ABSTRACT
Eating habits are diverse in different parts of the world; however, some aspects in the production and consumption of food are universal, such as the consumption of minimally processed vegetables. According to market research conducted by ACNielsen Global Services in 66 countries, representing over 75% of consumers in the world, the global demand for food ready for consumption, among which are minimally processed vegetables, increased by 4% between 2005 and 2006. During that same period, the growth in sales of fresh, ready-to-eat salads increased by 10%. This increase is due in part to two key trends observed in this comprehensive study: a growing focus on health, which includes the consumption of fresh vegetables, and the increased preference for convenience. To the extent possible, consumers want healthy products for their meals, available at a good value, convenient, safe, and with good quality.
