Food Sales: Healthier

Consumers looking for health and convenience continued to fuel trends in global food and beverage growth, according to research released by AC Nielsen last week. Of the seven categories enjoying double-digit revenue growth between July 2003 and July 2004, five—soy-based drinks, drinkable yogurts, eggs, sports/energy drinks and sugar substitutes—promoted health or weight-loss benefits. The remaining two—cereal/muesli/fruit bars and refrigerated complete meals—traded off of portability and ease in preparation.

“With a significantly aging population, people are saying ‘I want to be healthy’ at the same time the media is pumping up coverage of obesity and diabetes,” explained the author of the report, Jane Perrin, Nielsen managing director of global services.