Swine Flu - The Lempert Report

The Lempert Report Food News: Marketing, analysis, issues & trends and the impact on food and retail environments, specifically for the B2B food world with reporting and commentary on consumer and retailing trends by Phil Lempert. Phil can predict the future —and then help businesses and consumers understand it. For more than 25 years, Lempert, an expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, new products and the changing retail landscape, has identified and explained impending trends to consumers and some of the most prestigious companies worldwide. Known as The Supermarket Guru®, http://www.supermarketguru.com, Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends, and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. To see more of The Lempert Report visit: http://www.thelempertreport.com The Lempert Report for Thursday May 14, 2009 This week in Food Sense: The Magic Soybean As you drive through the countryside in the coming weeks, youll see farmers out and about in their fields. They are planting all kinds of seeds, from smaller-acre crops, like vegetables, to large-acre crops like wheat and field corn. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that farmers will be planting more soybeans in 2009 than in any other year in our nations history. Farmers in more than 30 states grow the crop. The list is of the uses for soybeans extends far beyond the supermarket; the reason is that soybeans are one of the most versatile crops grown here in the United States. The seemingly nondescript soybean is composed of two basic, but valuable, components: the meal and the oil. One of the most important developments for the food world is the creation of ways to produce an even healthier oil from soybeans using the tools of breeding and biotechnology, with varieties that boast lower saturated fat and other properties important for healthier frying and baking. As more consumers understand the connection between what we eat and our health, there is little question that one of the the most positive steps to eliminate trans fats in our diet rest with soybeans.Crystal Light's new strategy is to work from within Crystal Light Skin Essentials is much more than a brand extension - it is a foray into the world of beauty for the beverage maker with a new formula developed with dermotoligists and nutritionists that is loaded with antioxidents, leutin and zeaxanthin (zeea - zan-thin) all designed to nourish the skin by enhancing elasticity and hydration. And all for jsut about 50 cents a serving. Just who overreacted to the reports of swine flu ? Was it shoppers or the media? While it is true that The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed over 400 cases of swine flu across the United States. and while the spread of this disease must be taken seriously, the fear of the swine flu has been enough to prompt some irrational acts including Egypt beginning a government-ordered slaughter of the nation's 300,000 pigs, despite the country having not a single confirmed case of the illness, which isn't spread by pigs, We conducted a SupermarketGuru quick poll to find out how at risk our readers feel when it comes to contracting this virus, and what precautions they are taking to avoid the virus. Here are the results: When asked, "How would you describe your attitude toward the recent outbreak of swine flu?" our readers showed little sign of extreme fear with 47% saying they are "slightly concerned" and 24% saying "moderately concerned." Twenty-four percent also said they are "not concerned at all," only five percent said they are "highly concerned." When asked, "Which of the following precautionary actions will you take to avoid swine flu?", 88% said they will "wash hands more," 48% will "avoid people who sneeze or cough," 33% will "avoid crowds," only two percent said they will "wear masks." Americans seem to very clear on the fact that you cannot get swine flu from eating pork. We asked our readers, "Do you feel it is safe to eat pork products?" Ninety-three percent answered "yes," and only seven percent answered "no." If we are ever to build consumer confidence in our food supply, the answer must be steeped in facts that are clearly communicated and without the hype that seems to be pervasive these days- especially on cable TV, which seems to be searching for whatever will bring them viewers. Last time I checked their mission was slightly different - to inform with correct information in order to allow people to make intelligent decisions for themselves. For more analysis and insights log on to the B2B page of SupermarketGuru.com. The Lempert Report uploads right here every Thursday. To reach me directly, please email me at: Phil@SupermarketGuru.com For information on New Products, visit our weekly videocast: http://www.ratefoods.com