BeneoBeat - Digestible news for food professionals

Functional beverages have made a big splash over the last five years and the market has grown by 195%* in volume becoming saturated with choice. Since 2002 there has been increased product development within the healthy water sector. By 2006 a total of almost 750 new products with health claims were launched globally. Added vitamins, calcium and other minerals have all proven popular with consumers but the newest arrivals Beneo™ inulin and oligofructose, also known as prebiotics, are becoming increasingly active in this arena due to their significant technical and nutritional functions. More.

From 1st July 2007, the Health Claims Regulation will enforce harmonised rules for the use of nutrition and health claims on food and drinks. In recent years, as consumers have become increasingly health conscious, the food industry has responded with innovation and by providing more detailed nutritional labelling and often making claims about the beneficial effects of certain foods. But without EU rules on labelling consumers, at times have been misled by claims that have not been substantiated. More.