Welcome to Global Food Forums!
Global Food Forums, Inc. is an organizer of in-person seminars and conferences for the global food, beverage and nutritional products markets. Our conferences provide a rare combination of strategic insights and actionable data on new product development, emerging industry and consumer trends, technologies, regulations and operational excellence.
Our conferences are specifically designed to facilitate intimate peer-to-peer networking environment for decision-makers in R&D, marketing, sales, QC, operations, engineering and corporate executive management. We strongly believe that in-person events are a unique medium and provide attendees with tremendous professional educational opportunities and unmatched person-to-person networking value in a digital age.
Global Food Forums Conferences. The core business of Global Food Forums, Inc. is the creation and operation of its own in-person events. Upcoming events are as follows.
The Clean Label Conference (October 29-30, 2013, Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.) is the industry’s only in-person event providing valuable insights and actionable data on the development of packaged foods and beverages with consumer-friendly labels. Sessions include information on how to formulate and process foods and beverages that have a “natural positioning” in the marketplace, consumer expectations, new product trends and regulatory issues among other topics. A significant number of presentations cover the use of emerging, multi-functional and naturally-positioned ingredients systems. Attendees will take away practical information to guide their company’s formulation, production and marketing of simple yet sophisticated clean label products.
SOLD OUT! We apologize but the 2013 Protein Trends & Technologies Seminar (April 10, Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA) has been sold out. If you are interested in attending, we invite you to register for our Wait List. This seminar has been designed to deliver crucial information for successful participation in the protein-enhanced foods, beverages and nutritional products categories; a market experiencing explosive growth. Presentations by industry leaders will be provided on consumer attitudes, market dynamics, nutritional benefits, regulatory claims and practical, technical information on the use of proteins to solve formulation problems.
Conference Partnerships. Global Food Forums, Inc. enters into joint-venture partnerships with industry media, association and commercial enterprises to conceive launch and manage seminars and conferences.
Custom Conferences. Global Food Forums, Inc. offers companies and associations unique, in-person event management services. These services include event concept and theme development, presenter identification and solicitation, registration, complete on-site logistics, marketing, social media and community development, event metrics and content adaption for expanded use beyond the event itself. Global Food Forums can provide a turn-key conference or a subset of services related to the development and operation of a conference. Click here for an overview of benefits.
Global Food Forums Management Team. Global Food Forums is backed by individuals with careers in communications, conference management and the food industry at the operational level. See The GFF Team page for more information.
Benefits. We invite you to explore opportunities and benefits in customized conferences and browse the examples of establishments successfully using in-person events to position their enterprises against a key organization initiative, trend, product or market segment that strengthens their brands, helps drive product sales and/or advances their organization’s objectives. Click here for benefits discussion.
Blog. The Global Food Forums blog presents perspectives on key industry trends and provides considered responses to superficial and sometimes inaccurate reporting in the consumer press on topics of processed foods, nutrition and consumer trends. We invite you to participate with your own insights and opinions. Please see the Global Food Forums Blog (and offer comments)!
Food News Bites from Around the Globe
March 5, 2013 – Trends predicted by the president and corporate chef at Woodland Foods, Waukegan, Ill., USA, include popped and puffed amaranth, quinoa and other grains that are being used to add texture to dishes in lieu of croutons. Sour and fermented flavors will “be huge in 2013.” Examples include kimchee, sauerkraut and homemade pickles of all types. —Reported by Food Business News.
November 29, 2012 – According to a November 2012 report “Hispanic Foods and Beverages in the U.S.” by Packaged Facts, the U.S. market for Hispanic foods and beverages is some $8.2 billion this year. About 72.5% of the general public and 84% of Hispanics say they use Mexican food and ingredients. Tortillas and taco kits reportedly outsell hamburgers and hot dog buns; salsa boasts almost twice the dollar sales of ketchup.—Reported by FoodNavigator USA.
November 12, 2012 – “What made consumers upset was probably that an extra tax was put on a natural ingredient.” – Sinne Smed, professor, Institute of Food and Resource Economics as reported in November 12, 2012 Wall Street Journal on Denmark’s reversal of a “fat tax” that penalized foods with over 2.3% saturated fat such as butter, cheese, sausage and oil.
September 30, 2012 - A new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., World Flavors & Fragrances predicts the global demand for flavors and fragrances to increase 4.4 percent per year to $26.5 billion in 2016. The increase is driven in developing countries by the manufacture of convenient packaged foods that require higher flavor usage. In Asia/Pacific a 5.7 percent growth per year and in Central and South America a 5.6 percent growthper year is expected during the same period.
August 27, 2012 - In an educational presentation on the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the FDA reports that there are 48 million Americans or 1 out of 6 that get foodborne illness a year. Some 128,000 are hospitalized and about 3,000 die. FSMA is needed since the US food supply is vastly different than even 10 years ago. Some 15% of all food is imported into the US, 75% of seafood, 20% of vegetables and 50% of fruits.
August 10, 2012 – The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a map detailing adult obesity prevalence for all U.S. states in 2011. The South had the highest prevalence of adult obesity at 29.5 percent, followed by the Midwest at 29 percent, the Northeast at 25.3 percent and the West at 24.3 percent. In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight. Here is a CDC website providing more statistics on Obesity and Overweight.
May 23, 2012 - The 2012 Food and Health Survey from International Food Information Council (IFIC) reports that consumers say they are trying to eat more whole grains, fiber and protein. They are trying to reduce consumption of calories, sugar, solid fats and salt. Consistent with surveys in past years, the most influential factor impacting a consumer’s decision to purchase a food is taste (87 percent). This is followed by price (73 percent), healthfulness (61 percent) and then convenience (53 percent). The survey involving 1,057 Americans ages 18 to 80 was conducted April 3 and 13, 2012.
April 25, 2012 – The body’s blood has thousands of small molecules or “metabolites.” These compounds, which include amino acids, sugars, fats among others, are formed by our bodies. They are interesting to researchers because the types and amounts in blood give a “metabolic signature” or “fingerprint” for a person. In the future, a small blood sample may help predict health and likelihood of certain disease. Or, they can also be used to help determine the impact on health of someone participating in specific treatments or diets. A new public tool to help link diet and health has been developed by researchers in Canada and the U.S. An online, searchable Serum Metabolome database contains more than 4,000 metabolites in human blood. Click here for more USDA ARS information.
April 23, 2012 – The global market for food allergy and intolerance foods and beverages is predicted to be more than $26 billion by 2017 according to a new report by GIA. The USA is the largest market for these products. One of the fastest growing segments is gluten-free foods. The estimated prevalence of gluten intolerance (where the immune system is not involved) is estimated to be about 10% of the US population. Celiac disease’ prevalence is estimated at 0.35 percent to 1 percent. Beyond Celiac disease, these foods attract those who perceive gluten-free diet to be of help in treatment of autism, chronic fatigue, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis, migraine and fertility problems. GIA’s provides a strategic review of the key market trends, recent product launches, strategic corporate initiatives, and profiles of key market participants. Global Allergy and Intolerance Products: A Global Strategic Business Report.
April 12, 2012 – In a study just published online by the Journal of Nutrition, researchers from the Monell Center looked at whether the level of amylase (an enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch) had any effect on blood glucose levels. Participants in the study (all healthy and not obese) were separated into two groups. One group had high levels of amylase in their saliva (HA) and one had low amylase levels (LA). On alternate days, the participants consumed starch or a glucose solution (which functioned as a control). Blood samples were collected before, during, and after the participants drank each solution. The results suggest that “HA individuals may be better adapted to ingest starches, whereas LA individuals may be at greater risk for insulin resistance and diabetes if chronically ingesting starch-rich diets.” Mandel AL and Breslin PA. 2012 High Endogenous Salivary Amylase Activity Is Associated with Improved Glycemic Homeostasis following Starch Ingestion in Adults. J Nutr. 2012 Apr 4. [Epub ahead of print]
April 7, 2012 – A new study published in Breast Cancer Research points to genetic differences in vitamin D receptors as potentially being responsible for higher breast cancer rates among African American women compared to European American women. Researchers, led by Drs. Song Yao and Christine Ambrosone, found that women with the highest African ancestry were more likely to have severe vitamin D deficiency. African Americans are also more likely to have “estrogen receptor-negative” type of breast cancer. “While it is difficult to determine the exact effect of low levels of vitamin D on the risk of developing breast cancer,” said Dr. Yao, “our results show that these genetic variations, which contribute to the function of vitamin D, are strongly associated with ER-negative breast cancer and may contribute to the more aggressive breast cancer features seen in (African-American) women.” Click here to see the Newswise release.
April 6, 2012 – A Reuters Health news item reports that a Canadian study shows that different allergy labels confuse consumers instead of helping them. Researchers found people more likely ignored warning labels if their households were “directly affected” (at least one family member had a food allergy) than if they were “indirectly affected” (they supplied food to others with allergies such as students). About 44 percent of directly affected consumers said they would buy a product which warned it “may contain (peanut/tree nut/sesame).” Only about 16 percent of consumers indirectly affected said they would buy a product with this label. Across all groups, the “not suitable” label had the greatest effect in preventing a purchase. An estimated 2.5 million Canadians and 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies. Click here to see the release.
April 5, 2012 - According to IGD, a UK-based food and grocery research group, at the end of 2011, the Chinese grocery market was worth £ 607 billion (about US$ 940 billion), now larger than the US Market at £ 572 billion (about US$ 886 billion). Between 2011 and 2015, the US grocery retail market is predicted to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% to reach £ 675 billion in value in 2015. China’s grocery market’s CAGR is predicted to be 10.9% to achieve a value of £ 918 billion. All the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) nations will be in the top five grocery markets by 2015, with India displacing Japan. Click here for more information .
April 4, 2012. - Demand for membranes in the US is expected to increase 7.7 percent per year to $5.4 billion in 2016. Growth will be driven by the need to comply with environmental regulations regarding water and wastewater streams. Additionally, as manufacturing activity and investment in industrial equipment continues to improve, companies will increasingly purchase membrane separation systems either to replace conventional separation systems or to fill new fluid separation needs. These and other trends are presented in a March 2012 report Membrane Separation Technologies from The Freedonia Group, Inc.
April 3, 2012. – U.S. sports and entertainment foodservice revenue will reach $8.36 billion in 2012, up 5% from 2011, according to a Packaged Facts report Sports & Entertainment Venue Foodservice Trends in the U.S. Despite dropping 4% during 2009, sports and entertainment foodservice sales have now surpassed pre-recession levels, thanks to sales growth in the last two years. Borrowing from the restaurant industry—and with significant input from foodservice contractors—sports and entertainment venue operators, managers and promoters are aggressively improving food selection, food quality, food menu flexibility, and better customer service to enhance the fan experience.
March 30, 2012 – A new paper by researchers suggests that computation methods (statistical analysis) of the microbes and probiotics in our gut may lead to improved health. A better understanding these microbes would include more knowledge of their genetic makeup. This could lead to new ways to treat illness (that is, therapeutic interventions) and to improved safety and effectiveness of drugs since more would be known about how gut microbes interact with pharmaceuticals. Collison M, et al. Data mining the human gut microbiota for therapeutic targets. Brief Bioinform. 2012 Mar 24. [Epub ahead of print]
March 28, 2012 – An U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to China of nearly 40 American businesses took place March 23-28, 2012. U.S. agricultural exports to China have grown over 80 percent in the past three years. Chinese demand for bulk commodities like soybeans and cotton is high, while demand for high-value U.S. products like meat and processed foods grows. Bilateral trade between the USA and China in 2011 reached an all-time high of $32.1 billion. U.S. exports to China were $22.8 billion and exports from China to the USA were $9.3 billion. Today, USDA’s largest overseas presence is in China. Click here to search for the FAS full release.
March 27, 2012 - In an article “Kraft, Nestlé Target Israel,” by Neena Rai, the Wall Street Journal quotes Leatherhead Food Research as predicting that although Israel represents only 1.5% of the global demand for chocolate, the market will grow 5% to 10% in value this year, which is drawing the attention of companies such as Kraft and Nestlé. Food manufacturers are also interested in that by targeting the Israeli market, they have access to the larger Middle East region. The Israeli demand for chocolate is said to be driven by both indulgence and health.