Corn syrup: Out. Hemp milk: In!

Here are three food trends to look out for, according to an e-mail I got today from the Intelligence Group's Trendcentral. I can't really see hemp milk catching on, but then again, I never thought I'd see the day that Burger King would sell veggie burgers, and they've been doing that for several years now. What do you think?

"Anti-Corn Syrup Movement: Joining popular food catch phrases such as low calorie, low carb, and trans-fat free is anti-HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). HFCS is found in everything from soda, juice drinks, canned soup and yogurt to cereal, crackers and salad dressing, and has gotten serious flak for its not-so-healthy ability to turn to fat quicker than any other carbohydrate. Jones Soda, well know for its quirky flavors and colors, is one of the first soda brands to make the switch from HFCS to pure cane sugar. As consumers continue to re-think their diets, with a focus on the fight against childhood obesity and diabetes, we can expect the HFCS issue to generate more controversy, as well as more pure cane sugar products to emerge.

Healing Foods: While organic and all-natural foods and beverages have become popular choices when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, another category of products that boast medicinal or healing properties is also growing. From digestive health products such as Kashi Vive and Dannon Activia to joint health products such as Minute Maid Active with Glucosamine, we’re beginning to see food and drink emerge as alternatives to taking medicine. Expect to see this category rapidly expand in the near future, with new and innovative food options designed to combat other common health issues.

Hemp Milk: No longer confined to head shops and hippie threads, hemp products are generating major buzz in the food industry as the next dairy alternative. Made from ground hemp seeds, hemp milk boasts high levels of protein, omega fatty acids, amino acids, and a slew of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and GLS (Gamma-Linolenic Acid), a substance which claims to fight cancer, inflammation, and auto immune disease. From vegan to lactose intolerant, as well as curious foodies, consumers now have yet another non-dairy option to satisfy their tastes."