Protein named 'rising star' ingredientProtein named 'rising star' ingredient

Changing consumer attitudes toward protein are helping to bring about a rally in high-profile new food and beverage introductions that tout high protein contents, according to Tom Vierhile, innovation insights director at Datamonitor, a unit of Informa plc.

Mr. Vierhile will be the keynote speaker at the 2013 Protein Trends & Technologies Seminar to be held April 10, 2013 at the Doubletree Hotel-Hilton in Arlington Heights, Ill. His presentation on “Muscling to the Top: Insights, Growth and Promise of Protein” will include a comprehensive and intriguing exploration of protein’s rising popularity in the food processing industry.

According to the Shopping for Health 2012 survey from Prevention magazine and the Food Marketing Institute, the percentage of consumers that say they are “concerned” about protein on product labels has risen 10 points since 2009, to 33 percent.  A 20 country Datamonitor Global Consumer Survey from 2011 also found strong interest in protein. When asked “How much influence does the following claim have when making food and beverage choices?” three quarters of all respondents stated that “High Protein” had medium to very high influence on their selection of foods and beverages:

Other speakers at this first-ever conference of its kind on proteins will present information on new developments in protein-enhanced foods, beverages and nutritional supplements as well as global market dynamics, traditional and emerging protein functionality, product formulations and regulatory issues.

There will also be helpful product displays and exhibits by major food industry suppliers. This innovative conference is being staged by Global Food Forums, Inc., a firm that creates and manages unique in-person events aimed at the food processing industry.

Information on the program and registration for the Protein Trends & Technologies Seminar is available at globalfoodforums.com/proteinseminar.

For more essential info on proteins, check out the NBJ/Engredea Monograph: Protein.