August 06, 2003 Recent News
FDA to relax rules on health claims
Gallup poll: most Americans reject obesity lawsuit argument
McConnell introduces bill aimed at stopping obesity lawsuits
Gourmet-like meal solutions
The UK's Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) says convenience is the key factor in food choice and demand is likely continue to increase, given that those who are now in their 30s are not likely to suddenly begin cooking when they are older. The three primary ways the industry is responding to the desire for indulgence and convenience through meals solutions is by restaurant style ready meals, meal kits and home meal replacement. According to IGD research, the boundaries between foodservice and food retail are blurring. Until five years ago, meal solution innovations focused on single products, but most recently the trend has been to bring together separate products to design genuine meal solutions, and they can be located in almost every section of a food store. They are categorized into four segments, according to the level of consumer participation needed: ready-to-make meal solutions, ready-to-prepare meal solutions, ready-to-heat meal solutions and ready-to-eat meal solutions. These also are defined and product examples are given. According to Mintel research, the British are the largest consumers of ready meals in Europe. While demand for instant ready meals increased 29% in the 1998-2002 periods across Europe as a whole, British demand was up 44%. Ingredient Strategist reports that total consumption of all ready meal products increased from over 1.9 million tonnes in 1999 to over 2.1 million tonnes in 2001, and Leatherhead data projects that the European ready meal market will increase almost 4% a year to reach 6.8 billion euro by 2005. In the sector, frozen and chilled meals are expected to continue to pull market share away from canned and ambient meals. Since most consumer demands on the ready meal market are being met, the total sector is expected to grow steadily rather than dramatically.
(Extracted from World of Food Ingredients, 6/1/2003)
FDA to relax rules on health claims
The Food & Drug Administration has a high priority on establishing a new "weight of evidence" standard for use in determining what constitutes qualified health claims for foods. Such a standard could allow for a health claim to be used "as long as the balance of available scientific evidence favors [the] claim at the moment, and as long as they [the food company] accurately and fully describe inquiry into the benefits as inconclusive and perhaps subject to change after further investigation." This would put more responsibility on both the food companies to make appropriate claims and on consumers to understand the claims. One food industry lawyer commented that the FDA would be protecting "a normal consumer, acting reasonably," not "the village idiot." Not all parties agree with the FDA's new direction. One dietary supplement manufacturer called the possible new standard "extremely flaky." The FDA has convened a Task Force on Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition, which is seeking input from the food industry and consumers on six questions to help formulate the standard. The questions address the scientific evidence appropriate for a claim, factoring in safety concerns, what claims are ready for consideration now, when should disclaimers come into play, how should the FDA evaluate consumers understanding of claims, and whether conventional foods and dietary supplements should be treated similarly or differently.
(Extracted from New Nutrition Business, 6/1/2003)
Who's to blame for fat?
Former White House economic adviser Todd Buckholz has written a study for the US Chamber of Commerce that finds there is little evidence that fast food is the cause of obesity in the US. Increased weight is said to be the result of super-sized snacks, eaten primarily at home, not fattier fast foods. According to the study, Americans have doubled caloric intake between meals. That, plus such trends as cheaper foods, rising personal income, more sedentary jobs and overall laziness are culprits, Buckholz says. The director for nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest says that fast-food marketing is a significant contributor to the weight problem and while its practices are not solely responsible, they are contributors. According to a George Washington University law professor, the report from the Chamber of Commerce underscores fears of the fast food industry that it will become the next Big Tobacco. He says actions to remove the onus from itself remind him of early attempts by tobacco companies to say that tobacco does not cause lung cancer. While food companies are cleaning up their act, "they are trying to prove the unproveable and deny the undeniable." The president of the Chamber said changes among fast food companies to create healthier meals and offer more choices are being made as an adjustment to changing consumer tastes, not because of fear of litigation.
(Extracted from AFX Asia, 7/3/2003)
Gallup poll: most Americans reject obesity lawsuit argument
In a Gallup Poll of over 1,000 adults conducted in early July, 89% opposed holding the fast food industry legally responsible for health problems of customers. When asked to determine how responsible the industry was for obesity-related health problems, 6% said "very," 27% said "somewhat" and 41% said "not responsible at all." Most US adults seemed to be generally aware that most fast food is not good for them (about 75%), while 23% believed it is good for them.
(Extracted from Food Chemical News Daily, 7/25/2003)
McConnell introduces bill aimed at stopping obesity lawsuits
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has introduced legislation that would protect food makers and sellers from obesity related lawsuits. The bill, called the "Commonsense Consumption Act," is similar to a House bill introduced (and later dropped) by Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL) in January, that has been heavily criticized by consumer groups. The bill would prohibit the bringing of any claims "based on alleged injury related to obesity or weight gain in either a state or federal court against a lawful food maker or seller." It would cover all foods, ingredients and beverages as defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The bill allows for suits claiming injury from consumption of adulterated foods and knowing violations of state or federal food laws.
(Extracted from Food Chemical News Daily, 7/21/2003)
