Food Business News - January 1, 2013 - 10

National survey shows obesity rates may be falling
death,” wrote Liping Pan, M.D., M.P.H., of the C.D.C., and colleagues. “Obesity and extreme obesity during early childhood are likely to continue into adulthood. Understanding trends in extreme obesity is important because the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors increases with severity of childhood obesity.” The research was based on data from the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS), which includes almost 50% of children eligible for federally funded maternal and child health and nutrition programs. The analysis for the study included 26.7 million children ages 2 through 4 years from 30 states and the District of Columbia that consistently reported data to PedNSS from 1998 through 2010. One routine clinic visit with demographic information and measured height and weight was selected randomly for each child. The children were considered obese if their body mass index (B.M.I.), which is a measure of height and weight, was at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and gender. Children were considered to be extremely obese if their B.M.I. was 120% or above the 95th percentile. The C.D.C. noted the 2010 study population was slightly younger and had proportionally more Hispanics and fewer non-Hispanic whites and blacks compared with the 1998 population. “To our knowledge, this is the first national study to show that the prevalence of obesity and extreme obesity among young U.S. children may have begun to decline,” the researchers said. “The results of this study indicate modest recent progress of obesity prevention among young children. These findings may have important health implications because of the lifelong health risks of obesity and extreme obesity in early childhood.” FBN

Hain completes purchase of BluePrint
MELVILLE, N.Y. — The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. has completed the acquisition of BluePrint brand, a New York-based marketer and manufacturer of raw, organic cold-pressed fruit and

ATLANTA — After several years in which the rate of obesity was determined to be on the upswing, new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests a shift in direction — at least for 2- to 4-year olds from low-income families. It marks the first national data to show obesity and extreme obesity may be declining in young children, the C.D.C. said. The prevalence of obesity among 2- to 4-year olds from low-income families fell to 14.94% in 2010, down from 15.21% in 2003 and compared with 13.05% in 1998. Meanwhile, the prevalence of extreme obesity fell to 2.07% in 2010 from 2.22% in 2003 and compared with 1.75% in 1998, according to a researcher note written by the C.D.C. and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “Obesity and extreme obesity in childhood, which are more prevalent among minority and low-income families, have been associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, increased health care costs, and premature

Kraft investing $25 million in Capri Sun facility in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA. — Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia said Kraft Foods Group will invest $25 million to increase production of its Capri Sun beverages and install new packaging technology at its facility in Frederick county. The project will create 25 new jobs. “Kraft Foods has been an important employer and corporate partner to Frederick county since 1991,” Mr. McDonnell said. “Nearly three years ago I announced Kraft’s expansion at its Winchester facility, and today it is my pleasure to announce another significant investment to expand Capri Sun production and bring in new packaging technology. The site continues to expand, and this new manufacturing component will add to the longevity of this successful operation.” FBN

vegetable juices and juice beverages. The BluePrint brand generated approximately $20 million in sales in 2012 and is expected to be accretive to Hain Celestial’s earnings in 2013. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. “We see great potential with the BluePrint brand as consumers increasingly seek the benefits of the nutrients, enzymes and fresh taste of raw juice,” said Irwin D. Simon, founder, president and chief executive officer of Hain Celestial. “The acquisition of BluePrint, a market leading brand that offers innovative products and programs, provides Hain Celestial with the opportunity for expansion into the premium raw juice category. We plan to leverage the BluePrint brand across our portfolio and create a larger retail presence for the BluePrint brand.” Launched in 2007, BluePrint has achieved strong growth in the United States, and in 2011 opened a second manufacturing facility in Los Angeles and began shipping to Canada. The brand also is sold nationwide at FreshDirect, Whole Foods Market, Dean & DeLuca and more. FBN

FOODBUSINESS NEWS

January 1, 2013

Food Business News - January 1, 2013

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