Market News

More Shoppers Turning To Kosher Items

The kosher food market is in the midst of a record boom. The business is worth $575 million in Canada, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Services study, and growing annually by almost 20%. In 2007, Chicago-based food consultancy Mintel's Global New Products Database reported that "kosher" was the most frequently used claim on new products launched in the U.S. and Canada, more popular than "all natural," "organic," "low fat" and even "no additives or preservatives." Many consumers aren't aware that roughly 65% of all products on supermarket shelves are now certified kosher. Perrier, Heinz ketchup and President's Choice taco shells are among kosher certified items. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_29971.aspx Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, Dec. 12, 2008