Contents:

- Executive Summary -- Scope and Research Methodology --- Scope --- Research Methodology -- Introduction and Key Findings --- Introduction --- Key Findings - Technology Overview -- Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods --- Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements --- Functional and Probiotic Foods -- Specialty Nutrition --- Nutrition for Treating Medical Conditions --- Sports and Fitness Nutrition - Analysis of Technology Adoption Factors -- Technology Accelerators; Roadblocks and Challenges --- Technology and Product Accelerators --- Technology Roadblocks and Challenges -- Market Factors and Regulatory Standards --- Market Factors --- Regulations and Standards - Assessment of Technology Innovations -- Technology Innovations on the Corporate Frontier --- Innovative Products for a Healthy Lifestyle--USA --- Special Supplement for Working Adults--India --- Valio's New Milk Aids Control Obesity--Finland --- Probiotic Tablets to Enhance Gastrointestinal Health--Denmark --- Study Reveals the Addition of Protein to Carbohydrate-Based Sports Drink Enhances its Nutritional Value--Netherlands --- Innovative Products for the Functional Food and Beverage Market--Germany --- Microencapsulated Chewable Vitamin and Mineral Supplements--Israel --- Low Glycemic Carbohydrate 'Palatinose' Developed--Germany --- Ready to Eat Nutrition Bar Formulated with DHA Supplement--USA --- Soybean Oil to Ensure the Elimination of Trans Fats from Food Products--USA --- Nutrition Bar for Active Moms--USA --- Milk Product with Probiotic Strains--Spain --- Prenatal Vitamin Goes All Natural and Vegetarian--USA --- Adding Jellyfish to antiaging Drugs for Neuroprotection--USA --- Lipid Nutrition Develops a New Appetite Supressor--Netherlands --- Nutrition-Packed Snack Alternatives--USA --- 'NovaSol' Technology Applied to Soy Isoflavones--Germany --- Nutrition Research at Frutarom--Israel --- Novel Process to Produce Omega-3 from Algae--Switzerland --- Animal-Free Beta-Carotene for the Functional Foods Market--Netherlands --- Soy Isoflavones for Insulin Resistance--Israel --- Whey Protein Diet Bars Facilitates Weight Loss--USA --- Liquid Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Beverages--Germany --- New Dietary Fiber Imparts Better Gut Health--USA --- Vitamin Fortified Isotonic Sports Drink--USA --- Advanced Mineral Line for a Synergistic Effect--Israel --- Active Kefir Cultures for Boosting Immune System in Children--USA -- Technology Innovations in Academia --- Low-Fat and High-Fiber Diet to Reverse Diabetes--USA --- Research at the Institute of Food Research--UK --- Enzymes to Enhance Human Nutrition--USA --- New Wheat Beneficial for Bowel Health and Obesity--Australia --- Nutrition Research at US Agricultural Research Service--USA --- Investigating Courses of Plasma Choline and Betaine during Pregnancy--Netherlands --- Extracting Selenium from Plant Sources--USA - Patents; Database of Key Industry Participants and Glossary -- Patents --- US Patents --- European Patents --- Asian Patents -- Database of Key Industry Participants and Glossary --- Key Industry Participants --- Glossary - Frost & Sullivan 2006 Science and Technology Awards -- Excellence in Technology Award --- Award Description --- Award Recipient -- Product Innovation Award --- Award Description --- Award Recipient - Decision Support Database -- Database Tables --- Sweeteners Production (000 Tons); By Regions; 1999-2006 --- Soybean Oil Production (000 Tons); By Regions; 1999-2006 --- Sunflower Seed Oil Production (000 Tons); By Regions; 1999-2006 --- Fish Body and Liver Oil Production (000 Tons); By Regions; 1999-2006 --- Olive Oil Production (000 Tons); By Regions; 1999-2006 --- Cheese Production (000 Tons); By Regions; 1999-2006

Summary:

Rise in Medical Complaints Increases the Importance of Better Diet and Nutrition There is a growing awareness among consumers about the role of diet and nutrition leading to better health and general well being. With the increasing incidence of medical conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, the importance of incorporating nutritious and healthy ingredients in the normal daily diet has increased. Researchers and scientists are devoting resources and time to study the rising incidence of obesity, which is causing ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory as well as heart diseases. In this scenario, the food industry is perceived to be highly responsible for the rise in obesity and there have been many instances where food companies have been held responsible by consumers for their obesity and have also been sued. However, after the passing of ‘Cheeseburger bill’, food enterprises are less susceptible to such risks, though there is pressure from the government and consumers to develop new methods to boost the nutrition profile of food products. In parallel, incidents such as the avian flu in poultry and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle have forced marketers and consumers to opt for animal content-free food products. Food ingredient companies are now concentrating on developing synthetic variants by reconsidering the carriers used and looking for vegetarian sources for a number of their products. "There is also a growing demand for organic foods that consist of higher levels of essential minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins and are not treated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals that leave high levels of residue," notes the analyst of this research service. "The absence of additives that causes serious health issues is another factor contributing to the popularity of organic foods." Consumers Show Preference for Functional Food Products Yielding Quicker Results Increasing number of the health-conscious consumers regularly check the nutrition labels on food packages before buying them and for a large population, the purchase decision hinges on the nutritional content in the food. In several countries, customers opt for self-medication and alternative methods of staying healthy, such as through consuming functional foods and drinks. Likewise, consumers prefer those functional products that target health conditions wherein quick results - in terms of improved energy levels, gut health, and condition of skin, hair and nail - can be obtained. "In case of herbal supplements, the level of acceptance is less when compared to vitamins and minerals, which could be due to their perceived lower efficacy levels or lesser awareness of their benefits," states the analyst. "Effectively, an aging population concerned with long-term health and the heightened emphasis on overall health is contributing to an increase in the demand for functional health products."