“Rising Consumer Interest in Probiotic Foods: Opportunities for Food Manufacturers in a Growing Market”

Consumer interest in the potential health benefits of fermented foods and beverages is on the rise globally, as individuals become increasingly aware of their positive effects on the digestive system, which in turn affects immunity and cognitive functions. The gut-healing properties of fermented foods come from probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, found in products like kombucha, … Read more

“Manuka Honey: The Multi-Dimensional Superfood Driving Demand Amidst Rising Health Trends”

Wedderspoon asserts that Manuka honey is “one of the most multi-dimensional foods in the world” due to its rich content of complex sugars, live enzymes, and various naturally occurring compounds. Unlike regular sugar, honey has a lower glycemic index, allowing it to be absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream. The CEO of the company notes … Read more

“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