12/04/07 2008 Food Trends

With the new year right around the corner, once again my in-box is being inundated with lists of what's in, and&what's not. So here it goes with a list of some of the new trends for packaged foods. Seems bolder is better. In 2008 our typical tepid American tastes buds will be tingling with bold new cheeses, spicier salsa and even drinks with chili pepper flavoring. The organic industry is expected to aggressively target kids next year and in the near future you could be able to find kiddy organic products at corner convenience stores albeit a, healthy quick stop shop called the Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market currently being launched throughout the West Coast. Expect the Yumberry from China to pop up as an ingredient in drinks and desserts and Americans will become more familiar with African flavors and fare. Obviously environmentally friendly products will be forefront Procter and Gamble for one is launching a method to flavor tap water in order to cut back on the waste associated with bottled water. So in 2008, think hot, spicy, healthy, global and green.