Empire Kosher uses Kosherfest to launch new frozen products.

This summer, I found myself touring of some of Israel’s food, beverage and nutritional ingredient and supplement industries, courtesy of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, and this is the first of my three part report on this Western-oriented island in the middle of the Levant.

Cereal and snack bars may have seen sales growth ebb and flow in recent years, but the segment has enjoyed significant new product development. Weight management, allergen concerns, and overall health and wellness have been at the forefront of efforts.

Both kosher- and halal-certified products convey a sense of food quality and safety to consumers, proving the recent growth in both markets goes beyond religion. Speakers at two Prepared Foods’ R&DSeminars provided information and insight on what makes these two markets perfect mainstream cross-overs.