US data reveal 24m diabetes sufferers

Twenty-four million Americans - or 8 percent of the total US population - currently suffer from diabetes, according to the latest government statistics released yesterday.

The 2007 prevalence data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that three million more Americans suffer from diabetes today compared to two years ago. The new statistics come as nothing new to the nation's food industry, which is already in the midst of a massive re-positioning towards health and wellness. However, the figures do contribute to a more focused understanding of the US consumer and the market potential for products specifically targeting diabetics.

Awareness

Together with the increased incidence rate, CDC also found that awareness of diabetes is increasing. The percentage of people suffering from diabetes without knowing it decreased from 30 percent two years ago to 25 percent last year, the agency found. Essentially, this translates to 18m Americans today who may actively seek foods suitable for diabetics, compared to 14.7m two years ago.

Diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production that causes sugar to build up in the body. People suffering from the condition generally need to stick to a diet high in fiber and low in sugar and fat, particularly saturated fat.

Response

Food and drink formulators have made great headway in providing 'diabetic-friendly' products made with alternative ingredients, but there has also been a huge focus on ingredients and products that can actually help prevent or help manage the condition. Some examples of ingredients that have been linked to diabetes benefits in studies published over the past two months alone include pine bark extract, canola protein, cocoa flavanols and curcumin.

Affected population

According to CDC, which is part of the government's Department of Health and Human Sciences, diabetes has increased in both men and women over the past two years, but it still disproportionately affects the elderly. Almost 25 percent of the population 60 years and older had diabetes in 2007. The condition also continues to have higher prevalence rates among certain ethnic groups.

After adjusting for population age differences between the groups, the rate of diagnosed diabetes was highest among Native Americans and Alaska Natives (16.5 percent). This was followed by blacks (11.8 percent) and Hispanics (10.4 percent). The rate for Asian Americans was 7.5 percent with whites at 6.6 percent.

CDC also provided estimates of diagnosed diabetes in different counties in the US. The data revealed increased diabetes rates in areas of the Southeast and Appalachia that have traditionally been recognized as being at higher risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke. The agency has published the latest data in the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet developed by CDC together with other government agencies.

To view the fact sheet, click here.

25 Jun 2008, FoodNavigator.com, USA

Healthy and fun drive ice cream innovation at new Unilever centre

Unilever's new global Centre of Excellence Ice Foods is aimed at increasing ice cream innovation by developing healthier products that are more exciting and provide varied sensory experiences.

Experts at the ice foods product development facilities, which were officially opened last week in the UK and Italy, will focus on using natural ingredients, such as milk, fruit and cereals, and on minimising fat, sugar and calories without compromising on taste. Additionally, Unilever will attempt to produce more exciting ice cream products through the creation of new sensory experiences and innovative shapes.

The European ice-cream sector has been stagnant for many companies over the past few years due to a maturation of the sector, health concerns and growing competition from cheaper private-label products, according to analysts. This has placed extra pressures for manufacturers to develop innovative products for the sector, and companies are increasingly moving into the market for more premium products and unusual combinations of flavours.

Areas for innovation

The centre will aim to develop innovation in four areas. Firstly, it will focus on the freezing and aeration of products and ice technology. The company hopes to give the consumer varied sensory experiences, with new products such as drinkable or fizzy ice. It aims perfect processes for controlling ice crystals through the freezing process and keeping air in the products so as to provide different and fun textures. Furthermore, this can assist flavour delivery and help in the reduction of fat or sugar.

Secondly, product shape has been identified as an area providing innovation opportunities. For example, Unilever hopes to develop its cold shaping technology to create ice creams with an increased number of inclusions. Additionally, the company intends to progress its technical know-how across the supply chain - from cow to cone. And finally, experts at the centre will be looking at ways to change packaging formats for ice foods, so that they are made more attractive while also easier to handle and better for the environment.

"We want to be a treasure trove of technologies for new innovations that wow our consumers," said Iain Campbell, director of the centre.

This is not Unilever's first Centre of Excellence. It has many such research facilities across Europe, such as a centre for structured emulsions in the Netherlands, which focuses on healthier products and reducing high-cost commodities.

Ice cream market

The global ice cream market grew by 3 per cent in 2007 to reach a value of $43.8bn, according to Research and Markets. In 2012, the market is forecast to have a value of $51.5bn, an increase of 17.7 per cent since 2007. Take-home ice cream accounts for 42.7 per cent of the global markets value, and Europe accounts for 44.4 per cent of the global markets value. The global ice cream market is dominated by Unilever and Nestle. Unilever accounts for 15.8 per cent of the global markets value.

24 Jun 2008, FoodNavigator.com, Europe