The Future of Nutrition Labeling for Food and Drinks in Europe: Evolving consumer needs, manufacturer and retailer strategies and market opportunities

‘The Future of Front-of-Pack Nutritional Labeling in Food and Drinks’ report aims to dispel some of the myths, compound some of the confusion and clarify many of the complications surrounding the issue of point of purchase labeling in the food and drink market. Taking a global perspective, the report was written in the first half of 2010 during a time of economic turbulence, political changes and regulatory transformations around the world. It is therefore as forward focused as possible, while providing insight into current, emerging and evolving influential trends and market drivers. As one nutrition labeling expert told the author during the report research, there is “never a good time to write a report like this, as so much changes so fast”. However, there is significant demand for an independent report from within the food and drink industry that provides an overview into the nutrition labeling options being considered by the regulators and major players. This report contains analysis of the influence of mandatory and voluntary labeling regulations on new product development (NPD), marketing and branding strategies, alongside an outline of consumer, manufacturer, retailer and regulator perspectives.

Every year new products are launched that make health claims. The functional food and drinks market has been one of the biggest success stories in the past decade, providing much-needed double-digit growth in the industry. However, the market is experiencing a significant drop in the huge growth that has been typical over the past decade. It is becoming an increasingly difficult market for NPD and a risky investment if the correct marketing, branding and NPD strategies are not adopted that suit the individual markets being targeted. Unilever’s soy fruit juice, AdeZ, is a prime example of a functional failure. Unilever spent €15.1m launching its first major UK brand in 12 years. It failed to even equal this investment, with €10.7m in sales before being pulled 18 months later in April 2008.

The depth and differentiation in health claims is one of the primary reasons why regulators feel the need to step in and act. There are concerns that consumers are being confused, misled and even deliberately duped by some manufacturers who make wild, bold and unfounded claims about the health benefits of their products. The regulators are calling for products to make honest health claims that are supported by sufficient, credible scientific evidence. There are also calls for a more unified system of labeling which will make it easier for consumers to make a more informed decision about which food and drink they should buy – if they are indeed looking to make the healthier choice.

Front of pack labeling (FOP) is the primary focus for regulators and forms the main part of the discussion in this report. The objective of this report is to provide some clarity in the nutritional labeling debate and assist manufacturers in their quest to make the right (and least costly) decision for their brand portfolio for the long term.

Key features of this report

• This report considers the four primary groups within the food and drink industry that are both influencing – and being influenced – by existing, emerging and potential mandatory and voluntary nutrition labeling rules, regulations and policies. These are: consumers, manufacturers, retailers and foodservice.
• The major happenings in terms of mandatory and voluntary FOP labeling are examined. , The best-practice strategies that have already been implemented in countries such as Canada and Sweden (as well as the lessons they are learning and currently adapting to) are highlighted alongside the different schemes that are being considered by countries such as the UK and US, and preferred schemes in Ireland.
• The latest news from the European Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation is included in chapter 3, complemented by analysis of its impact on the 27 EU Member States and the rest of the world. This forms part of the regulatory audit and also includes a timeline 2008-2010 of EFSA opinions and workings, which puts the regulation and the intricacy of its development in perspective.
• Consumer research studies are analyzed in conjunction to get an appreciation for consumer interest, awareness, demands, usage and consumption habits in relation to nutrition labeling.
• A regulatory audit has been conducted to compare labeling schemes and considerations under proposal in a number of different countries around the world including the UK, US, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada.
• Functional food and drink market value forecasts put the nutrition and health labeling issue in context. New product launches are considered alongside health claims such as bone health and gut health to assess the impact of the labeling debate on innovation.
• Top 10 claims in food and drink NPD in 2009 are analyzed from the perspective of which claims are most prevalent.

Key benefits from reading this report

• Understand the current debate surrounding nutrition labeling, health and nutrition claims, FOP versus BOP, voluntary versus mandatory regulation and everything in between!
- from a global perspective
- on a country/regional basis
• Help with your decision about whether to adopt a particular FOP nutrition labeling scheme now … or wait.

• The impact your decision regarding FOP nutrition labeling will have on market innovation, your company’s reputation and CSR, the food and drink industry, consumers, retailers and regulators.

• Understand which FOP nutrition labeling schemes are most likely to succeed, which are already being used and which are being deliberated.

• Assess the impact of voluntary industry-led action through analysis of current and previous schemes (such as GDAs in Ireland and the Smart Choice Program in the US: two very different stories with the first succeeding well and the latter being pulled by the US FDA).

Key findings of this report

Sweden’s Keyhole FOP labeling system is frequently cited as a best-practice example that has stood the test of time in the global debate. First established in Sweden in 1989, it became accepted as a Nordic label for healthier food and drink in Denmark, Sweden and Norway on June 17, 2009.

The US is the biggest functional food and drink market in the world by value. By 2012, it is estimated that it will reach US.7bn with strong annual growth forecast from 2007.

According to the European Consumers’ Association, BEUC, independent research shows that a system of color-coding on the front of packs of processed food packaging which concisely displays whether the key nutrients of fat, saturated fats, sugars and salt – are high, medium or low with red, amber and green ‘traffic lights’, is best understood by consumers.

Many consumers are brand loyal and will scrutinize the labels of new products to determine if trial is necessary, according to aTate & Lyle study.
According to the FDA, More than half (54 percent) of consumers in the United States often read the food label when buying a product for the first time, which is a 10 percent increase from 2002. These consumers are also increasingly aware of the link between diet and heart disease.

P41 A Dutch study concludes that consumers consider interventions consisting of a larger variety of available portion sizes, pricing strategies and serving-size labeling as most acceptable. Ultimately, the study shows that people want choice and if they want to have a large meal, they should be able to do so.

According to Healthy Dining, a US group of restaurant-industry nutrition specialists, the process of obtaining accurate nutrition information for a full menu can cost from US,000 to more than U,000 depending on the number of menu items, number of fried items, and the complexity of the menu.

P55 Across six product categories, 16.8 percent of shoppers looked for nutrition information on the label, with the nutrition grid (table or list), GDA labels and the ingredients list as the main sources consulted. Women have a higher probability of looking for nutrition information and lower social grades having a lower probability.

Key questions answered by this report

• What are the main FOP nutrition labeling schemes being considered around the world?
• When will EFSA conclude its current work on health claims and when will it all be finalised and enforced?
• Is FOP nutrition labeling an issue being debated outside of the UK and US?
• What are the benefits of FOP nutrition labels?
• What are the problems with FOP nutrition labels?
• Are there alternatives to FOP nutrition schemes?
• What should we be doing now ahead of mandatory regulation from Europe and/or our domestic market?

For more information, please contact :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/The-Future-of-Nutrition-Labeling-for-Food-and-Drinks-in-Europe-Evolving-consumer-needs-manufacturer-and-retailer-strategies-and-market-opportunities-61614.html

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Eating the right kind of food is what can give you a strong immune system and help you prevent sickness and all kinds of skin blemishes including acne.

Here are some of the foods that can help you overcome the acne on your face or throughout your body.

Protein

Eating excess meat is harmful to your health. Eating too much meat, more than 2-4 ounces per day, has been found to contribute to narrowing of the arteries.

If you do physical labor and are involved in a lot of movement in your work, then you should eat more than 2-4 ounces of protein per day. Just make sure that the meat has a minimum of additives and preservatives.

Remember, meat is high in saturated fat, which blocks the activity of EPA and DHA, which produce prostaglandin and control the activity of your hormones.

Meat and bread is a big contributor to creating constipation. Meat is difficult to digest and many times it will get into the colon partial digested. This condition benefits the bad bacteria and allows them to dominate the colon and create constipation.

Because meat and bread have little fiber, they move slowly in the colon, which leads to constipation and eventually to some type of colon inflammation.

Bad bacteria, decaying meat and other undigested food contribute to the build up of toxic matter in the colon. This is the type of condition you should try to avoid, if you have acne. You need fecal matter in the colon to move regularly and out the rectum, otherwise, toxic matter will build up and end up in your blood stream

Here are the grains you should be eating:

* Brown rice – contain many amino acids that help rebuild skin tissue

* Whole grains – contain folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin E, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber

* Oats – use them in the morning with honey or raisins. Oats have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and help to keep you regular.

Seeds and nuts

* Almonds – Almonds contain protein, the B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Use them as a snack. These small nuts help to build muscles and tissue.

* Flax seeds – These seeds are known for containing plenty of omega 3 oil, an essential oil for life. They also contain fiber when used ground up and put into smoothies. Omega 3 is also an anti-inflammatory oil, which is good for acne.

* Pecans – This is one of the good nuts to eat. It contains Vitamin A, B’s, C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. Use them as a snack.

* Pine nuts – these nuts also one of the best to eat. They contain vitamin A, C, B’s, protein and iron.

* Sesame seeds – They are high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They are helpful in relieving various skin diseases such as acne by reducing the swelling.

* Sunflower seeds – These seeds should be used as a snack. They are high in protein, calcium and vitamin A. They provide nutrients for building the whole body and are good for dry skin.

All of these nuts and seeds should be eaten raw. Heating and other processing will kill the life force of the nut or seed and also reduce the quantity of the vitamins and minerals.

Eat these nuts and seeds as snacks. Sesame seeds, sunflower, and flax seeds can be put directly into your blender as you make your smoothies.

Fiber is considered a necessary part of diet mainly because it is good for intestine. Its deficiency could cause constipation. Medical researchers have begun to find additional important reasons for including enough foods in everyday meals that are high in fiber. Relaxation seems such an easy thing to do yet for many people the meaning of the word is lost. Relaxation is important part of one’s life and one needs wonders why.

High-fiber in food is important because recent research shows low-fiber diet may be a cause in the high occurrence of certain diseases like cancer of the colon. Regarding the illnesses due to low-fiber diet, a cancer of the colon can be caused. A British study has found that this type of cancer is very rare among those people whose diet consists of large amounts of whole grain cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables; they are all high-fiber foods. Others in the same country who eat the traditional Western diet which is high in meat and refined flours and sugars, all low in fiber have a higher incidence of the disease.

If a excessively emotional person copes better with tension, then it could be that he is living in a society that is emotional but if one is emotional and lives in a society that is intellectual that one doesn’t fit in, then it would be very difficult to cope there. Relaxation is necessary to release tensions, stress and strain. It is one way of being gentle with oneself. It is the only solution that has no side effects that loses tension permanently.

The research regarding high-fiber food concludes that because low-fiber foods move so slowly through the digestive system, any cancer-causing agents have a longer time to react with the colon and to cause cancer.

At least it is recommended that a person should try each day to have about eight servings of foods that contain some fiber such as most fruits and vegetables as well as wholegrain breads and cereals. One easy way of being sure of getting enough is to eat a normal well-balanced diet and include a daily serving of cereal.

Protein is an extremely important part of all diet plans. A high protein diet is often recommended by bodybuilders and nutritionists to help efforts to build muscle and lose fat. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets have been widely promoted in recent years as an effective approach to losing weight. These diets generally recommend dieters receive 30% to 50% of their total calories from protein. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of protein according to U.S. government standards is 0.8 gram per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of ideal body weight for the adult. Some of these diets restrict healthful foods that provide essential nutrients and don’t provide the variety of foods needed to adequately meet nutritional needs. People on high-protein diets are consuming up to 34% of their total calories in the form of protein and up to 53% of total calories from fat.

Normally the body burns carbohydrates for fuel this is the main source of fuel for your brain, heart and many other organs. Protein is a vital nutrient, essential to your health. Some are high protein and emphasize foods like meat, eggs and cheese, which are rich in protein and saturated fat. Some high-protein diets de-emphasize high-carbohydrate, high-fiber plant foods. All diets are made up of calories. It is the building block of muscle. Protein is measured by the gram. Everything you eat and drink (besides obvious calorie-free things like water and celery, etc.) has calories in it. Proteins help replace and form new tissue, transports oxygen and nutrients in our blood and cells, regulates the balance of water and acids, and is needed to make antibodies. Protein malnutrition leads to the condition known as kwashiorkor.

Lack of protein can cause growth failure, loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, weakening of the heart and respiratory system, and death. These foods help lower cholesterol when eaten as part of a nutritionally balanced diet. The anti-carb craze has everything to do with the recent resurgence in high-protein fad diets. Although protein is certainly an essential nutrient which plays many key roles in the way our bodies function, we do not need huge quantities of it. A healthy diet that includes a variety of foods and is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables along with regular physical activity can help most people manage and maintain weight loss for both cardiovascular health and appearance.

Stomach Diet

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There are so many people who spend almost their lifetime searching for the right program to lose weight. Many advocates actually tried to combine different approaches and methods in hope that they’ll find the best. Unfortunately most trusted secrets were kept secret for the benefits of some people.

There are so many people who spend almost their lifetime searching for the right program to lose weight. Many advocates actually tried to combine different approaches and methods in hope that they’ll find the best. Unfortunately most trusted secrets were kept secret for the benefits of some people

So how can you lose weight when you are fat and basically lazy? Good news for everyone. I have finally found the answer – a way to lose weight without any suffering. It is painless and so easy you will wish you had found out about it years ago. It worked miracles for me and I’m sure it will do the same for you

Summer is coming and no matter what part of the world you are in you want to feel comfortable when you dress less and show off what you’ve been hiding all winter. Besides don’t you want to have some fun this summer

You know you really must not despair if you have been desperate to lose weight and have failed to do so despite your very best efforts. You can lose fat and be fit and healthy forever. You just need to learn this one little trick and then the fat is just going to fall off your frame

Finding the right how to lose weight diet can be difficult and frustrating The fact is that many diets fail and people go from diet to diet only to be disappointed again and again. This article will examine the reasons many diets fail and what kind of diets have the greatest likelihood of success. Food is the greatest factor when it comes to weight lossas the food that you consume can either make you thinner or overweight

What is Fiber?

Fiber is made up of the indigestible parts of plants which pass through the stomach and intestines. Its main role is to keep the digestive system healthy. Fiber is a carbohydrate and can help to stabilise glucose and cholesterol levels.

Not enough high fiber food in your diet may result in you getting one of the following disorders:

Constipation; this is a difficulty in passing hard faeces and in some cases can be extremely painful. In later stages of constipation, the abdomen may become distended and tender.

Irritable bowel syndrome; you may experience some pain, flatulence and bloating of the abdomen.

Diverticulitis; these are small hernias of the digestive tract.

Heart disease, a narrowing of the arteries caused by high cholesterol

Colorectal cancer also called colon or bowel cancer; includes cancerous growths in the colon and rectum.

Haemorrhoids, also commonly known as piles; are varicose veins or swelling and inflammation of the rectum and anus.

It is also worth mentioning that the digestive system slows down with age so a high fiber diet is more important for older people.

Insoluble Fiber

Insoluble fiber can be found in a variety of foods; vegetables such as carrot, celery, green beans, cauliflower and potato skins, whole grain foods, bran, nuts and seeds, and the skins of some fruit (including tomatoes)

Their major role is to bulk faeces and prevent constipation and associated problems. It provides bulk to the diet and speeds everything through the bowel and may help to prevent bowel cancer.

Soluble Fiber

Soluble fiber can be found in fruits such as apples, bananas and berries, vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, potatoes and yams, peas and beans, oats, rye and barley.

Soluble fiber also lowers cholesterol levels and helps to prevent heart disease. It can also help to prevent constipation.

Resistant Starch

This is found in many foods like grains, firm bananas, lentils and potatoes. It helps to improve bowel health.

How Much Do You Need?

Opinion varies around the world, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) ranges from 12 to 30 grams per day for adults. Children should eat 10 grams plus 1 gram per year of their age. For example, a 4 year old should eat 14 grams per day.

Tips To Help Boost Your Intake:-

*Change to wholemeal or wholegrain breads or rolls; these contain all 3 parts of the grain.

*Eat breakfast cereals which are wholegrain or contain wheat, bran or oats.

*Eat wholemeal pasta and brown rice.

*Eat fresh fruit rather than drinking fruit juice because fruit juice is often sweetened and contains artificial colors and flavors but fresh fruit has natural sugars and is full of essential vitamins and minerals.

*Add beans, barley and lentils into your soups and casseroles.

*Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables. They are low in fat, salt and sugar and a good source of dietary fiber.

*Make sure that you drink lots of fluid to enable your body to digest the fiber.

Fiber can help in weight loss because foods high in fiber are often bulky and more filling. Therefore, you will get fuller quicker and will not eat as much.

Fiber slows glucose absorption from the small intestine into the blood and therefore reduces the possibility of a surge of insulin.

Although fiber is an important factor in your diet, it is also important to gradually increase your fiber intake, a sudden increase could cause increased flatulence and abdominal pains.

Always remember to contact your Family Practitioner, Dietician or Child Health Nurse for further advice before making any changes to your diet and health program.

The Basic Rules of Proper Food Combining:

1. Eat acids and starches at separate meals. Acids neutralize the alkaline medium required for starch digestion and the result is fermentation and indigestion.

2. Eat protein foods and carbohydrate foods at separate meals. Protein foods require an acid medium for digestion.

3. Eat but one kind of protein food at a meal.

4. Eat proteins and acid foods at separate meals. The acids of acid foods inhibit the secretion of the digestive acids required for protein digestion. Undigested protein putrefies in bacterial decomposition and produces some potent poisons.

5. Eat fats and proteins at separate meals. Some foods, especially nuts, are over 50% fat and require hours for digestion.

6. Eat sugars (fruits) and proteins at separate meals.

7. Eat sugars (fruits) and starchy foods at separate meals. Fruits undergo no digestion in the stomach and are held up if eaten with foods that require digestion in the stomach.

8. Eat melons alone. They combine with almost no other food.

9. Desert the desserts. Eaten on top of meals they lie heavy on the stomach, requiring no digestion there, and ferment. Bacteria turn them into alcohols and vinegars and acetic acids.

As every bodybuilder knows, have the battle is having the proper diet for your goals, and there isn’t a successful workout regiment around that doesn’t include a diet loaded with high protein food. High protein food comes in many forms, and while most people automatically assume meat, that isn’t always the best source (although meat does consistently provide a high level of protein). Beans, shakes, and whey protein are just a few of the other options available, and all of them provide the protein building blocks needed to be part of a great bodybuilder’s diet.

High protein foods should definitely be at the top of your diet list whether the goal is to become a high level bodybuilder, lose weight on a diet, or some middle of the road combination of both. Protein is definitely your friend.

There are many high protein food that you should consider as part of your diet. Some of these foods include:

• Buffalo
• Turkey
• Lean Beef
• Chicken
• Fish
• Organic Beans
• Whey Protein (supplement added to shake)
• Eggs
• Nuts (go for unsalted and unsweetened)
• Skim Milk
• Cheese

These are just some of the great foods groups that provide high protein food. There are many other choices, but that list includes some of the best, and a good mix of these foods will help you build muscles, maintain your current muscle mass, and eat foods that will heal your muscles after workouts. High protein food is an absolute necessity to get into, and stay in, good healthy shape.

If there is a downside to high protein food, it’s that the majority of them are high in fat, and some are very high in cholesterol. Some fats are good, but even if you have “good fat” like from fish, nuts, or olive oil, you don’t want too much. Then there are the terrible saturated fats and cholesterol that can harm you, threatening with heart disease and clogged arteries. This is where finding the good high protein food comes in. Fish, chicken, turkey, and beans are all considered some of the absolute best high protein foods because they are high in protein, tend to have more good fat than bad, and less of it (although some nuts are certainly high in the fat category).

That being said, you need to have a protein heavy diet, and there are plenty of great high protein foods that have reasonable amounts of fat. One of the major reasons pork was left off the list in this article isn’t because that’s a low protein meat (in fact it’s one of the best), but pork is one of the most unhealthy meats due to the bad fats and cholesterol and isn’t a good add. Meanwhile, grilled fish and chicken almost always make the list of top notch high protein foods that can be added to any diet without worry.

So do your homework, decide on the best combination of high protein food and you will be on your way.

Food that helps build muscle ? what it is? Well, to begin with, protein. Protein is probably the most important nutritional component in a muscle building program. You probably thought the most important component was cutting out fat, in order to reduce your body fat, didn’t you? Well, it is not. Protein is essential. Without protein, your body withers away to nothing. So make sure you include protein foods that build muscle such as chicken, lean beef, eggs, fish (don’t like fresh fish? Try canned tuna ?it’s perfect), and cheese.

Figuring out how much protein you should be eating can be tricky. Too much protein is bad for your health, and puts a strain on your system. But you need to eat a lot of protein and not much else for that to happen. Ask at your gym as to your daily protein requirement. It depends on your weight, and on your lean mass weight (basically the weight of all your bones and organs, minus all body fat).

Carbohydrates, in moderation, are also essential when finding foods that build muscle. Do not eat too much, though, unless you choose high fiber carbohydrates (which are the healthiest ones anyway), and then you can indulge in much larger amounts. Good high fiber carbs include rice, potatoes (yes, potatoes ? just do not add butter!), oatmeal and bananas.

Fats need to be reduced when you are consider what foods build muscle mass. Fat can never be eliminated completely (and nor should you try to do this), but reducing fat can have a healthy effect on your attempts to build muscle mass. Most foods that contain protein also contains fat, so when choosing your proteins, providing you opt for the ones that are low in fat, you will be on the right track.

When eating to build muscle, make sure you drink water. Liquid is important for hydration, and a dehydrated body is sluggish, and can even make you sick. This is not a recipe for obtaining the healthy, fit physique you are striving for.

Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day (even 12 glasses) is absolutely essential to allow your body to properly digest all the good food you are eating. For those who just cannot stomach the taste (or lack of taste) of so much water, other types of liquid although not quite as good are still acceptable as water substitutes ? fruit juice and even soft drinks can suffice as long as you (preferably) drink some of your liquid intake in water form.