The NAFFS staff wishes all members and their families a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. NAFFS also thanks its members for their support throughout 2005 – whether it was in the form of corporate sponsorship, placing an ad in the NAFFS Yearbook, or serving on a committee. NAFFS values its members and the many ways they contribute to the success of NAFFS.

FDA DENIES GENERAL MILLS
DEFINITIONS PETITION

A petition filed by General Mills seeking approval of definitions for “excellent source,” “good source,” and “made with” whole grains was denied by FDA. The decision was based on concerns over the possibility certain products labeled as “made with whole grains” may not be good sources of dietary fiber and could confuse consumers. Also, the use of “excellent source” is normally associated with nutrients.

The petition states that the descriptions for whole grain are neither nutrient content nor health claims. In addition, the petition states that “whole grain” is a substance and not a broad category of food.

FDA replied that the use of certain terms, such as “excellent source” and “good source,” in conjunction with “whole grain” clearly resemble nutrient content claims. Based on what FDA stated about whole grains as an implied claim about fiber in the 1993 nutrient content claim final rule, the use of such terms with whole grains would be considered to be implied nutrient content claims about the fiber in whole grains. “Excellent source” and “good source” have been defined for use with nutrients that have an established reference daily intake (RDI) or daily reference value (DRV) in nutrient content claims. There is no RDI or DRV for whole grains.

Although FDA denied the petition, it acknowledged the need for action on this topic. The recommendations from the recent “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” 2005 demonstrate that consumers can benefit from increased consumption of whole grains. FDA stated it is reviewing options on how to classify certain statements about food, including possible approaches on how to provide useful information to the public on whole grains. FDA is also considering the development of guidance on what FDA considers the term “whole grains” to include. In its response, FDA advised that manufacturers can currently use factual statements on food labels such as “10 grams of whole grains” and “100% whole grain oatmeal,” provided the statements are not false or misleading.

STUDY REVEALS HISPANICS’
EATING HABITS

A study of Hispanics in America reveals that the more acculturated they become, the more they take on American eating habits, according to a new study by The NPD Group. With acculturation comes an increased focus on quick and convenient meals and a movement away from foods traditionally preferred by Hispanics.

Results of The NPD Group's At the Table with Hispanic Families across America report show that eggs, tea, chips, potatoes, and frozen dinners/entrees/pot pies/sandwiches are foods that become more popular as Hispanics acculturate. Leaf salads, fresh vegetables, fruit juice, milk, tortillas, and fresh fruit are foods that become less popular with acculturation.

Hispanics are more likely to cook from scratch than non-Hispanics. However, the importance of homemade cooking declines as Hispanics acculturate. Even the most acculturated Hispanics cook from scratch more often than the general population though. Findings include:

FALL OF VANILLA PRICES
HURTS MADAGASCAR’S GROWERS

The price of vanilla beans has dropped to its lowest in years. While Madagascar still produces 60 percent of the world's vanilla beans, the future is uncertain as other countries move to profit from vanilla's enduring popularity and food makers turn to less-expensive imitation flavors, reported The Seattle Times. Many companies have begun buying more of its vanilla from Indonesia, India and Vietnam.

The only upside in Madagascar is that armed bandits have less incentive to steal vanilla now that the price has sunk from average highs of about $230 per kilogram at one point in 2003 all the way to $25, a level not seen since the late 1990s. Prices had been rising as worldwide supplies failed to keep pace with international demand in the late 1990s.

YEARBOOK
COVER CHOSEN

Congratulations to Dorothy Coffee of Monmouth University who submitted the winning design for NAFFS 2006 Yearbook. A record-breaking number of votes were recorded and Cover #2 was selected.

Dorothy is a senior at Monmouth University, who has demonstrated the ability to conceptualize and design award-winning illustrations. She will be graduating in 2006 with a BA in computer graphics.

NAFFS WELCOMES
NEW MEMBER

Be sure to save these dates when filling in your calendars:

Feb. 10, 2006 – NAFFS Winter Meeting, The French Culinary Institute, N.Y., N.Y.

March 23, 2006 – NAFFS California Meeting, Anaheim, Cal.

April 25, 2006 – NAFFS Technical Meeting, Edison, N.J.

October 12-15, 2006 – NAFFS 89th Annual Convention, The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Fla.