The metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, which increases an individual's risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes, is becoming a global epidemic. It is characterised by abdominal obesity and any two of the following conditions: high levels of HLD-cholesterol, glucose intolerance, hypertension and lipid problems.

Thailand is not only the world's leading rice and its second biggest sugar exporter, but judging by the high quality of innovative products on show at the recent Thaifex World of Food Asia in Bangkok, the country is fast establishing itself as an important player in the global food market.

Export or local sales of quality fresh avocados is the preferred option for avocado growers, but food-grade avocado oil is increasingly making its mark on international and local shelves.

Mpumalanga-based Da Gama Oil is the world's largest, and a pioneer producer of edible avocado oil. Westfalia, the brand name of the Hans Merensky Group in Limpopo, is now also marketing its avocado oil aggressively.

Da Gama CEO, Koos de la Rey says avocado oil has only become well known on the world food market during the past two years.

But he says it will always be a niche product that will never be able to compete with other edible oils in price, availability or popularity.

SA consumer-centric supply chains have less than two years to get their plans in order for the FIFA World Cup soccer event (WC2010), which will be hosted in SA's main cities during June and July 2010.

Astrapak's Hilfort Plastics has revealed first details of its new production line, to be installed soon, which will produce multilayer plastic jars for the fruit "canning" and many other food/beverage sectors.

This will be the first production of this type of packaging in SA.

Fritz Schwarz, the Fleischmeister of listed Best Cut Ltd, has a torrent of perceptions about the SA processed meat market.

It is vital for every organisation that makes, distributes or uses plastic packaging to ensure that plastic polymer identification logos are imprinted, says David Hughes, executive director of the Plastics Federation of SA (PFSA).

Brand or line extensions are used by marketers as a means to generate extra revenue, but it is a complex strategy, says marketing research company ACNielsen in a recent consumer insight, that needs to engage both trade and consumers to sustain long-term profitability without harming the brand's hard-earned equity.

With the launch of the first locally-produced liquid fructose product in SA this month, Tongaat Hulett is positioning itself as a total sweetening solutions company.