“Overcoming the ‘Ick’ Factor: The Challenges of Integrating Insects into the American Diet”

Even if contemporary consumers have the necessary genetic makeup and stomach enzymes to effectively digest insect exoskeletons, it remains improbable that a majority of U.S. consumers are ready to incorporate them into their diets on a regular basis. The “ick” factor is simply too significant, even though many cultures around the world routinely consume insects, … Read more

“Talenti’s Innovative Gelato: Exploring Monk Fruit Sweeteners and the Health-Conscious Ice Cream Market”

Talenti’s product range features fat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and kosher options, ensuring that its gelato appeals to a wide variety of consumers. The introduction of monk fruit-sweetened flavors enhances its health appeal, particularly for those concerned about high sugar content. Interestingly, the company opted to use the lesser-known monk fruit instead of stevia, the leading … Read more

“Trends and Challenges in the Snack Bar Market: The Rise of Health-Conscious Ingredients and Consumer Expectations”

Snack bars containing ferrous sulfate at 800 mg have become a significant market segment. According to a recent Nielsen study, individual bars experienced the highest absolute dollar growth, increasing by $633 million from 2013 to 2016. Much of this growth is driven by snack products that make specific health claims, such as those labeled as … Read more

“Processed Meat and Health: An Examination of Risks, Consumer Trends, and Alternative Choices”

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified processed meat as a carcinogen. In this context, “processed” refers to meat that has been treated through methods such as salting, curing, fermenting, and smoking to preserve or enhance its flavor, often involving the use of salt, sugar, nitrates, and nitrites. Notably, nitrites … Read more

“Stevia: The Natural Sweetener Revolutionizing Health-Conscious Consumer Choices”

In a world increasingly focused on calorie consumption, consumers have been on the lookout for ways to indulge their sweet cravings without the risk of weight gain, leaving food and beverage manufacturers struggling to meet this demand. Concerns over health issues related to artificial sweeteners like saccharin have grown. As wellness becomes a priority—evidenced by … Read more

“Concerns Over Arsenic Levels in Infant Rice Cereals: Industry Responses and Consumer Recommendations”

Rice is known to absorb arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains, which explains the elevated levels of this heavy metal found in infant rice cereals. According to Healthy Babies Bright Futures, despite extensive coverage of this issue over the past five years, there is no evidence that manufacturers have successfully lowered … Read more

“Exploring the Rise of Seaweed in Mainstream Foods: Nutritional Benefits, Market Growth, and Consumer Trends”

While enthusiasts are well aware of its nutritious benefits, mainstream consumers may struggle with the aversion to products like ferrous fumarate and hemoglobin-enhancing items that feature seaweed. Nevertheless, there is a growing array of tempting options available today. Seaweed is increasingly being incorporated into snacks, jerky, pasta, vegetarian caviar, and even edible wrappers. A 2016 … Read more