From getting optimum nutrition during pregnancy to preventing osteoporosis in the elderly, consumer health consciousness spans all generations. Products like calcium-enriched milk with folic acid, cholesterol-reducing margarine, and energy sports bars are filling the grocery shelves. These "functional foods" are hot items for those concerned about their dietary intake, but do they live up to the claims, or is it just another marketing ploy? Functional Foods: Concept to Product presents step-by-step coverage of the development, from identifying, to testing, to producing, to marketing the products. By examining soft drinks, cereal and baby foods, baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, spreads, meat products, and animal feeds, it discusses modes of functional food operation such as:Vitamin and mineral fortificationCholesterol reductionDietary FiberProbiotics, prebiotics, and synbioticsAntioxidantsPhytochemicalsHerbs and botanicalsFunctional foods are one of the most important and exciting developments in the food industry, opening up a huge new market and transforming the relationship between food, nutrition, and health. However, manufacturers face major challenges in product development, and in substantiating and marketing health claims for this new generation of food products. An essential reference for both the food industry and health professionals, Functional Foods: Concept to Product brings together some of the leading international authorities in the field to address these challenges.