Food industry fights nutrient limits
US food processors who claim the intake levels are 'unrealistically
high' and could deter consumers from even attempting to meet the
nutrient challenge.
The National Food Processsors Association responded to a report out this week from the Institute of Medicine that recommended a new set of daily intakes for a range of nutrients to boost health and beat chronic disease.
But pitching sodium at 1.5 grams and 4.7 grams for potassium, the IOM has met with opposition. 'Setting suggested sodium intake levels unrealistically low or potassium levels unrealistically high may discourage consumers from even attempting to meet these nutrient suggestions,' said the NFPA in a statement.
With consumer demand for nutrient-enriched foods on the up and growing consumer awareness of the role nutrients can play in disease prevention, the industry may listen to, but not heed, the new recommendations from the influential government-linked body Institute of Medicine.
One size does not fit all when it comes to sodium intake advice, said the NFPA, and the effects of sodium intake relate to a variety of factors, including age, gender, and level of physical activity.
The NFPA also criticised the 'unrealistically' high levels suggested for potassium, that fall one gram above the proposed 3.7g by the UK's food watchdog, the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
'Adults should consume at least 4.7 grams of potassium per day to lower blood pressure, blunt the effects of salt, and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss,' said the IOM.
By contrast, the water industry welcomed the IOM findings with open arms. 'The report unquestionably validates the importance of water for hydration,' said Stephen R. Kay of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).
The report did not specify exact requirements for water, but set general recommendations for women at approximately 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water - from all beverages and foods - each day, and men an average of approximately 3.7 liters (125 ounces daily) of total water. The panel did not set an upper level for water.
Experiencing buoyant growth, according to the recent Global Packaged Water Report from market researchers Canadean, North America is the second largest market for packaged water, and has seen consumption more than double since 1997. In fact, average annual growth over this period is bettered only by Asia.
Still water is the leading segment in the North American market, as the share of consumption attributable to sparkling is minor, and declining. Spring water is also decreasing rapidly as the main growth continues to be delivered by distilled brands, with the report predicting a market share for spring water of no more than 5 per cent at the end of 2003.
