From the Ancients

Following the wave of whole-grain claims in breakfast cereals, ancient grains have increasingly been incorporated into breakfast cereal formulations. Millet, amaranth, quinoa, chia and spelt comprise a sampling of these grains, which have strong health positioning and are rich in vitamins and protein. Europe and North America have accounted for the bulk of this activity, and breakfast cereals incorporating ancient grains had more than doubled in North America from 2009 to late-November 2010. However, this product development is certainly global in scale. In Australia, Olive Green Organics has launched Royal Quinoa Rolled, an organic, protein-rich porridge. The gluten- and cholesterol-free product can be prepared in three minutes, if consumed as a quick porridge, but can also be used as a topping on yogurts or dairy drinks.

In Singapore, Food for Health has launched The Fruit Free Clusters with Chia. Chia seeds contain omega-3, protein and dietary fiber, and the breakfast cereal is free from gluten, fruit, peanuts and dairy. In Finland, Rude Health's The Granola is an organic multigrain cereal with oats, spelt, barley, toasted nuts and amaranth. Free from added salt and refined sugar, the cereal is high in fiber. In Indonesia, Orgran Super Grains Multigrain O's with Quinoa Breakfast Cereal is a natural quinoa with 15% protein rich legume for sustained fullness. The product is naturally gluten-free, high in protein and complemented with psyllium to boost essential dietary fiber and calcium carbonate as a non-dairy source of calcium.

Information in this column is from the Global New Products Database, the premier source of global product intelligence, published by Mintel International Group; 351 W. Hubbard, 8th Floor; Chicago, IL 60610; call: 312-932-0600; fax: 312-932-0474; or e-mail atillman@mintel.com.pf