Healthy Baking Seminar East, presented by Modern Baking and Baking Management magazines, welcomed bakers from across the nation to Boston last month. The sixth bi-annual event ran in conjunction with Natural Products Expo East, and focused on the growing consumer movement to eat more healthful baked products. Speakers addressed topics including healthful baking trends, satiety and weight management demands, reaching the gluten-free consumer, infusing products with a natural boost, sodium reduction in savory baked foods and designing a green bakery.

Attendees had the opportunity to network at tabletops featuring information from the event's sponsors: Bay State Milling Co., Bunge, Cargill, ConAgra Mills and Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group. Ocean Spray provided break time snacks, including cookies with blueberry-infused cranberry inclusions. The next Healthy Baking Seminar will be held March 5, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with Natural Products Expo West.

Cynthia Kupper, dietician and executive director of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, spoke about the special needs of gluten-free consumers.	Terry Yatteau, territory manager, Bunge Oils (right), discusses trans fat-free oil alternatives with one of the conference attendees.
Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group provided formulas and ingredients for blueberry cookies and cranberry almond biscotti, which attendees sampled during session breaks.