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Friday, September 25, 2009
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Without a 'point of difference', what's the point? I might be the editor of an online industry news resource, but, at heart, I'm still a consumer. I still want what most other American consumers want — products that make a difference - big or slight- in my life. I get turned on by new products. But not just any new products. I'm not a consumer attracted by words. I am attracted to new or newly-revamped products that offer me a genuine point of difference. A point of difference that is immediately recognizable to me. Most of the time that point of difference will have a lot to do with convenience. Whether its unique new packaging or quicker preparation and cooking capabilities, it has to be something that speaks to me, that says "I'm here to make your life more simple, more easy." In a recent presentation to a Canadian company's marketing group, I brought along about 50 ideas that I felt would make a difference in people's lives. Some were extremely unique, others were slight tweaks but still with a point of difference visible to consumers. The whole point of that presentation was to remind these brand managers and senior managers that, in such a competitive marketplace, you should not march products into battle without a point of difference to sell to consumers. I understand the power of price and the necessity for me-too products that battle for second- and third-position shelf space, but I believe, and some research bears this out, that most consumers will pay more for a product that delivers a meaningful point of difference that is easily discernible. New Milk Carton Concept illustration by Paul Vilser.

NUGGETS FOR NOGGINS' Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. Coco Chanel

ON THE RECORD Salt has been used over time to preserve and flavor foods. It has a vital technical quality in the production of hams, cured meats, cheeses and breads. So we understand its role in the food supply, and any effort to reduce sodium will need to take into account its functionality. No one is suggesting that this will be easy. Greg Drescher, executive director of strategic initiatives the Culinary Institute of America, quoted 9/16/09, Chain Leader

The Six Reasons Companies are Still Afraid of Social Media Adage.com— One of the reasons: Haters will damage our brand. "What about the haters?" is the first question that comes up at my corporate and conference social media workshops. "What if people say bad, mean, nasty things about our brand?" Well, there may be things you need to change about your brand, and in that case, you should thank them for letting you know what they are. Then you should make changes. Link. Sidebar: How Brands Can Build a Successful App Strategy

Sugar makes Dr Pepper from Dublin, Texas . . . special

AP— Tens of thousands of people trek to tiny Dublin in north-central Texas each year to buy cases of the nation's third most popular soft drink from a bottling company that uses real sugar in its flagship product. No high fructose corn syrup in sight ... Its signature product has become a favorite of bootleggers who resell it elsewhere and folks from around the world who buy it in person or online. Link.

IBM Survey: Three in Four Americans Choose Quality over Lowest Price in Food Aisles
Current economy has U.S. shoppers taking a closer look at the brands they typically purchase, the stores they frequent and even their preferred packaging
PR Newswire— "Consumers are reducing spending in certain store aisles but maintaining or even increasing spending in others as they put a lot more thought into the brands they purchase and the type of products they need," said Guy Blissett, consumer products leader for IBM Institute for Business Value. "These results highlight how important it is for Consumer Products companies to deliver products and services with the right combination of benefits to meet the specific needs of consumers at each income level." Link.

More than half of consumers saying they are buying less in the deli and prepared food areas
Fewer consumers put a high value on organic, local, and imported designations than they did during the economic boom, and brand loyalty has weakened
IDDBA.org— Those who continue to shop these areas are looking for better deals and more bang for their buck. In-store delis are feeling the impact, with nearly one in five experiencing a drop in gross income over the past year—but that means that four in five are still holding strong. Trends in thriving delis include meal deals, cross-merchandising, a return to traditional comfort foods, and ethnic food offerings that match local demographics. Link.

Dr Pepper Snapple CEO talks about spin-off, trends
Despite the tough timing, the company has been reaping the benefits of being on its own, being quicker to market and rolling out new products
Houston Chronicle— Larry Young (pictured) likes to say his blood is carbonated. The leader of Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. figures he has sold every type of beverage — from teas, juices and milk to soft drinks — around the world in his thirty-some-year career, which took him from working as a youngster on delivery trucks in Springfield, Mo., around the world in the Pepsi bottling system. In his current position he runs the nation's third-biggest soft-drink maker with brands like Dr Pepper, A&W Root Beer and Crush. Link.

Blogger: 16 Antioxidant Drinks: Nutritious Or Suspicious?
One has to wonder: which of these supposed "antioxidant" drinks are the real deal, and which are just trying to make a quick buck off the trend?
Huffington Post blog by Michael Macher— So far, the buzz seems legitimate. Medical research has revealed that antioxidants are a very special kind of molecule, capable of slowing down cell degeneration by curbing free radicals, or cell-damaging agents in the body. Now, HuffPost Living is here to cover the latest trend in the antioxidant movement: the superdrink ..... You tell us whether these drinks are nutritious, or just plain suspicious. Link.

Canada Study: Salt variation in brands raises call for cuts
Bill Jeffery, co-author of the report: “It's difficult to imagine another substance to which more attention should be devoted than this"
Toronto Globe & Mail— Not all tomato sauces are created equal. Neither are breads, cereals, cheeses, fish or a host of other grocery-store staples. Various brands of comparable food products sold in grocery stores across Canada contain hundreds more milligrams of sodium per serving than their competitors, creating wide discrepancies that are helping to fuel excessive salt consumption, according to a report being published today. Link.

Gender, Behavior Influence Teen Buying
Marketers may want to fine-tune their advertising to target “jockettes” and “young metrosexuals"
Brandweek.com— When it comes to teen males, the behavioral segmentation findings show that "young metrosexuals," those classified as individuals who focus on their outward appearance, make up more than 25 percent. The other male segments include "big man on campus," "technosapiens," "red-blooded boys," "tuned inward" and "under construction." "Jockettes," young women who embody active lifestyles and participate in sports, are the most common female segment that makes up over 25 percent. Link.

We seem to go craziest for the foods that require some effort to be palatable. Whether it's Civet coffee beans or the fruits off a cactus, we apparently sometimes need for our food to be a harvesting challenge. Prickly pear looks like a hot new flavor for beverages and candy -- the lightly sweet flesh of the cactus fruit runs from pink to magenta, which often adds interest to drinks. Like with beets, the color runs off onto your hands and acts as a natural dye.
9/16/09 comment by Jonathan Bender, Fat City blog.

The Morning Cup constantly searches the cyberworld for insightful food and beverage industry-related feature articles and columns we think will be of interest to the majority of our readers. If you see an article posted on the internet you think would be of interest to Morning Cup readers, please email the link and a little note to editor Bob Messenger.

Will a Deadline Flush Out Rival Bidders for Cadbury?
Despite speculation of a possible bidding war for Cadbury after a $16 billion offer from Kraft Foods, bidders haven’t exactly been crawling out of the woodwork. Some industry observers, however, believe Cadbury’s request that Britain’s Panel on Takeovers and Mergers set a time limit on the bid may change that. When Kraft, the U.S. food giant, first announced its unsolicited cash and stock offer and was rebuffed, there was much market speculation that rival bidders might step into the fray, in particular, Hershey and Nestlé. There was even those who said those two companies might make a joint offer, and then split up the spoils if they won the bidding. Under that scenario, Nestlé would take Cadbury’s gum business to compete with Mars, while Hershey would take over the chocolate operation But Hershey and Nestlé could face antitrust hurdles, whether bidding alone or together, complicating a potential offer.
9/23/09 article, New York Times Deal Book. Read more.

In Dairyland, Pollan's 'Food' book sparks debate
One best-selling book advocating fresh, local foods is shaking up America's Dairyland. Students across University of Wisconsin-Madison's campus, organic grocers, scientists, and dairy farmers large and small have jumped into the debate on how food is produced and eaten. The discussions started last month when the university began giving Michael Pollan's book, "In Defense of Food," free to all incoming freshmen and school officials urged professors to use it in class. "I have not seen the students this excited about something in years," Irwin Goodman, a horticulture professor who is vice dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences said of the buzz on campus about Pollan's field-to-table philosophies.
9/24/09 article by Ryan J. Foley, Forbes.com. Read more.

Former Senate staffers launch barbecue company
It was 1 o’clock in the morning, and Heath Hall and Brett Thompson were in Russell Senate Office Building Room 493, watching yet another debate over pork-barrel spending. All they could think about was barbecue from their home state of Missouri. Sadly, they were eating Armand’s pizza — again — one of the few late-night options on Capitol Hill. As the lawmakers droned on, Hall and Thompson lamented the limited barbecue offerings in Washington. It was then that the pie-in-the-sky idea hit them. Pork Barrel BBQ — that would be a good name for a barbecue company! Three years later, Hall and Thompson, both 35, have guided their fledgling company on a path neither one imagined on that seminal night.
9/23/09 article by Kris Kitto, TheHill.com. Read more.

Stevia Sweetener Bites into Sugar-Free Market
Stevia-based sweeteners have claimed nearly 10 percent of the U.S. consumer market for table-top sugar substitutes, despite only having gained approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nine months ago, the Financial Times reports. The growth of products manufactured by Cargill (Truvia) and Merisant (PureVia) underscores the U.S. market potential for natural sweeteners that could reach $700 million by 2014, according to analysts at Rabobank. Currently, table-top sweeteners account for roughly 10 percent of the $435 million sugar substitute category. Both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo launched stevia-sweetened drinks earlier this year—Vitamin Water (Coke) and Sobe (Pepsi). Beverage companies have also combined stevia with sugar in producing low-calorie products, such as PepsiCo’s Trop 50 orange juice, Coke’s Sprite Green, and Kraft’s Nature’s Splash.
9/24/09 article, NACS Online. Read more.

Galaxy Nutritional rolls out new and improved soy-based Veggie Slices
Veggie, the No. 1 soy-based cheese alternative, provides an excellent source of calcium without cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat or lactose. Now boasting an organic soy base and simplified ingredient list, research has demonstrated that five out of seven consumers prefer the new Veggie. “Veggie provides consumers the opportunity to enjoy the foods they had once forsaken like grilled cheese, quesadillas and macaroni and cheese without feeling guilty,” said Rick Antonelli, Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Nutritional Foods. ”Veggie doesn’t just taste great, it also addresses key health concerns that millions of Americans are struggling with like high cholesterol, obesity and lactose intolerance.”
9/24/09 press release. Read more.

For Restaurant Segment, the Up Side of Down Sizing
September 2009 article by Dale Buss, QSR Magazine— So far most chains have restrained from such a “better for you” marketing gambit and, in fact, show little inclination to back away from a recession-proof emphasis on volume as value. “I see no evidence of chains using portion control for positioning, and I’ve traveled all over the country looking at quick serves,” says Elizabeth Howlett, a University of Arkansas marketing professor. Link.

Pizza Chains Succeed in Slow Economy Via Focused Positioning, Reports Technomic
Despite flat sales in 2008 and into 2009 throughout most of the limited-service pizza industry, some chain operators are finding success through a strategy of focused positioning, says foodservice industry consultant Technomic. The fastest growing chains are characterized by strong differentiation. The new 2009 Technomic Top 100 Limited-Service Pizza Chains Restaurant Report analyzes and profiles the leading chains against the background of industry trends and metrics ..... “Most successful pizza chains have staked out highly-defined market positions that allow them to stand out from the pack,” says Darren Tristano, EVP at Technomic. “The key to growth in the slow economy will be differentiation. Top players will have to understand the competition, successfully identify emerging trends, and find and execute a strong position in the market.”
9/24/09 press release. Read more.

Company News     
McCORMICK & CO.: Lawry’s acquisition helps boost McCormick & Co.’s 3Q earnings
McCormick & Co.’s third-quarter profit spiked 9.5 percent thanks to price hikes, cost cuts and the acquisition of Lawry’s ... As more consumers eat at home, sales rose 2 percent in McCormick’s consumer business. 
PepsiCo names Heidi Kleinbach-Sauter SVP, R&D Global Foods
Appoints Heidi Kleinbach-Sauter as senior vice president of R&D Global Foods. In this role, Kleinbach-Sauter will have global operating responsibility for the R&D global foods and snacks business, including accelerating innovation and developing products with functional advantages.
Pizza Hut: 20% Off When You Order Via iPhone App
According to a report from consumerist.com, "Pizza Hut is giving a 20% discount on all orders placed via its new iPhone app. We found a user review on YouTube, and he likes it.
SARA LEE CORP: Sara Lee North American Retail launches new flavors of Senseo gourmet coffee
Sara Lee North American Retail has announced the launch of the 10% Kona and Breakfast Blends of its Senseo Gourmet Coffee brand. Senseo gourmet coffee is now available in 15 brand varieties, including the two new blends.
Starbucks launches iPhone app with great perks
Starbucks unveiled its first two iPhone apps. The first, called MyStarbucks. The app allows you to use the phone's GPS capability to find nearby stores, plus other options.

Miscellaneous News  
ACTIVIST WATCH: Vegan Group Files Suit Against Kentucky Fried Chicken In SF Court
A national health advocacy group filed a lawsuit against fast-food chain KFC in San Francisco Superior Court this morning, saying the company must post warning signs because its new grilled chicken sandwiches contain carcinogens.
CATEGORY: We don't need more distortions in dairy
World prices for dairy products are around a third lower than they were for much of 2008 and 2007. Dairy producers from Tasmania to Vermont in the US are complaining. 
FOODSERVICE: Quick-Serve Loyalty Programs Remain Insignificant, Study Shows
A recent study from First Data, an information commerce provider that processes point-of-sale transactions, reported that the quick-service industry has one of the lowest participation rates in rewards programs when compared to other retail industries.
FOODSERVICE: A closer look at the $5 sandwich wars
In this down economy, diners are turning more and more to familiar comfort foods like burgers and sandwiches. So, it’s not surprising that fast-food and casual dining chains are making a push to promote their $5 subs. Here’s a look at what some chains are doing to lure us.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Minneapolis City Pages does taste test on Diet Mountain Dew UltraViolet
Mountain Dew's new Diet UltraViolet drink came out on shelves about a month ago. (Anyone tried it yet? Didn't think so.) The bright lavender-hued beverage is like the alien offspring of Windex and ectoplasm.
RESEARCH: With fancy coffees, calories can add up
Love your afternoon pick-me-up? A blended coffee beverage might hit the spot but pack on the pounds, a new study suggests. Get a blended beverage and you're looking at 239 calories on average -- 89 more than you're likely to find in a can of soda.
RESEARCH: Men's Blood Pressure Increased By High-Sugar Diet
A high-fructose diet raises blood pressure in men, while a drug used to treat gout seems to protect against the blood pressure increase, according to research reported at the American Heart Association's 63rd High Blood Pressure Research Conference.

States News  
ARIZONA: Coca-Cola targets local Hispanic market
Powerade billboards in Phoenix feature a prominent sports star. It’s not Arizona Cardinals’ Kurt Warner or Larry Fitzgerald, or Arizona Diamondbacks’ Dan Haren. In fact, if you aren’t up on Mexican soccer, you probably have no clue who it is.
CALIFORNIA: Nestlé's Patience Runs Dry on Bottling Plant
After six years of surprisingly contentious and frustrating attempts to bottle the glacier-fed spring water flowing in the small Northern California town of McCloud, Nestlé is giving up.
FLORIDA: Raw Milk Dropped In Florida
Whole Foods will stop selling raw milk in Florida on Sept. 30th. The Glades Ridge Dairy, one of 19 dairies in Florida licensed to sell raw milk for pet food, was recently temporarily suspended from selling its raw milk and cheese at the Alachua County Farmers Market. 
MICHIGAN: Kellogg VP: Education key to strong work force
When newly hired employees think about moving to the area, they want to know a few things about Battle Creek, said Celeste Clark, senior vice president of global nutrition and corporate affairs for Kellogg.
OKLAHOMA: Judge flirts with dismissing state's poultry case
A federal judge questioned whether Oklahoma's lawsuit against the Arkansas poultry industry should be dismissed because the state failed to name the Cherokee Nation as a plaintiff.
WASHINGTON: Amazon.com to Expand Food Delivery to All of Seattle
Amazon.com Inc., saying it’s learned from the mistakes of supermarket-delivery failures, is expanding its fresh-grocery business to the entire Seattle metropolitan area in the next three months.

WORLD News  
AUSTRALIA: Baby steps: Mr Natural takes a bite out of Heinz
A former restaurateur who started an all-natural premium baby food brand from scratch two years ago has taken millions of dollars in market share from the food giant Heinz, and is setting his sights on Nestle.
CANADA: After 100 years, Heinz plant looks to the future
The Tomato Capital of Canada could have become known as a pickle place if the H.J. Heinz Company had focused only on its first product in Leamington. 
Canada: Loblaw sees tough year ahead for grocers
The next 12 months will be a difficult time for grocers as they cope with falling food prices and weak consumer confidence, a top executive at Loblaw Cos said.
EUROPE: Fat caused 124,000 cancer cases in Europe: experts
More than 124,000 people in Europe developed cancer last year because they are overweight, and rising body fat levels threaten to add tens of thousands more to their ranks, experts said on Thursday.
SWEDEN: Swedes struggle to make sense of a new diet trend
A new diet has surfaced in Sweden recently, the Low-Carb High Fat diet (LCHF), but experts remain divided over the new method for trimming one’s waistline, The Local’s Caroline Gravel discovered.

CONSUMER BEHAVIOR/RESEARCH/trends     
09/21/09 — Latest IRI Study Finds Deal-Seeking Consumers Still Turning to Private Label (Business Wire)
09/16/09 — Wegmans Survey: Shoppers Want Easy, Healthy and Affordable Meals (Wegmans)
09/15/09 — Gen Y forces retailers to keep up with technology, new stuff (USA Today)
09/14/09 — Report: Consumers crave premium burgers (Boston Globe)
09/10/09 — Study: Online Shoppers Trust Customer Reviews More than Friends (Progressive Grocer)
09/10/09 — Mintel Beauty Innovation finds `beauty foods` growing in popularity (Reuters.com)
09/10/09 — Appetite grows for fun food innovations, experts say at Prepared Foods Magazine Conference (Palm Beach Post)
09/10/09 — Like Seat Belts ... Should Family Meals Be Mandated? (Pysche Central)
09/07/09 — In the Future, Your Kids Won’t Shop the Way You Do (Progressive Grocer)
09/04/09 — Top Consumer Trends: Trust, Control ... Playfulness? (Marketing Daily)
09/03/09 — Whole Foods Survey: Shoppers Eating More Meals at Home (PR Newswire)
08/31/09 — Consumer Reports: Store Brand Food Can Be Superior To Big Name Brands (Fox Business)
08/31/09 — NPD Research Reveals Snacking is on the Rise (Progressive Grocer)
08/27/09 — New Research: Convenience Makes a Comeback (Brandweek)
08/26/09 — Forget Saving the Planet: Green Consumers Out to Save Money (Progressive Grocer)
08/24/09 — Listening to Consumers Can Yield More Than Asking (Progressive Grocer)
08/20/09 — Consumers Skeptical of Organic, All-Natural Claims But Still Buy (Progressive Grocer)
08/19/09 — No comfort in comfort foods during tough economic times, says study (EurekAlert)
08/17/09 — Latest IRI Study Finds Shoppers Regaining Rationality; However, Price Still Rules (Business Wire)
08/13/09 — Comfort foods vary by age group, says study (Food Navigator)
08/05/09 — 70 Percent of Consumers Will Pay More for Positive Experience (Progressive Grocer)
07/31/09 — New Study: Just Expecting A Tasty Food Activates Brain Reward Systems (Science Daily)
07/22/09 — Survey: Recession Affecting Workers’ Eating Habits (Progressive Grocer)
07/21/09 — New Study Says Shopping Behaviors May Transcend Demographics (Business Wire)
08/27/09 — Recession Has Affected Shopper Mix in Stores: Report (Progressive Grocer)
08/20/09 — Nielsen Study: Consumers Stick with Basic Purchases (Brandweek)
07/17/09 — Study: Consumers Want More Innovative Packaged Goods (Progressive Grocer)
07/15/09 — PLMA Study: The Public Loves Private Label (Progressive Grocer)
07/14/09 — American shoppers misled by greenwash, Congress told (Ethiopian Review)
07/10/09 — Consumers Hesitant to Choose Store Brands for Kids and Pets (Brandweek)
07/08/09 — Boomerang kids? Get ready for boomerang parents (Capital City Weekly - Alaska)
07/07/09 — Study: Food Sales Increasingly Driven by Convenience and Health (Progressive Grocer)
07/07/09 — Recession Affects family dynamics, relationships to brands and spending patterns (Progressive Grocer)
07/01/09 — Role Reversal - Mr. Mom Goes Shopping (Nielsen)
07/01/09 — Millennials Are Evolving; Are You Keeping Up? (Adage.com)
06/30/09 — Peapod Survey says Office Workers Demanding Healthier Foods (Supermarket News)
06/30/09 — PLMA Poll: Consumers Will Keep Buying Private Label (Supermarket News)
06/28/09 — Report: Growing Number of Moms Using Social Media (Progressive Grocer)
06/25/09 — Kraft/Datamonitor Study: Probiotics Still Misunderstood (Brandweek)
06/23/09 — Recession generation? Young adults brace for simpler lifestyle (USA Today)

CONSUMERS/AFRICAN-AMERICANS  
09/19/09 — Pepsi Program Targets African-American Moms (Brandweek)
07/16/09 — CDC: African-Americans top obesity list (Food Navigator)
07/01/09 — How Coke Is Targeting Black Consumers (Adage.com)
06/01/09 — Smart marketers will recognize the changing African American demographics in America today (QSR Magazine)
05/11/09 — Black buying power to grow despite economic woes (St. Louis American)

CONSUMERS/HISPANIC AMERICANS
09/18/09 — A Deeper Drill-Down Into the US Hispanic Market (Mediapost.com)
09/08/09 — Hispanic Consumers: Upscale and Growing! (Progressive Grocer)
08/17/09 — Innovation Key to Meeting Needs of Latino Shoppers (Progressive Grocers)
08/12/09 — Are Hispanic Consumers a Cure for Recession Blues? (Progressive Grocer)
08/10/09 — Wal-Mart Debuts Club Store for Hispanics (Supermarket News)
07/21/09 — Report: Fewer Mexicans Entering U.S. (USA Today)
07/15/09 — Mintel: Hispanic Consumers Avoided Finance-Related Lifestyle Changes (Supermarket News)
07/02/09 — U.S. Latinos Flock to the Web (Brandweek)
06/03/09 — Study: Hispanics are Good Ad Targets in Downturn (Brandweek)
06/01/09 — Hispanic children in US at greater risk for obesity than other ethnic/racial groups (7th Space)

CONSUMERS/KIDS & TEENS     
08/25/09 — American Teens Weigh in on What ‘Healthy’ Means (Progressive Grocer)
08/05/09 — Kids Are Well Aware Which Foods Are Healthy, Finds Technomic (PR-inside)
08/04/09 — Study Says Parents Worried About Kids’ After-School Snacks (Progressive Grocer)
07/27/09 — More Dairy, Calcium in Childhood Could Mean Longer Life (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
07/23/09 — FCC is ready to stomp on commercialization geared towards children (Tomsguide.com)
07/23/09 — South Carolina case looks on child obesity as child abuse. But is it? (USA Today)
07/22/09 — Study: Overweight kids are more responsive to branded foods (Food Navigator)
08/21/09 — Study: Kids’ Menus Lack Variety, Healthful Options (Pizza Quarterly)
07/10/09 — Drexel U. Study: Many teens wired, caffeinated well past bedtime (Reuters Health)
06/25/09 — Study Refutes Notion that Teens' Media Habits Differ from Adults (Brandweek)
06/03/09 — The Keys to Meeting Youth Wellness Needs? Just Kid Inc. CEO Reveals Answers (Media Post)

CONSUMERS/SENIORS
09/16/09 — Study finds marketing opportunities with older consumers (The Packer)
07/27/09 — Today's Active Seniors are Experiencing Second Middle Age (Brandweek)
07/20/09 — Latest IRI Baby Boomer Report Reveals $50 Billion Growth Opportunity (Business Wire)

Food Safety  
09/22/09 — Salmonella Outbreak Fears Fade, Peanut butter consumers are back! (Omaha World-Herald)
09/21/09 — Study: U.S. food facilities flunk record-keeping test (DC Velocity)
09/21/09 — Food Marketing Institute Revamps Recall Portal (Supermarket News)
09/09/09 — Most Likely U.S. Voters Want Stronger Food Safety Rules: Poll (Progressive Grocer)
09/08/09 — FDA Launches Food Safety Initiative (Med Page Today)
09/04/09 — Nearly a third of Americans ‘very or extremely’ worried about food safety (Food Navigator)
08/25/09 — Editorial: "An appetite for change in food safety" (Grand Rapids Press, MI)
08/13/09 — With IBM's Help, America's Food Safety Back on Front Burner (Miller-McCune.com)
07/27/09 — Contaminated Food: A More Watchful Eye Needed (NPR.org)
07/23/09 — Which is Worse? Germs in our Food or the Antibiotics that Kill Them? (Foodconsumer.org)
07/22/09 — Food Recall? Consumers May Not Get A Clear Picture Of The Process (Science Daily)
07/15/09 — The Next Foodborne Threat? MRSA infections from contaminated meat (Food Poison Journal)
07/12/09 — AMI Poll: Consumers Need More Knowledge on Meat, Poultry Safety (Progressive Grocer)
07/07/09 — Obama administration takes action on food safety (Reuters.com)
06/24/09 — Survey: Less Than 20% of Consumers Trust Food They Buy Is Safe and Healthy (PR Newswire)
06/09/09 — Editorial: Congress needs to empower FDA to protect our food (Belleville News Democrat, IL)
05/15/09 — Food Companies Placing Onus for Safety on Consumers (CNBC.com)

Health & WELLNESS  
09/21/09 — Healthy Eating Study Finds Ongoing Opportunity for Produce (Progressive Grocer)
09/21/09 — Are health claims curbing freedom of speech? (Food Navigator)
09/18/09 — ‘Gut friendly’ pizza – coming to a neighborhood near you (Food Navigator)
09/18/09 — Unhealthy U.S. Diets Prompt More Calls For Reform (Reuters.com)
09/16/09 — Meat additives not linked to brain tumors: Study (Food Navigator)
09/15/09 — Research Update: Junk food makes you eat more (Telegraph of London, UK)
09/15/09 — Organic’s crunch: Once high-flying firms face three big threats to growth (Christian Science Monitor)
09/14/09 — Putting the Function in Beverages (Natural Insider)
09/14/09 — Organic foods are now ‘mainstream’, says USDA (Food Navigator)
09/14/09 — Datamonitor: How to keep the omega-3 health halo (Nutra Ingredients)
09/11/09 — French study says organic food is healthier (Food Navigator)
09/08/09 — Eating cereal can reduce childhood obesity, study claims (Food Navigator)
09/08/09 — Big Food’s “Smart Choices” Label Raises Eyebrows at FDA (Grist.org)
09/08/09 — Acrylamide: The consumer health scare that isn’t (Food Navigator)
09/04/09 — Americans Don’t Know They’re unhealthy, says Mintel (Food Navigator)
09/04/09 — Study: Late-night snacks could pack on the pounds (Reuters.com)
09/04/09 — U. of Illinois Researcher Petitions to Ban Trans Fats in the Diet (Health Jockey)
09/03/09 — Research shows US consumers ‘unaware of acrylamide’ (Food Navigator)
09/02/09 — Expert panel says Sucralose safety Evidence is ‘scientifically sound’ (Food Navigator)
09/02/09 — Sixty percent of adults can't digest milk (USA Today)
09/02/09 — Too Much Government Makes Us Sick (Action Institute)
08/31/09 — Mintel: Energy Drinks Not Likely to Be Healthy Anytime Soon (QSR Magazine)
08/27/09 — Probiotics: Better Off Dead? (US News & World Report)
08/27/09 — Organic food: Behind the hype (ABC 6, Boise, Idaho)
08/25/09 — Stop eating so much sugar, American Heart Assn. says (Los Angeles Times)
08/25/09 — Kelly Brownell: America may be souring on love affair with over-processed...fatty food (New Haven Independent, CT)
08/25/09 — Feeling the Pinch, Fewer Consumers Can Afford Healthy Food Options (Business Wire)
08/23/09 — Wellness Demand, Health Science Driving Functional Foods Market Growth (Progressive Grocer)
08/20/09 — Marketers Answer Call to Eliminate High-Fructose Corn Syrup (Adage.com)
08/20/09 — Report: Consumers devour nutrient-spiked food, drinks (MSNBC)
08/21/09 — ‘Unknown’ cholesterol in processed food poses big heart health risk (Food Navigator)
08/19/09 — High-Fiber Foods May Be Easier to Stomach This Time Around (Wall Street Journal)
08/19/09 — Behavioral nutrition is one weapon in obesity fight (bnd.com)
08/18/09 — Folic Acid: Mandatory Fortification May Be Unnecessary (Science Daily)
08/18/09 — New Research Shows Antioxidants Abound in Cereals, Popcorn, Whole-Grain Snacks (Health.com)
08/13/09 — Chocolate cuts death rate in heart attack survivors (Asia One News)
08/13/09 — How consumers approach functional foods: Survey (Food Navigator)
08/12/09 — Do high-fat diets make us stupid and lazy (EurekAlert.org)
08/12/09 — Artificial Sweeteners Not Linked to Cancer (Food Navigator)
08/11/09 — Two glasses of fruit juice or carbonated drink each day may cause long-term liver damage (Daily Mail, UK)
08/11/09 — Optimists live longer, healthier lives, women's study shows (Foodconsumer.org)
08/10/09 — Food manufacturers introduce new front-of-pack logo to convey healthy choices (AFN)
08/05/09 — Friendship Influences Eating Behavior, Particularly When Friends Are Overweight (Science Daily)
08/05/09 — Does zero mean zero? Not always with trans fats (ABC Action News)
07/27/09 — Tough love for fat people: Tax their food to pay for healthcare (LA Times)

MARKETING
09/09/09 — How Visual Merchandising Can Help Boost Supermarket Spending (Progressive Grocer)
09/03/09 — Study: Social Net Branding Fails to Sway Women (Brandweek)
08/27/09 — Brand Players Should Be Wary Of Store Brand Growth (TheStreet.com)
08/25/09 — Word-of-Mouth Gains Volume (Brandweek)
08/12/09 — Peel n' Taste, the New Scratch n' Sniff (The Pitch)
08/11/09 — What's in a brand name?, well everything (Televisionpoint.com)
08/03/09 — As a Term, ‘Green’ a Best-Seller, But at What Cost? (Environmental Leader)
07/20/09 — Taste sensation: Ads work better if all senses are involved (Eurekalert.org)
07/14/09 — The Pros and Cons of Co-Branding (CIO Today)
07/13/09 — Study: Interactive Marketing to Hit $55 Billion by 2014 (Marketing Vox)
07/13/09 — Subliminal messages fail to control behavior (Canada.com)
06/25/09 — More marketers connect with consumers through mobile apps (USA Today)

NANOTECHNOLOGY
08/19/09 — Safe approach to nanotechnology: Boiling up zinc oxide nanorods without toxic solvents (Physorg.com)
07/07/09 — Defining Nanotech: Size Does Matter (Food Navigator)
06/21/09 — Study Says Most U.S. families Buy Organic (Progressive Grocer)
06/08/09 — At IFT: Nanoscience to boost food safety, quality and shelf life (Food Navigator)
05/17/09 — Consumer groups sound the alarm over nanotechnology (Palm Beach Post)

PACKAGING
09/14/09 — Revealed: The secrets of successful food packaging (Confectionery News)
09/08/09 — The Rise of Sustainable Packaging (Food Product Design)
08/31/09 — Food "Tattoos" an Alternative to Labels for Identifying Fruit (Fresh Plaza)
08/10/09 — Marketers That Shrank Products - Though Not Prices - Start to Upsize (Ad Age)
07/21/09 — Food Industry Continues Move to Sustainable Packaging (Environmental Leader)
07/16/09 — Demand grows for 'intelligent' packaging (Packaging Magazine)
07/08/09 — Study: Americans Less Worried about Wasteful Packaging (Progressive Grocer)

R&D/FOOD SCIENCE
09/22/09 — Green Profits: Room Temperature Ice Cream CNBC.com)
09/08/09 — Is any publicity good publicity for food science? (Food Navigator)
09/03/09 — Mom Site Targets Kraft; Artificial colors not for some but for U.S. (Examiner.com)
08/28/09 — Research studies: "Inconclusive" Doesn't Mean "Unscientific" (Nutrition Data)

RESTAURANTS & INSTITUTIONS
09/17/09 — Technomic gives downbeat outlook for restaurants (Nation's Restaurant News)

SALT/SODIUM  
09/15/09 — Canadian Study Says Voluntary action on sodium by Industry is not enough (Food Navigator)
09/12/09 — Lowering sodium consumption could save 18 billion annually in health costs (Science Centric)
08/24/09 — Taste question mark hangs over low-salt products (AusFoodNews.com)
08/24/09 — Is lowering sodium a Campbell's gamble? (Kentucky Post)
08/13/09 — Mintel: Sodium is the Next Trans Fat (Supermarket News)
08/12/09 — Why MSG allergy is fake science (The Guardian, UK)
07/28/09 — CSPI's Jacobson: Salt is "single deadliest ingredient in the food supply" (Examiner.com)
07/23/09 — Unsafe Sodium Levels at Denny’s Prompt Class Action Lawsuit (CSPI Newsroom)
07/02/09 — MSG hangs on after decades of demonization (MSNBC.msn.com)
06/24/09 — Are Cheerios too high in salt to be a healthy baby snack? (Vancouver Sun)
06/15/09 — Push to cut salt would shake up food industry (San Francisco Chronicle)
06/01/09 — New findings on salty taste may inspire ways to trick the tongue (Chemical & Engineering News)
05/29/09 — Vinegar could be used for salt reduction (Food Navigator)

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