Some innovative new product concepts featuring a broad line of functional ingredients for skin health and body shaping were recently introduced.

Manufacturers weigh in on upcoming ingredient and formulations trends, from dietary fiber to green tea extracts, low-fat to satiety-enhancing foods.

This summer, expect pure innovation from one company. The Canadian-based OASIS brand is introducing the newest member of its line: OASIS Health Break Immuniforce.

Research is looking into how certain foods, such as almonds and cranberries, and key components, including extracts, yeast-derived compounds, and pre- and probiotics, help strengthen immunity.

According to a publication called The Consumer’s Guide to Probiotics, by S.K. Dash (2005), back in the early 1970s, government officials, scientists and ranchers were only just beginning to understand

There are over 50 clinical studies published on Chr. Hansen's LA-5[r] Lactobacillus acidophilus, BB-12[r] Bifidobacterium and L. casei 431[r], reporting enhanced intestinal well-being and immunity.

Consumers’ attitudes toward food and nutritional products have greatly changed over the last century.

Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are both beneficial microflora naturally present in the intestinal tract, and studies show they promote enhanced gut function and stability, improve protection against infection and cancers, reduce blood cholesterol, enhance immune response and more.

The exclusive 2004 Prepared Foods Functional Foods Trends Survey delves into what food and nutritional companies see as their major challenges and opportunities in the functional foods arena.