The marketing firm, Datamonitor, predicts the market size will reach over a billion dollars by the year 2001. Other products such as imitation bacon, sausage, ground beef, and deli slices are becoming increasingly popular. Popularity of meatless pre-made frozen entrees is also on the rise. The younger crowd of vegetarians is also taking to meat alternatives, according to an ADM survey. Seekers of low fat meat products select the blended meat and poultry hot dogs, luncheon meats, sausages, and nuggets.
New products emerge rapidly and are a booming segment of the soy industry.
New Products such as Protein Technologies Incorporated Health Source soy beverages entered the dairy cases of California test markets this spring aimed at women concerned about osteoporosis, menopause, and heart disease. According to Whole Foods magazine, the category of natural products for women is very strong, especially for dietary supplements. Many of these supplements cater to active working women and older women concerned about prevention of heart disease. Other women use soy supplements to combat premenopausal symptoms. New and old products fill an expanding shelf space in supermarkets, pharmacies, health and natural food stores.