Emerging Trends: August 2013

> 84%

The percentage of online ads displayed to children that were for products with high amounts of fat, sugar or sodium, according to a new survey conducted by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University. The study looked at food ads that were displayed on popular children’s websites to determine how many met the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, a program where companies pledge to advertise only healthy foods to children. The researchers also found that breakfast cereal and fast food ads were the most frequently displayed advertisements to children. 

> Edible Education

Want to know how sustainable your sushi is? If you’re dining at Harney Sushi, in San Diego, just pull out your cell phone. The restaurant will be posting edible QR codes on its sushi, which will take diners to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FishWatch website where they can find information about the fish they are consuming. The QR codes will be printed on a rice paper wafer and a water-based edible ink will be used. The restaurant says it sees the project as a way to “further engage their customers in the movement by providing modern tools by which to become educated about sustainable seafood.”

> 20%

The amount that U.S. shrimp prices have increased in recent months, according to Thailand’s leading exporter. The hike is due to a bacterial infection that is killing shrimp in Asia, which has reduced output in Thailand by as much as 40%, according to The Wall Street Journal. The bacterium isn’t harmful to humans, but it is deadly to shrimp. The U.S. relies on Thailand for most of its imported shrimp. U.S. restaurants are feeling the crunch. Landry’s is considering menu changes or price increases to combat the shrimp shortage.