Prepared Foods Exclusive: Flavors in Confections Top confection flavors in 2007 included a number of fruity flavors, while variations on chocolate dominated the top product launches. Sweet on Sweetened Beverages Over the past two decades, the number of adults consuming sugar-sweetened beverages has increased dramatically. Merisant Files Bankruptcy Merisant Worldwide Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, hobbled by sliding sales. Salmonella Outbreak The CDC linked it to a peanut butter facility in Georgia. Consumers Confront Difficult Economic Reality Shoppers will permanently change several of their most important rituals involved in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) products they select, purchase and use. GMA and Sodium Sodium and Salt: A Guide for Consumers, Policymakers and the Media aims to provide information on sodium and salt. Sara Lee Adds Nutritional Spotlight The new labeling provides consumers with essential nutrition facts. AvocadoMan Joins Organic Alliance Organic Alliance Inc. completed its acquisition of the AvocadoMan brand business. Return to Top

Editorial Podcasts A weekly series on Trends, Development, Menu Trends, Regulation Updates and Innovation. * * * * * Capturing the Essence of Southeast Asia Discovering the Trends The Changing Nature of Sports Drinks

Caffeine's Spooky Side-effects Too much coffee not only makes sleeping difficult but can appear to wake the dead. Campbell's Reduces Sodium in Soup for Children Campbell Soup Company reformulated its 12 Campbell's Kids soups, reformulated to contain 480mg of sodium per serving. Low-carb and Controlling Diabetes A low-carb diets that encourages eating carbohydrates with the lowest-possible rating on the glycemic index led to greater improvement in blood sugar control. Microwave Sterilization The feasibility of peanut beverage sterilization by continuous microwave heating as an alternative to conventional ultrahigh temperature (UHT) system processing has been studied. Adding a Coat Researchers have explored the potential for adding a coating to asparagus to improve quality and shelflife. Wendy's to Revamp Breakfast Menu The company hopes to reintroduce its breakfast menu nationwide two years from now. Pressuring Oysters A study investigated the influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in oysters. Cheese Findings Researchers concluded, "The new recombinant yeast strain could represent a novel and excellent source of rennet for the cheesemaking industry." Crumbling Different processes to bake a particular recipe resulted in a drastically different baking experiment . Return to Top   Full PureCircle Former Tate & Lyle sales and marketing vice president Jordi Ferre has joined PureCircle USA as vice president and general manager. Campbell Appoints VP Maureen Linder is vice president of Global Advertising and Design. DNA Names VP Russ Rickon has been promoted to national vice president of Sales. Return to Top