New $350 Million Food Niche: Low-Glycemic Products

Relatively unheard of just a few years ago, low-glycemic foods and beverages are establishing themselves as a viable niche in the mainstream U.S. market--with expected year-end sales reaching $350 million, according to Low Glycemic Index Food and Beverages in the U.S., the latest market research from Packaged Facts.

Low glycemic foods include whole wheat breads and pasta, brown rice, and sorghum--the ingredient Anheuser-Busch is using to market a new non-wheat-based lager.

Packaged Facts projects that sales will continue to soar at a compound annual growth rate of more than 45% during the 2007-11 period, with sales touching $1.8 billion in 2011.

Effectively cross-marketed to the nation's more than 20 million diabetics as well as consumers interested in other wellness areas such as energy and weight loss, low glycemic fare is making its mark with products that go one step beyond no- and low-sugar.

"Low-glycemic foods and beverages have made it out of their corners in health food stores to become a widely accepted addition to supermarkets, mass merchandisers and drug stores where they are often double marketed with like foods as well as in the diabetic supplies aisle," said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. "This exposure, positive press, and a wealth of new product offerings have helped create a remarkable growth market much akin to what low-carb was."

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