tipo de grasas en los últimos años, los consumidores se han visto más condicionados a buscar envases que promuevan nada de grasas trans o muy poca. Muchos vendedores de CPG han respondido adecuadamente introduciendo gráfica que señala “sin grasas trans” en la parte frontal de los envases de sus productos. La ciudad de Nueva York hace poco aprobó una prohibición en toda la ciudad de expendio de grasas trans artificiales en las comidas de los restaurantes que entra en vigor en julio de 2008. Muchas cadenas de restaurantes están trabajando agresivamente para eliminar todas las grasas trans de sus menús. Incluso, existe el rumor que el gobierno de Estados Unidos podría implementar una prohibición de grasas trans a nivel nacional hacia fines de esta década.
Otra tendencia en aumento es la de productos fortificados con vitaminas. Los productos en barras saludables o energéticas
introduction in 2004, there are well over a hundred brands that offer a 100-calorie version, with many more being added each month.
CPG companies have been vigorously working to eliminate trans fats from their products. Given the large volume of trans fat media coverage over the past couple of years, consumers have become very conditioned to look for packaging that promotes no or low trans fat. Many CPG marketers have happily responded by introducing attention-getting “no trans fat” graphics on the front of their product packaging. The city of New York recently passed a citywide ban on artificial trans fats in restaurant foods that takes effect in July 2008. Many restaurant chains are aggressively working to eliminate all trans fats from their menus. There is a rumor that the U.S government may look to implement a nationwide ban on trans fat by the end of the decade.
Another growing trend is vitamin-fortified products. Health/energy bar products have been doing this for a while, but now more mainstream products are following suit. Beverages (especially bottled water) are some of the first vitamin-fortified products to go mainstream, but now the CPG companies are rapidly following suit. Mars Inc. recently launched a vitamin-fortified line called Kid-Didits that consists of fun flavors and shapes and targets the tween set (ages 8– 12). Muhammad Ali has endorsed G.O.A. T. snacks, which are low fat, fortified with vitamins and fiber, and contain no more than 150 calories per serving. The stated goal of G.O.A. T. snacks is to “combat youth obesity and encourage a healthy lifestyle.” Yoplait recently introduced their Nouriche Super Smoothie, containing 20 added vitamins and minerals.
There is a growing backlash against cooking oils, especially those that fall in the partially hydrogenated oil category, creating concerns about trans fats, saturated fats and bad cholesterol. Soybean, flaxseed, corn and canola cooking oils are rapidly gaining popularity as alternatives to hydrogenated oils. While these alternative oils can cost a little more than traditional hydrogenated oils, they are healthier for the customer and, depending on what food is being cooked, can provide a better taste and texture. McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King are all in various stages of adopting cooking oils that will eliminate saturated fats from their foods. Starbucks and the Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain are among many others doing so too.
Natives of the Himalayas, Brazilian rainforests and Tahiti have long known the healing and wellness powers of natural berry fruits such as the goji berry, acai berry and
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