Market Research Update

Market Research Update

There is greater interest in Europe in mineral fortification;however, suppliers and manufacturers must address consumer concerns about safetyand bioavailability by disseminating information about their quality and R&Dendeavors. A new report from Frost & Sullivan suggests developing innovativetechnologies that address formulation problems (such as metallic taste anddiscoloration) in producing enriched foods will help set suppliers apart.Further information on the European Mineral Fortification and SupplementMarket can be obtained by e-mailing Janina Hillgrub, Frost CorporateCommunications, at [email protected].

Identifying consumer drivers and promoting more than one health benefitfor a particular product will help enhance chances for success in marketlaunches, according to new information from HealthFocus(www.healthfocus.com/2005trendreport.htm). The seven benefitbased platformsfor positioning health and nutrition products that are most universal toshoppers are prevention, performance, wellness, nurturing, cosmetic, pleasureand natural. In addition, the 2005 HealthFocus® Trend Report cautionsmarketers to watch out for one size fits all nutritional advice andstresses that there is no such thing as an average shopper when it comes to thehealth and nutrition market.

The weight loss market only reached $3.5 billion in 2005, with agrowth rate of less than 1 percent, leading weight-loss product marketers torefocus their efforts on low fat, low sugar and low glycemic index products toregain market momentum, according to The U.S.

Market for Weight-Loss Products & Trends, a new report from PackagedFacts (www.packagedfacts.com). With sales in the next four years showing acompounded annual growth rate of 7 percent, Packaged Facts anticipates themarket will reach $7.5 billion by 2010, bolstered by strong growth in theweight-loss desserts and diet candy sectors.

The top three industry challenges facing suppliers of omega-3polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are end-user (manufacturer) perceptions,an uncertain regulatory environment, and threat of substitution, according to anew Frost & Sullivan report, End-user Analysis of the Global Omega-3 PUFAMarket. The firm (www.frost.com) found new end-users still have a relativelynegative perception about the use of omega-3 ingredients in food and beverageproducts; existing end-users, meanwhile, tend to focus on offering acost-effective and reliable product. On the nutraceutical side, it appearssuppliers must be able to provide technical and application support to ensuremanufacturers can provide efficacious products.