ABSTRACT
Today’s $63 billion specialty food industry is fueled by savvy consumers that demand innovative, healthy, and convenient new food products.1 A recent publication by the Institute of Food Technologists articulated six trends that consumers are looking for in new food products.2 In particular, consumers want products that (1) help control major health concerns, such as body weight and diabetes; (2) contain less sodium; (3) have “clean” labels (e.g., preservative-free, all natural, organic); (4) contain nutraceutical or functional compounds; (5) are “free” of certain ingredients, such as gluten, lactose, and high-fructose corn syrup; and (6) contain niche avors. ese trends clearly express consumers’ desires for healthy, delicious food products.
