Subscribe to Side Dish Email Newsletter icon
Print
Side Dish, Food and Beverage Industry Trends: Center for Culinary Development
SIDE DISH - CCD's Monthly Compilation on Food and Beverage Industry Trends
Blue Grass Soy Sauce

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES

January 2009

The Urban Forager: Stuffing stockings (and your fridge)...There is a lot of innovation in the dairy section these days. One example: Dahlicious Lassi, a new probiotic drink with global origins. Based on Indian dahi, a drinkable form of yogurt, this version is flavored with wild Maine blueberries and Indian Alphonso mangoes. (New York, 12/7)


  • A Sara Lee First: Lower Sodium Deli Meats...In response to the current trend of reducing salt, Sara Lee is introducing a new line of lower sodium deli meats. Three new varieties include roasted turkey, chicken breast and honey ham. According to company research, 52% women and 40% men are interested in buying lower sodium products. (Brandweek, 12/1)
  • Kettle Brand puckers up with new Sea Salt & Vinegar Baked Potato Chips...The sea salt trend shows no signs of going away. Pair that with a tangy flavor profile and it seems American taste buds are growing more sophisticated! Kettle contributes with bold and tangy vinegar chips sprinkled with sea salt. The chips have 65% less fat than regular chips and only 120 calories per serving. (Business Wire, 12/10)
  • PepsiCoís So Be Lifewater launches first-ever, zero-calorie, naturally sweetened, enhanced water in the U.SÖ.With the FDA approval of several manufactured sweeteners based on the herb stevia comes a rush of new products that have been waiting in the wings. SoBe Lifewaters feature PureVia, Pepsiís all-natural zero-calorie sweetener made from stevia (see Food Front for more news on stevia). The hope is stevia-based products will appeal to consumers looking for more natural zero-calorie sweeteners. (BevNet.com, 12/18)
  • Odwalla launches reduced-calorie quenchers...And now Coca-Colaís new stevia-based sweetener TruvÌa, developed with Cargill (see above and Food Front), sweetens new Odwalla juice drinks Mojito Mambo and Pomegranate Strawberry. Each 8-oz. serving of juice has 50 calories. (Business Wire, 12/17)
  • Beauty tools plucked from the produce aisles...Recently the beauty industry has been trolling the produce aisle for new active ingredients. New products feature tomatoes (Philosophy Big Mouth Semi-Matte Lip Plump and Primer) and mushrooms (Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Face Mask). The hope is that consumers will transfer their positive connotations of fruit and vegetable benefits onto new beauty products. (New York Times, 12/25)
  • Special K packs a crunch with new snacks...The Special K brand continues its expansion into non-cereal categories with a new line of crackers. They come in Italian Tomato & Herb and Multi-Grain flavors and offer afternoon snackers new crunchy options, crunch being something consumers say they crave. They come in 90-calorie packs. (PRNewswire, 12/30)
  • First organic sparkling waters...Las Vegas-based Organica unveiled Totally Organica, the first flavored sparkling waters certified USDA organic. The beverages start with artesian water and are infused with certified organic essences. Flavors include lemon-lime, cranberry, green apple, raspberry, pomegranate, melon and mint. (Food Processing, December)
Tomato

FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY HEADLINES

December 2008

How caramel developed a taste for salt...CCD Trendologist Kara Nielsen describes CCDís 5-Stage Trend Map® and outlines how salted caramel moved from Stage 1 to 5 in this enlightening article by Kim Severson. Chefsí Council® member chocolatier Michael Recchiuti was one of the first to make and sell fleur de sel caramels; the popular flavor profile also appears in Haagen-Dazs ice cream and a Starbucks hot chocolate drink. (New York Times, 12/31)


  • Commercialization News: Brought to you by Jan Matsuno, Director of Commercialization brought to you by Jan Matsuno, Director of Commercialization
    Rebiana from Stevia Arrives! ... Now that the FDA has approved the use of Stevia-derived Rebiana sweetener, watch for a flood of naturally sweetened low- and no-calorie products using this exciting ingredient. Coke and Pepsi wasted no time, launching Odwalla Reduced Calorie Quenchers, Sprite Green, and Sobe Zero Calorie respectively the same day FDA approval was granted. And for good reason. Rebiana, while relatively expensive, is naturally derived and provides a smooth sweetness unlike other alternatives. It can also be used in conjunction with fruits or other sweeteners for ìstealthî calorie reduction.
  • Shocked New Yorkers shun hi-cal muffins...Six months after the city began enforcing a rule requiring chain restaurants to post calories on menus, there is growing evidence that New Yorkers are changing their eating habits, cutting back on high calorie treats and patronizing chains with clear calorie labels. In response, the chains are rolling out more low-fat options. (Crainís New York, 12/ 14)
  • Soaring European demand for spelt sees product launches up 130%...In Europe, speltís popularity has skyrocketed according to Mintel. New food product launches stood at 157 this year, compared to 68 three years ago. As consumers look for innovative products with good nutritional values, the ancient variety of wheat is a new healthful option. (Food and Drink Europe, 12/16)
  • Eating healthy, even at your desk...Online grocer FreshDirect is introducing a line of vending machines for corporate offices that dispense ì4-Minute Mealsî developed in conjunction with popular New York restaurants like Tabla and Rosa Mexicano. Prices range from $7 to $10. (New York Times, 12/18)
  • Chipotle intros sustainable cutlery...Chipotle Mexican Grill, a leader in sustainable ingredient sourcing, is doing the same for disposable cutlery. The green cutlery is made from sustainable plastics from bio-based manufacturer Cereplast. (Media Post, 12/19)
  • Aloe vera for inner, outer beauty... While consumers are familiar with aloeís topical benefits relieving burns, it can also work from the inside. Many turn to aloe to sooth irritated digestive tracts but new studies show ingesting aloe may hydrate skin. The polysaccarides in the plant may also help heal wounds, fight fungus and have an anti-inflammatory effect. (Natural Products Insider, 12/18)
  • Kraftís new app brings recipes to iPhones and iPods...iFood Assistant, an application for iPhones and iPod Touch, provides more than 7,000 recipes, each with shopping lists by grocery aisle. It can find nearby store promotions, show video demonstrations and offers shortcuts to lists like ìDinner Tonightî or ìRecipe of the Day.î (Promo, 12/24)
  • Eat this with that: How food works in tandem to boost nutrition... Several nutritionists are promoting ìfood synergyî or how foods eaten together improve the absorption of nutrients in the body. Examples are eating vitamin C (such as mandarin oranges) with spinach or adding vinegar to sushi rice to decrease the glycemic index. Healthy fats like nut or olive oils also make many nutrients more ìbio-availableî so avoid non-fat dressings for salads! (Chicago Tribune, 12/28)
  • Comfort food seen in vogue as credit crunch bites...Experts expect consumers to turn more to affordable beans, pasta and chicken and also eat more often at home to combat the economic crisis. Will this indeed be the year of the home-cook? (Reuters, 12/ 30)