In the article “Labels Urged for Foods That Can Choke” by Laurie Tarkan, she discusses issues with foods that are a potential hazard for children.  Pediatricians are calling for labels to be placed on foods such as hot dogs to warn parents of the choking risk. Instead, Eugene D. Gagliardi Jr., the designer of Steak-umms and popcorn chicken, is attempting to redesign hot dogs to eliminate the problem.  The second article, “Genetically Altered Salmon Get Closer to the Table” discusses the likelihood that genetically altered fish will reach consumers.  These fish have been engineered to grow much faster than normal.  Consideration of these two articles reveals a major trend in food design.  Food producers are largely aware of consumer needs.  In the case of redesigning a hot dog the need is as simple as providing something that is safe for children.  The genetically altered fish is purported to address food shortage issues, since a larger fish can be grown with less resources, and possibly environmental issues if the fish proves to be less of a strain on the ecosystem.

References
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25choke.html?scp=1&sq=pediatricians%20urge%20labels%20on%20food%20that%20can%20choke&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/business/26salmon.html?scp=2&sq=salmon&st=cse