Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Pressure mounting for manufacturers to include efficacious ingredient amounts in their foods and beverages

Fish oil in our peanut butter. Probiotics in our cereal bars. Lutein and glucosamine in our water. Thanks to strides in technology and product formulation, which have allowed for better-tasting functional ingredients with a longer shelf life, the offerings in the functional food and beverage category continue to expand. In fact, Mintel reports that 770 new U.S. products were launched in 2009 alone.

But just how “functional” are these products? It's a question being asked with urgency by many in the functional food and beverage industry, as some grow concerned about companies using less-than-efficacious amounts or varieties of ingredients in order to boast them on their labels and charge a premium. The practice, which some refer to as “pixie-dust” dosing, has prompted an array of regulatory actions in the past year and is prompting some ingredient companies, such as Cognis Nutrition & Health, to establish mandatory guidelines for their clients on just how much of an ingredient must be used in a product and how it must be portrayed on the label. Meanwhile, manufacturers, including The Hain Celestial Group and Next-Foods, are calling on their peers to be more clear and consistent in their labeling, and consumer watchdog groups are asking the government to force the industry to do so.

Sign in to
view the full article

User Name

Password

Remember Me

Sign In

Why Join?

1. In-depth perspective on the $226 billion global nutrition industry
2. Access to weekly news updates
3. Downloadable data files, presentations, and more