News briefs: American tastes, Abbott Nutrition and Cadbury

Americans prefer foods high in solid fats, added sugar Researchers at the US National Cancer Institute have found that Americans prefer eating foods that are high in solid fats and added sugars, according to an article published in this month's Journal of the American Dietetic Association .

Despite the rise of a more health conscious consumer market, it seems there is still a significant demand for fatty, sweet foods.

" Americans are not eating the most nutrient-dense forms of the basic food groups," recommended in the government's MyPyramid guidelines, according to the Journal.

Cookies, donuts and cakes were some of the products identified as contributing most to high energy, dense foods.

The Journal said that the researchers used data from the 2001 - 2002 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey and found the country's population is not following dietary advice.

The findings highlighted that Americans need to eat " much less " solid fats and added sugars and more of the right kind of vegetables, whole grains, fruits and fat-free milk.

Based on results from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey an estimated 66 percent of American adults are either overweight or obese.

And the rate of obesity more than doubled from the previous survey - increasing from 15.0 percent (1976-1980) to 32.9 percent.

Nutrition bar combines chocolate, antioxidants and protein Abbott Nutrition continues to aim to meet the needs of those interested in the more nutritious alternative with the launch of ZonePerfect Dark Chocolate All-Natural Nutrition Bars.

The company said in a statement that they are " the first bars of their kind to combine rich, indulgent dark chocolate with antioxidants - Vitamins C & E, and the mineral Selenium - that help support the immune system and an excellent source of protein ."

According to the company the new product comes in three flavours: Double Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Almond and Dark Chocolate Strawberry.

Abbot adds that they provide 50 per cent daily value of Vitamin C, 90 per cent daily value of Vitamin E and 25 per cent daily value of Selenium.

They also provide 12g of protein per bar and are a " good source of 19 essential vitamins and minerals ".

Abbot is aiming the bars at the " time-crunched " and " multi-tasking ", saying they provide nutrition on the hoof, offering " an ideal balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat ."

Cadbury appointments and results Last week Cadbury announced the appointment of Guy Elliott, currently chairman of the company's Audit Committee, as Senior Independent Director when Roger Carr becomes chairman on 21 July this year.

With regard to expected first half performance Sir John Sunderland, current chairman, said that following the demerger he could confirm that " the new company is off to a strong start with revenues in the first half expected to be above the top end of our goal range and trading margins around 150 basis points ahead."

"This performance reflects the combination of increased marketing investment, higher pricing and successful early execution of our cost reduction initiatives ."