Abstract
Several methods are used to prepare Date Jams for human consumption. The recipes used and the methodology applied varies from one individual to the next depending on the intended outcome. This paper discusses the development of a low calorie Date Jam to enhance its nutrition and reduce the health effects associated with high sugar contents. Sugar has numerous health complications when consumed frequently and in excess. There are numerous diseases related to excessive sugar consumption as stipulated earlier. The need to reduce the sugar/calorie contents of Date Jams is considerable due to health matters and individual preferences. Precisely, developing such products will require reduction in quantities of ingredients that possess high sugar contents. Low calorie refers to foods with limited sugar/carbohydrate contents. This is preferable to those individuals who are diabetic hence require reduced sugar consumption in their diets. Another evident phenomenon in this context relates to the aspects of methodology and preparation of ingredients/recipes, which will eventually provide jams with low calorie substance. The legal requirements of Date Jam are that it should contain healthy ingredients and it should be prepared in consideration to health matters. Additionally, it is basic that Date Jam should contain coarsely grounded dates, water, lemon, considerable amount of sugar, and other additives including vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus zest. These are mixed in a given proportion to produce a commendable mix. New Product Development (NPD) refers to the entire processes required in order to emerge with a novel commodity in the market (Annacchino 2003, p. 513). This process require the generation of an idea, screening of such ideas, designing the intended product, and reengineering its provisions to make it fit for use. Concurrently, there are principles and challenges that characterize NPD in the product development, viability, and marketing efforts. Numerous jam making technologies exist as indicated earlier. These technologies have conformed to the principles of NPD with precision (Schotter 2008, p. 163).
Introduction
Development of a low calorie Date Jam
A low calorie Date Jam is essential for health. The product can be developed, produced in mass, and marketed to meet the new market demands, nutritional issues, and health trends. Additionally, it is crucial to consider that reducing the sugar content of Date Jam is healthy and recommendable for various reasons. This topic relates to the creation of a new model of jam from dates. It defies the conventional methods, which adds too much sugar and other carbohydrates to the ultimate Date Jam. According to the principles of NPD, the ideology to emerge with a viable Date Jam with low calorie content is important (Karol & Nelson 2007, p. 5). Following all the procedures required to develop this novel product is of some critical concern. Additionally, it is evident that numerous individuals who hardly take sugar will gain fairly from this novel development. As indicated before, extreme volume of sugar is unnecessary in various contexts. As part of marketing schedules, the new product will be able to rock the market with viability, appropriateness, and novelty among other provisions (Hull 2010, p.194). It is possible to develop such a product, source its market, and make money from such moves.
When developing the low calorie Date Jam, there are recipes, which must be used in order to render the product sugar deficient. This will help in reducing the calorie content of the end product. Making such moves is critical within the society. Additionally, having dates as the main recipe and other additives, which is sugar free is recommended in this context. Nonetheless, the entire process of development follows the principles of NPD with precision (Brethauer 2002, p. 46). It is recommendable that the product should have novel features that will distinguish it from others in the same marketplace. This will require the application of NPD principles to help in emerging with novel, lucrative, and selling products (Verma & Joshi 2000, p. 45).
What is Low Calorie?
Low calorie refers to minimized sugar or carbohydrate content in a particular food. Foods that contain low sugar contents belong to the low calorie group. Since calories are derivatives of sugar, foods with low sugar content constitute the group. It is from this context that numerous consumable goods get their appropriate identifications (Newman 2011, p. 2). For health consciousness, it is crucial to take meals of low calories depending on the situation and health condition of the concerned party. For example, individuals suffering from diabetes should cease from high calorie foods to help them reduce sugar in their blood. Precisely, low calorie refers to the minimized levels of sugar content within a given food or meal (Sethi 2005, p.10). It is the sugar content that contributes to the aspects of calorie. This occur either as high or low depending on the amount taken.
Legal definition/Jam Legal requirement
Jam refers to a gel like cocktail of various components. It has a major component that defines the exact name of the jam. For example, when date is used as the principle component of Jam, the resultant compound will be called Date Jam. This is a critical provision following its validity and appropriateness in the confectionary industry. Other components used as additives in this context equally determine the quality, validity, taste, and appropriateness of the end product. An important provision in this context refers to its validity and appropriateness in the market. Developing a low calorie Date Jam mean that the resultant jam will possess limited calorie content. It is from this context that the remaining products get their names (Corti 1999, p 25). Incorporation of particular additives will obviously rename the compound depending on the resultant quality and taste. This even affects the aspects of pricing within the market.
What is NPD (New Product Development)?
NPD refers to the processes involved in the establishment and production of novel products suitable within the market. The process also encompasses the aspects of improving an existing product or enhancing the market visibility of a given brand within the market. This is a critical provision in marketing especially in places where competition is quite strict. In order to create new customers for a product, it is advisable to establish a new product that will outdo other within the very marketplace. It is from this context that the aspects of NPD emerge with precision. The development of novel products or brands in the market requires procedural strategies. The entire process starts with the development of new ideologies, assessing such ideas, and implementing them as indicated later in the principles and processes of NPD (Manay & Shadaksharaswamy 2005, p. 97). For example, the development of low calorie Date Jam is component of NPD where the inventor wants to rock the market with a new product, which will solve the problems faced by Jam users in the realms of high sugar content. It is from this context that the entire scenarios emerge in the context of product viability. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the principles, challenges, and merits of NPD in various markets and beyond. It is from this context that the entire product developmental scenario emerges. Upholding viable NPD procedures is critical and advisable in various contexts. NPD is a stringent phenomenon, which varies from one product to the next (Annacchino 2007, p 1).
Principles of New Product Development
NPD follows stringent product establishment principles. This is evident in various products, which have been introduced in the market to meet the special needs of some customers. From this context, products attain their viability and product composition. There are eight principles that guide the process of NPD (Loch & Kavadias 2008, p.2). The first principle and process is the idea development. All products emerge from new ideas fronted by individuals, organizations, or other entities, which are interested in the aspects of production, marketing, and business deals. This refers to the aspects of entrepreneurship mentioned earlier. An excellent idea is easy to interpret and implement into a desired product with novelty and precision. Contextually, the idea to develop a Date Jam, which is low in its calorie content, is a novel idea. The product will capture a wider market and global presence especially to customers who prefer low calorie food (Hui, Barta & Cano 2006, p. 245). The next principle is the screening of the emerging ideas in order to sieve the viable ones from non-constructive ones. This is crucial in attaining viable ideologies concerning the product of interest. The ideas fronted about the product must be scrutinized to validate their viability, feasibility, market orientation, and prospective market visibility. Ability to attain and screen such ideas within the market is a critical phenomenon. The process also helps in discarding poor ideologies as soon as possible.
The next is the development of the product concept where a critical visualization of the product requirements, components, procedures, production, and marketing occurs. The new idea must provide a product which meets these principles with precision. The prospected product should meet the entire production and marketing criteria desired by the concerned organization. From this context, it is evident that the concepts developed during this stage will determine the kind of products developed ultimately. In this study, the concept to develop a low calorie Date Jam is a critical idea. Developing the production concepts is helpful in augmenting the mentioned ideas with precision. It is from this context that the mentioned ideas emerge. Developing the concepts of preferred recipes, procedures, and preparation methodology is a decisive component in this context. Next principle is the concept testing where the resultant product is taken to sampled consumers in order to grasp their opinions regarding the product. This will help in making necessary changes to the product in order to meet the market demands. Concept testing is a critical principle in this NPD phenomenon (Belliveau 2002, p. 57). It provides the exact market perception with regard to the intended product.
Crucially, another considerable process and principle in the NPD’s context is the business analysis. In this context, a thorough review in the realms of sales, costs, turnover prospective, and market penetration is executed. This should be pegged to whether the new product meets the company objectives in the realms of production, marketing, return, and expansion plans. Additionally, possessing a stringent market share within the concerned market territory is critical. While developing and producing low calorie Date Jam, the concerned organization must consider various stipulations mentioned above in order to prospect any lucrative businesses ahead. Consequently, the next provision in this context is the product development. This principle requires the concerned organization to implement the prospected product’s production and target the resultant commodities to a given market segment identified before. Next in this protocol is the commercialization of the product in the realms of production, marketing, and sales. Last in this list is the test marketing. The product and the designed marketing programs should be assessed in a viable manner to unveil the potentiality of the product and its survival in the market (Kapoor & Kapoor 2001, p.46). This can allow for other viable market orientations and credible changes in the marketing endeavors.
Challenges on New Product Development
NPD has numerous challenges in this context. Usually, development of new product ideas is a challenging phenomenon. For example developing a new low calorie Date Jam developed in this study can be critical and daunting (Soria, Davis & Melina 2008, p. 168). This is a massive challenge that might hinder such novel developments. The next viable challenge in this context is the synchronization and screening of various ideas that might emerge in the development of the prospective product. Some ideas might be discarded while others might be embraced. Ability to scrutinize these provisions is important. Creating clear selection principles might help in curbing such problems. Another challenge in the NPD is that the intended market might reject the resultant product (Cooper & Edgett n.d., p. 54). Customers might not respond as expected leading to wastage of funds in the entire process. Additionally, NPD is costly especially when the product is question is complex (Ribbens 2000, p. 361). Equally, the NPD processes might be hindered by other business challenges. Product commercialization might also meet bountiful hiccups hence failing to rock the market as initially anticipated.
Literature Review
Jam Making Technologies
Massive commercialization and use of Jam has rendered numerous companies to employee various production techniques to help in meeting the growing market demands with satisfaction. This is a critical phenomenon globally. Evidently, some organizations have embraced modern technologies to increase their outputs in the realms of making Jam and increasing variety. There are numerous types of jam in the market. The choice of customers varies significantly, a fact that creates this phenomenon (Monczka 2000, p. 43). There are various machines designed to help in making Jam hence indicating the stringent Jam making technologies mentioned above. In order to emerge with novel brands and a unique type of Jam, special technologies are applied in order to meet the market demands. Such provisions have helped in enhancing and expanding the Jam making industry. It is critical to design appropriate mechanisms in order to attain the desired qualities and novelties. Conclusively, it is possible to develop a low calorie Date Jam using jam making technologies despite challenges. Nonetheless, it is recommendable to apply an appropriate NPD in order to realize a noteworthy result.
Marketing and Consumption of jams in UK
The consumption of Jams in UK is a critical provision. The product has a wider market reach since numerous individuals embrace its consumption. The aspects of marketing equally contribute to this novel trend. Numerous companies, which make Jam, have contributed massively to the production, variability, and volume of jams within UK and beyond (Earle & Earle 2003, p. 1). It is imperative to agree that such moves have helped in the growth of the Jam market. Marketing of this conventional product usually occur through the mass media and other marketing provisions including the internet. Various households use Jams in various combinations. Additionally, the existence of variety has promoted the consumption of this concerned product. It is crucial to understand various aspects of Jam and other provisions in the market.
Methodology
Analysis of Jam Making
Jam requires precision in its development. The amount of sugar used must be measure to ensure that the correct taste and quantity is achieved. In making the low calorie Date Jam, sugar content will be as low as possible. This will help in lowering the calorie values desired in this context. Other non-sugary sweeteners are recommendable. The microbiological content should also be observed to avoid reaching critical values. If microbial content is high in the jam, it is possible that some diseases might arise. This might make the resultant jam inconsumable. PH values should be desirable while water activity, Acidity, and Sensory Evaluation should meet the set standard depending on the type of jam made. Additionally, the nutritional analysis should meet the minimum stipulations (Dalal 2011, p. 35).
Results or Case Studies
From the study, it is evident that the development of low calorie Date Jam is possible and requires stringent application of NPD principles. The product is suitable for individuals on low calorie diet who would like to eat healthily (Verma & Joshi 2000, p.400). Low calorie refers to minimized energy provisional levels. The recipes and methodology required to synthesize low calories Date Jam is precise and considerable. There are principles and challenges that characterize NPD (Brown, Leavitt & Wright 2004, p. 5). These are helpful in discerning the fates of novel products within a company. The consumption and marketing of jam in UK and beyond is evident. Conclusively, Jam making should follow critical procedures while observing the aspects of nutrition, PH, acidity, sugar content, water activity, and microbial analysis.
Discussion
Low calorie Date Jam requires limited sugar content in its recipes to reduce its calorie contents. This is helpful in determining its novelty and appropriateness for consumption. Using recipes, ingredients, and other additives low in the calorie content is advisable in this context. People tend to prefer products with no artificial additives (Wilson 1999, p. 118) It is crucial to consider the aspects of new product developments (NPD) due to viability of its principles and other provisions, which it fronts (Kumar & Phrommathed 2005, p.453). NPD refers to the precise processes meant to emerge with novel product in the market. Some organization can use these principles to augment their brands within the market. Nonetheless, NPD requires the initial development of ideas regarding a prospective product (Schöttler 2007, p.40). This will act as the real trigger for the entire product development process. For example, the need to develop a low calorie Date Jam started with the idea of producing a product that will meet the market demand with novelty and precision in the realms of producing low sugared products.
The principle of NPD helps in guiding the entire product development processes. Observing this trends helps in emerging with a successful product in the market. Equally, the NPD processes might be hindered by other business challenges (Smith 2007, p.46). There are numerous challenges of NPD as indicated earlier in the paper. Product development, production, and commercialization might meet bountiful hiccups thus failing to rock the market as primarily anticipated. The ingredients meant to synthesize Date Jam ranges from coarsely ground dates to other additives meant to enhance its taste. For it to be of low calorie, the amount of carbohydrates added in it should be minimal. This relates to the meaning of calorie and low product development. It is crucial to produce and market a jam, which observes the aspects of nutrition, PH, acidity, sugar content, water activity, and microbial analysis.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Low calorie Date Jam has limited amount of sugar in its components. This helps in reducing the amount of sugar consumed by its users. Its development is possible through observation of critical NPD provisions. This relates to the formulation of viable ideologies on how to emerge with novel products in the market. Such products must meet the market demands. NPD has stringent guidelines, which it uses to develop such products in the market. It is recommendable to observe the stipulations set by NPD while endeavoring to provide a low calorie Date Jam. This product requires recipes of low sugar content and other viable ingredients that will match the methodology used in its preparation. It is recommendable to uphold the virtues of nutrition, appropriate PH, minimal acidity, reduced sugar content, enhanced water activity, and diminished microbial presence in the jams made for consumption. The consumption of jam is extensive in UK; nonetheless, the trend can increase when widespread marketing is employed.
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