LIGHT FOODS GAINING POPULARITY
By Adnews Staff
The U.S. market for healthy prepared foods will grow to $40 billion(US) by the year 2000, predicts Find/SVP of New York. In 1995 sales for such edibles totalled $29 billion, with low-fat, low-cholesterol foods accounting for 63% of sales. Fibre-enriched foods accounted for 28% and low-salt items 7%. Vitamin- and mineral-enriched foods came in fourth with 2%. Nine out of 10 adults consume light foods and beverages several times a week, and in some cases daily, says the research firm. The most popular light foods are non-fat or reduced-fat milk. Sharing second place are light salad dressings, sauces and mayonnaise. Coming in third are light butter or margarine, followed by diet soft drinks and finally light cheese. The market for light frozen desserts and entrees is also growing. Among light product users, 31% eat light frozen desserts, ice cream and frozen yogurt, up from 25% in 1994. Eighteen per cent eat light frozen entrees, up from 13% a year earlier. Despite the wide range of light products on the market, 61% of consumers would like to see more.