Health and Awareness Trends Shaping Food & Beverage Industry
28 Jul 2023
Health and awareness trends in the food and beverage industry are gaining more attention as consumers become more aware of their daily food intake and its impact on their well-being. Furthermore, Malaysia's obesity rate increased from 14.0% in 2006 to 19.7% in 2019, attributed to imbalanced diets, sugary treats, and supersized portions. Limiting unhealthy food such as reducing consumption of sugar, salt and consuming high-fiber content foods can help prevent this issue.
In this blog, we will explore some key health and awareness trends that have been shaping food and beverage industry:
Trend 1: Low sugar and Low-Calorie Alternatives
Low sugar and low-calorie alternatives surge in popularity due to health concerns about excessive sugar consumption. Natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are being used to lower the added sugar content in food and beverages. Moreover, sugar alcohols such as Erythritol (one of the ERA’s products) offer healthier alternative to regular sugar as they are low calorie sweeteners.
Trend 2: Fortified and functional Products
Functional food and beverage products are gaining popularity due to their enriched nutrients and bioactive compounds. ERA's fiber premix offers a gelatinous, thick, jelly-like texture, making it a key ingredient in diet-friendly fortification, enhancing soups, fruit jellies, and noodles which promises to give satiety feeling.
Trend 3: Plant-based and Vegan Diets
The emergence of plant-based and vegan diets is one of the most significant health trends in the food and beverage industry due to health, ethical concerns, and lactose intolerance. This trend includes whole grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa); nuts (almond, pecan); seeds (chia seeds), beans (white kidney bean) and dairy free milk (oat milk, soy milk, almond milk).
Overall, health and awareness trends indicate consumer preference for healthier and ethical food and beverages choices. As the industry responds to these demands thus it will be leading this industry to innovation and diversification of new products.
Low sugar and low-calorie alternatives surge in popularity due to health concerns about excessive sugar consumption. Natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are being used to lower the added sugar content in food and beverages. Moreover, sugar alcohols such as Erythritol (one of the ERA’s products) offer healthier alternative to regular sugar as they are low calorie sweeteners.
Trend 2: Fortified and functional Products
Functional food and beverage products are gaining popularity due to their enriched nutrients and bioactive compounds. ERA's fiber premix offers a gelatinous, thick, jelly-like texture, making it a key ingredient in diet-friendly fortification, enhancing soups, fruit jellies, and noodles which promises to give satiety feeling.
Trend 3: Plant-based and Vegan Diets
The emergence of plant-based and vegan diets is one of the most significant health trends in the food and beverage industry due to health, ethical concerns, and lactose intolerance. This trend includes whole grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa); nuts (almond, pecan); seeds (chia seeds), beans (white kidney bean) and dairy free milk (oat milk, soy milk, almond milk).
Overall, health and awareness trends indicate consumer preference for healthier and ethical food and beverages choices. As the industry responds to these demands thus it will be leading this industry to innovation and diversification of new products.