Better for you and functional foods got a luxury lift this week at Tavola 2000, the deli and chilled foods fair in Belgium. Half of the products which scooped prizes in the Golden Tavola awards were from the value added, better for you category. And many of the 360 exhibitors displayed new products with a functional twist. Hero's breakfast replacement ­ a fibre and vitamin enriched fruit juice ­ claimed second place in the prize giving. The juices are available in 75cl plastic bottles and 25cl cans. It is on sale in Belgium. Belgium's Meggle dairy company came fourth with its spreadable yogurt butter. It has a reduced fat content of 69% compared to traditional butters which have 825%. Local speciality preserves manufacturer Vandererfven took a prize for its diabetic friendly apple conserve. It is colouring and preservative free. Value added products were on show generally with many Belgium confectionery suppliers showing sugar free products for the first time at a mainstream fair. Cavalier is targeting the mainstream, diet conscious shopper as much as the health market with its Easter chocolate range. Belgium distributor Lambert Gourmet Foods launched a range of pastas under the Trattoria Pasta Vita brand. The 100g packs are enriched with fibre, calcium and Omega-3. MD Jean-Louis Lambert said: "We are using the show to gauge reaction to these products. We're convinced functional foods will really take off for us." Speaking at the event European trend forecaster Cécile Poignant predicted a bright future for functional foods. "As Western consumers continue to seek eternal youth, there is a real place in the market for functional foods." {{NEWS }}