Functional Foods article

[Judy Doherty 76352,3623]

Hi to all:

I saw this article in the Wall Street Journal this morning and thought you
might like to read it.

Perhaps produce marketers would take note?

Judy Doherty
Executive Editor
Food for Health Newsletter
http://www.foodforhealth.com
phone: 800-462-2352
fax: 800-433-7435


A SPECIAL BACKGROUND REPORT ON TRENDS IN INDUSTRY AND FINANCE. Wall Street
Journal, Thursday, October 2, 1997 (front page).

"FUNCTIONAL FOODS" are muscling their way into more markets.

Hybrid food-and-pharmaceuticals known as functional foods aim to promote
health- and sales. Starbucks Corp., based in Seattle, says a continuing test of
vitamin-fortified Power Frappuccino has been successful. The "tall" version of
the drink includes protein, vitamins, complex carbohydrates and 290 calories.
Meanwhile, Warner-Lambert, Morris Plains, N.J., makes its first foray into the
herbal field with two new lozenges, one made with zinc and one made with the
herb echinacea. Meanwhile, Yummi Bears vitamin and mineral supplements for
kids, made by Hero Nutritional Products in San Clemente, Calif., are expanding
into supermarkets from health-food stores.

"The consumer's receptivity to any food or fortified food promising a health
benefit is phenomenal," says Mona Doyle, president of Consumer Network, a
Philadelphia research group. She finds that 45% of people over 50 years old say
they would be very interested in trying a formulated food that might help
prevent a disease. Produce marketers should be doing more to capitalize on
consumers' interest in health, Ms. Doyle says.