should Provide Guidance To Food Industry On Healthy, Sustainable Diet September 15, 2009: 11:21 AM EST The first report of the UK’s new Council of Food Policy Advisors recommends that the government provide consumers information on a healthy diet as well as offer guidance to the food industry on how it can help create a more sustainable food system. In what is seen as a worrying trend, Government figures reveal that UK self-sufficiency in fresh fruit halved between 1988 and 2007 to just above 10 per cent. At the same time, self-sufficiency in fresh vegetable production fell by 20 per cent to 55 per cent and continues to fall. The panel called on the government to create an “overarching vision” and cross-government strategy whose priorities would include an environmentally sustainable diet and a strategy for increasing the country’s production of fruits and vegetables. Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, Nigel Jenney, said UK growers had a ‘significant opportunity’ to increase the sustainable production of indigenous crops. William Surman, "Benn’s food policy advisers target fruit and veg", Farmers Guardian, September 15, 2009, © UBM Information Ltd.

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Food Processors Face Major Challenges As Demands For Lower Sodium Foods Grow September 14, 2009: 12:51 PM EST Feeling pressure from both sides – nutritionists urging lower, healthier levels of sodium in processed foods and consumers who crave it (the average American consumers nearly 50% more than the 2005 recommended level) – U.S. food processors are trying to find a solution that keeps everyone happy. But it’s not an easy task: simply eliminating salt doesn’t work, and there isn’t one all-purpose substitute for salt. Morton Salt has been working to lower sodium content for over 30 years, with limited results. Sea salt and other formulas are functional in one manufacturing application, but not others. Some are expensive or don’t taste good. Ultimately, some observers say, a solution may have to be worked out among processors, the government, and consumers. Diane Toops, "Demonizing Salt: America’s Assault on Salt", Food Processing, September 14, 2009, © Food Processing

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Signals From Fat May Be Telling Body Cells To Ignore Appetite Suppressors September 14, 2009: 08:55 AM EST Researchers at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have found in a rat study that fat, notably the saturated fat palmitic acid in dairy products and beef, may send messages to the body’s cells telling them to ignore the normal appetite-suppressant signals of leptin and insulin. The scientists believe saturated fat actually lowers the body’s own natural defenses against overeating. The results may strengthen the case that consumers reduce sat fat content in their diets, and that producers reformulate food products with less saturated fat. Their findings were reported in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. Christopher Kemp, Stephen Benoit et al, "Palmitic acid mediates hypothalamic insulin resistance by altering PKC-? subcellular localization in rodents", The Journal of Clinical Investigation, September 14, 2009, © American Society for Clinical Investigation

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Study Finds Chocolate Eaters Have Better Heart Attack Survival Rates September 14, 2009: 10:29 AM EST Chocolate makers can add another marketing arrow to their quiver, thanks to a new study by Swedish researchers who found that chocolate eaters have higher survival rates after a heart attack. The somewhat flawed study – it controlled for various factors like age and smoking but was observational rather than clinical – followed heart attack patients for eight years. It reinforced other studies that found that chocolate’s flavonoid antioxidants reduce blood pressure and in turn the risk of further heart disease. The good news for the chocolate industry? Researchers found that the more chocolate consumed, the higher the survival rates. NICHOLAS BAKALAR, "In One Study, a Heart Benefit for Chocolate ", NY Times, September 14, 2009, © The New York Times Company

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Researchers Taking A Closer Look At Potential Health Benefits Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids September 14, 2009: 02:26 AM EST Already proven to cut the risk of heart disease, the unsaturated fatty acids known as omega 3s, found in some fish and seeds, and sold as supplements, are being examined by scientists in several countries to uncover possible beneficial effects on other ailments. While research into heart-related benefits of omega 3s continues, scientists are also exploring potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and inflammation-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and coronary artery disease. According to this Wall Street Journal article, omega 3s are also being tested for their ability to reduce harmful triglyceride levels, a contributory factor in heart disease. Jeanne Whalen, "Probing Health Benefits From Eating Omega 3s", Wall Street Journal, September 14, 2009, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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ZICO Sees Investor Interest A Sign That Its Coconut Water Is On Right Track September 14, 2009: 12:30 PM EST The California maker of a coconut-water sports drink says the recent $15 million investment from a group that includes Coca-Cola “validates the broad potential” of its product, which has gained favor among runners, cyclists, etc. ZICO Beverages plans to use the cash to introduce the electrolyte-rich drink to a wider consumer audience. According to this Beverage World report, the Venturing and Emerging Brands unit of Coca-Cola will provide brand building expertise as ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water seeks to push beyond its current marketing base of major grocery and natural foods stores, gyms, yoga studios, and online. "Coca-Cola Among Companies to Invest $15M in ZICO Beverages", Beverage World, September 14, 2009, © Beverage World Publications Group

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Kids Don’t Need What Sports Drinks Offer September 13, 2009: 04:22 AM EST Dietitians in the U.S. are warning schools and parents that sports drinks, which are mostly sugar water and some electrolytes, contribute significantly to childhood obesity and are not a healthy substitute for sweet sodas. Replenishment of electrolytes is important after strenuous exercise that lasts more than an hour. But most children don’t need to replenish electrolytes, which are already plentiful in food. So kids end up consuming massive amounts of sugar, contributing to obesity. "Unless they're running marathons, which we do not recommend for kids, water is the best choice for quenching their thirst," a Harvard sociologist says in this report. Julie Deardorff, "Sports drinks: For kids, they're not a healthful alternative to soda", Chicago Tribune, September 13, 2009, © Chicago Tribune

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WILD Boosts Health Ingredient Line With New Product Platforms September 11, 2009: 05:48 AM EST Natural ingredients producer WILD Flavors has strengthened its product platforms with ingredients containing antioxidants and two types of vitamin microemulsions. The lingonberry platform is an antioxidant offering an array of benefits for the skin. The U.S. company also offers a water-soluble CLA microemulsion that may aid in weight loss and weight maintenance. A second new microemulsion contains vitamins D3 and K2, which have been shown to promote healthier bones. WILD’s line of health ingredients also includes antioxidant-rich grape seed extract, theaflavins, omega-3 fatty acids, tea polyphenols and chlorogenic acid. "Wild Flavors Expands Health Ingredient Technology & Solutions Platform", Nutrition Horizon, September 11, 2009

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Food Manufacturers Hope To Cash In On Probiotics Craze With Wider Array Of Offerings September 11, 2009: 09:42 AM EST Food manufacturers are catching on to the fact that young and middle-aged health conscious women are driving demand for foods containing pre- and probiotics, such as yogurt and juices. Look for the healthy “good for you” bacteria to show up in a range of foods enjoyed by women, including fruit and vegetable juices, cottage cheese, gum, mints, chew, and snack bars. New market possibilities include pregnant and nursing women. Men will also be courted, though they’re harder to nail down. Marketers might try probiotic sports bars and chewing gum to attract the guys. Ewa Hudson, "Trends in Probiotics and Prebiotics", Food Product Design, September 11, 2009, © Virgo Publishing, LLC.

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Work Conditions, Time Demands, Affect Food Choices Of Working Parents September 9, 2009: 11:34 AM EST Work conditions coupled with competing demands on the time of employed American parents exert a major impact on the food choices made for themselves and their families, according to a study of 50 parents in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. For example, fathers who work long or nonstandard hours are more likely to use take-out meals, miss family meals, purchase prepared entrees, and eat while working. Better work conditions may lead to better strategies for feeding families, including less meal skipping, preparing more meals in the home, eating with the family, and keeping healthful food at work, researchers said. Carol M. Devine, Ph.D., R.D., Tracy J. Farrell, M.S., et al., "Work Conditions and the Food Choice Coping Strategies of Employed Parents", Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, September 09, 2009, © Elsevier, Inc.

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New Version Of Wheaties “Fuels” Athletic Performance September 9, 2009: 01:27 AM EST Eighty five years after a serendipitous accident led to the creation of the original Wheaties breakfast cereal, General Mills says it has blended advanced nutritional science with the developmental help of several top athletes to create a new version “designed specifically to help fuel athletic performance.” Wheaties FUEL, consumer tested for three months, is a 200-calorie-per-serving sweetened whole wheat flake with granola and rice that provides all of the RDV of five B-vitamins, five grams of fiber, plus calcium and vitamin D, according to the company. Listed among the co-creators were football’s Peyton Manning, basketball’s Kevin Garnett, and baseball’s Albert Pujols. "General Mills Unveils Wheaties Fuel – The New Breakfast of Champions", General Mills, September 09, 2009, © General Mills, Inc.

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Germany’s METRO Finds Success With Wholesale Formula In China September 7, 2009: 04:30 AM EST German grocery wholesaler METRO Cash & Carry continues to successfully expand in China, adding four new business-to-business stores this year in two provinces for a total of 42 nationwide. The outlets serve the needs of hotels, restaurants, caterers, other companies and institutions, and small- and medium-sized retailers. China is a lucrative market, ripe for expansion, according to this China Daily report, with METRO already experiencing 15 percent annual growth in turnover. Hoping to further entrench itself in the region, METRO plans to launch five new brands exclusively in the Chinese market. Tuo Yannan , "METRO to open four new stores", China Daily, September 07, 2009, © China Daily Information Co (CDIC)

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Consumer Product Makers And Retailers Adapt To More Prudent Grocery Shoppers September 5, 2009: 04:44 AM EST Though the word out of Washington is that the recession is easing, cautious consumers – battered daily by news of layoffs, pay cuts, and continuing financial industry woes – continue to search for ways to trim their grocery bill. The attitude shift toward smarter shopping is a trend experts believe will endure, even after the crisis has passed. In the meantime, consumer products makers like Procter & Gamble and retailers like Krogers are adapting to the new reality. P&G is cutting prices in various ways, like couponing, while Krogers is enhancing and emphasizing the value of its private-label brands. David Holthaus , "P&G, Kroger aim at choosy buyers ", The Cincinnati Enquirer, September 05, 2009, © The Enquirer

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Will Crowd-Sourcing Provide The Fresh Ad Ideas Peperami’s Ad Agency Could Not? September 4, 2009: 04:52 AM EST Looking for a different advertising approach for its Peperami snack food brand, Unilever canned advertising agency Lowe after 15 years and turned to crowd-sourcing, in which a company asks the general public to submit ideas for a new TV ad. Unilever is willing to pay $10,000 to the winner of the competition. At that price it’s a cost-saving scheme for sure, but the creative community is wondering how a company could so easily ditch the agency that created the campaign that originally defined the brand in the public’s mind. "Close-Up: Should Peperami go crowd-sourcing? ", Campaign, September 04, 2009, © Haymarket Media

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Except For Pizza And Movie Tickets, Mobile Phones Not Yet A Force In E-Commerce September 4, 2009: 05:27 AM EST Users of Web-enabled mobile devices, reluctant to divulge personal info and credit card data over their phones, are not yet a big market for major e-commerce purchases, according to a new report. That trend is not likely to change soon, partly because brand marketers haven’t yet figured out how to handle mobile-based commerce, given the huge array of phones and operating systems. So, except for buying pizza and movie tickets, mobile shoppers will mainly use their Web-connected devices to gather information: weather reports, sports scores and other news, etc. Mike Shields , "Shoppers Still Hesitant to Buy via Mobile Devices", Mediaweek, September 04, 2009, © Nielsen Business Media, Inc

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Calls For Healthier School Lunches Create Market Opportunity For Food Service Suppliers September 4, 2009: 10:42 PM EST ConAgra Foods, whose school foodservice sales total $100 million a year, continues to expand its line of healthier school lunch foods as industry experts forecast increased market opportunities in that space. The company’s latest offering, currently being tested in one school district, is a pizza quesadilla made with mozzarella and a cheese substitute that has no unhealthy trans fat. Though U.S. sales of food and nonalcoholic beverages outside the home will fall 2.6 percent in 2009, sales to schools will increase three percent, Bloomberg News reports. Rising unemployment, driving more kids into federally-subsidized lunch programs, is a key factor. "ConAgra seeks school lunch edge with healthier pizza quesadilla", BLOOMBERG NEWS, September 04, 2009, © Bloomberg L.P.

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Regulators Getting Serious About Scrutinizing Functional Food Health Claims September 4, 2009: 01:10 AM EST Do probiotic bacteria in yogurts really improve your health? Does the addition of vitamins to sugar water really make the beverage healthier? These are the types of questions being asked of functional food makers by regulators who are looking closely at health claims. So far, the European Food Safety Authority and the FDA have found a lot of hot air in the health claims and very little science. This World Health Organization article summarizes the controversy that pits regulators and consumer groups against functional food manufacturers that have been making bold claims about the health benefits of their products. "Europe puts health claims to the test", World Health Organization (WHO), September 04, 2009, © WHO

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Scientist’s Work Advances Potential Of Cotton Seeds As Major Source Of Food Protein September 4, 2009: 10:36 AM EST A Texas biotechnologist has solved a key problem blocking the use of cotton seeds as a source of food protein. He was able to engineer the cotton to reduce a toxic substance known as gossypol to levels tolerable for human consumption, yet high enough elsewhere in the plant to ward off pests and disease. For every pound of fiber, cotton produces about 1.6 pounds of seed, which is about 22 percent protein. "The entire cotton industry has a vested interest in expanding the uses of the cotton plant," said an exec from Cotton, Inc., a funder of the research. Kathleen Phillips, "Safe seed - Researchers yielding good results on food cotton in field", EurekAlert, September 04, 2009, via EurekAlert

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Whole Foods Concentrates More on Healthy Foods, Less on Pricey Foods September 3, 2009: 11:24 AM EST The Whole Foods natural foods chain plans to continue what it calls its "value programs", such as targeting customers who want to cook at home. The group has been trying to shake off its image as being expensive. In a survey, it found that half of adults are eating more at home, largely because of the recession. Whole Foods has launched its "healthy eating" initiative and is shying away from presenting itself as a seller of pricey, gourmet foods. Paul Ziobro, "Whole Foods To Keep Value Push In Improving Economy", CNN Money, September 03, 2009, © DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

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“Positive Is Back” Is Theme Of Carrefour’s Campaign To Become The Favorite In France September 4, 2009: 05:04 AM EST French Carrefour is pitching a new image to consumers, one that conveys a commitment to improving the lives of customers who, according to the company, want simple, accessible solutions. The solutions Carrefour promises to provide include high quality discount products, easier shopping, accessible organic goods, new technologies, and eco-friendly products. “We are more determined than ever to provide our customers with concrete and innovative solutions to improve their quality of life," says an executive at Carrefour, whose overriding goal is to become “France’s favorite retailer.” "Carrefour is back", International Supermarket News , September 04, 2009, © International Supermarket News

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Magazine Publishers Offer A New Twist To Attract Wary, Cost-Conscious Advertisers September 4, 2009: 05:10 AM EST Stung by a continuing fall-off in advertising revenue, magazine publishers have come up with an apparently lucrative, albeit time-consuming, way to attract advertisers. Several major players, notably Hearst and Condé Nast, have been working with advertisers to micro-refine the marketing approach, developing ads customized for a publication’s audience, but also usable in other media. It’s a lot more work, but apparently worth the effort. "The revenue was significant for us; these programs are not only profitable, they bring us closer to our advertising partners," said a Hearst exec. Stephanie Clifford , "Magazines Now Create and Customize Ads ", The New York Times, September 04, 2009, © The New York Times Company

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Store Brands Are Cheaper, At Least As Tasty As The Nationals, Study Finds September 2, 2009: 07:36 PM EST Only six of 29 national-brand food items tested in blind taste tests fared as well as or better than store-brand counterparts, Consumer Reports found. Products tested included cookies, salsas, whipped toppings, fudge, brownies, and mustard. National brands scored higher in items like cranberry-raisin juice, barbecue sauce, pre-cooked bacon, certain cereals, and toaster snacks. On average, store brands cost 27 percent less than their national-brand equivalents. Families of four could trim nearly $1,200 from their dinner bill by sticking to them, the organization said. "Store Brands Hold Their Own Against National Brands in Taste Tests", Progressive Grocer, September 02, 2009, © Nielsen Business Media, Inc

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Novel Bacteria Strain Gives Blueberry Juice Obesity Fighting Powers In Mouse Study September 3, 2009: 12:41 AM EST Blueberry juice “biotransformed” with a newly-developed strain of blueberry skin bacteria reduced the glycemic index of mice by as much as 35 percent, according to a Canadian university study. Researchers said the mice, who were genetically modeled for obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and hypertension, ate less and lost weight after ingesting the juice. The new strain of bacteria, Serratia vaccinii, increases the fruit's antioxidant effects, the scientists said, adding that the findings “may result in the discovery of promising new antiobesity and antidiabetic molecules.” "Fighting Fat And Diabetes With Biotransformed Blueberry Juice", Medical News, September 03, 2009, © MediLexicon International Ltd

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Calif. Chains Wage War Over Prices, The Major Consideration For Grocery Shoppers September 2, 2009: 02:11 AM EST The recession still holds sway, so saving money is at the top of the agenda for grocery shoppers. That fact is not lost on retail supermarket chains in Southern California eager to recapture market share from the big discounters. They are slugging it out with an appropriate weapon: price cuts. Even though they’ve already slashed prices in recent months, Vons (a division of Safeway), Ralph’s, Stater Bros., and Albertsons are cutting margins even further as wholesale commodity prices have dipped. “The question for consumers is who is delivering the lowest prices," a company exec said. Jerry Hirsch, "Groceries to cost even less as supermarket price war intensifies", LA Times, September 02, 2009, © The Los Angeles Times

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Insufficient Vitamin C Intake Tied To Impaired Neonatal Brain Development September 2, 2009: 01:03 AM EST A Danish university study in guinea pigs has found that a deficiency of vitamin C leads to underdevelopment of neurons in the brain. Previous studies have shown that vitamin C is critical to neonatal brain development: it is even conserved by the brain when in short supply. In this study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, young guinea pigs given insufficient levels of vitamin C had 30 percent fewer neurons and worse spatial memory than animals fed normally. The researchers wonder whether learning disabilities in humans may in some cases be traceable to insufficient vitamin C intake. "Vitamin C deficiency impairs early brain development ", University of Copenhagen, September 02, 2009, © University of Copenhagen

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Dark Chocolate’s Flavanols Protect The Skin From Sun Damage September 1, 2009: 08:22 PM EST Science has been gradually uncovering the health benefits of dark chocolate’s flavanol antioxidants: lowering the risk of blood clots, protecting against colon cancer, reducing the chances of dying from heart disease, etc. A new U.K. study has added another benefit – namely, protecting the skin from the aging effects of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For three months, 15 participants ate dark chocolate very high in flavanol each day and 15 others ate chocolate low in flavanol. All were exposed regularly to UV light. Those who ate high-flavanol chocolate tolerated lengthier doses of UV light before their skin became sunburned. Stefanie Williams, MD, et al. , "Eating chocolate can significantly protect the skin from UV light", Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, September 01, 2009, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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UK’s Supermarket Chains Quietly Launching GM Foods Campaign? September 1, 2009: 07:42 PM EST Big supermarket chains, backed by the British government and farmers groups, may be in the early stages of a publicity campaign to win public support for supposedly high-yield genetically-modified (GM) foods as a solution to the world hunger crisis, according to reports. Controversial GM foods are vilified by environmentalist critics, who say claims of high GM crop yields are false. Also, GM crops have sinister ramifications: “Once these GM crops are released into the environment, they will spread, and transfer GM traits to related native plants. They can never be recalled,” a GM food critic says. Sean Poulter, "Supermarkets in 'secret talks to introduce GM foods to the shelves'", Daily Mail (UK), September 01, 2009, © Associated Newspapers Ltd

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U.K. Grocery Giant Hopes Weather Forecasting Software Will Prevent Food Waste September 1, 2009: 04:01 AM EST Using in-house weather-forecasting software based on three years’ worth of U.K. data, grocery chain Tesco hopes to better adjust its product inventory to coincide with weather patterns – saving money and not wasting food. If successful, the software would help avoid situations where cold weather dampens purchases of barbecue meat and rising temperatures depress sales of cold-weather puddings. So far, it seems to be working, a Tesco exec says. “The system successfully predicted temperature drops during July that led to a major increase in demand for soup.” Julia Werdigier, "Tesco, British Grocer, Uses Weather to Predict Sales", New York Times, September 01, 2009, © The New York Times Company

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Twitter, Facebook Help Retailers Listen To Their Customers, Boost Store Sales September 1, 2009: 03:47 AM EST Online retail sales still represent only a small proportion of retail sales but retailers would be making a big mistake if they don't make full use of the Internet, especially consumer-generated media (CGM) such as online social meeting places where consumers spend a lot of time exchanging opinions and information about products. CGM sites like Twitter and Facebook are good places to engage and respond to customers, nurture brand credibility, improve customer service, and draw people into stores. In a piece geared to helping retailers tap social media, Nielsen stresses the need to time with customers online, to listen and engage them through encouraging conversations. Maya Swedowsky, "A Social Media 'How To' for Retailers", The Nielsen Company, September 01, 2009, © The Nielsen Company

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White Tea Found To Be A Superstar At Preventing Skin Aging September 1, 2009: 11:21 AM EST Certain enzymes in the skin break down collagen, the protein that gives skin its elasticity. In a recent study of plant extracts from 23 species, the activity of enzymes collagenase and elastase was inhibited by extracts from a surprising source. White tea showed an extraordinary ability to combat both collagenase and elastase. Researchers concluded that white tea’s inhibitive activity reduces the risks of arthritic inflammation, some cancers, and wrinkles. One skin care company says it will use the findings to enhance its product lines. "Researchers Find High Antioxidant, Antiaging Activity in White Tea", Cosmetics and Toiletries, September 01, 2009, © Allured Business Media

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Lack Of The Human Touch Often Affects U.S. Internet Purchasing September 1, 2009: 04:05 AM EST Americans are shopping and buying on the Internet, but would probably buy even more if live human help was more available. The problem seems especially critical in more complicated online purchases, such as insurance, automobiles, and real estate, and less so in simpler online purchases of books and music. Nevertheless, nearly four out of five Internet buyers in the last six months, no matter what they bought, said they would like to have had some help from a live human being. Half of shoppers who said they could not obtain human assistance online decided not to buy. "Online Shoppers Want Human Helping Hand", eMarketer, September 01, 2009, © eMarketer Inc

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U.S. Advisory Council Strongly Suggests State/Local Taxes On Junk Food, Sodas September 1, 2009: 05:33 AM EST A Washington-based nonprofit advisory organization has urged that state and local governments target the childhood obesity epidemic by implementing an array of initiatives, including imposing taxes on junk food and soft drinks. Emphasizing the soaring obesity rates among U.S. children – 18% of adolescents are considered obese – the National Research Council suggested other options, including requiring restaurants to list the calorie content of menu items. On the subject of taxation, a university dietician said that "a 10 percent increase in the price of a sugar-sweetened beverage could reduce consumption by 8 to 10 percent," Reuters reported. Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor, "Tax Junk Food, Drinks to Fight Child Obesity: Report", Reuters , September 01, 2009, © Thomas Reuters

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Researchers See Greater Risk Of Diabetes With Increased Fish Consumption September 1, 2009: 01:02 AM EST A study of fish consumption by 195,204 adult American men and women over an 18-year period found that eating two or more servings a week of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids slightly increased, rather than decreased, the risk of diabetes. People who ate fish – which has proven cardiovascular benefits – two to four times a week were 1.17 times more likely to contract diabetes than people who ate fish less than once a month. Those who ate fish at least five times a week were 1.22 times more susceptible to diabetes than those who consumed lesser amounts. Manas Kaushik, Dariush Mozaffarian, et al., "Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, fish intake, and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus", The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 01, 2009, © The American Society for Nutrition

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Health Researchers Continue To Shed Light On The Benefits Of Natural Compounds In Grapes September 1, 2009: 01:02 PM EST Grapes and grape products like raisins, juice, and wine, all contain natural compounds that researchers are studying for their potential beneficial health effects. According to a coalition of growers, processors, wineries, and academics, an increasing amount of scientific evidence suggests that grapes and grape products could have a positive impact on cardiovascular health, cognitive function in the elderly, cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and dental health. In a press release to highlight the study, Jean-Mari Peltier, President of the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI) said "The interest in grapes and health is very strong and there is no doubt that research in this area will continue at full force". John Pezzuto, Venkat Venkatasubramanian, Mazen Hamad and Kenneth Morris, "Unraveling the Relationship between Grapes and Health", Journal of Nutrition, September 01, 2009, © American Society for Nutrition

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Reducing Dietary Salt Intake Would Save Billions In U.S. Medical Costs - Study September 1, 2009: 12:35 PM EST A recent RAND Corporation study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion suggests that "large benefits to society may result from efforts to lower sodium consumption on a population level by modest amounts over time". Adults in the U.S. on average consume nearly twice the recommended maximum of dietary sodium, most of it from processed foods and high sodium consumption often contributes to hypertension and related complications such as heart and kidney disease. Reading food packages and having lower-sodium alternatives in their diet could help Americans cut salt intake to healthier levels. The study estimates that if Americans were able to lower sodium intake to a healthy 2,300 mg per day, the cost of treatment for blood pressure and related disorders would drop by $18 billion. The saving would be $26 billion if average daily sodium intake decreased to 1,500 mg. Kartika Palar, Roland Sturm, "Potential Societal Savings From Reduced Sodium Consumption in the U.S. Adult Population", American Journal of Health Promotion, September 01, 2009, © American Journal of Health Promotion, Inc.

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Earlier Estimates Of Lactose Intolerance Found To Be Grossly Erroneous September 1, 2009: 05:14 AM EST Previous studies have overestimated lactose intolerance among three ethnic groups by huge margins: 15 percent of European Americans, 50 percent of Hispanic Americans, and 80 percent of African Americans, according to a study in Nutrition Today. But lactose intolerance is not that widespread a problem. Using data from a U.S. sample, researchers found the actual overall rate of self-reported intolerance is 12 percent, while in EAs it is 7.72 percent,in HAs 10.05 percent, and in AAs 19.5 percent. The findings are important because people limiting dairy intake because of perceived lactose intolerance are depriving themselves of essential nutrients. Nicklas, Theresa A. DrPH; Qu, Haiyan PhD; Hughes, Sheryl O. PhD; Wagner, Sara E. MPH; Foushee, H. Russell PhD; Shewchuk, Richard M. PhD, "Prevalence of Self-reported Lactose Intolerance in a MultiethnicSample of Adults", Nutrition Today, September 01, 2009, © Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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Using Perceptual Maps To Strengthen A Product’s Market Positioning September 1, 2009: 02:12 AM EST A consumer’s perception of how a company’s brand stands in relation to others in a market category is critically important to planning brand strategy. To help them analyze brand positioning, marketers often use “perceptual maps” that plot the perceived importance and strength of a brand’s benefits – e.g., attractive price, high comfort, prestige, etc. – relative to the competition’s. Perceptual maps help identify a brand’s competitive advantages and market opportunities. And they provide some guidance on how to fix positioning problems to better compete in the marketplace. "Brand Positioning and Perceptual Maps", Branding Strategy Insider, September 01, 2009, © The Blake Project

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FDA Supports SweetLeaf’s Glycoside Safety Claim September 1, 2009: 05:47 AM EST The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has signed off on the safety claims of the stevia-based artificial sweetener SweetLeaf. The agency granted the whole leaf steviol glycosides used in the product extract the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status. SweetLeaf, made from the stevia plant harvested in Central and South America and 300-350% sweeter than sugar, is marketed as a safe and pure alternative for weight-conscious consumers, and for food and beverage companies. The company says its brand not only substitutes well for sugar in recipes, it lacks the bitter aftertaste of competitor stevia sweeteners. "U.S. Food & Drug Administration Issues “No Questions” Letter Supporting Safety Of SweetLeaf Sweetener®", NewsGuide.us, September 01, 2009, © NewsGuide.us

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Cost-Conscious Americans Find Salty Snacks A Bargain, Boost Sales Growth September 1, 2009: 03:52 AM EST Americans looking for a good food value during stressful economic times have turned to potato chips and other salty snacks, fueling big increases in sales, according to a Mintel market report. The potato chip market soared 22 percent, followed by tortilla chips (18 percent), popcorn (17 percent) and cheese snacks (20 percent). Analysts see the growth trend waning with the recession, but not disappearing entirely, thanks to product innovation and changes in eating habits. Though Americans are not likely to abandon their love of salty snacks, Mintel said, two-thirds surveyed are “interested in healthier snacks.” "Potato chip sales pop with recession, but growth expected to slow in economic recovery", Mintel , September 01, 2009, © Mintel International Group Ltd

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NYC Ad Campaign Warns Of Link Between Sugary Drinks And Obesity August 31, 2009: 07:26 PM EST New York City subway commuters are the targets of a graphic quarter-million-dollar public health ad campaign that warns of the connection between high-sugar sodas and obesity. Displayed on fifteen hundred subway cars, the ads were partly paid for by a private organization. A spokesman for a trade group representing soda companies criticized the “Don’t drink yourself fat” campaign as “sensational” and ultimately harmful. But a food expert applauded the effort as “dramatic,” and urged consumers to stay away from sweetened sports and energy drinks as well as sodas. Sewell Chan, "New Targets in the Fat Fight: Soda and Juice ", NY Times, August 31, 2009, © The New York Times Company

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Adjusting Certain Soybean Cultivation Factors Can Boost Antioxidant Concentrations - Study August 31, 2009: 07:05 AM EST In a bit of good news for functional food makers, Canadian scientists have found that tinkering with various key environmental and management factors in the cultivation of soybeans can boost the already high concentrations of beneficial antioxidants known as tocopherols. Functional foods such as soybeans need to have consistently high concentrations of the health-beneficial compounds, scientists said in an article published in Agronomy Journal. By identifying high performing soybean genotypes and growing environments, the concentration of alpha-tocopherol, which has the greatest antioxidant activity and is converted to vitamin E in the human body, can be increased. Seguin, Turcotte, Tremblay, Pageau and Liu, "Tocopherols Concentration and Stability in Early Maturing Soybean Genotypes", Agronomy Journal, August 31, 2009, © American Society of Agronomy

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Non-GMO Label Campaign Gains Ground With Support Of Natural Foods Heavyweights August 28, 2009: 11:02 AM EST An organic/natural foods industry watchdog has launched a campaign to gain acceptance of a package label guaranteeing that foods have been rigorously tested and found free of “genetically modified organisms” (GMO). As more U.S. corn, soybeans, canola, and sugar are produced from gene-altered seeds, the Non-GMO Project believes organic/natural foods consumers need to know what they are buying. Long opposed by the biotech industry and questioned as perhaps misleading by the FDA, GMO labeling is gaining momentum as natural foods retailers like Whole Foods Market and Nature’s Path throw their weight behind the campaign. William Neuman, "Non-GMO’ Seal Identifies Foods Mostly Biotech-Free ", NY Times, August 28, 2009, © The New York Times Company

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