Healthier Choices: Lotte low-to-no sugar snacks, Dole clean label juices, cost-cutting sugar reduction and more feature in our round-up

Searching for the sweet spot: Lotte says low-and-no-sugar are key snacking and confectionery NPD drivers​

Snacking giant Lotte has revealed that low-and-no-sugar are key trends guiding its new product development across both its snacking and confectionery portfolios, while also reveal plans to boost sales in the Middle East and South Africa.

Lotte has two main production sites in Asia, one in Japan and one in Thailand, and according to the firm’s Thai branch, its current most-popular brands both locally and for export to the region are Koala’s March biscuits, Toppo biscuit sticks and Xylitol chewing gum.

“Lotte is present in snacks and confectionary markets all over the world and in APAC, and we have noticed that lower-sugar and sugar-free products have been gaining traction amongst consumers in many countries,”​ Thai Lotte Assistant Export Department Manager Surasak Suwannapim told FoodNavigator-Asia​.

Beating the ‘baddies’: Dole to focus on clean label and fortification for juice product innovation in APAC​

Fruit product heavyweight Dole has revealed plans to focus on developing more clean label and fortified juice products for the Asia Pacific market, citing rising consumer interest in the region as a major motivation.

Although Dole, formally the Dole Sunshine Company, is already a well-known name in the region when it comes to fruit products and juices, the firm believes that it is important for it to push forward even further when it comes to developing products with a health and wellness focus given rising consumer awareness in the region.

Hence it has decided to make clean label and fortification major areas of focus for its ongoing product innovation efforts, particularly when it comes to juices.

Sweet savings: Sugar reduction an effective cost-cutting solution to overcome Middle East inflation challenges​

Sugar reduction strategies can be an effective tool to cut production costs and lower prices whilst also satisfying Middle East consumer and government demand for healthier products, according to Tate & Lyle.

Product pricing and cost-cutting strategies are of particular concern for food and beverage manufacturers in the Middle East, due to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) having projected a continued high level of inflation at 13.9% throughout 2022, triggered primarily by the Russia-Ukraine war as it has traditionally been dependent on these two countries and is generally dependent on foreign food imports which have dropped.

“Whilst consumers in the Middle East region are becoming more health conscious and also looking for indulgent foods that don’t compromise on taste, they are also becoming increasingly price sensitive due to inflation,” ​Tate & Lyle Regional Marketing Manager TMEA (Turkey, Middle East and Africa) Diane Laban-Ramsay said at the Middle East Sugar and Calorie Reduction programme.

Path to wellness: Chinese demands for healthier products outstripping other Asia markets​

Chinese consumers are leading regional demands for healthier, more nutritious food, such as low- to zero-sugar products and high fibre content, for benefits such as better gut health and quality of life.

According to the General Manager of Greater China at global F&B ingredients firm Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), Remington Zhu, the two significant demographics to focus on are those over 65 and the sporty younger generation.

“Consumer trends in China are highly diversified. The ageing population, those aged around 65 to 70 and above, care about longevity and quality of life, whereas the younger generation has a higher awareness of health and engages in various sports. These consumers demand more healthy and nutritional food, especially those residing in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing,"​ he said.

Nestle Health Science to acquire GO Healthy and parent firm, hails brand’s ‘simplified yet effective’ vitamin regimen​

Nestle Health Science is set to acquire dietary supplement brand GO Healthy alongside the brand’s New Zealand-based parent company, it added that the GO Health brand enjoyed a unique position in the market with its “simplified yet effective” vitamin regimen.

Known as The Better Health Company (TBHC), it is the parent company of dietary supplement brand GO Healthy, manuka honey brand Egmont, and New Zealand Health Manufacturing businesses.  

Nestle Health Science will be buying over the firm from China-based private equity investor CDH Investments and the firm’s founding shareholders.