Product Study - Quorn Vegetarian Foods Essay -- Business Analysis, Veg

Analysis of the SituationThere are currently 4 jillion vegetarians in the UK, and this figure is increasing at a rate of 5,000 each week. The fact that the number of vegetarians in the UK has doubled in the past ten years, proves vegetarianism to be constantly gaining popularity. The UK retail market for vegetarian foods is increasing by eight per cent per year, reflecting the constant demands for meat alternatives. Quorn products are amongst the most popular vegetarian foods in the UK, which is indicated through the vast amount of people choosing Quorn products as regular mealtime alternatives to meat based meals. I have chosen Quorn chicken style nuggets as my product study, as it is a well-established meat alternative, and one of Qourns best selling products. Quorn as a company cater for many different needs of c ustomers from social groups including religion and faith, culture, low expound diets, and of course, vegetarians themselves. History of Micoprotein and Quorn ProductsIn the 1960s nutritionists and health experts were concerned that the predicted growthin population would mean that by the 1980s there would be a global protein shortage. Nutritionists and food scientists started a search to find new foods, which would help to meet the predicted increase in demand.The discovery of an organism occurring naturally in the soil ultimately gave Marlow Foods the opportunity to part such a new food mycoprotein.Research and product development work progressed. It wasnt until the early 1980s that mycoprotein could be grown on a com... ...gether to produce the defeat for the nuggets. The flour and starch are mixed together along with water, and the salt is then added for flavouring. The batter is then set allowing he breadcrumbs to stick to it Wheat flour, shuck germ, yeast, salt are all us ed to make the breadcrumbs for the nuggets. The yeast allows the crumbs to grow and mixes with the ingredients, where as the wheat starch and flour are the main ingredients forming the crumbs. The salt is once more used for extra flavouring. Sunflower oil replaces the fat in the mixture, making it a healthier option. It allows the nuggets to be fried a lot more easily, ascribable to its high smoke point. Packaging. www.understandingfoodadditives.orgFunctions of ingrediantsCompare chicken with quorn nuggetsPackagingPrice http//www.bbc.co.uk/health/awareness_campaigns/may_vegetarian.shtml