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8 September 1998 |
Ref 98/210 |
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Future food trends will be influenced by consumers starved of time rather than food, and possibly armed with a genetic profile about what they can eat to maintain their health, according to CSIRO Human Nutrition's Consumer Science Manager Dr Katrine Baghurst.
Dr Baghurst will talk about what people will choose to eat in the future and why, at the 12th annual Food Conference - Nutrition in the New Millennium - to be held in Adelaide from September 9-11 and hosted by CSIRO Human Nutrition.
"There will be an increase in the demand for fresh, packaged, healthy convenience food because people will not have the time to shop frequently because of their lifestyle," said Dr Baghurst.
"People will also be more likely to 'graze' and eat several smaller meals a day - already our younger generation are thinking this way."
Dr Baghurst also predicted the eventual evolution of 'designer' foods, based on a personal dietary plan which takes into account a person's genetic predisposition to a range of dietary-related diseases.
"As medical technology allows people to genetically map the diseases to which they may be prone, they will be able to develop a personal health profile and dietary plan which best suits their needs," she said.
"At the moment nutritionists can only provide the population with general guidelines about what is healthy. In future years, when we have a better idea of our personal susceptibility to a condition, we may be able to choose from a line of foods developed by manufacturers which are suitable for those with certain conditions."
Dr Baghurst will also examine how demographic projections will influence new patterns of consumer demands and what will be expected from Australian food exporters.
"To retain share in key market exports Australia will
have to increase quality assurance including development of new
grading standards, increase retail specialisation, provide branded
produce, "designer" foods, exotic varieties, "guiltless
snacks" and focus on the opportunity to specialise on higher
margin niche products," Dr Baghurst said.
Dr Baghurst will speak at Nutrition in the New Millennium conference on Friday 11 September.
For further information contact: Jenny Rhodes CSIRO
Human Nutrition on 08 83038870 or 0412511678.
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