Archive for category: Beverages & Drinks

Low-Calorie Foods and Drinks Drove Sales From 2009-2013

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It seems that people are becoming aware of what they are eating. A recent report by the Hudson Institute, a think tank based in Washington DC, shows that low-calorie foods are driving sales in supermarket chains. The report indicates that between 2009 and 2013, the sales of low-calorie foods grew by 59%. The study described the following products as low-calorie foods; fruits and vegetables, pasta, milk, snacks, cereal, and packaged meals. The study used the criteria laid out by the Nutrition Coordinating Center to classify low and high-calorie foods.

Consciousness Rising Amongst Consumers

With the rate of obesity increasing in some states, the news that people are now conscious of what they are eating is a positive development. The news may spell doom to companies who produce high-calorie food, especially soft drinks, and candy companies. Packaged food companies will have to evolve to meet the demand of the new healthy consumer. A ninety-six percent rise in the availability of low calories foods and drinks is an indication of growing health consciousness.

Despite the rise in calorie consciousness, Americans are still categorized as the unhealthiest snackers, a study found that out that while other parts of the world prefer fresh fruits, yogurt, and chocolate as their number one snack, Americans are still stuck to their potato chips. Potato chips are categorized as a high-calorie food. With the rise of the calorie consciousness, this trend is predicted to change, perhaps in the future, we will see more people ditching potato chips for low-calorie foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Low-Calorie Foods are Just the Beginning of Healthy Eating

With the industries spearheading the move to “better-for-you” products, the journey to healthy eating has already started, more and more adults will switch to low-calorie foods, reducing the demand for high-calorie foods. Companies stuck in the production of high-calorie foods will be in trouble going forward and will rely on young, uneducated consumers to move their products. Adults, who are more threatened by lifestyle diseases, will opt for the low-calorie foods given the benefits they drive in building a healthier body. 

Inspired by marketwatch.com

NutriFusion® is the Leader in Fresh, Low-Calorie Nutrition

So, how do you start reinventing your products to meet the growing demand for low-calorie, “better-for-you” foods? For packaged food companies, it all begins with the ingredients. Forever, we have been unable to add a significant amount of fruits and vegetables to our products, because of the nutrient degradation experienced during processing. Well, that has officially changed with NutriFusion. We developed a patented method for stabilizing the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables. Our stabilization has a two-year shelf life and can withstand the extreme heating and cooling of modern day food processing. If you are interested in learning more about how our process and products, please visit the consumer packaged foods page below.

Parkinson’s Disease Risk Reduced in Coffee Drinkers

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Do you know that a cup of coffee each day could keep Parkinson’s Disease away? According to a recent study, coffee consumers are less susceptible in developing Parkinson’s Disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.

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FDA Proposes Sugar Limits in New Nutritional Guidelines

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Sugar is the sweet poison in almost everything that we eat. When we eat an excessive amount of sugar every day, it not only adds extra inches to the waist but it is also slowly killing us. A recent study shows that a sugar loaded diet can be a source of a heart attack even if you are not overweight. Another study was carried out to see the drastic effects caused by sugar to a healthy person, and the results were disturbing. Over the span of the 15-year study, members who took in 25% or a greater amount of their daily calories as sugar were more than twice as prone to death from heart failure as those whose eating habits included under 10% dose of sugar. In general, the odds of dying from coronary illness increased as the rate of sugar increased in the diet regardless of person’s age, gender, and physical activity level.

An average American citizen’s diet consisting of beverages including sodas and energy drinks. These beverages are one of the leading causes of extra sugar intake. Other sugar sources include cakes, baked goods, and pastries; ice-creams, solidified yogurt; sweets; and prepared-to-eat cereals. American researchers took the notice of this epidemic. Over the past ten years, they came to the conclusion that Americans are exceeding their sugar limits. Now the advocates are taking steps to ensure the health and safety of the American people.

F.D.A. Says Added Sugar Guidelines Must Change

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 24, 2015, passed a resolution that stated: in addition to the labeled nutrition facts; food packages should also contain a percentage daily value (%DV) for added sugar present in that item and should change the current footnote of the nutritional label. The percent daily value would specify how much of nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet and would help consumers make an educated decision for their and their families’ health. The initiated guideline is an adjunct to the March 3, 2014, proposed principle on overhauling the Nutrition Facts name, under which the FDA recommended that food companies incorporate included sugars on the Nutrition Facts label. The proposed policy did exclude the statement of the percent everyday value for added sugars.

The FDA’s initial proposal to include the amount of added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label is presently further upheld by recently reviewed studies recommending sound dietary examples, including lower measures of sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, are firmly connected with a decreased danger of cardiac disorders. In addition to providing sweetness to the foods and beverages, sugar only appends calories having no nutritional value. According to this enactment, the beverage companies are advised to restyle their nutritional fact chart posted on their bottles with details about the percent daily value listed for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, calcium, and iron. The FDA also allowed community members to comment on the ruling for the next 75 days. The FDA has also created a survey to poll the current nutritional elements used by community members daily. Based on the comments received and the study conducted, they wanted to seek the community opinion before formally implementing the rule.

For The Full Article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/placing-a-cap-on-americans-consumption-of-added-sugar

NutriFusion® Natural Sweeteners From Fruits and Veggies

We have developed a wide variety of products for food and beverage manufacturers. Our products are made from fruits and vegetables. The secret to NutriFusion® is the stabilization of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Our proprietary formulas can withstand the heat and cold processing methods. Contact us today to learn more about NutriFusion®!

Do Natural Ingredients Make Sodas Healthier?

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Mintel recently published a new research report, Carbonated Soft Drinks: Spotlight on Natural/Craft US 2015 report. The report revealed an interesting statistic: 57% of Americans believe that sodas made with natural ingredients are healthier than those made with artificial ingredients. The natural and craft soda market is growing rapidly as a “better-for-you” alternative to current soft drink offerings.

Natural Ingredients and Sweeteners are Key to Growth

 

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame have faced a high level of scrutiny by the research community. Natural sweeteners are seen as a better alternative and a key to growth for the natural and craft soda market. An important stat from the report was that 34% of consumers who currently consume craft and natural sodas are interested in seeing sodas with added benefits like protein, vitamins, and minerals.

“The definition of health is changing from desiring low/no-fat and -sugar, to ‘real’ or unadulterated ingredients. Natural and craft brands tend to feature ingredients in more natural forms, to position products as a better-for-you option,” said Elizabeth Sisel, Beverage Analyst at Mintel.

“While the carbonated soft drink category is facing consumer perception challenges, opportunities exist to strengthen brand trust, authenticity and experience through trending natural and craft segments. However, natural and craft manufacturers are tasked with justifying higher prices and increasing familiarity through better exposure. The predominant negative attributes of craft soda could be curbed in time as more products enter the market and pricing evens out,” concluded Sisel.

 

NutriFusion® for Natural and Craft Sodas

 

As the report pointed out, consumers are more and more interested in products with natural ingredients over artificial ingredients. We can help you solve this problem while adding those valuable health benefits that consumers are also demanding. Our products come from organic, non-GMO produce and can easily be mixed into beverages, drinks, and sodas. NutriFusion® enables your brand to make claims like: “Rich in Antioxidants” or “Provides nutrients from two servings of fruits and vegetables.” These kinds of claims are important messages to consumers and can help you justify higher prices for natural and craft sodas. Contact NutriFusion® for more information about our natural ingredient mixes for your beverages and drinks.

For Full Article: http://www.mintel.com