 |
LEADING TRENDS Globalization, environmental consciousness and increasing awareness of the relationship between our diet and our health and nutrition have contributed to changes in the way we shop and the way we eat. Whether in the food manufacturing industry or the restaurant business, the hottest food trends sweeping the globe are: Ethnic Food , Bio-Organic Food and Functional Food. |
|
Ethnic Cooking: International business and migration have contributed to one of the hottest trends in the global food market: ethnic foods. Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine are among the ethnic foods growing in popularity in the West, in addition to Chinese food, which has been a long-time favorite. Seaweed is an essential ingredient in Far Eastern dishes. In Australia and New Zealand, for instance, nearly 100 varieties of seaweeds are commonly used in sushi, soups, salads, flavorings and ‘straight-up´. The U.S. ethnic foods market alone is estimated to generate $75 billion in annual sales, equivalent to $1 out of every $7 being spent on groceries. The niche is sustaining an annual growth rate of 14% in the United States, Europe and Asia. |
|
Bio-Organic Food: Organic food sales are growing rapidly. The attraction to organic foods is directly related to their health benefits: One of the most significant health benefits associated eating organic food rests in the fact that organic grown food items are pure, and free from any potentially harmful chemicals. Organic foods have been proven to be less likely to contribute to cancer and other illnesses, and even more encouraging, some of these food are richer in anti-oxidants than their non-organic counterparts, thus helping to prevent such diseases. Organic, and the more strictly bio-organic foods are foods cultivated and processed in accordance to stringent rules and regulations*, assuring that only natural fertilizers and pesticides come into contact with them. Seakura Seaweeds, are recognized as an environmentally-friendly crop. Consumers of organic foods recognize that they are helping to reduce environmental pollution by not purchasing items contaminated with chemicals, passed to animals and humans through the food chain. Organic food sales are growing rapidly, both in developed and developing nations, outpacing by far the growth of the rest of the food industry. It is estimated that in North America and Europe, 75% of food stores stock some organic products. Leading international food manufacturers are increasing their organic product range and many new players are emerging in the niche. |
|
Functional Food: As people become increasingly deliberate about what they eat and understand the power food has to impact their health and well-being, the functional food sector is increasing in popularity and economical potential. Green Seaweed and Red Seaweed are examples of functional food ingredients; functional foods are those containing modified food or ingredient that boosts the potentially healthful qualities and benefits beyond the traditional nutrients they contain. Both our Green and Red Seaweed are packed with high levels of vitamins and nutrients. Add them to soups, breads, pastas, crackers, processed foods, pre-prepared meals to enhance their taste, flavor, color, aroma, nutritional value and overall desirability and aesthetics. |