Probiotic products have been marketed for a number of years, primarily in the yogurt category or as live microbial dietary supplements whose biological activity needed to be preserved. This tends to limit their consumption to supplements taken after meals or in fresh dairy foods. One technology now makes it possible to "have your probiotic and eat it, too!"
The interest in foods with healthful properties has increased the need for food formulators to offer additional benefits in the foods and beverages they manufacture.
Health-conscious consumers—and manufacturers and marketers of nutritional products—are becoming more familiar with the health benefits of "good fat." A primer on nutritional fats and oils—from omega-3 fatty acids to chia seed oil—is provided.