These innovative and customized new products attempt to attract teenagers the way that sugar-coated cereals attract children or low-fat dessert products attract dieting adults.

With teenagers representing approximately 25 million citizens in the U.S. alone, coupled with their influence over what their parents purchase at the grocery store, the teen-focused advertising appears to be a wise marketing decision. Over 80 percent of U.S. teens reported helping their parents choose items at the grocery store at least some of the time, according to Mintel.

And manufacturers know that teens are obsessed with trends and often hold opinions on what they will or will not eat. For their influence as well as their numbers, food and drink manufacturers would like to secure the teen consumer as a purchaser and follower.

Food and beverage manufacturers targeting the teen market know that packaging and branding strikes a chord with teens. Many use bold product names and bright, colorful packaging to attract the teen consumer. Others take it a step further by connecting with key aspects of teen culture, such as musical tastes and fashion styles. Convenience is also an important strategy when marketing to teens. Mintel’s 2006 survey of U.S. teens revealed that over three-quarters prepare their own meals at home.

Mintel expects to see substantial teen-centric product development globally and reports that striking a balance between style and substance will likely lead to the most successful products for teens.

More than half (52 percent) of Americans purchased organic foods in the past year, while more than a quarter (26 percent) went for organic beverages, according to the research. And nearly a third of adults now report purchasing organic products “as often as possible.”

In 2006 nearly 1600 new organic food and beverage products launched in the U.S. – more than twice the number released in 2002 (732). And retail grocers currently feature over 300 private label organic products and entire departments dedicated to organic foods.

Mintel expects strong, consistent growth for the organic food and beverage market. However, it predicts a decline in the rate of growth. Organic food sales are expected to rise 59 percent by 2012, while the organic beverage market is projected to grow by nearly two-thirds (65 percent) in that time.

The research also showed the prices for organic food and drink still turn off many consumers. Mintel’s consumer survey revealed that two-thirds of Americans said they would buy more organics if the products cost less. This suggests potential interest in less expensive private label brands, which seem poised to change the face of organic retail.

Flavorings currently fall under directive 88/388 which covers flavoring preparations, process flavorings, smoke flavorings, and three categories of flavoring substances - natural, nature identical (NI) and artificial.

But the proposed regulation looks to replace process flavors with “thermal process flavors” – that is flavorings obtained after a heat treatment from a mixture of ingredients that do not necessarily have flavoring properties themselves. One ingredient must contain an amino nitrogen and one be a reducing sugar.

It also does away with the NI and artificial categories of flavoring substances – a big change, since the claim that a food "contains no artificial flavoring” currently holds much marketing sway.

The new proposal also adds two new categories: precursor flavorings, such as an unheated blend of xylose and cystene, for example, which is heated and reacts inside a food; and a catch all category called “other flavorings”.

Among the many challenges on the proposed regulations are the evaluation and approval process, the labeling of flavorings which contain some sections that are unclear and open to interpretation, the definition of “natural” and reporting requirements of flavoring substances added to foods in the EU.

At present the new regulation is being discussed in the European Council and Parliament, and it is expected that it will be adopted in mid-2008. With two years for full enactment, the new regulation would then fully apply by mid-2010.

The database will be used by scientists to help guide ongoing research into how antioxidants may correlate to health benefits. As an example, many fruits and vegetables are known to be good sources of antioxidant vitamins, such as E, C and beta carotene, a form of vitamin A. But these natural foods also contain other compounds, collectively known as phytonutrients, that may contribute to health.

Many of the fruits, nuts, vegetables and spices listed were analyzed for their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). Studies were also conducted on the ability of antioxidants to be absorbed and utilized within the human body. The database can be accessed at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata/ORAC

February 8, 2008 - NAFFS Winter Meeting, The French Culinary Institute, N.Y., N.Y.