SIAL boasts the best of NPD

It is an undisputable fact that modern consumers are constantly driving food developers to new heights - and it is nowhere more evident than in the field of health. At SIAL, the food and drink industry extravaganza taking place in Paris this week, the organisers have built a temple to NPD in the form of 'The Trends and Innovations Area' - on display more than 500 new products selected for their innovative appeal.

In the realm of health, fortified foods have nestled a place on the shelves. Spanish company Productos Casado this month launched 'Casado Calcium Madelaines', the traditional sponge cake favourite of the French enriched with calcium 'for the teeth and bones,' claims the company. In addition, we see the classic 'Pain d'epices', or gingerbread, enriched with Orafti's trademarked natural dietary fibre ingredient Beneo, and calcium. The sliced gingerbread, conceived by Belgian company Vondelmolen, is sold in individual bags of two slices with no added preservatives or colours.

Probiotics make an appearance in the SIAL selection with a cereal breakfast called 'Jovita Probiotisch', a blend of cereals, fruits and yoghurt, containing probiotic cultures. German company H.& J. Bruggen KG launched the product in November last year. A second innovation in the increasingly popular dairy-cereal 'combo' is an energy-giving cereal snack filled with cream. German company Wurzener Nahrungsmittel claim the product gives 'healthy and balanced cereals thanks to proteins, carbohydrate and fat'.

Moving on to the darling of the health boom - soy - we could not but help notice a new snack for the busy consumer. 'US Soy's' are a range of soybeans roasted in soybean oil available in 'plain', 'mesquite', 'cajun' and 'ranch' flavours. Launched in January 2002 by American company US Soy, they are branded as cholesterol and GMO free.

The FoodNavigator.com team will be bringing you more innovations as the show progresses.