1. Health and Immunity
Studies show, 2020 has led to six out of ten global consumers looking for products that improve and maintain their immunity. Consumers spent a great deal of time and effort in staying healthy and this included food. While consumers are on the lookout for immunity-boosting products, they are on the lookout for ingredients offering active health benefits with flavor and natural color.
We believe this trend will continue with companies working on developing immunity-boosting products. Beverage market research shows that this has led to product innovation using moringa, turmeric, probiotics among others. Brands are now developing products centered around specific ingredients with high benefits. Chobani, for instance, recently announced a probiotic yogurt range.
2. Alcohol Alternatives
The global nonalcoholic beverage market is expected to reach a record value of US$1,650.28 billion by 2024. One of the driving forces behind this is the increasing demand from millennials and Gen Z consumers.
Additionally, zero-proof drinks were one of the top-10 food trends for 2020-21. As the market for no and low-alcoholic beverages grows, there is ample room for creativity. Research shows that people are choosing to drink no/low beverages to avoid the effects of drinking alcohol. Additionally, there is an inclination for moderation over abstinence.
3. Incorporating Sustainability
With climate change and global warming taking center stage consumers are trying to do their role in reducing environmental impact. Research from NYC Stern shows that 50% of CPG growth from 2013 to 2018 came from sustainability-marketed products. The same study revealed that products marketed as sustainable grew 5.6 times faster than those that were not.
We believe beverage companies can contribute to sustainability by incorporating certain policies into their products and supply chain. This could include eco-friendly packaging, eco-conscious production partners, and more.
4. Minimizing Sugar
The need to eliminate sugar is due to increasing awareness of health and wellness. The FDA’s enforcement of the mandatory declaration of added sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label began on January 1, 2020. The International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) Annual Food and Health Survey, shows that more Americans than before attribute weight gain to carbs, and specifically sugars.
This will prove to be a challenge to the beverage industry in developing products with the desired sweetness, flavor, texture, and calorie count consumers want. This will necessitate an understanding of sweetener innovations and how best to incorporate them.
Also Read: Food Trends & Predictions 2022
Product Launches in the Food & Beverage Industry
Probi and Oriflame
Probi and Oriflame, two major Swedish companies, have entered into an agreement to launch a probiotic supplement for general gut health. The focus will be on the Swedish heritage of innovation, natural ingredients, and high-quality products.
The concept is based on Probi Digestis. The product, based on beverage research, includes a probiotic strain having proven health benefits and is a customer-specific formulation. The global launch is expected to be in the fall of 2021.
Coca-Cola Co.
Coca-Cola’s newest product ― Coca-Cola with Coffee ― has been launched in the US. Available as Coca-Cola with Coffee and Coca-Cola with Coffee Zero Sugar, it offers a potent flavor profile. The product is infused with Brazilian coffee and is available in three signature flavors, dark blend, vanilla, and caramel.
The company has also launched a zero-sugar version with the flavors of dark blend and vanilla. Food and beverage data trends show that this product ticks the right boxes especially for people looking to limit calorie consumption.
Famous Soda
Famous Soda Company is an Australian brand developing 100% sugar-free sodas. Available across a range of flavors such as passion fruit, cola, blood orange, and pink lemonade, the product has only 8 calories per soda with no added sugar, chemicals, additives, or preservatives.
This makes it a great innovation especially for people who are looking to eliminate sugar from their diets without missing out on flavor.
Good Sunday
Good Sunday is leading the charge in Canada for low-alcohol beverages. Their gin sodas come in two flavors – lemon and grapefruit. Crafted using a combination of local Ontario gin, real fruit juice (lemon and grapefruit), and fresh carbonated water it contains only 1g of sugar and 3% alcohol.
With more people turning to low and no-alcohol beverages, Good Sunday is set to breach new heights in this market.
The concept of sustainability is the major driver of innovation trends in food and beverage industry ranging from novel packaging to eco-friendly supply chain policies. Other significant trends leading to innovation in the beverage industry include the prioritization of health and immunity, elimination of sugar, and alternatives for alcohol.
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