Trend Tracker: Festive plant-based choices, protein evolution trends, Aussie alcohol and more feature in our round-up
Top picks: Plant-based meat replacements popular alongside traditional foods for Eid Al Fitr festive season
Plant-based meat substitutes, such as seitan, tempeh, and tofu are gaining traction across the UAE, along with other traditional festive food, including dates, grains, pulses, and nuts.
UAE headquartered FMCG importer, Truebell, revealed the trending food items for the Eid Al Fitr season.
According to the firm’s director, Jitendra Gandhi, plant-based diets and meat replacements are gaining consumers’ support partly due to the various number of nutritional programmes in the region.
In response, the firm said it was looking to add on the number of brands offering these popular items in the next 12 months.
Evolution of protein: Four key trends spanning plant-based, meat, dairy and fish protein to 2025
Four key trends will lead to shifts in the major sources of protein consumption by 2025, according to a major new study commissioned by Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) which analysed 50 food types across 11 regional markets, including health and ethics, environmental constraints, government advocacy and technological advances.
The six protein categories analysed were: Plant-based, Meat, Eggs & dairy, Wild catch fisheries, Aquaculture and Non-traditional (Insects, Micro-algae and Lab-grown meat).
Alcohol in Australia: Wine emerges as most popular alcoholic beverage Down Under
Wine has topped the list of alcoholic beverages in terms of popularity amongst Australian consumers, beating beer and other spirits.
Recent research from Roy Morgan conducted on over 50,000 consumers has revealed that over an average four weeks, 67.5% of Australians of legal drinking age (18 and over) will drink at least one form of alcoholic beverage.
The report showed that some 42.8% of Australians consume will consume wine at least once, as opposed to beer (38.2%) and spirits (26.3%).
Suntory reveals top five functional beverage trends shaping Japan's market
Suntory has identified the top five consumer trends shaping Japan's booming dietary supplement market.
The country is witnessing a sharp increase in new product development, largely stemming from regulatory changes.
While firms previously had to adhere to the stringent Foods for Special Health Uses (FOSHU) rules, the introduction of the less rigorous Foods with Functional Claims (FFC) in 2015 enabled more innovation.
Against this backdrop, Suntory’s open innovation manager, Alexandre Nicolau, revealed five key trends in functional beverages when presenting on the topic “Innovation in Functional Drinks” at THAIFEX – World of Food Asia exhibition held in Bangkok in late May.
These were: Weight loss with vinegar, Beauty drinks, Elderly mobility, Gut health and Sleep and relaxation.
Trends, packaging and preparation: Aussie supermarket chiefs reveal secrets for food firms to get on shelf
An expert panel from major Australian supermarkets Drakes, Coles and The Natural Grocery Company have revealed that food firms who stay on trend, focus on packaging and come well-prepared will increase their chances of getting their products on store shelves.
Convening at the Naturally Good Business Summit 2019, the panel comprised of Drakes Supermarkets Assistant General Manager John-Paul Drake, Coles Local Commercial Category Manager, Special Projects Jessica Maree Gordoun and The Natural Grocery Company Chief Commercial Officer Joshua Howe.
The session was moderated by What’s New in Healthy Products Editor Lisa Crawford Jones.
