'Healthy' developments in the food industry

The food industry has a long history of providing food products in line with nutritional requirements. Examples are vitamin-enriched margarines, low fat products, and high fibre products. Communication about the nutrition and health aspects of these products is essential, since a consumer cannot 'see' from the product what its health properties are. Governments are regulating health messages to prevent overstatements and misleading of consumers. The discussion on the degree of regulation has intensified because of new developments in the Functional Foods area.