'Super foods' charm consumers

Clockwise from top left are Nongshim Kellogg's Special K Oats & Honey cereal, Dongwon F&B's Denmark Almond milk, Florida Natural orange juice produced by Maeil Dairy Industries and Pulmuone Danone's new yogurt I Love Yogurt. / Courtesy of Imok Communications

By Rachel Lee

When it comes to eating a healthy diet, some super foods can be just a passing fad.

The 10 nutrient powerhouses selected by American magazine TIME, however, have proven to deliver life-altering benefits, and the country's food industry is actively using these easy-to-eat foods to satisfy consumer desire for a healthier lifestyle.

The chosen munchies ㅡ plain yogurt, almonds, salmon, broccoli, oranges, beans, oats, kale, pumpkin and blueberries ㅡ are found to help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and prolong life. All the listed foods are relatively easy to obtain and offer more nutritional value per serving than many other alternatives.

"Despite the current economic difficulties and uncertainties in the country, the level of consumer interest in living a healthy life has been increasing consistently," a Nongshim Kellogg spokesman said. Nongshim Kellogg was launched in a joint corporation between the U.S-based company and Nongshim, the country's largest instant noodle maker. "Consumers are already well aware of the fact that the 10 super foods are packed with multiple nutrients to help them stay healthy. Products made with such foods are becoming increasingly popular among consumers since they find it easier to have them on a regular basis."

Nongshim Kellogg last month introduced the new Special K Oats & Honey cereal. Special K has long been the go to cereal for dieters.

According to the company, the new taste made with barley, wheat, rice and honey contains seven essential vitamins and minerals and it's also high in protein and fiber.

Paris Baguette, a brand owned by the country's largest bakery franchiser SPC Group, this month introduced Cool Bread series, which contains blueberries and pineapple.

The country's dairy companies have also jumped into the super food market, with each vying to become the leader of the industry.

Dongwon F&B, a Korea-based food company known as the country's largest provider of canned tuna, launched last month a new healthy drink made with almond and milk, and became the first industry manufacturer to produce this product.

Maeil Dairy Industries, the nation's largest seller of dairy products, released in May Florida Natural, a 100 percent pure squeezed orange juice, and Pulmuone Danone has also shown I Love Yogurt, a new yogurt product available in three flavors including plain.

"Since I read about super foods and their long-term benefits a few months ago, I have started looking for something that contains good ingredients every time I go food shopping with my family. As food experts say, I believe people who eat more of them are healthier and thinner than those who don't," Kim Jung-min, a 34-year-old housewife said.

"I have cut down overall spending due to a difficult financial situation these days, but one thing I cannot give up on is food. I still want to eat good food that makes me keep fit and healthy. Most of the people around me feel the same way too," a 28-year-old office worker Lee said.

Industry insiders expect the super food containing products to continuously get popular as the number of health-conscious consumers in the country has risen consistently over the last few years.

"The ‘well-being' consumer group cares about small parts in their lifestyle such as what ingredients are contained in products. What food makers need to do is to meet their diversifying needs with high quality food products," Nongshim Kellogg spokesman said.

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