Fun Food Facts - May 14, 1997

Do you know ...

How much do you spend a week on food?

--Click and hold for the answer--> Would you believe only $63.70? Apparently the average American consumer spends $63.70 a week on food - of which $10.30 is spent on Frozen Food. Good news for the prepared frozen food manufacturers I guess. This fact from the National Frozen Food Association (of course!)

Ok - in ORDER what are the 3 most popular flavors of ice cream. 1 point for getting a flavor - and 1 point for the right order!

----And the answer is....--------> 1) Vanilla 2) Flavors with candy mixins ie: Heath Bars, or M&M 3) Chocolate My personal favorite - Parlines & Cream just doesn't rate! This from the International Ice Cream Association in honor of National Ice Cream Month -- July of course --

Would most people agree or disagree:

Freshness is more important than price.

----And the answer is....--> 85% Agree 14% Disagree 1% Doesn't know Ok - if I'm picking fruit I won't buy the yucky stuff - unless it's bananas and I'm planning on baking tonight.

Agree or Disagree:

Nutritional quality is more important than taste.

----And the answer is....--> 41% Agree 57% Disagree 2% Doesn't know Ok - do you really believe these numbers? How many of you say this but don't really follow your own advice? Personally - I'm into taste - and if I can get the good nutritional values - so much the better (check out our 98% Fat Free Soups - and our Healthier Style Directions. With ED Inspiration soups - you can have taste - and good nutrition!)

Agree or Disagree:

Nutritional quality is more important than price.

----And the answer is....--> --> 83% Agree 16% Disagree 1% Doesn't know Now this surprises me. Do you suppose this is a case of saying what you think the testers wanted to hear? After all - I'll buy potato chips - and I know they aren't good for me. I guess the question is - would I pay more for potato chips that were good for me? What if they didn't taste very good? Tough Question! But again - If I can have my cake and eat it too - ie get low price and decent nutritional quality - that's a deal!

Fun Food Facts - April 9, 1997

Do you know ...

Is Chicken Soup really good for you?

--Click and hold for the answer--> You bet! "Chicken soup contains a substance that helps to thin out the mucus, relieving congestion" according to Annette Adams, dietitian and author of "Foods That Harm, Foods that Heal" Other foods that are good for colds according to Adams include chilies, hot peppers, garlic, turmeric and other hot spices. (I'd say that was logical - when my nose is busy running - it doesn't have time to get stuffed up!

In which country do people eat the most BEEF per person per year?

----And the answer is....-----> --> No - it is NOT the US. Actually the correct order is: 1) Uruguay 2) Argentina 3) US 4) Australia 5) Canada And how much beef do people in Uruguay eat? Are you sitting down? A whopping 86 kg or 189 pounds per person - per year! That explains the saying - Be kind to cows - eat Chicken! *This answer from research done a couple of years ago by Agriculture Canada.

In which country do people eat the most POULTRY per person per year?

----And the answer is....----> --> --> It is not the US, it's not Canada - it's not even Mexico. In fact - it's Hong Kong, at a rate of about 47 kg / 103 lbs per person per year. Here in Canada we eat about 31 kg or 68 lbs per capita. I don't have the figures for the US, but I'm guessing that American's eat less chicken than Canadians do. What do you think?

How many times a week does the average person eat a hamburger?

----And the answer is....--> --> --> Well I was betting once a month - I guess I won't make it as a consultant to MacDonalds. It turns out that people who eat burgers - get one at least three times every two weeks. So, next time you are sitting in a fast food joint munching a burger - ask yourself - is this deja view - or am I really repeating myself?

Fun Food Facts - March 20, 1997

Do you know ...

What foods are served at the Insectarium de Montreal?

----And the answer is....-----------> No they don't feed the bugs there - they feed you. It's a yearly rite of spring - and there are a variety of recipes to try - from Mexican-style crickets, samosas of larvae, and crickets flavored with chocolate or maple syrup. There's even a recipe featuring crickets and marshmallows. (Maybe Mom will let me eat these instead of my Brussel Sprouts!)

What's for dinner tonight at your house?

----And the answer is....-------> Consumer research shows that 68% of dinners are eaten at home, but that by 4 pm, 60% of women still don't know what they are making that night. That sounds like a food fact that's perfect for ED Inspiration Soups - and probably goes a long way towards explaining the lines in the grocery stores at 5:30.

If Bacon & Eggs IN or OUT for breakfast?

----And the answer is....------> Definitely OUT, as are whole milk, eggs, bacon, butter and white bread according to a recent study from the University of North Carolina. IN foods for breakfast includes low-fat milk, whole-grain breads, high-fiber cereals and fruit. (Does this mean that if I put strawberries on my waffle with whipped cream it will be an IN breakfast?)

The age of a Tootsie Roll?

----And the answer is....--> Would you believe that 1996 marks the 100th anniversary of my favorite candy! Leo Hirshfield, an Austrian immigrant, brought his secret recipe to New York in 1896, and named the candy after his daughter - nicknamed Tootsie. In comparison, the Tootsie Pop is a virtual baby - it was 'invented' in 1931.

Our Fun Food Fact Sources:

• Montreal Gazette, Wednesday, March 26, 1997
• Newsbites, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, February 1997
• Montreal Gazette, Wednesday, February 19, 1997
• Newsbites, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, December 1996
• Industry Insider, by Diane Toops, News Editor, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, December 1996
• Newsbites, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, October 1996
• Newsbites, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, November 1996
• Kid stuff, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, September 1996,
• Newsbites, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, September 1996
• The Last Bite, Prepared Foods, A Cahners Publication, September 1996
• Off the Charts, Food Processing, A Putman Publication, September 1996