(Sept. 4, 2007) According to consultancy firm AC Nielsen, products labeled “diet,” “light,” “skimmed,” “semi-skimmed,” “whole-grain,” and “low-cholesterol” now make up 16.5 percent of food bought in 12 common categories. The preference for these apparently “healthier options” is more marked in high-income households.

The figures, which date from the period between April 2006 and April 2007, show a one percent increase over the previous 12 months. Additionally, they show a 3.3 percent increase over the period of April 2004 to April 2005.

Claudia Escudero, director of retail measurement services at AC Nielsen, sees the increase as part of a global trend.

“People prefer them [healthier options] because of a preoccupation with health, weight-loss, and healthier lifestyles, a tendency that is clearly reflected in Chile,” she said.

Dairy products, including liquid and powdered milk, margarine, yoghurt and cheese are the sector where “lighter” options make up 30 percent of the market. The proportion for liquid milk alone is 39.1 percent although the proportion for yoghurt is just 10.2 percent. However, in the drinks market the proportion is only 13.2 percent.

Higher socioeconomic classes showed a marked preference for these types of product when compared with lower socioeconomic groups across all 12 categories.

SOURCE: LA TERCERA
By Rob Bartlett (editor@santiagotimes.cl)