Kosher Food Fastest Growing

Which claim did you see most on new foods next year? "All Natural?" Nope. "No Additives or Preservatives?" Uh-uh.

The answer is kosher. Mintel's Global New Products Database, which monitors worldwide product innovation in consumer packaged goods markets, found that 3,984 new kosher food products and 728 kosher beverages were launched in the past year.

Michael Lando of The Jerusalem Post wrote that Americans alone spend $10.5 billion on kosher products. They include a much wider segment of the population than the two percent who identify themselves as Jewish.

In a survey conducted by Mintel in 2005, 55% of respondents who bought kosher foods said they thought they held a higher mark of health and safety than non-kosher items, 38% were vegetarians and 16% said they eat halal.

Mintel identified the demand for dairy- and meat-free products as the driving force behind market growth. Moreover, food that is certified as kosher is also suitable for Muslims who follow a halal diet.

Americans are fortunate in this broad selection of foods. About 20 times as many new kosher products were launched in the United States and Canada in the past five years than in Europe.