The closure of out-of-home foodservice channels and having more time on our hands during lockdown has raised interest in home-cooking and, new research suggests, this trend could have sticking power when restrictions ease.
The global no/low alcohol market is projected to continue growing as consumers seek to reduce their alcohol consumption. “What we’re seeing is a moderation trend that’s sweeping across key global markets, and that’s bringing with it increased demand for...
Following recent news that The European Union will contribute €25m to boost the sustainability of cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon, the first session at this year’s Chocoa21 conference, held online from Amsterdam, could turn...
As February draws to a close, what food innovation are we seeing on-shelf? In this week’s new product development photo gallery, we look at Danone-owned Cow & Gate’s launch of A2 protein milks, The Collective’s new Plant range of dairy-free yoghurt...
What do canned baked beans, low fat fruit yogurt, ice cream, pre-packaged sliced bread, ready-made pasta sauces, and breakfast cereals with added sugar all have in common?
IGD has set out its ‘vision for the future’ with a new identity and ‘purpose’. FoodNavigator speaks to CEO Susan Barratt about how this reflects the challenges faced by today’s food industry.
‘Clean label’ is an industry term that speaks to consumer demand for recognisable ‘pantry cupboard’ ingredients. But, without a clear definition, the meaning of clean label is evolving. What other mega-trends will shape the future of clean label innovation?
The frozen food revival will thrive post-pandemic as it offers a greater array of indulgent items and as consumers seek solutions to the problem of food waste, says the British Frozen Food Federation.
In exciting news for KitKat-loving vegans, Nestlé has confirmed plans to roll out a plant-based version of the chocolate favourite this year. Elsewhere in new product development across Europe, vegetarian chicken salt crisps are coming to the UK, Bauer...
Danone is coming under increasing investor pressure to invigorate its brands – an effort that requires innovation and investment. The group’s International CEO, Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta, says that the company’s new ‘Local First’ strategy will deliver...
Sales of organic and Fairtrade certified products continued to shine in 2020 as concerns over the climate impact of food production and the COVID-19 crisis put ethical consumerism in the spotlight.
UK consumers will continue to shop more locally and seek out locally produced products throughout 2021 and online sales will continue to flourish, according to new research from Lumina Intelligence. However, there is a cloud on the horizon: the recessionary...
In the UK, 2020 saw frozen fish sales surge in retail, while premium seafood struggled to find its way onto restaurant diners’ plates. What do experts predict for the post-COVID ‘new normal’? And how can brands make the most of this changing retail landscape?...
For plant-based producers to take a larger chunk out of the US$1.3trn meat market they will need to strengthen their appeal to flexitarian consumers. But how can this be achieved?
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, UK artisan chocolate brand Montezuma’s commissioned food anthropologist Caroline Hobkinson to predict food industry trends over the next two decades with a specific focus on chocolate.
Traditional dairy players are likely to face market disruption as plant-based products continue to improve and new technologies, like the fermentation of dairy proteins, gain traction. How should traditional players respond?
What’s the latest in new product development? Nestlé is rolling out recyclable paper packing for its Smarties brand worldwide, UCC Group is launching a new coffee brand into Europe, and Nestlé Cereals has announced plans to cut packaging from its core...
This year, consumers will embrace oat-based desserts, grow their fondness for Japanese cuisine – including mochi-flavoured doughnuts – and explore combinations of sweet, sour, salty, umami and pickled flavours, according to food futurologist Dr Morgaine...
Keto has long been tipped as the next big diet trend. But, while it has found favour in the US, consumers this side of the pond have been slower on the uptake. Could 2021 be a breakthrough year for ketogenic food in Europe?
Customers expect companies to ‘act with purpose’ beyond the pandemic, according to market research company Euromonitor. How can food and beverage brands respond?
From protein sweeteners to lesser known steviol glycosides, we take a look at some of the latest developments in up-and-coming tech in beverage sugar reduction.
The dairy aisle is in a period of transformation, as an increasing number of animal-free alternatives compete for shelf space. If we were to fast forward a decade, what would it look like then? Tim Geistlinger, Chief Scientific Officer at animal-free...
The largest ever opinion poll on climate change has discovered almost two thirds of people around the world now view the issue as a ‘global emergency’. However, for most, switching to plant-based eating is not their desired answer.
Seventy percent of consumers in Germany, France and the Netherlands support a meat tax that includes environmental costs, if tax revenues are used to reduce VAT on vegetables and fruit, according to survey findings.
A new hazelnut and cocoa spread is hitting the market with a surprising primary ingredient: chickpeas! Elsewhere in new product development across the bloc, Swedish plant-based brand Oumph! has developed a vegan alternative to meatballs, and a gut-friendly...
The UK has observed a temporary slowdown in the meat reduction trend, according to Mintel, who says processed meat sales are booming amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
Welcome to the first edition of this new column from NIZO. Each month, René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager and member of the FoodNavigator expert advisory panel, will examine some of the key challenges and issues facing the food industry...
The seismic events of 2020 have shaped consumer behaviours and expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic has reached every part of our lives – and the flavours we crave are no exception. Here’s our round-up of the flavour trends we can expect to tickle out...
What key challenges are in store for supermarket retailers as we move into 2021? Will bricks-and-mortar continue to play an important role? Do experts predict e-commerce to continue its unprecedented boom?
COVID-19 has accelerated interest in the role that automation, robotics and data can play in food and agricultural production. We speak to industry leaders to learn about the latest developments.
Cereal Partners UK – the joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills – is rolling out a certified organic Organic Honey and Chocolate Cheerios product. At the same time, Unilever-owned Häagen-Dazs has developed a new DUO range, and a range of vegan...
The trend of consumers seeking out foods as medicine, one accelerated by the pandemic, is set to blossom in 2021, as is demand for locally-sourced food and beverages, believes the AI-powered food intelligence start-up Tastewise.
Consumers are opting to buy ‘No Palm Oil’ labelled products in places where these are available due to the sense of ‘emotional protection’ this confers versus any real scientific knowledge, an expert panel has claimed whilst recommending better social...
The Spanish National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA) has issued a report looking at the trends that shaped R&D in 2020 and how it expects these to define the sector in 2021.
From soybean pulp tempeh to ancient grain flour and Nutri-Score ‘A’ snacks, the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France’s South West is bringing exciting food innovation to the masses.
Vegan nuggets, vegan nachos, vegan Magnums, vegan mayonnaise, vegan cream cakes, vegan Bounty bars and vegan Krispy Kremes... more food brands and retailers than ever hanker for a slice of the plant-based pie.
Typical marketing instruments – such as colour coding and scale – are being used to influence consumer purchasing behaviour, argues EDA board member Valentina Zanetti. Mars, amongst others, does not agree.
What major food trends will we see develop in the coming months on-shelf? And how will retailers respond to mounting pressure for improved sustainability credentials? FoodNavigator asks three retail experts to look into their crystal balls.
Despite coconut oil being just a minor ingredient in some of Lindt & Sprüngli’s products, a raw material risk assessment highlighting sustainability challenges has prompted the chocolate maker to act.
As a host of food manufacturers attempt to take advantage of Veganuary, which encourages people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January, research from the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has revealed over 60% of people say they are unlikely...
Which food businesses are making progress in their transition to cage-free eggs? Are any going in the opposite direction? Compassion in World Farming shares its findings.
The BEAMitup project, funded by the European consortium EIT Food, has launched a survey to collect the experiences and needs of agri-food companies, identify best practices and develop new solutions that allow the sector to work safely during and after...
UK research projects that seek to fundamentally transform the UK food system, by placing healthy people and a healthy natural environment at its center, received a £24m ($32.9m) boost last week.
In the UK, Veganuary has taken hold. While a good number of new product launches are targeting those going plant-based until the end of the month – including allplants’ new Lighter Menu and Hellman’s ‘Baconnaise’ – others have the COVID-19 pandemic front-of-mind,...
