ANAHEIM, Calif. -- While consumers talk about eating healthy, this does not constitute a health and wellness trend, said a speaker at the opening session of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association's Dairy-Deli-Bake 2007 Expo June 2-5. Harry Balzer, vice president of Chicago-based NPD Group, said despite the fact that more people are reading nutrition labels, they are eating pretty much the same as they were a decade ago. "Health and wellness isn't a trend," Balzer said. "It's just anxiety. The government certainly thought the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act would help consumers make good eating choices, but it hasn't helped the spread of obesity. Indeed, he pointed out that in 1991 three of our states stood out because 15% of their populations were categorized as obese. Now, he said, at least half the states have that distinction and in three states, a whopping 30% are obese. So, he said, it doesn't appear there's a correlation between being educated about fat and sugar content and eating a healthier diet. In fact, in the quick-service arena, sales of fried chicken sandwiches are rising right now at the same time main dish salad sales are declining. On a positive health-related note, Balzer did say consumers, while they don't want to take anything away from their daily food intake, they have recently said they want to add some items they see as healthy to their daily diets. Those are whole grains, dietary fiber, antioxidants, omega-3s and probiotics. Sales of products containing those are growing, he said.

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