Consumer awareness of salt and sodium reduction and sodium labeling

Reduction of dietary sodium by reduction of sodium in foods is a current industry target. Quantitative information on consumer knowledge of sodium and reduction of dietary sodium is limited. The objectives of this study were to characterize consumer knowledge and awareness of sodium and salt reduction in foods. Consumers (n= 489) participated in a quantitative internet survey designed to gather knowledge and attitudes towards dietary sodium, sodium in foods, and health. Eating habits and food consumption characteristics, knowledge of salt and sodium, and interest in health and wellness were probed. Saltiness believe and sodium knowledge indices were calculated based on correct responses to salt levels in food products. Kano analysis was conducted to determine the role of nutrition labels and satisfaction/dissatisfaction of foods. Consumers were aware of the presence of sodium in "salty" foods, and that sodium was part of salt. People who had a family history of certain diseases associated with a higher intake of dietary sodium did not necessarily have more knowledge of the relationship between sodium intake and a specific disease compared to consumers with no family history. Sodium content on the food label panel did not influence consumer dissatisfaction; however, sodium content did not necessarily increase consumer product satisfaction either. The addition of a healthy nutrient (that is, whole grain, fiber) into a current food product was appealing to consumers. For nutrient labeling, a "reduced" claim was more appealing to consumers than a "free" claim for "unhealthy" nutrients such as fat, sodium, and sugar. Practical Application: This study demonstrated the current state of consumer knowledge on sodium and salt reduction, and consumer perception of the relationship between diets high in sodium and many chronic diseases. Information that may contribute to consumer satisfaction on nutrition panel labeling was also determined.     

Technology options for new nutritional concepts

Recent advances in the food and nutrition sciences support the concept that the diet has a significant role in the modulation of various functions in the body. The diet and/or its components may contribute to an improved state of well-being, a reduction of risks related to certain diseases and even an improvement in the quality of life. These new concepts have led to the introduction of a new category of health-promoting foodstuffs, i.e. functional foods.
The concern about health embraces a number of driving issues, needs and opportunities which may be approached by designing specific diets from various food raw materials. These tailor-made products provide physiological benefits that are targeted at particular consumer groups.
The functionality of functional foods is based on bioactive components, which may be contained naturally in the product but usually require formulation by appropriate technologies in order to optimise the desired beneficial properties. To this end, it is often necessary to develop and apply novel technologies, e.g. membrane separation, high hydrostatic pressure and supercritical fluid extraction techniques. Also the minimal processing concept could be employed in this context.
This review discusses the current technological options available and the future challenges faced in the area. Particular attention is paid to the exploitation of bovine colostrum and milk-derived bioactive compounds for the development of functional foods.     

Food matrix impact on macronutrients nutritional properties

The food industry is aware of the consumer’s desire to purchase delicious, convenient and nutritious foods. Rapid development of functional foods has induced the food industry to evaluate and revise the composition of their processed foods as well as their processing conditions and methods to improve nutritional and health effects. The addition of new bioactive compounds to a food requires that the bioactive agent is in the active form by the time it reaches the gastrointestinal tract, where it is assimilated. However, the question is whether or not the processes and the composition of traditional foods are carefully balanced to ensure the optimal nutritional properties. This paper aims to review the concepts and facts that are the basis of the new area of research regarding the role of food structure on the nutritional properties of conventional and functional foods. Several original approaches have emerged, bringing together scientists from fields such as food science, nutrition and physiology, which bring enlightening new perspectives to the development of delicious and nutritional foods.     

预包装快餐食品营养标签的制作

按照《食品安全国家标准预包装食品标签通则》及《食品营养标签管理规范》的要求测定了19种预包装快餐食品的4种核心营养成分(蛋白质、脂肪、碳水化合物、钠)及能量,并设计营养标签。快餐食品标示营养标签势在必行,可使消费者根据自身营养需求选择合适的食物,也可规范餐饮业生产行为,生产出健康、营养的美食。     

The development of fruit‐based functional foods targeting the health and wellness market: a review

Functional foods and their health benefits beyond individual nutrients present challenges to the traditional ‘nutrition’ approach to foods. Epidemiological studies suggest that regular or increased consumption of fruits may promote general health and well‐being as well as reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, a broad range of research amongst academic, industry and government institutes has been stimulated in attempts to add the goodness of fruits into popular consumer foods. This article provides a brief overview of the research opportunities in the emerging functional foods area, with an emphasis on fruit‐derived products. Based on recent research in the fruit‐based functional food area, a structured approach for designing and developing functional finished products is presented. Included are the technical challenges and their associated solutions during food design, formulation, processing and storage. A consumer‐oriented food product development process is highlighted. Controlling the interactions among the targeted bioactives and other food components during food processing, handling and storage is the key to ensure that a stable and appealing functional food is produced. Manipulating the beneficial synergies among food ingredients, and among food formulation and processing methods, has the potential to lead to substantial food innovations.     

Consumer Awareness and Interest Toward Sodium Reduction Trends in Korea

Reduction of dietary sodium intake by lowering amount of sodium in foods is a global industry target. Quantitative information on current consumer knowledge of sodium reduction trends in Korea is unknown. The objective of this study was to quantify the consumer knowledge and awareness of sodium and salt reduction in foods and to characterize consumer interest in health labeling on the food package. Additionally, comparison of consumer knowledge status between Korea and United States was followed. Consumers (n = 289) participated in an internet survey designed to gauge consumer knowledge and attitudes toward dietary sodium, the sodium content in representative food products (n = 27), and their interest toward specific health claims, including sodium labeling. Questions regarding demographics as well as consumption characteristics were asked. Sodium knowledge index and saltiness belief index were calculated based on the number of correct responses regarding the salt level and sodium content in given food products. Kano analysis was conducted to determine the role of nutrition labels in consumer satisfaction with products. Current consumer knowledge on the sodium content in food products was high, and consumers were adept at matching the sodium content with the salty taste intensity of food products. Consumers’ knowledge of the relationship between diets high in sodium and an increased risk of developing previously reported sodium‐related diseases, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, kidney disease, and stomach cancer, were also high. Information on the nutrition panel that influences the consumer satisfaction (trans‐fat, sodium, ingredient list, and country of origin) as well as adjective‐nutrition claim pairs that appeal positively to purchase intent of the product were identified.     

Functional Foods and Nondairy Probiotic Food Development: Trends,Concepts, and Products

ABSTRACT: Recently, the focus of scientific investigations has moved from the primary role of food as the source of energy and body‐forming substances to the more subtle action of biologically active food components on human health. There has been an explosion of consumer interest in the active role of food in the well‐being and life prolongation, as well as in the prevention of initiation, promotion, and development of nontransmissible chronic diseases. As a result, a new term—functional food—was proposed. Among these foods, probiotics may exert positive effects on the composition of gut microbiota and overall health, and the market is increasing annually. An increased demand for nondairy probiotic products comes from vegetarianism, milk cholesterol content, and lactose intolerance. Therefore, the development of these products is a key research priority for food design and a challenge for both industry and science sectors. This article presents an overview of functional food development, emphasizing nondairy foods that contain probiotic bacteria strains.     

Ways and Means for the Infusion of Bioactive Constituents in Solid Foods

The development and consumption of functional food, or foods that promote health not merely basic nutrition, is on rise. In recent years, industrial and consumer interests have focused on developing foods supplemented with bioactive constituents that provide greater physiological benefits. The direct addition of these components to liquid or fabricated solid foods has led to a wide range of new products appearing on the market. Osmotic dehydration, an operation in which food stuff is soaked in solution of low water activity, has been reported as a suitable technology for formulating new products because of the twofold effect that it has on food where it partially removes water and impregnates the food pieces (solid food matrix) with solutes from the osmotic solution. The article focuses on the impregnation of bioactive constituents having added advantage to human health such as antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and probiotics. The infusion of enzymes and aroma also has been discussed. Application of ultrasound, vacuum, high pressure, and/or atmospheric impregnation techniques appears to be the feasible technologies for impregnation of solid food matrix for the incorporation of bioactive ingredients.     

烘焙食品健康与营养改良研究进展

烘焙食品在我国居民膳食结构中所占的比重越来越大,然而,其能量密度高、营养素密度低的特点不符合人们对健康膳食的需求,迫切需要通过配方改良赋予烘焙食品营养均衡和保健的功能,从而促进我国烘焙产业升级。本文提出烘焙食品的营养缺陷健康安全风险,分析实施烘焙食品的减脂、减糖、减盐和营养功能强化策略所面临的技术瓶颈,探讨在健康烘焙食品中优化营养标签、补充健康因子的可行性,展望未来烘焙食品的研究方向。本文将为新型健康烘焙食品的开发提供理论借鉴和参考。     

Opportunities for product innovation using authorised European Union health claims

For authorisation of a health claim in Europe, applicants must follow the procedures in the legislation and in the guidelines for submission of a dossier, as well as the guidance in the European Food Safety Authority's opinions on the scientific requirements for health claims. In addition to the authorised functional benefits of the vitamins and minerals, certain foods and food constituents offer beneficial physiological effects that extend beyond traditionally accepted nutritional effects. The elucidation of these effects is becoming more important, as reflected by the increasing amount of nutrition research and number of product innovations. Provided that they are scientifically substantiated, health claims linked to food and food supplement products can help consumers make well‐informed food choices. The present review focuses on scientific substantiation and consumer understanding of health claims, and it aims to help those involved in academic research, food product development and consumer education about food and health.     

餐饮食品的营养研究

本文检测了粤菜和湘菜中几道典型菜肴的蛋白质、脂肪、碳水化合物以及食盐的含量,着重分析了脂肪及食盐含量的影响因素,通过实验结果可以看出中式菜肴的热量和食盐含量受烹饪方法、原料、辅料以及人为因素的影响较为明显,而且湘菜的食盐含量明显高于粤菜.     

Unveiling health attitudes and creating good-for-you foods: the genomics metaphor, consumer innovative web-based technologies

This article presents an integrated analysis of three emerging knowledge bases in the nutrition and consumer products industries, and how they may effect the food industry. These knowledge bases produce new vistas for corporate product development, especially with respect to those foods that are positioned as 'good for you.' Couched within the current thinking of state-of-the-art knowledge and information, this article highlights how today's thinking about accelerated product development can be introduced into the food and health industries to complement these three research areas. The 3 knowledge bases are: the genomics revolution, which has opened new insights into understanding the interactions of personal needs of individual consumers with nutritionally relevant components of the foods; the investigation of food choice by scientific studies; the development of large scale databases (mega-studies) about the consumer mind. These knowledge bases, combined with new methods to understand the consumer through research, make possible a more focused development. The confluence of trends outlined in this article provides the corporation with the beginnings of a new path to a knowledge-based, principles-grounded product-development system. The approaches hold the potential to create foods based upon people's nutritional requirements combined with their individual preferences. Integrating these emerging knowledge areas with new consumer research techniques may well reshape how the food industry develops new products to satisfy consumer needs and wants.     

Why Sugar Is Added to Food: Food Science 101

Avoiding too much sugar is an accepted dietary guidance throughout the world. The U.S. Nutrition Facts panel includes information on total sugars in foods. A focus on added sugars is linked to the concept of discretionary calories and decreasing consumption of added sugars or free sugars as a means to assist a consumer to identify foods that are nutrient‐dense. On March 14, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed that including “added sugars” declaration on the Nutrition Facts panel would be another tool to help consumers reduce excessive discretionary calorie intake from added sugars. Through deductive reasoning, labeling added sugars is one tactic to potentially curb the obesity epidemic in the United States. This review discusses the functions of sugar in food and shows that the methods used to replace added sugars in foods can result in no reduction in calorie content or improvement in nutrient density. Without clear benefit to the consumer for added sugars labeling, this review highlights the complex business obstacles, costs, and consumer confusion resulting from the proposed rule.     

Industry-Relevant Approaches for Minimising the Bitterness of Bioactive Compounds in Functional Foods: A Review

Functional foods, with their synergistic health benefits that go beyond just being a source of individual nutrients, present challenges to the traditional ‘nutrition’ view of foods. Consumers demand proven health benefits without compromising flavour, taste and colour. A successful functional food must offer nutrients, specific health-promoting functionality and desirable sensory attributes. Attempts to increase the intake of desirable bioactive compounds are driven by the need to deliver optimal bioactivity to consumers for disease prevention and health enhancement. Increasing the bioactive concentration in foods often leads to bitterness, particularly when incorporating bioactive phytochemicals. This article provides an overview of the strategies which can be used for food bitterness reduction, with an emphasis on those approaches which are industrially relevant and economically feasible, i.e. tailored food formulation, processing and delivery technology approaches. Solutions for reducing bitterness from phytochemicals in food are proposed, including blocking, inhibiting, suppressing, minimising and masking mechanisms. The potential of encapsulation and non-encapsulation approaches for functional food applications is highlighted, and their effect in improving stability, bioactivity, bioaccessibility and bioavailability is addressed.     

营养健康食品开发技术发展趋势探析

营养健康食品不仅具有食品功能,还具有生物活性成分及其他营养素,通过强化功效、改善营养可以更好地满足人们对食物营养的需求。随着食品科学与营养学、微生物学、组学等学科融合,我国营养健康食品科技领域迎来更多机遇和挑战,同时也为营养健康食品新资源挖掘、功能因子制备新方法新技术开发、营养健康食品创制、食物与健康关系探索等领域提供了有效解决途径。本文总结了营养健康食品功能因子开发技术、营养健康食品功能评价技术和营养健康食品产品开发技术,通过文献分析了近40年营养健康食品开发技术态势,并对未来营养健康食品发展方向进行了展望,以期为营养健康食品的开发提供新思路。     

运动营养食品及其抗疲劳活性成分研究进展

缓解疲劳的关键在于保证机体运动水平,科学合理膳食与运动营养补充是主要途径。随着我国全民健康运动的兴起,运动人群不断增长,具有补充机体能量、减轻运动疲劳等作用的运动营养食品逐渐受到人们关注和重视,成为实现健康生活方式不可或缺的一个方面。目前,我国运动营养食品标准日趋完善,市场份额逐年增长,产业愈发成熟,发展前景十分乐观。本文从运动营养食品的定义及分类出发,系统阐述运动营养食品及其抗疲劳活性成分的国内外研究现状,并对其未来发展趋势做出展望,以期推动抗疲劳功能性运动食品的科学研究与应用开发,为普通大众了解运动营养食品、科学选择运动营养食品提供参考依据。     

营养标签——食品的“健康身份证”

<正> 世界经济一体化的今天,食品营养标签的发展已趋向于国际化,世界各国纷纷制定食品营养标签标准或法规,在法律上对其认可,规范其作为公布食品营养信息重要媒体的行为,引导消费者合理选择食品以促进身体健康。     

Linking agricultural production and human nutrition

The adequacy of nutritional status in a population depends on an effective food and agricultural sector. The development of agriculture in relation to nutrition has occurred in 3 phases: 1) improving yield to provide adequate energy from food, 2) improving efficiency of production to diversify the sources of nutrients in the food supply, and 3) targeted efforts to improve the nutritional profile of foods that will help lower the risk of disease and promote health. Success in maintaining yield and efficiency while improving the ability of the food supply to provide good nutrition will require a multi‐discipline effort of nutrition, food, plant and animal scientists in order that the most effective strategies are targeted. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Consumer Valuations and Preference Heterogeneity for a Novel Functional Food

ABSTRACT:  Recent trends in the marketing of functional foods suggest that multiple-benefit products are becoming more common. Yet it is unclear which consumers are most interested in, or best served by, such novel or new generation functional foods. With emerging scientific evidence of efficacy and more diverse products offered for sale, a broader range of consumers are likely to become interested in dietary interventions to enhance health. Consumers will likely respond based on a range of motivation, health conditions, and knowledge levels suggesting "one size will not fit all." Given such an evolving marketing environment, this paper presents 1 research technique exploring differences in consumer preferences and valuations for a novel functional food product—a tomato juice containing soy. A discrete choice experiment is applied to examine consumer valuation of this novel functional food. Data were collected from 1704 households in Ohio through a mail survey. The choice experiment manipulates whether or not the product is organic, whether it contains natural or fortified nutrients, and product price. Estimates of consumer willingness to pay a premium price are based on conditional logit and mixed logit models, which permit an examination of consumer preference and valuation heterogeneity for key product attributes. Results indicate that health benefits and ingredient naturalness are positively valued, but such preferences and valuations depend on an individual's education, income, and food purchase behavior. Naturally occurring nutrients are preferred over fortification. Considerable heterogeneity is found in the data suggesting that a range of market segments may exist.     

Nutrition recommendations and science: next parallel steps

This article examines nutrition recommendations in relation to developments in nutrition science. Combining data on the genome, metabolome and microbiota is likely to open possibilities for personalized nutrition planning, but we are still far from practical applications. However, even these new steps are unlikely to challenge the role and importance of population‐based nutrition recommendations as a tool to promote dietary patterns, policies and public health. Developments in science could help in deriving more benefits from nutrition recommendations. For instance, improved accuracy of dietary intake assessment is needed both for surveillance and for understanding the quantitative interplay between diet and health. Applying metabolomics together with food diaries or questionnaires, and also modern technologies such as digital photography, are potentially interesting methods in this respect. Research on consumer behaviour, attitudes and policy interventions, such as taxation of unhealthy foods and nutrition labelling, are needed to gain more insight into how to change eating behaviour for better health at the population level. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry