The New Direction of Food Trends

The Sterling-Rice Group recently identified some of the newest natural and organic food and beverage trends that will be arriving in grocery aisles in the near future. Be on the lookout for these products and give them a try!

Healthy products are typically marketed towards women, as they are the primary grocery shoppers for families. Women are also assumed to be more health-conscious, but this is not always the case! Food manufacturers are now developing nutritious natural and organic products targeted at men. Examples include high-protein yogurt and buffalo jerky, complete with masculine packaging. Men who want to take advantage of natural and organic foods will now have options too!

One can also expect to see vegetables popping up in unexpected combinations, such as chocolate kale chips, spinach chive tea, and in chocolate milkshakes. This twist will allow consumers to reap the health benefits of vegetables while eating tasty, convenient snack foods! In addition, South American super foods like Brazilian cherries, Peruvian purple maize, and Chilean fruits will be the hottest new flavors and ingredients in foods and beverages of all kinds.

Producers have also picked up on changing consumer needs. Food allergies are on the rise, and meat consumption is declining. In response, natural and organic manufacturers have developed innovative meat alternatives and mock meats, such as chicken-free strips and meatless grounds, with the same savory flavor as their conventional counterparts. An unconventional assortment of protein-sources, from pea protein beverages to protein chips, has also been developed for consumers who avoid dairy, meat, gluten, or soy. For consumers with peanut allergies, manufacturers have developed a variety of peanut-free nut butters with unique flavors like chocolate and raspberry.

Producers of natural and organic goods even want to make dessert more nutritious! Innovations like high-protein frozen yogurt and “functional” detoxifying cookies will make desserts a guilt-free pleasure.

From a beverage perspective, manufacturers have picked up on the human need for emotional well-being and inner peace, and have developed beverages promoting bliss, restoration, and relaxation as opposed to concrete benefits. In addition, water brands have begun to add rare natural ingredients to their products, such as birch tree juice and extra virgin olive oil. Consumers looking for something different can try natural and organic beverages with interesting textures from chia seeds and flaxseed.

These new developments are undoubtedly beneficial to a variety of consumers, and respond to the unique needs of modern shoppers.  And RIBUS had products that can help meet all these needs. 

Source:

http://www.srg.com/assets/pdf/releases/2013/2013_Top_Natural_and_Organic_Trends.pdf

Organics Continue to See Increased Consumer Demand

Consumer interest in organic products continues to increase despite the 2012 Stanford University study which concluded that organic and conventional produce have the same nutritional value. Evidently, the organic craze is more than just another food fad. A recent study by the Hartman Group shows that the organic allure lies in the absence of conventional farming’s negative qualities as opposed to any added nutritional benefits of organic farming.

In particular, consumers prefer the lack of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in organic food. Organic farmers use compost or manure instead of chemical fertilizers, natural pesticides or beneficial birds and insects instead of synthetic insecticides, and mulch or weeding instead of chemical herbicides. These practices promote conservation and reduce pollution in the air, soil, and water. These qualities undeniably benefit all living creatures on earth, and leave the planet healthier for future generations.

Furthermore, organic products are viewed as more trustworthy and authentic than conventional goods. After all, the USDA requires that organic foods meet strict standards in terms of growing, handling, and processing. Consumers value the honesty of organic producers, and like to know what they are eating. For this reason, shoppers in grocery stores nationwide are seeking products with clean, recognizable ingredient lists and minimal processing.

In fact, the Hartman study found that over 74% of US consumers purchased organic products in the last three months, and at least 36% used organic products on a monthly basis. However, basic products like produce and milk were the most popular organic purchases, largely because processed organic goods come at a price.

This does not have to be the case when using RIBUS ingredients! Our functional ingredients are 100% organic, derived from rice bran and hulls. When producing organics, use RIBUS products to ensure that manufacturing costs stay low and saving can be passed on to consumers!

Sources:

http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/articles/2013/05/organic-s-attraction-still-lies-in-what-s-not-the.aspx

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255

http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-206

The Great Debate - What is Natural?

In recent years, the notion of “natural” products has become shrouded in ambiguity. Consumers and manufacturers seem to be operating under definitions of the term, which has led to endless confusion. In fact, several major food companies have been sued for misleading natural claims on food products. Though it seems that this problem could easily be solved by establishing a concrete definition for the food industry, the problem is much more complex.

The stickiness of this situation is evidenced by the outcome of the Elizabeth Coxvs. Gruma Corporation lawsuit, which was heard in California federal courts this past June. Cox’s complaint against the food industry giant is that the “all-natural” claims on Mission brand tortilla chips are misleading. The judge, Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, recognized the lack of regulatory authority with regards to natural products and postponed the case for six months to allow the FDA to produce a solid definition of “natural” in relation to food. However, the FDA has previously been unwilling to provide any clarity on the subject, and it is unlikely that any future action will be taken. Because no ruling exists, courts nationwide have refused to set a legal precedent on the matter. In essence, grid lock has developed between US courts and the FDA as neither entity is willing to establish a guideline before the other.

As a result, the National Products Association (NPA) board of directors believes that the organization should make the first move. Undoubtedly, rules need to be set in place to eliminate the gray area. Numerous food retailers have already set their own guidelines with regards to natural food products. Whole Foods upholds a list of 82 unacceptable ingredients for all store products, Kroger prohibits 101 ingredients from being used in their natural line, Target refrains from using 105 ingredients in their Simply Balanced line, and Safeway has banned 130 ingredients from their natural line.

The aforementioned retailers understand the consumer demand for honest products. If a given food label ingredient would not be found in the average American pantry, it automatically evokes a sense of distrust that cannot be reconciled. Though some synthetic-sounding ingredients are actually natural, initial perceptions are difficult to overcome. As baseless “natural” claims are deteriorating, producers must focus on clean-label appeal to establish authenticity. All-natural RIBUS ingredients, derived from rice bran and hulls, are declared on food labels as “Rice Concentrate” or “Rice Extract.” Chemical food additives are easily replaced by these products, so don’t settle for less than the best

Sources:

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Trends/The-GM-debate/Natural-Clean-Label-Trends-2013-Who-s-driving-the-agenda-From-Simple-Truth-to-Open-Nature

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Regulation/Judge-There-is-a-gaping-hole-in-the-current-regulatory-landscape-for-natural-claims-and-GMOs

Is Sustainable Attainable? We think so....

Public interests are now more environmentally conscious than ever before. Consumers are aware of the long-term consequences of widespread pollution and waste, and are demanding sustainable goods and services. In essence, sustainability is protecting our environment so that future generations can continue to benefit from its rich natural resources. Smart businesses are now “going green” for several reasons.

Green business practices are not difficult to implement and exist in a number of forms. Some choose to produce sustainable products, such as solar power equipment, that allow others to conserve resources. Others choose to implement environmentally-friendly methods of production, like organic farmers and manufacturers. On an even simpler level, businesses can reduce waste and utilize renewable energy.

In addition to benefiting the planet, “going green” may have hidden benefits for companies. According to a recent study, there is a correlation between sustainable business practices and better bottom lines. Despite the recent economic recession, the sales of green products and services increased drastically in recent years, especially in the realm of organic products. Over the last ten years, the market for organic products increased 238%, while the market for conventional products only increased 33%. Sustainable business practices are appealing to consumers! On another note, many green policies create efficiency and lower spending on energy and materials in the long run. 

RIBUS produces an entire line of sustainable, environmentally-friendly ingredients for your production needs. Our unique products are made from rice hulls and rice bran, which are oftentimes unused and wasted by the rice industry. Utilizing the entire rice grain reduces waste and promotes conservation.

RIBUS products are a natural replacement for common synthetic processing aids, and are listed as “Rice Extract” or “Rice Concentrate” on a food label. RIBUS ingredients can reduce costs and increase outputs in countless applications from extrusion to anti-caking!

Give consumers what they want – sustainable ingredients!

Source:

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Trends/Sustainability/Organic-foods-and-beverages-help-drive-the-growth-of-green-report-says

Restaurant Nutrition Information Demands on the Rise

For health-conscious consumers, eating out can be a challenge. While nutrition information is becoming more readily available in restaurants, most consumers are still unaware of the specifics. This lack of knowledge is unnerving, and restaurant patrons are left to wonder – what is in my food? With obesity rates on the rise, many consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to eating out.

That said, many restaurants (especially quick-service) want to reel consumers back in by providing more nutrition information and improving recipes. Will this plan be successful? A survey conducted by the NPD group of 3,000 consumers provides insight into common attitudes regarding nutrition and specific ingredients at restaurants.

·         Over 50% of consumers would like to improve their eating habits and have tried to reduce their intake of a food or beverage in the last six months.

·         Around 40% of consumers claim to be limiting consumption of fats, cholesterol, sodium, or sugar.

·         Over 10% of consumers are reducing consumption of soda or sugar specifically.

·         Less than 1% of consumers are making an effort to avoid high fructose corn syrup.

·         Calorie content is most important to consumers. About 20% pay attention when it is provided.

·         Only 10% of consumers regularly examine nutrition information at restaurants.

The question remains – should restaurants expend time and energy in reformulating recipes and revamping menus? It seems that consumers oftentimes do not follow through with their intentions to avoid or reduce particular ingredients, and continue to order the same foods while dining out without looking into nutrition information.

Source:

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Trends/HFCS/What-nutrition-information-are-restaurant-goers-looking-for

Functional Beverages Take Center Stage

A new trend has emerged from the ruins of unhealthy drinks – functional beverages. These innovative blends serve purposes greater than merely quenching thirst. Functional beverages are designed with a specific demographic in mind. Furthermore, some are designed to promote relaxation, and others to provide energy or essential nutrients.

This trend is on the rise, as busy consumers are demanding more benefits from beverages, and health-conscious consumers have been examining labels. The Healthy Beverage Expo had a successful debut this past spring and will return next year to showcase the latest market trends. These trends include:

·         Exotic fruit flavors

·         Sugar replacement with Stevia

·         Unique tea products

·         All-natural or organic products

·         Natural colors

·         Environmentally-friendly packaging

·         Added vitamins and minerals

·         Cleaner energy drinks with reduced sweetener

·         Added protein and fiber

Consumers are scrutinizing beverage labels and looking out for calories and sugar. Shoppers appreciate transparency in product labeling and scientific support behind marketing claims. Consumers realize that there are countless alternatives to traditional beverage offerings and can be particular.

Manufacturers have responded by using water as a base for most functional beverages. This avoids the problem of working around calories, flavors, and colors. From here, producers add flavors and nutrients to accomplish the goal of the product. It seems simple enough, but there is an 80% failure rate for new functional products due to high competition.

Differentiate your product from other beverage offerings. Use RIBUS products to carry flavor, replace chemical additives, and make your product more marketable to consumers.

Sources:

http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/Consumer_Trends/2013/07/On_the_cusp_of_a_healthy_bever.aspx?ID=%7bDED3B302-3A58-4800-96B1-10EED116B8F4%7d

http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2013/product-development-beverage-trends.html

Organics, Not Just a Food Fad

Consumer interest in organic products continues to increase despite the 2012 Stanford University study which concluded that organic and conventional produce have the same nutritional value. Evidently, the organic craze is more than just another food fad. A recent study by the Hartman Group shows that the organic allure lies in the absence of conventional farming’s negative qualities as opposed to any added nutritional benefits of organic farming.

In particular, consumers prefer the lack of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in organic food. Organic farmers use compost or manure instead of chemical fertilizers, natural pesticides or beneficial birds and insects instead of synthetic insecticides, and mulch or weeding instead of chemical herbicides. These practices promote conservation and reduce pollution in the air, soil, and water. These qualities undeniably benefit all living creatures on earth, and leave the planet healthier for future generations.

Furthermore, organic products are viewed as more trustworthy and authentic than conventional goods. After all, the USDA requires that organic foods meet strict standards in terms of growing, handling, and processing. Consumers value the honesty of organic producers, and like to know what they are eating. For this reason, shoppers in grocery stores nationwide are seeking products with clean, recognizable ingredient lists and minimal processing.

In fact, the Hartman study found that over 74% of US consumers purchased organic products in the last three months, and at least 36% used organic products on a monthly basis. However, basic products like produce and milk were the most popular organic purchases, largely because processed organic goods come at a price.

This does not have to be the case when using RIBUS ingredients! Our functional ingredients are 100% organic, derived from rice bran and hulls. When producing organics, use RIBUS products to ensure that manufacturing costs stay low and saving can be passed on to consumers!

Sources:

http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/articles/2013/05/organic-s-attraction-still-lies-in-what-s-not-the.aspx

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255

http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-206