Originally published September 6 2005
Consumer demand for foods without synthetic preservatives is on the rise, research shows
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Consumers are now demanding natural foods and products without synthetic or chemical preservatives, which has led European processors to search for new methods, according to recent research.
To address the need manufacturers are exploring new food processing and preservation methods, especially in the area of chilled foods, which make up a high percentage of the new product offerings on the market since the start of 2004.
To exploit the demand for minimally processed foods without synthetic chemical preservatives, manufacturers are exploring other preservation methods such as high pressure processing, ohmic heating, pulsed electric field, irradiation, bright light and aseptic processing.
For example Les Entr�es de la Mer in France released a chilled fish flavoured patties product in June this year, billed as having no additives or preservatives.
For thickeners the product uses carrageenan, obtained from red seaweed, and carob seed flour as a thickeners and natural paprika extracts for colouring.
In the first half of 2005, food processors released a total of 564 products in Europe labelled as either without preservatives or additives or billed as "all natural", compared to 438 released over the same period last year, according to statistics compiled using Mintel's Global New Products Database.
This is a growth rate of 28 per cent.
In total there were 3176 products released in European countries covered by the Mintel database, compared to 4,868 in North America.
The "all natural" claim is usually taken to mean the ingredients in the product have not be altered by processing methods, or that nothing has been included in or added to the food that would not normally be expected to be there.
The product may all stated it is "made from natural ingredients".
However many food advocacy groups say the term is misleading as some processors include additives that may have been changed by processing, either by concentrating them or altering them in some way.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml