Ever since Merial’s flea and tick blockbuster Frontline went off patent four years ago, the flea and tick category has been in a state of intense competition. Several other fipronil-based products have made a splash, gnawing away at Frontline’s market share. While Merial has managed to force the withdrawal of some formulations, citing infringement on patents the company still holds, others have made inroads, including products from Sergeant’s (FiproGuard and Pronyl), Novartis (Parastar and EasyS...
February 17, 20141. “Ah, the little things our pets do. And somehow we still love them.” 2. “Oh, no, he didn’t. Oh, yes, he did.” 3. “Toy ingestion $3,000.” We can’t get enough of the adorable things our pets do. But sometimes those cute things can be costly. More and more pet owners are turning to pet insurance to help cover the rising costs of pet health care. Still, pet insurance penetration levels remain low in North America, particularly compared to European countries such as the U.K. and Sweden, wh...
November 27, 2013As expected, the FDA is (at a very measured pace) closing the door on trans fats. Our understanding of the role of fats and oils in the diet has advanced considerably since the simplistic 1980s and 1990s focus on reducing dietary fats altogether (Nabisco’s Snackswells brand is usually cited in this context). That made sense to a degree because fats are higher-calorie than protein or carbs, and because saturated and especially trans fats aren’t healthy. But that doesn’t mean that anyone ever go...
November 7, 2013American consumers have permanently changed their eating habits. The era of three square meals a day has gone the way of the typewriter and vacuum tube. More and more Americans eat smaller portions of food more frequently throughout the day, and there is universal agreement in the food industry that this megatrend is here to stay. Another cultural shift fueling the healthy-ingredient snacks market is the high priority placed by many consumers on making sure that the food they-and their kids-eat ...
October 11, 2013The market for sports nutritionals-which includes sports drinks and nutrition bars as well as product categories such as protein and weight gain powders, and pre- and post-workout supplements and energy gels-has experienced encouraging growth in recent years. Factors contributing to future growth in the sports drink and nutrition bar categories include a rapid increase in the number of dedicated fitness enthusiasts and the bullish growth plans of specialized retailers of sports nutritionals, whi...
August 15, 2013The FDA’s ruling on the use of “gluten-free” labeling is a triumph for consumers who suffer from Celiac disease, wheat allergies, or other grain-based food intolerances. When the regulation goes into effect a year from now, consumers who follow a gluten-free lifestyle out of necessity or choice will be able to shop for groceries with more confidence. The FDA’s final rule is setting a gluten limit of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) in foods that carry this label. The FDA explains that is the...
August 15, 2013