Infographic: Natural Vs. Synthetic Vitamins

Below is an infographic that highlights the significant differences between natural vitamins and nutrients from NutriFusion® and the typical synthetic vitamins made in a lab. Enjoy!

Infographic: Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamins |NutriFusion

The trends in consumer food preferences are all pointing to healthier and more nutritious products. We have all been working to do this over the past fifty years, but we have faced grand challenges when delivering nutrients from natural sources in processed foods. We decided enough was enough, so we developed our patented process for stabilizing the vitamins and nutrients in fruits and vegetables. NutriFusion® is a leading food ingredient technology for food companies looking to deliver natural vitamins and nutrients in their packaged food products. We help you use simpler ingredients and create a “clean label” for your consumers. If you are interested in learning more about NutriFusion® for your processed foods, beverages, or supplements, please click below.

Low-Calorie Foods and Drinks Drove Sales From 2009-2013

It seems that people are becoming aware of what they are eating. A recent report by the Hudson Institute, a think tank based in Washington DC, shows that low-calorie foods are driving sales in supermarket chains. The report indicates that between 2009 and 2013, the sales of low-calorie foods grew by 59%. The study described the following products as low-calorie foods; fruits and vegetables, pasta, milk, snacks, cereal, and packaged meals. The study used the criteria laid out by the Nutrition Coordinating Center to classify low and high-calorie foods.

Consciousness Rising Amongst Consumers

With the rate of obesity increasing in some states, the news that people are now conscious of what they are eating is a positive development. The news may spell doom to companies who produce high-calorie food, especially soft drinks, and candy companies. Packaged food companies will have to evolve to meet the demand of the new healthy consumer. A ninety-six percent rise in the availability of low calories foods and drinks is an indication of growing health consciousness.potato chips - nutrifusion

Despite the rise in calorie consciousness, Americans are still categorized as the unhealthiest snackers, a study found that out that while other parts of the world prefer fresh fruits, yogurt, and chocolate as their number one snack, Americans are still stuck to their potato chips. Potato chips are categorized as a high-calorie food. With the rise of the calorie consciousness, this trend is predicted to change, perhaps in the future, we will see more people ditching potato chips for low-calorie foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Low-Calorie Foods are Just the Beginning of Healthy Eating

With the industries spearheading the move to “better-for-you” products, the journey to healthy eating has already started, more and more adults will switch to low-calorie foods, reducing the demand for high-calorie foods. Companies stuck in the production of high-calorie foods will be in trouble going forward and will rely on young, uneducated consumers to move their products. Adults, who are more threatened by lifestyle diseases, will opt for the low-calorie foods given the benefits they drive in building a healthier body. 

Inspired by marketwatch.com

NutriFusion® is the Leader in Fresh, Low-Calorie Nutrition

So, how do you start reinventing your products to meet the growing demand for low-calorie, “better-for-you” foods? For packaged food companies, it all begins with the ingredients. Forever, we have been unable to add a significant amount of fruits and vegetables to our products, because of the nutrient degradation experienced during processing. Well, that has officially changed with NutriFusion. We developed a patented method for stabilizing the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables. Our stabilization has a two-year shelf life and can withstand the extreme heating and cooling of modern day food processing. If you are interested in learning more about how our process and products, please visit the consumer packaged foods page below.

Consumers Want Healthy Snacks

Consumers are getting smarter and more health conscious these days especially when it comes to snacks. According to a report from The NPD Group, consumers are eyeing snacks that have perceived health benefits whether it’s salty, sweet, high or low-calorie snacks.  The most common requests are protein, natural and no sugar snacks.

Younger Generations Lead Growth in Healthy Snacks

The youngest generations are leading the pack in hunting for healthy snacks. Generation Z are people ages (0 to 23), millennials (ages 24 to 37) and generation X (ages 38 to 48) are actively looking for healthy alternatives. They are expressing positive attitudes in snacking and eating healthier. However, the later generations are looking for food that is low in sodium and sugar content to be able to deal with medical conditions.

The Three Major Snack Categories:

  • Better-for-you snacks – these are snacks that are known to provide nutrients and are generally healthier choices. These include fresh fruit, sports bars and yoghurt. Demand has increased by 14 percent since 2006.
  • Savory snacks – these snacks are usually salty snacks and dips which have increased in demand by 4 percent since 2006.
  • Sweet snacks – there is a significant decrease in the demand for sweet snacks but studies show that levels will stabilize over the next few years.

Among the three categories, better-for-you snacks are expected to increase the fastest according to NPD’s The Future of Eating: Who’s Eating What in 2018.

Snacks Sell: Healthy Snacks are Destined for Growth

“Snacking today is a prevalent behavior and there is an opportunity in every snack category for manufacturers to call out the specific health benefits –from desirable ingredients to clean labelling.There is also a generation slant to take into account for each category when positioning and marketing snack foods.” – Darren Seifer, a food and beverage industry analyst

Other features of healthy snacks that consumers are looking for are easy to consume and natural snacks. This means that this kind of food should not contain chemicals or synthetic ingredients that can cause harm to health. Artificial coloring, artificial flavors, and preservatives alter the taste and appearance of snack foods and are perceived to have negative effects on consumers’ health.

Would you give up eating your favorite salty snack for a healthy alternative?

Inspired by www.npd.com

Simple Ingredients = Clean Labels

fruits and veggiesSimple ingredients are the key to answering the call for healthy snack alternatives in the market. It’s important to find trusted suppliers of simple and natural ingredients. Look no further than NutriFusion® for natural nutrient fortification of your products. Instead of using typical synthetic nutrient materials, you can use our whole food based products. NutriFusion® is made from organic, non-GMO produce in a variety of blends. We can work with you to develop a custom fruit and vegetable blend to meet your needs. If you are interested in learning more about NutriFusion® for consumer packaged foods, click the button below to learn more.

FDA Says No More “Unsafe” Trans Fats

In a bid to reduce heart attacks and heart disease among Americans, the U.S. Food safety regulators have decided to ban a primary source of artificial trans fats in processed foods. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are not “generally recognized as safe” for human consumption. PHOs are an important source of artificial trans fat in the diet of many Americans.

The regulators have given food manufacturers until June 18, 2018 (3 years) to remove PHOs from food products. The food safety regulators feel this is enough time for food manufacturers to ask the FDA for permission to use foods that contain PHOs or to reformulate their products to eliminate PHOs. The regulators say that at the end of the compliance period, no food manufacturer will be allowed to add PHOs to human food unless they have been permitted by the FDA to do so.

FDA’s Ostroff Sees Link Between Trans Fats and Heart Health

Dr. Stephen Ostroff, FDA’s Acting Commissioner, says this action is expected to prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year and reduce coronary heart disease. The FDA anticipates that many companies will achieve compliance with the deadline since some companies are already removing PHOs from their processed foods. Following consultations with experts and a review of the scientific evidence, a preliminary determination to regard PHOs as unsafe for human consumption was announced by FDA in 2013. Currently, regulators are in the final stages of the resolution after taking into consideration the comments from the public.

According to Dr. Susan Mayne, the Director of the FDA’s Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Center, the determination is based on the input from all stakeholders received during the public comment period, as well as extensive research into the effects of PHOs. Food companies use artificial trans fats to increase the stability of processed foods, extend their shelf life, and improve their texture. This is because they are more readily available and cheaper than natural versions from dairy and meat sources. Since 2006, companies have had to show trans fat content on the nutrition facts labels of food products sold in the US.

The primary sources of PHOs in the American diet are savory snacks such as coffee creamers, microwave popcorn, ready-to-use frosting, and frozen pizza. Other sources include cakes, pies, cookies, fried foods, kinds of margarine, and spreads. PHOs are bad for health because consuming them increases “bad” cholesterol ( LDL) and lowers “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the body, raising the risk of coronary heart disease.

Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com

117 Nutritional Supplements Companies Charged in Federal Sweep

Nutritional supplements companies that have been accused of selling tainted products and providing misleading information are facing the wrath of the justice department and the market. The federal Justice Department has filed cases against 117 companies and individuals. With some of the companies facing criminal and civil cases, the big retailers in the dietary supplement market saw their shares have dip initially before the full details were released to the public. 

USPlabs Faces Charges on Multiple Supplements Brands

One of the notable companies indicted in the suit is USPlabs, the Dallas-based company which sold Jack3d and OxyElite pro, two of the best-selling workout supplements containing an amphetamine stimulant. Six executives from the enterprise face prosecutions for selling the products that the justice department claims to be illegal and dangerous. The two largest retailers of USPlabs supplements, GNC Holdings and Vitamin Shoppe have suffered; the crackdown has led to both of their stock prices dipping. GNC Holdings shares went down by a whopping 27 % while Vitamin Shoppe lost nearly 10% before the market realized that the retailers were not named in the suit by the justice department.

USPlabs is being accused by the FDA of passing misleading information to the retailers and wholesalers; the company claims that its products are made from natural plant extracts whereas investigations revealed that they have been using a synthetic stimulant that is made in a Chinese chemical factory. According to the proceedings brought against the company, one of the products sold by USPlabs has led to liver injuries and one death. According to the marketers, the products enhance performance through increasing endurance, speed and strength. 

Another product that is sold by USPlabs, Jack3d was banned in December 2011 by the department of deference when two of the soldiers died after consumption. Some shops operated by GNC Holdings were also affected when the DOD banned the product on military bases and surrounding areas.


Increased Regulation Causes Anxiety in the Market

The news that the Justice Department was making an announcement on the charges caused panic in the stock market, the investors were anxious, when the decision was made, companies that were not mentioned in the list got a reprieve. GNC Holdings and Vitamin Shoppe were not mentioned in the cases that were brought by the federal prosecutors leading to a slight recovery in share prices. The crackdown is a positive move to ensure that the consumers are well protected from harmful products; the investors can also learn from the incidence, use of ingredients that harm the consumers will not only lead to numerous criminal and civil cases but will also adversely affect their businesses.

Inspired by well.blogs.nytimes.com


Choose NutriFusion® for Organic Ingredients

NutriFusion® is an important ingredient for all supplements and nutraceuticals manufacturers. Our blends are created from organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Our innovation is in how we stabilize the micronutrients and phytonutrients through our patented method. Our products can withstand the heating and cooling of modern day food processing to help you supercharge your products with all natural nutrition. If you are interested in learning more about NutriFusion® for supplements and nutraceuticals, click the button below.

 

Can Big Brands Adapt to Healthy Consumer Demands?

If you visit any supermarket or grocery store, then you will surely notice something new. Established packaged-food brands find it hard to compete with their healthy counterparts that are cashing in with double-digit growth. But even with this outstanding customer support, it is hard to keep up with healthy consumer nutrition demands.

Healthy Consumer Brands Sell Out For Growth

healthy consumerProducts that are additive-free, organic and non-GMO are growing at specialty-food stores, even though these companies may lack the money, marketing knowledge, and distribution chain to compete with the traditional food brands in local supermarkets. The solution that most of these firms come up with is simply to sell out. The much-needed support comes through selling to larger brands and food conglomerates. Niman Ranch, a natural pork, beef and lamb producer sold its company to become a Perdue Farms division, Applegate Farms producer of natural deli meats sold its company for $755 million to Hormel Foods. Finally, a Berkeley, California-based organic packaged foods company named Annie’s Inc. sold its brand for $820 million to General Mills.

There is no doubt that these marriages are the ideal response to changes in customer preferences when it comes to eating healthy. Customers are getting smarter, and they do not trust huge food brands anymore. It’s also tough for these big brands to use the words “healthy” or “healthier” when they use a laundry list of ingredients that are hard to pronounce. Large companies, therefore, have one option, and that is to acquire these smaller but healthy consumer brands.

The Tale of Two Brands: Kashi and Annie’s

grocery-consumerKellogg Co. purchased La Jolla, California-based Kashi in 2000. The cereal company gave Kashi resources and allowed it to manage its products. For a decade, the healthy cereal alternative grew, however, after Kellogg merged Kashi into its manufacturing arm that is also responsible for Frosted Flakes, the growth stopped. Kellogg customers sued the company for using synthetic ingredients for cereals that were branded as all-natural. Kellogg paid out a $5 million settlement for this case and in 2013, Kashi lost its California office. Its sales have never recovered.

General Mills did the same thing when it acquired Annies. Annie’s offices remained in Berkeley, California. General Mills took a different route and improved its commitment to organic agriculture. It plans to double their organically-farmed facility to 10 million acres in the next ten years. Annie’s president John Foraker uses Kashi’s tale as a reminder. “Annie’s values are a guiding influence at General Mills,” he adds. “There is a lot of change at Big Food. If they want to remain relevant to healthy consumers, they have to change.”

Change needs to be real to convince customers. This vigilance to provide the best and the healthiest food options may just be the best brand protection to consider.

Inspired by Entrepreneur.com

Change Starts With New Ingredients like NutriFusion®

It’s up to big brands to either acquire new, healthy brands, reformulate existing products, or develop new healthy products. All of these options can work for the growing healthy consumer segment. We are here to help you reformulate existing products and develop new products with our highly nutritional ingredients. Our products are made from organic, non-GMO produce and stabilized in our patent pending process. Our technology gives you the ability to create and fortify products with natural vitamins and minerals from whole fruits and vegetables without degradation through processing. If you are interested in learning more, please see the consumer packaged food page and download our products deck.

Beyond Meat CEO Says Plant-Based Protein is the Future

Beyond Meat is a privately held company based El Segundo, California. Its CEO, Ethan Brown, believes plants are the future of protein. Beyond Meat is on the cutting edge of plant protein research and development. The company’s aim is to drive progress and innovation; it provides plant-based protein foods – without compromising the satisfaction, chew, or taste of meat. The company makes all its meat substitutes with pea or soy protein and without bioengineered ingredients, gluten, trans fats, dairy, or cholesterol. It’s all about creating a product that is completely indistinguishable from animal protein but with health benefits. They believe the future of protein is increasingly plant-based. Cattle farming is responsible for between 18 and 51 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and is also land and water–intensive. That’s why Beyond Meat is racing to diversify protein sources so as to be able to feed the world’s population for as long as possible.

Why Beyond Meat and Plant-Based Protein?

While talking to Food Business News, Brown said they’re not there yet, but every day they do get closer, and they do know that it’s scientifically possible. To support its growth, the company recently hired three food industry veterans: Jerry Joye, as the COO of Beyond Meat – he is the former COO of Fiji Water; Mark Mortimer, as the chief commercial officer of Beyond Meat – he is the former chief customer officer and president of Annie’s, Inc.; Mark Nelson, as the CFO of Beyond Meat – he was most recently the treasurer and CFO at Farmer Brothers Co.

A report by Markets and Markets, released in August 2015, lists Beyond Meat as one of the leading players in the global meat substitutes market, and projects that by 2020 that market will reach $5.17 billion, representing a CAGR of 6.4 percent from 2015. The company uses protein from plants to create products ranging from meatballs and burgers to chicken poppers. It has partnered with elite athletes to promote the benefits of plant-based protein. Specific partners include Tia Blanco, J.J. Redick, Maya Moore, David Wright, Eric Bledsoe, April Ross, and Maggie Vessey. The athlete partners come from the AVP, WNBA, MLB, NBA, and World Surf League.

At Beyond Meat, their plant-based meats let consumers continue to eat what they love, from vegetables to chili to Bolognese to burgers to hemp, without the downsides of animal protein. Beyond Meat’s, convenient and tasty products can be found at Safeway, Whole Foods, Target Publix, and in over 7,500 stores across the US and growing. Beyond Meat realized that many plant proteins contain components that promote overall bodily health and can help protect against chronic disease. Nuts, soy beans and legumes are three plant-based sources of protein that possess such beneficial properties.

Inspired by www.fooddive.com/news and www.foodbusinessnews.com

NutriFusion® Plant-Based Products

NutriFusion® was created on the development of unique, plant-based products. Our traditional GrandFusion® blends are focused on stabilizing the micronutrients and phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables. Our fruit and vegetable GrandFusion® blends can withstand all of the hurdles of modern day food processing. From there, we developed a plant-based protein product called GrandFusion® Complete, it is derived from Hemp. Hemp is considered by many to be the most complete protein in the world. It has a highly digestible balance of the 20 known amino acids. If you are interested in learning more about our products, check out our products page or contact Myra Mackey directly.

FDA Proposes Sugar Limits in New Nutritional Guidelines

Sugar is the sweet poison in almost everything that we eat. When we eat an excessive amount of sugar every day, it not only adds extra inches to the waist but it is also slowly killing us. A recent study shows that a sugar loaded diet can be a source of a heart attack even if you are not overweight. Another study was carried out to see the drastic effects caused by sugar to a healthy person, and the results were disturbing. Over the span of the 15-year study, members who took in 25% or a greater amount of their daily calories as sugar were more than twice as prone to death from heart failure as those whose eating habits included under 10% dose of sugar. In general, the odds of dying from coronary illness increased as the rate of sugar increased in the diet regardless of person’s age, gender, and physical activity level.

An average American citizen’s diet consisting of beverages including sodas and energy drinks. These beverages are one of the leading causes of extra sugar intake. Other sugar sources include cakes, baked goods, and pastries; ice-creams, solidified yogurt; sweets; and prepared-to-eat cereals. American researchers took the notice of this epidemic. Over the past ten years, they came to the conclusion that Americans are exceeding their sugar limits. Now the advocates are taking steps to ensure the health and safety of the American people.

F.D.A. Says Added Sugar Guidelines Must Change

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 24, 2015, passed a resolution that stated: in addition to the labeled nutrition facts; food packages should also contain a percentage daily value (%DV) for added sugar present in that item and should change the current footnote of the nutritional label. The percent daily value would specify how much of nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet and would help consumers make an educated decision for their and their families’ health. The initiated guideline is an adjunct to the March 3, 2014, proposed principle on overhauling the Nutrition Facts name, under which the FDA recommended that food companies incorporate included sugars on the Nutrition Facts label. The proposed policy did exclude the statement of the percent everyday value for added sugars.

The FDA’s initial proposal to include the amount of added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label is presently further upheld by recently reviewed studies recommending sound dietary examples, including lower measures of sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, are firmly connected with a decreased danger of cardiac disorders. In addition to providing sweetness to the foods and beverages, sugar only appends calories having no nutritional value. According to this enactment, the beverage companies are advised to restyle their nutritional fact chart posted on their bottles with details about the percent daily value listed for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, calcium, and iron. The FDA also allowed community members to comment on the ruling for the next 75 days. The FDA has also created a survey to poll the current nutritional elements used by community members daily. Based on the comments received and the study conducted, they wanted to seek the community opinion before formally implementing the rule.

For The Full Article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/placing-a-cap-on-americans-consumption-of-added-sugar

NutriFusion® Natural Sweeteners From Fruits and Veggies

We have developed a wide variety of products for food and beverage manufacturers. Our products are made from fruits and vegetables. The secret to NutriFusion® is the stabilization of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Our proprietary formulas can withstand the heat and cold processing methods. Contact us today to learn more about NutriFusion®!