Top Ten Food Trends 2005

ONE - No Low Carb

The low carb bubble has definitely burstl. I spoke to one manufacturer who was too late in the game and now has a range of low carb products developed but not launched and is now thinking how to reposition them with another claim. Now emphasis is on "slow carbs", "good carbs" and LGI (low glycemic index) and it remains to be seen if consumers will go along with this more complex message. Meanwhile, breads, especially whole grain, have made a strong comeback, perhaps because of the new carb sophistication or perhaps because people love eating bread.

TWO - Less but better

This trend covers a range of gourmet products from ice cream and chocolate to meat. Healthy eaters are trying to cut back on the amount of indulgent food they eat so they are making the fewer occasions into more of a treat, replacing quantity with quality. Companies like Scharffen Berger benefit..

THREE - Fair Trade & Sustainablity

Whole Foods estimates that 13% of its shoppers shop with a sense of mission as their primary motivation. Fair trade coffees have been around a while but is now extending into other commodity products such as sugar. There are also many more products with a sustainability message, especially in the seafood arena.

FOUR - Allergen Free

Increased awareness of Celiac Disease and food allergies has increased demand for allergen free foods, especially wheat-free, gluten-free and casein-free products in bread, cereals and dairy. Pictured is Amy's Kitchen rice crust pizza.

FIVE - Water themes

It would seem almost impossible but there's still some room left in the water category for innovation. This year, Metromint's pepermint water (pictured) and San Faustino a naturally high calcium water stood out from the rest.

SIX - Baby boomers fight aging with food

Baby boomers are getting older but they are not going to age without a fight. Included in the products catering to this increasing demand are those that claim to help defend against vision and memory loss such as lutein found naturally in kale or spinach or more appealingly in products like Ecco Bella's Health