Four Out Of Five Americans Consider Themselves “Weight Conscious” – Survey

Eighty percent of men and women aged 18 and older – 186 million Americans – consider themselves “weight conscious”, and half of these want to lose weight, according to a November 2010 survey of 1,203 males and females sponsored by the Calorie Control Council. Weight loss methods most frequently cited were: cutting back on foods high in sugar, eating smaller portions, consuming low-calorie or sugar-free foods and beverages and exercising. Least often cited methods included meal skipping, diet pills and restrictive weight loss diets. "Many have taken the first step – admitting they want to lose weight for overall better health," says Beth Hubrich of the Calorie Control Council, and half of those surveyed said they wanted to lose at least 10 pounds.

"Survey: Most Americans are Weight Conscious", Press release, Calorie Control Council, April 27, 2011

Coca-Cola Refuses To Budge On The BPA Issue

Arguing that the use of bisphenol A (BPA) is not only safe but is the only commercially viable way to line beverage cans, the Coca-Cola Company is refusing to give in to demands from shareholders for information about whether it plans to phase out the use of the controversial chemical. More than 25 percent of shareholders at the company’s annual meeting voted for disclosure of the company’s plans, if any, for addressing consumer concerns over BPA use in its beverage cans, and called for phasing out its use. BPA has been linked to neurological defects, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

"Coca-Cola shareholders demand resolution on chemical", California Watch, March 29, 2011

New Research Finds A Hike In Use Of Term “Proven” In European Food Health Claims

Market researcher Innova Market Insights reports a 36 percent increase in 2010 in the number of products in Western Europe with health claims that use the word “proven." A possible reason for the increase in the use of the buzzword may be the April release of the fourth set of generic EU health claim opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which seemed more inclined to grant successful opinions to companies that use words like “proven" and “scientific support" in their health claims. But as uncertainty regarding wording continues, manufacturers are choosing softer or passive claims (e.g., “low and light"). Innova identified several other emerging trends affecting new nutritional and functional foods, including relaxation drinks, out-of-the-box weight loss, joint health boosters, etc.

"‘Proven’ Proves to be Hit in EU Health Claims", Natural Products Insider, April 28, 2011

Dietary Supplement Use Is Common In U.S., National Surveys Confirm

Data from U.S. health and nutrition surveys has found a significant increase in the use of dietary supplements among adults over the last two decades. According to the surveys, more than 40 percent of American adults were using dietary supplements such as multivitamins, calcium, vitamin D and folic acid from 1988 to 1994. The number increased to more than 50 percent in the years 2003 to 2006, with multivitamins being the most prevalent supplement. In that same time period, 61 percent of women aged 60 and over were taking a calcium supplement, up from 28 percent in 1988 to 1994. Intake of folic acid supplements did not increase among childbearing age women: folic acid is widely available in vegetables, beans and legumes, and in processed foods fortified with folate.

"Dietary Supplement Use Among U.S. Adults Has Increased Since NHANES III (1988–1994)", NCHS Data Brief, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, April 13, 2011

Pfizer Targets Obesity Problem In Young Children With New Child Nutrition Products

Noting that 43 million children under age five were overweight in 2010, Pfizer has launched a new range of child nutrition products – infant and follow-on formulas, and “growing-up milk” – “developed to meet the changing nutritional and feeding needs of young children.” The GOLD range of products provides nutrients needed for health, growth and development in growing children, the company said. The GOLD range provides older infants and young children with 100 percent of the U.S. Daily Reference Intakes of vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc, recommended levels of vitamin D, less protein to support healthier rates of growth, and the soluble fiber oligofructose to promote gut health.

"Pfizer Launches New Advanced GOLD Range of Early Child Nutrition Products", Press Release, Pfizer Nutrition, May 06, 2011

Companies Form Joint Venture To Market Stevia In Europe After Official EU Approval

As they await the European Union’s approval later this year of natural sweetener stevia, German sugar supplier Nordzucker and Malaysian stevia producer PureCircle have formed a joint venture to sell stevia in Northern and Eastern Europe. The equally-owned venture, NP Sweet, will be headquartered in Denmark, where development and marketing of “steviasucrose” sweeteners will be managed. U.K. consultant firm Zenith International says  stevia has enjoyed a “meteoric rise in popularity” since it’s approval as a sweetener in the U.S. in 2008. The company says stevia’s global market value is $285 million. The European Food Safety Authority ruled last year that stevia is safe to use in foods and beverages.

"New joint stevia venture ready for European approval", Functional Ingredients, April 12, 2011

Children Who Eat Family Meals Eat Healthier Foods, Have Less Risk Of Being Overweight

U.S. researchers have found that children and teens who eat with their families a minimum of three times a week are less likely to be overweight or have other nutritional health problems than other children. The researchers looked at data from 17 recent studies that examined eating patterns and child nutrition among 182,000 children between the ages of three and 17. Five of the studies that assessed the link between family meals and nutrition found children who ate with their families three times a week were 24 percent more likely to eat healthier foods and maintain healthy eating habits, the researchers found. Other benefits: a reduction in the odds for overweight (12 percent), eating unhealthy foods (20 percent), and disordered eating (35 percent).

"Is Frequency of Shared Family Meals Related to the Nutritional Health of Children and Adolescents?", Pediatrics, May 02, 2011

Cocoa Extracts Show Potential As Weight Management Ingredients

U.S. scientists have found that the polyphenols in cocoa extracts inhibit the action of enzymes essential for digesting carbohydrates and lipids. The findings suggest the possibility that cocoa may someday play a role in weight management products. The researchers tested the effect of three cocoa extracts on various enzymes, including pancreatic lipase, secreted phospholipase A2, and pancreatic alpha-amylase, all of which are important for digestion of fats and carbohydrates. The minimally processed levado cocoa extract, which is high in flavanols, exerted the most inhibitory effect on the enzymes, the researchers found, and is most likely due to their polyphenol content.

"Inhibition of Key Digestive Enzymes by Cocoa Extracts and Procyanidins", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, April 17, 2011