Is the Food Fortification Policy Helping Consumers and Do They Get the Message?
Session Track: Consumer Lifestyles & Demographics
Session Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013; 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Session Description
The FDA's policy on fortification helps the American public obtain essential nutrients from the foods they eat. While considerable attention is focused on reducing caloric intake and the incidence of obesity and related chronic diseases globally, the principles of fortification are a cornerstone in societies wanting food-based solutions for essential nutrients. Despite this fundamental truth, there is a movement away from processed foods in favor of locally grown organic crops. This session will explore the complexity of this situation. It will focus on research around missing nutrients for three key target populations, including adolescents, women of childbearing age, and baby boomers. Through this session, participants will build their understanding of fortification opportunities for key target groups, get a better grasp on consumer knowledge and interest in nutrient-specific benefits, and identify commercial considerations in developing and marketing fortified, packaged foods.
Speaker Information
Deshanie Rai, Ph.D., Senior Technical Marketing Manager, DSM Nutritional Products
Marianne Smith Edge, M.S., R.D., L.D., FADA, Senior Vice President, Nutrition & Food Safety for the International Food Information Council (IFIC)
Kathy Wiemer, M.S., R.D., Director and Fellow, General Mills Inc