Cacao fruit, or cocoa fruit, is drawn from the same pod as cocoa beans. Normally thrown away, the juice, pulp and peel of the pod can be used as a sweetener in a range of products. Across Europe and beyond, cacao fruit has appeared recently in a range...
With farmers facing pressures to adopt more sustainable farming practices - or move to a different farming system altogether - who should support producers during their transition? In the UK, the responsibility falls broadly on the shoulders of all agri-food...
Despite some progress being made, price parity between meat and plant-based meat products has still not been achieved everywhere. Price remains a key consumer concern when it comes to plant-based meat. But why do plant-based meat producers struggle to...
There’s a lot of opportunity for sustainable omega-3 suppliers in the seafood alternatives arena as the world searches for ways to feed a population of 10 billion by the year 2050.
Inflation in recent years has impacted nearly everyone, with rising prices putting a strain on the cost of living. However, according to a new report, food is being hit harder than most sectors, at least in the UK, while beverage seems to have escaped...
Which new products are hitting the shelves? In our latest NPD round-up, look at a new menopause infusion made with hibiscus, rosehip and passion flower; a ‘veggie spin’ on the classic macaroni cheese and bacon dish; and a flavour mashup between Baileys...
American consumers say they are cutting out processed foods from their diet, despite many not fully understanding what they are, Alyssa Pike, senior manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), shared during...
Talk about a ‘protein transition’ is rife in the world of food. But what exactly is a protein transition? A study by Nature Food identifies three narratives through which a protein transition is interpreted, and three potential drivers of change.
Increased production costs and changes in consumer preferences have both played a key role in how the industry evolved and developed in 2023, so what are these changes and how will they affect the industry going forward?
Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...
It is said ‘we eat first with our eyes’. The colour of food and drink can have a major influence over what we choose to consume, so which pigments are expected to whet appetites in 2024?
Colour is an important part of what appeals to consumers about food, making it stand out on the shelf and enhancing the perception of taste. Food colourants, therefore, have a vital job to do. Fermentation, which can produce vegan, kosher and halal colourants...
While the alternative protein scene continues to pursue widespread uptake and acceptance, in 2024, expect to see new and evolving concepts, technologies and regulatory support to progress towards attaining resilient food systems.
For those who are blind and partially sighted, buying food and beverages often poses problems. Knowing the ingredients of a product, whether it contains allergens, or often simply what it is, can often be difficult when packaging does not communicate...
A new era of convenience will emerge in 2024 as ever-evolving augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology streamlines consumers’ meal planning, shopping and cooking habits.
Off the back of shifting political landscapes, evolving biotech-led categories and regulatory changes in 2023, we look at how these influence food additives in 2024 and what further changes we can expect to see.
In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have KitKat's new 70% dark chocolate, which will run for a limited time in the UK. We also have a new cocktail range released in paper bottles and an exciting new investment for Italian food brand Crosta...
Consumers are paying more attention to what’s on their plate, including when it comes to plant-based meat. The more they query ingredients lists, processing methods, and nutrition profile, the more influence they will have on the category, suppliers suggest.
Key trends to watch in 2024 will include next-gen alt protein solutions, sustainability with substantiation, medicines for the mind and active ageing solutions.
Upcycling food is a good way of putting food to use that may otherwise have gone to waste. However, not all consumers will eat food that has been upcycled. A new study takes a broad look at 37 research articles on consumer acceptance, or lack thereof,...
Poised to grow to $50.47bn by 2030, the global canned seafood market is driven by consumer demand for nutrient-rich foods, like protein and fatty acids, and longer shelf-life, per Grandview Research data. Notably, canned tuna, with its high nutritional...
It's January - meaning the spotlight is well and truly on the low and no alcohol category. The latest data from IWSR sets the scene and pinpoints where future growth is most likely to come from.
European producers in 2024 will focus on informing consumers about processed and ultra-processed foods and drinks, potentially lowering content in formulations to encourage plant-based meat or dairy alternatives uptake.
Lower income families often tend to have poorer outcomes when it comes dietary nutrition and obesity. A study of a low-income area in Birmingham, UK explored potential barriers to eating well.
As we leave behind a troublesome 2023, we reflect on some of the unforeseen challenges faced by ingredients companies. From supply chain disruptions to cost-of-living pressures, how have suppliers changed tact to meet manufacturers’ demands?
January is a time where many people abstain from indulgent things, from alcohol to chocolate. Meat and dairy, increasingly linked to climate change and animal suffering, are other products those taking part in 'Veganuary' also abstain from at...
From gut health to a healthier planet, ingredient firm Prinova is hoping to use its latest megatrends report to showcase the opportunities available to leverage its ingredient portfolio, vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities and other in-house...
‘Health at a Glance’, a new report from the OECD, has revealed the UK and Ireland consume the most fruit and vegetables out of 30 countries assessed. However, there has been a slight reduction in overall fruit and vegetable consumption since it was last...
What food and drink trends have been predicted for 2024? We catch up with ingredients suppliers ADM, Arla Foods Ingredients, and Prinova Europe to ask how they’re preparing for the year ahead.
A novel technology is being developed by biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks and Midwest dairy co-operative Foremost Farms USA to make the upcycling of dairy co-products such as whey and lactose more efficient and sustainable.
Consumer confusion over how best to reduce sugar in one’s diet persists. Are they still looking for ‘zero added sugar’ in sweet drinks? Regulatory and ingredients experts weigh in.
As we move into 2024, we’ll continue to bring you the latest in new product development across Europe, and occasionally from further afield. In this edition of our NPD Trend Tracker for example, we cover Nestlé’s recent launch of Maggi Soya Chunks in...
As the Asia Pacific food and beverage steadily moves out of the shadow of the pandemic, geopolitical instability and inflationary pressures – we believe that these three emerging categories will come into their own in 2024.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tracing will shine an even brighter spotlight on efficiency and transparency in 2024 to protect the future of food.
With the increasing emphasis on consumer health and wellbeing, a food futurologist shares the top 2024 dietary trends that will make a big impact—and interesting fruit and veg choices and eating occasions are getting a big appearance.
As we enter the festive countdown, our craving for something sweet reaches fever pitch. But why do we splurge on sweet treats, especially at this time of the year?
The edible packaging market is projected to take a bigger bite out of single-use plastic sales in the coming years. Which packaging innovations – fit for human consumption – are turning heads?
Tesco is ordering in extra stock to accommodate demand for low and no alcohol drinks this Christmas: as it predicts a record season for the category in the UK.
It’s expected to be a year of blush – with dsm-firmenich declaring Peach+ as its 12th annual Flavour of the Year, inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz.
As Christmas approaches, we have the launch of a Harry Kane-fronted crisp product, the UK listing of a LeBron James-backed tequila, and the release of plant based chicken nuggets to celebrate the release of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. We also have...
The dairy market lifted slightly in units in November thanks to cottage cheeses growth, as deli slumped slightly in units and dollars month-over-mont but had gains from prepared items like pizza, Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, shared...
Plant-based protein isn’t just about meat and dairy analogues. At Food Ingredients Europe in Frankfurt last month, FoodNavigator spoke to companies doing a range of things with alternative proteins outside of simply adding them to plant-based burgers,...
As food loss and waste contribute to global food insecurity threats and negative environmental impact, the industry urges better production planning, infrastructure and technology.
Latest figures show that although inflation in Europe’s euro-using countries has slowed, real food inflation remains higher and seemingly undeterred, raising questions about whether unfair profiteering and competition are to blame.
Fortification has the potential to provide abundant health benefits, endowing products with a higher level of important nutrients than they otherwise would have possessed. However, taste and texture can be affected by it, which can in turn affect consumer...
In this week’s NPD Trend Tracker, we’re preparing for dry January with non-alcoholic products from Lucky Saint and a collaboration between MOMO Kombucha and Orbit beers, as well as whiskey flavours from Synergy Flavours. Alongside this, we have breathable...
In Europe, many consumers associated seaweed with the rotting, smelly kelp that washes up on beaches. How can industry cultivate consumer appetite for marine plants?
