Chicago Sun Times
May 2, 2004

BY JANET RAUSA FULLER Staff Reporter

Coming soon to a supermarket near you: Doritos, Skippy peanut butter and Yoplait yogurt, all -- you guessed it -- lower in carbs.

Food industry experts, gathering here for an annual convention of food manufacturers, retailers, buyers and distributors, say the Atkins diet-inspired craze shows no signs of slowing down, with major manufacturers now driving the push to get more low-carb items onto store shelves.

Also producing buzz this year: organic, regional ethnic and nutritionally pumped-up foods and beverages.

The show, which runs today through Tuesday at McCormick Place, brings together the Food Marketing Institute, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, the U.S. Food Export Showcase, the United Produce Expo and the Organic Trade Association's All Things Organic Conference.

The show is open only to the trade, not the general public.

''Pretty much every category that has a lot of starch or sugar in it is coming out with a low-carb version,'' said Valerie Skala, vice-president of analytic product management for Information Resources Inc., which tracks the consumer packaged goods industry.

On the plate at Frito-Lay is its Edge line of Doritos, Tostitos and Cheetos, with 60 percent fewer carbs than the regular versions. The snacks, made with soy protein, will be in stores in May or June, spokesman Charles Nicolas said.

Among the offerings of General Mills are Yoplait Ultra, with 70 percent fewer carbs and sugar than regular low-fat yogurt, and a reduced-carb version of Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni.

Unilever's Carb Options line, already in stores, cuts carbs out of its most recognizable brands, including Skippy peanut butter, Lipton soups and Wish-Bones salad dressings.

Low-carb wasn't the only buzzword at the show.

In the so-called fancy food arena, where ethnic flavors like ginger and wasabi have been popular, companies are branching out with products that reflect not just cuisines, but specific regions, said Ron Tanner of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.

Organic olive oils from Sicily and Puglia, black truffle rice from Umbria and Taiwanese stir-fry flavoring oils are among the specialty items to be introduced.

Rising health consciousness has helped bring the organic market into the mainstream, and manufacturers are expected to churn out more organic and natural lines alongside their regular versions, as well as more good-for-you items such as fortified juices.


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