The Natural Products Expo West/Supply Expo 2008 recently hosted the biggest trade show in the U.S. that specializes in natural and organic products. Over 52,000 retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and other industry professionals met in California to show off the latest and greatest in healthy products that consumers will soon find on store shelves. The natural and organic industry has been experiencing significant growth, especially as recent news often paints a less-than-appealing picture of the state of the meat and hygiene industries.

Among the many products featured at the expo were biodegradable goods, cleaning products, certified fair trade products and fashion and bedding made from organic materials.

"Each year, Natural Products Expo West gives a sneak peek into what the public will find in America's stores tomorrow," said Fred Linder, president of New Hope Natural Media. "This year, more buyers from the full retail spectrum—from supermarkets, pharmacies, club and convenience stores to independent co-ops and ethnic markets—saw more products than ever before."

So what new types of products can you be keeping your eyes open for?

- Gluten-Free: breads, brownies, cereals, pastas, and snack foods

- Certified Fair Trade: personal care products, rice, teas, chocolate, snacks, coffee

- Whole and Sprouted Grains: pizza, kid snacks, nutrition bars, dinner rolls, desserts

- Healthy Omega-3 Fats: capsules and culinary oils to breakfast and dinner foods

- Reusable Shopping Bags: certified organic, hemp, recycled materials and biodegradable

- Pre- and Pro-biotics: from supplement capsules to yogurt snacks, drinks and bars

- Exotic Ingredients and Novel Flavors: from 'Superfruits' mangosteen, goji berry, yumberry and acai to yerba mate

- Healthy Kid-sized Foods: drinks, snacks and everything in-between

» Expo West (Official Site)