Total new meat product introductions have been on a downward slide since 1990 while vegetarian substitutes for traditional meat products have been on the rise, based on statistics from Naples, N.Y.-based Marketing Intelligence Service Ltd.
Marketing Intelligence further reports that total new meat product introductions (all segments) from 1990 to July 1994 were: 1990, 152; 1991, 136; 1992, 117; 1993, 109; 1994 (through July 11) 64.
But healthy alternative meat product introductions have steadily increased since 1990-and industry insiders say this growth will continue. Although the "healthier alternatives revolution" affects almost all meat categories, the categories containing the most healthier alternative new product introductions appear to be ham and other assorted pork products, hot dogs, luncheon meats, frozen dinners and frozen entrees.
What's new, innovative?
Listed in the chart below are some of the more unusual healthier alternative meat products introduced during the past five years. Most products are lower in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories.