William A. Roberts, Jr.

This month marks the first of Prepared Foods’ issues on display at the IFT 2013 Annual Meeting & Expo.

According to the Markets and Markets report, “Global Chocolate, Cocoa Beans, Lecithin, Sugar and Vanilla Market by Market Share, Trade Prices, Geography Trend and Forecasts (2011-2016),” the global chocolate market stood at $83.2 billion in 2010 and will reach an estimated $98.3 billion by 2016.

Smoothie manufacturer Savse may be better known in its home country of Georgia, but the Eurasian company has launched a range of smoothies in one UK retailer and plans to add more.

According to USDA statistics, per capita U.S. milk consumption has fallen nearly 30% since 1975, and the decades-long decline has accelerated further in the era of bottled waters and energy drinks.

Stonyfield is not alone in marketing a Greek yogurt product to younger consumers. But, for its launch of Pro-Force under its Yoplait brand, General Mills opted to aim for a slightly older consumer.

Like the Stonyfield line of yogurt smoothies, Hershey’s Milk & Milkshakes likewise promise no high-fructose corn syrup in a variety of flavors.

Stonyfield has introduced its first drinkable yogurt for children: YoKids Smoothies, made with real organic fruit and vegetable purées.

Lifeway Foods Inc. has taken its Helios Organic Kefir into the ever-popular Greek arena with a new formulation.

With more consumers looking to increase natural elements in their diets, the market for nuts and seeds is rife with potential.

In the area of convenience meals and processed meats, health and nutrition proved a solid selling point in 2012, as developers refined formulations and consumers turned to in-home dining in the midst of a challenging economy.