tamarian
Mon, Feb-09-04, 19:02
Press Release Source: ACNielsen
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040209/95838_1.html
ACNielsen Quantifies Impact of Low-Carb Diets
Monday February 9, 2004
Seventeen Percent of Households Include Someone on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet; Slightly More Include Someone Who Tried Diet But Quit Numerous Packaged Food Categories Showing the Effects
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004-- According to new research from ACNielsen U.S., an operating unit of ACNielsen, a VNU business, more than 17 percent of U.S. households report that someone in their household is currently on a low-carbohydrate diet. Importantly, a slightly higher number (19.2 percent) reported that someone in their household was once on such a diet, but is no longer.
"The low-carb diet craze is having a significant impact on how people eat," said Todd Hale, ACNielsen senior vice president, Consumer Insights. "The number of people on low-carb diets is impressive and likely under-represents the true story since many more people may be selectively decreasing carbohydrate intake without considering themselves to be on a complete low-carb diet. However, the number of people who have tried a low-carb diet and are no longer on it is compelling as well. The jury is still out as to whether the low-carb diet has staying power."
Have you or any member of the household
ever been on a low-carbohydrate diet?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, someone currently is, but not in the past. 8.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, someone currently is, and has been in the past
also. 8.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------
No, no one currently is, but someone has in the past. 19.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------
No, no one has ever been on a low-carbohydrate diet. 63.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Source: ACNielsen Homescan Panel*Views Survey
Interest in low-carb foods is showing up in many product categories
tracked by ACNielsen, with numerous inherently high-carb foods
showing sales declines, and many low-carb and/or high-protein foods
showing sales increases.
% %
Change Change
Category $ Volume 52 vs. Unit Volume 52 vs.
Weeks Ending Year Wks Ending Year
12/27/03 Ago 12/27/03 Ago
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
UPC-Coded Fresh
Potatoes $1,455,070,624 -10.0% 616,487,939 -0.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Instant Rice $ 168,716,903 -7.3% 79,081,545 -8.2%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Cookies $3,952,221,554 -3.0% 1,839,733,156 -5.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Refrigerated Orange
Juice $2,775,978,467 -2.8% 1,065,593,625 -3.8%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Cereal $7,392,859,148 -2.8% 2,639,184,589 -3.6%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Bulk & Pkgd Rice $ 345,887,109 -2.8% 180,243,608 -4.9%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Dehydrated Potatoes $ 327,399,290 -1.7% 207,447,944 -3.2%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Regular Carbonated
Beverages $9,627,176,585 -1.6% 7,032,454,375 -5.9%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Dry Pasta $1,251,817,664 -0.1% 1,226,950,326 -4.6%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Fresh Bread $5,968,111,699 0.8% 3,560,171,929 -2.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
White Bread $2,193,724,865 -2.7% 1,606,057,827 -4.7%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Wheat Bread $1,534,492,378 8.6% 873,092,765 4.0%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Eggs $2,582,606,064 18.5% 1,755,042,495 -0.2%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Meat Snacks $ 296,291,368 15.9% 105,405,534 7.6%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Nuts $1,816,889,004 11.0% 679,318,275 8.8%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Bacon $2,053,173,928 9.8% 664,851,904 0.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Diet Carbonated
Beverages $4,436,008,585 7.5% 2,828,559,820 1.0%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Frozen Unprepared
Meat/Seafood $2,741,383,541 7.4% 483,469,026 7.7%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Refrigerated Sausage $2,442,661,205 4.9% 914,996,409 3.9%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Refrigerated Sliced
Lunchmeat $3,513,513,039 3.8% 1,528,018,819 1.1%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Cheese $8,360,854,279 3.1% 3,424,008,592 4.0%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Frankfurters $1,773,948,565 2.0% 873,631,825 0.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Source: ACNielsen Strategic Planner, Food/Drug/Mass (excluding
Wal-Mart) Channels Combined
Proper interpretation of the above numbers must take into account both dollar and unit sales trends. Fresh potatoes, for example, shows strong dollar sales declines but flat performance on a unit basis, indicating that price declines are driving much of the overall dollar sales declines. On the other hand, eggs and bacon are both showing much stronger dollar sales growth than unit sales growth, indicating that price increases in the categories are driving overall category dollar volume up.
Food industry analyst Phil Lempert said, "Interest in low-carb diets could have long-term implications on the health of Americans, as major brands introduce lower-carb offerings. Products that have been reformulated to contain less sugar but still taste good could be a major step toward reducing our country's waistlines."
Watching carbohydrate consumption is not the only food concern among American consumers. When asked about certain food-related issues, a majority of people indicated that they are aware of and concerned about the health risks surrounding obesity, trans-fatty acids and saturated fat. However, awareness of the health risks concerning trans-fatty acids is significantly below that of the other two.
In general, are you
or any member of If yes, how concerned are you
your household with the issue in regards to
aware of the health you and/or other members of
risks? your household?
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Issue Yes No Very Somewhat Not at All
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Obesity 93.8% 6.2% 43.3% 39.3% 17.3%
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Trans-Fatty Acids 67.5% 32.5% 35.6% 58.3% 6.1%
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Saturated Fats 87.8% 12.2% 41.7% 52.4% 5.9%
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Source: ACNielsen Homescan Panel*Views Survey
Lempert believes awareness of issues pertaining to trans-fatty acids has been overshadowed by publicity about carbohydrates. "We're in the midst of a great awakening when it comes to people's understanding of what's in their food. When the low-carb craze settles down a bit, I believe we'll see people taking a more informed and balanced approach to their eating. The wise manufacturers will take the lead in making sure their foods are safe and healthy."
The ACNielsen Homescan® Panel*Views survey of more than 10,000 nationally representative households - members of the 61,500-household Homescan consumer panel - was conducted in October and November of 2003.
The low-carb analysis is the lead story in this month's industry e-newsletter, Facts, Figures & the Future. For a free subscription, go to www.factsfiguresfuture.com.
ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world's leading marketing information provider. Offering services in more than 100 countries, ACNielsen provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behavior. Clients rely on ACNielsen's market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns.
Note to Editors: Look for this press release and other ACNielsen news on the Internet at http://acnielsen.com/news.
Contact:
ACNielsen
Matt Bell, 847-605-5686
Source: ACNielsen
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040209/95838_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040209/95838_1.html
ACNielsen Quantifies Impact of Low-Carb Diets
Monday February 9, 2004
Seventeen Percent of Households Include Someone on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet; Slightly More Include Someone Who Tried Diet But Quit Numerous Packaged Food Categories Showing the Effects
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004-- According to new research from ACNielsen U.S., an operating unit of ACNielsen, a VNU business, more than 17 percent of U.S. households report that someone in their household is currently on a low-carbohydrate diet. Importantly, a slightly higher number (19.2 percent) reported that someone in their household was once on such a diet, but is no longer.
"The low-carb diet craze is having a significant impact on how people eat," said Todd Hale, ACNielsen senior vice president, Consumer Insights. "The number of people on low-carb diets is impressive and likely under-represents the true story since many more people may be selectively decreasing carbohydrate intake without considering themselves to be on a complete low-carb diet. However, the number of people who have tried a low-carb diet and are no longer on it is compelling as well. The jury is still out as to whether the low-carb diet has staying power."
Have you or any member of the household
ever been on a low-carbohydrate diet?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, someone currently is, but not in the past. 8.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, someone currently is, and has been in the past
also. 8.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------
No, no one currently is, but someone has in the past. 19.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------
No, no one has ever been on a low-carbohydrate diet. 63.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Source: ACNielsen Homescan Panel*Views Survey
Interest in low-carb foods is showing up in many product categories
tracked by ACNielsen, with numerous inherently high-carb foods
showing sales declines, and many low-carb and/or high-protein foods
showing sales increases.
% %
Change Change
Category $ Volume 52 vs. Unit Volume 52 vs.
Weeks Ending Year Wks Ending Year
12/27/03 Ago 12/27/03 Ago
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
UPC-Coded Fresh
Potatoes $1,455,070,624 -10.0% 616,487,939 -0.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Instant Rice $ 168,716,903 -7.3% 79,081,545 -8.2%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Cookies $3,952,221,554 -3.0% 1,839,733,156 -5.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Refrigerated Orange
Juice $2,775,978,467 -2.8% 1,065,593,625 -3.8%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Cereal $7,392,859,148 -2.8% 2,639,184,589 -3.6%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Bulk & Pkgd Rice $ 345,887,109 -2.8% 180,243,608 -4.9%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Dehydrated Potatoes $ 327,399,290 -1.7% 207,447,944 -3.2%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Regular Carbonated
Beverages $9,627,176,585 -1.6% 7,032,454,375 -5.9%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Dry Pasta $1,251,817,664 -0.1% 1,226,950,326 -4.6%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Fresh Bread $5,968,111,699 0.8% 3,560,171,929 -2.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
White Bread $2,193,724,865 -2.7% 1,606,057,827 -4.7%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Wheat Bread $1,534,492,378 8.6% 873,092,765 4.0%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Eggs $2,582,606,064 18.5% 1,755,042,495 -0.2%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Meat Snacks $ 296,291,368 15.9% 105,405,534 7.6%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Nuts $1,816,889,004 11.0% 679,318,275 8.8%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Bacon $2,053,173,928 9.8% 664,851,904 0.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Diet Carbonated
Beverages $4,436,008,585 7.5% 2,828,559,820 1.0%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Frozen Unprepared
Meat/Seafood $2,741,383,541 7.4% 483,469,026 7.7%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Refrigerated Sausage $2,442,661,205 4.9% 914,996,409 3.9%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Refrigerated Sliced
Lunchmeat $3,513,513,039 3.8% 1,528,018,819 1.1%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Cheese $8,360,854,279 3.1% 3,424,008,592 4.0%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Frankfurters $1,773,948,565 2.0% 873,631,825 0.5%
------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Source: ACNielsen Strategic Planner, Food/Drug/Mass (excluding
Wal-Mart) Channels Combined
Proper interpretation of the above numbers must take into account both dollar and unit sales trends. Fresh potatoes, for example, shows strong dollar sales declines but flat performance on a unit basis, indicating that price declines are driving much of the overall dollar sales declines. On the other hand, eggs and bacon are both showing much stronger dollar sales growth than unit sales growth, indicating that price increases in the categories are driving overall category dollar volume up.
Food industry analyst Phil Lempert said, "Interest in low-carb diets could have long-term implications on the health of Americans, as major brands introduce lower-carb offerings. Products that have been reformulated to contain less sugar but still taste good could be a major step toward reducing our country's waistlines."
Watching carbohydrate consumption is not the only food concern among American consumers. When asked about certain food-related issues, a majority of people indicated that they are aware of and concerned about the health risks surrounding obesity, trans-fatty acids and saturated fat. However, awareness of the health risks concerning trans-fatty acids is significantly below that of the other two.
In general, are you
or any member of If yes, how concerned are you
your household with the issue in regards to
aware of the health you and/or other members of
risks? your household?
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Issue Yes No Very Somewhat Not at All
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Obesity 93.8% 6.2% 43.3% 39.3% 17.3%
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Trans-Fatty Acids 67.5% 32.5% 35.6% 58.3% 6.1%
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Saturated Fats 87.8% 12.2% 41.7% 52.4% 5.9%
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Source: ACNielsen Homescan Panel*Views Survey
Lempert believes awareness of issues pertaining to trans-fatty acids has been overshadowed by publicity about carbohydrates. "We're in the midst of a great awakening when it comes to people's understanding of what's in their food. When the low-carb craze settles down a bit, I believe we'll see people taking a more informed and balanced approach to their eating. The wise manufacturers will take the lead in making sure their foods are safe and healthy."
The ACNielsen Homescan® Panel*Views survey of more than 10,000 nationally representative households - members of the 61,500-household Homescan consumer panel - was conducted in October and November of 2003.
The low-carb analysis is the lead story in this month's industry e-newsletter, Facts, Figures & the Future. For a free subscription, go to www.factsfiguresfuture.com.
ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world's leading marketing information provider. Offering services in more than 100 countries, ACNielsen provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behavior. Clients rely on ACNielsen's market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns.
Note to Editors: Look for this press release and other ACNielsen news on the Internet at http://acnielsen.com/news.
Contact:
ACNielsen
Matt Bell, 847-605-5686
Source: ACNielsen
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040209/95838_1.html