Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - Europe US edition

Probiotics to boom despite trust issues, says researcher

01-Jul-2009 - Brits are responding to successful marketing from the likes of Danone and Yakult and embracing digestive health products such as probiotic yoghurts and drinks, but the market has plenty of room for further growth, according to a Datamonitor report.

Australian heart health market ripe for education

30-Jun-2009 - The Australian market for heart-healthy foods or supplements could be a tough one to crack, but consumer signs indicate that it holds potential for manufacturers willing to make the extra awareness-raising efforts.

Healthy chocolate and candy products to beat the recession

29-Jun-2009 - Confectionery product ranges featuring new flavours, flexibility and variety will help manufacturers grow consumer purchases over the next five years despite economic uncertainty, according to the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) Confectionery Industry Trend Report 2009.

Organic shift would drive healthier diets: report

24-Jun-2009 - A major shift towards organic agriculture in the UK would cause a shift in the commodity mix – and subsequently be accompanied by healthier eating options, concludes a new report.

Australians skeptical about probiotic claims, says Datamonitor

23-Jun-2009 - Most Australian consumers are still not ready to believe the claims made by probiotic products, despite a steady and growing interest in their value for improving digestive health, according to Datamonitor.

Flagging UK supplements market boosted by over-65s and women

16-Jun-2009 - Falling demand and a negative profile mark today's €466 million UK vitamins and supplements market, but women, the over-65s and own-label developments could inject growth opportunities, finds a Mintel consumer survey.

Polish functional foods market open to all ages

12-Jun-2009 - The elderly and younger people are consuming functional foods at similar levels, despite differing expectations, health outcomes and education, according to researchers writing in a recent edition of Food Policy.

News in brief

Beneo labelling surging worldwide

12-May-2009 - Consumer awareness of Beneo Orafti’s inulin and oligofructose is increasing, with a reported 350 products in over 30 countries now carrying the Beneo label, says the company.

UK report: Functional foods scepticism remains high

30-Mar-2009 - Scepticism toward functional foods is widespread, especially among men and younger people, but the level of wariness varies greatly between countries, according to a report produced on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK.

Protein drinks expanding despite health scepticism - Zenith

20-Mar-2009 - Milk and fruit drinks enriched with proteins are growing beyond niche market of exercise junkies by broadening into other functional areas like satiety and clinical nutrition, according to Zenith International.

Downturn keeping consumer thoughts on brain health - Lipogen

12-Mar-2009 - Changing global consumer habits during the current economic downturn appear to be contributing to strong interest in products offering brain health function, says one phospholid supplier.

Eye health market prepares for take off, says F&S

09-Mar-2009 - The European market for eye health supplements is poised to take off, and well-positioned products are set to benefit from a rise in consumer interest, according to market researcher Frost & Sullivan.

Trade fair team up targets Asian wellbeing needs

23-Feb-2009 - China continues to reflect the growing opportunities across Asia for products designed to be beneficial in fighting health conditions such as obesity, claim the organisers of a major new show in the country.

Analyst sees sports drinks polarisation in mainstream push

18-Feb-2009 - As sports drinks continue to make inroads as a mainstream option for quenching consumers thirst, manufacturers are increasingly facing the challenge of catering for both the committed athlete and the casual shopper.

Consumers going off probiotic cheese

17-Feb-2009 - Probiotics have had a rapid rise to public prominence in North America since Danone launched probiotic drinkable and spoonable yogurts on the US market in 2005, but probiotic cheeses have won little favor, according to Euromonitor research.

Sports drinks scratching surface of mainstream potential - Powerade

12-Feb-2009 - Sports drinks may be breaking through the niche beverage wall, but their future will lie in meeting a variety of consumer trends across the entire beverage market, says the senior brand manager of Powerade.

Fat and happy: research finds overweight no barrier to good health

02-Feb-2009 - Tate & Lyle research has found a staggering 91 per cent of European consumers believe they are in good health, even though many of them also perceive themselves as being overweight.

Acai superfruit tops sweet flavour projection for 2009

22-Jan-2009 - Superfruits top the bill for sweet flavour predictions in 2009, suggesting confectionery formulators mindful of innovation in a testing climate should increasingly consider exotic flavours in their new product designs.

Heart health-growth defying regulation restrictions - analyst

14-Jan-2009 - Demand for functional food and drinks has ensured that the European market for ingredients with proposed cardiovascular benefits is in rude health, despite restrictions on claims allowed on such products, says new research.

Weekly comment

The invincibles – recession proof food and healthy eating

12-Jan-2009 - There are fears that in the economic crisis consumers will put on “recession pounds” by eating unhealthily. Rightly or wrongly, food manufacturers may suffer the blame but “unhealthy” and “recession proof” do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Uncertainty marks new year weight control development

08-Jan-2009 - While weight control may be on many consumer’s minds following the customary indulgences of the holiday period, the concern appears less pressing amongst supplement manufacturers, suggests recent findings.

Nutritionist says high calcium foods no fix-all for osteoporosis

07-Jan-2009 - A diet containing high calcium food products like dairy goods and certain vegetables may not alone serve as an effective means of reducing the risk of osteoporosis, say some nutritionists.

Mintel highlights CoQ10 food and drink launches

12-Dec-2008 - Launches of foods and beverages containing CoQ10 are on the upturn, after a slight dip in product introductions last year, according to figures provided by Mintel.

Bridging the benefit-ingredient knowledge gap

04-Dec-2008 - Companies need to do more to link health benefits and those particular ingredients that deliver them to capitalise on consumer interest, according to research commissioned by Beneo-Orafti.