Over the past decades, we have witnessed an unprecedented number of disruptive innovations in the food and health sector.
With more than 10,000 new foods entering the market every year—in North America alone, never have we been so blessed and yet so challenged with the increase in NEW food choices and nutrition solutions.
Whether a new food or food product is the result of careful genetic breeding or formulated with the assistance of innovative science and technologies, we are often left wondering about the nutrition relevance and sustainability of these new solutions.
Dietitians—like consumers, are often overwhelmed by the number of new product launches, new claims, conflicting science, contradictory news reports and labelling rules. Innovation is happening at a pace that far exceeds anyone’s professional ability to stay abreast.
That’s where we come in!
nufoods PROMOCOM international inc delivered a session that examined world food innovation trends and the new challenges they pose to both consumers and Professional Dietitians. Together, explored the drivers of innovation and discussed the proposed innovative features as they relate to health, well-being and sustainability.
The market for functional foods and natural products in Canada for example, is robust and growing at a faster pace than the agriculture and agri-food sector overall. More than 750 Canadian companies are specialized in this area, garnering more than $11 billion in revenues.
New production and processing technologies have led to a very different food landscape - one that sometimes does not resemble what mother nature intended. In this section, we explored new technologies and their impact on health and well-being.
Disruptive food innovation can be a nightmare when information gaps and misunderstandings exist. On the other hand, when managed to provide relevant solutions, disruptive innovation can greatly enhance quality of life.