March 29, 2021

Eat This Podcast: What is the value of functional foods?

Hello

“[B]etween 2011 and 2015 there was a phenomenal 202% increase globally in the number of new food and drink products launched containing the terms ‘superfood’, ‘superfruit’ or ‘supergrain’,” according to Mintel research.

Whether you believe the claims — I remain dubious — there’s one group of people that these foods could definitely help: the farmers who grow them. There are, however, reasons to be cautious. I chatted to Trent Blare, who has worked in the Peruvian Amazon and on “functional” corn varieties in Mexico, about some of the success stories and some of the difficulties.

Take a listen

All the best

Jeremy