Portion control shouldn't be ignored by CPGs, Mintel says

CHICAGO — Research firm Mintel hosted its New Products and Consumer Insights Pavilion in New Orleans last week and highlighted the importance of portion size, noting that many consumer packaged goods companies ignore the nutrition guideline.

During the event, more than 600 attendees voted on their favorite portion-control items. Top products were Sensible Portions veggie snacks variety pack from Canada, followed by Emerald Nut and Granola Mix in the United States, and Krave Chocolate Hazelnut Cereal from Ireland, which captured second and third place, respectively.

“As companies respond to the new U.S. nutrition guidelines, it appears that the most important issue is largely ignored by CPG companies — portion size,” Mintel new products expert Lynn Dornblaser said. “100-calorie packs helped the U.S. consumer think about easy ways to control consumption, but today the packages are less focused on just 100 calories and more focused on providing additional benefits.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services released the seventh edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which placed stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity due to the rising obesity rates among adults and children. Officials took the guidelines further by ditching the food pyramid, which was updated in 2005, in favor of a plate-shaped symbol. The new symbol was unveiled in June.