Health scares around ultra-processed foods are driving consumer interest in more natural and sustainable ingredients, and less heavily processed foods. The plant-based market is projected to grow at approximately 8.5% CAGR between 2018-2023. Moreover, 81% of US consumers are trying to reduce their sugar intake and to increase their fiber consumption through responsible purchase choices.
2. Health-driven innovation
• Worldwide public health bodies are urging food manufacturers
to support a healthy eating diet with reduced sugar, salt, and fat
products.
• Healthy product choices hold the power of accountability in
consumer’s journey towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
• Consumers are increasingly searching for high-fiber, clean
label, plant-based products that fit their needs and dietary
patterns.
3. Diet types and restrictions- Euromonitor 2019
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%
Low sugar
Calorie-restricted
Low/no carbohydrates
High protein
Halal
Vegetarian
High fat
Intermitent fasting
Gluten-free
Pescatarian
Raw foods
Vegan
Dairy-free
Grain-free
Kosher
Percentage of global respondents
4. Are interested in unusual
flavours
Agree that low sugar content is
a key driver to purchase a new
chocolate product.
Are interested in
unusual textures
The current market interest
Are interested in spicy/savory
flavored yogurts
Agree that ‘no added sugars’ is
an important claim
Are interested in spicy
flavored ice cream
Are interested in trying
beverages with
herbs/botanicals (basil,
ginseng…)
Sickness Immune system
5. Lowering costs vs
maintaining quality
Reducing sodium, fat or sugar
Enhancing bioavailability of
nutrients
Reaching claims, clean label
(natural ingredients)
Increasing fiber content
Product expansion to new &
emerging markets
Supporting immune
system
Developing new flavors
Potential pathways
Improving flavor texture
6. Potential categories to enter
Wellbeing
- Healthy ageing
- Adaptogens
- Immune health
- Digestive health
- Gut health
Dieting
- Meal replacement
- Low calorie
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Keto, Paleo
- Gluten free
Fitness
- Fast release energy
- Personalized sports
nutrition
- Recovery (post-
workout)
- Performance
enhancement
Medical
- Low glycaemic index
- Antioxidant, anti-
inflammatory capacity
- Vitamin/mineral
fortification
- Weight management
- Cardiovascular health
Convenience
- On-the-go
- Ready-to-mix
- Ready-to-eat
- Ready-to-drink
- Instant
7. Potential product types
Bars Powder RTD RTM Gel Instant
USP
Chewable and
convenient
Suitable for many
consumption
occasions
Convenient version of
powder (on-the-go)
High product yield
Huge convenience,
specially for
athletes and
travelers
Closest to food, still
nutritious
Pros
- Chewable,
higher
salivation
- Highly
convenient
- Long shelf life
- Bulk offering
- Familiar to
long-existing
snacks
- Flexible number
of portions
- Long shelf life
- High shelf
stability
- Low cost
- High stability and
homogeneity
- More familiar than
powder
- Tastes better than
powder (no
lumps)
- No planning
required
- More familiar than
powder
- Eating ritual: add water
and shake
- Long shelf life and
stability
- Limited planning
required
- Removes need of
extra utensils
- No need to wash
- Ultra
convenient
- On-the-go
- Just squeeze
- Long shelf life
- Fast energy
release
- Small pack
format
- Perceived as a
performance
supplement
- Convenient
- Long shelf life
- Excellent fit for
consumption in
remote locations
- Very similar to
preexisting lunch
rituals
Cons
- Challenging
texture profile
(moisture and
crunchiness)
- Diminished
taste
- Misperceived
as a sports
product
- Efforts for
preparation and
cleaning
- Lack of chewing
experience
- Not as convenient
to make
- High cost
- Can require
refrigeration
- High water
activity,
compromised
shelf life
- Packaging costs
- Requires water
- Requires mixing
- Preparation time
required
- Lower taste profile
than RTD
- High costs
- Need for smart
packaging
- Targets a niche
audience
- Preparation time
required
- Lump formation
because of bad
mixing
- It can require
access to a
microwave or hot
water
11. Entering the plant-based market
STRENGTHS
- Extended shelf-life.
- Increased demand as a result of increased health
awareness on diet-related diseases.
- Alignment with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Climate change action.
- Profitable for farmers.
- Few intolerances.
- Underscores animal protein supply chain risks from
zoonotic and animal diseases.
WEAKNESSES
- Flavor poorly achieved.
- Name issue: it is not milk/meat
- Very diversified products.
- Poor advertising.
- Supply chain disruptions.
- Premium priced products.
- Lower bioavailability in certain protein sources.
- Technical difficulties when mimicking animal-based
products organoleptic experience.
OPPORTUNITIES
- New market: environmentally-friendly products.
- Government R&D support.
- Fashionable products and well valued by society.
- High value for nutrition and sustainability education.
- New distribution channels emerge.
- Infrastructure costs may descend.
THREATS
- Volatility and price increase.
- Lack of familiarity.
- High competition.
- Novelty missrelated to a lack of evidence on safeness.
- Key suppliers may be diverted to medical or other
applications.
- Technical talent may be in greater demand elsewhere.
12. Micronutrients
Vitamin A Beta carotene Retinol acetate
Vitamin
B12
Methylcobalamin Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin K Phytonadione
(K1)
Menaquinone-4
(K2)
Menaquinone-7
(K2)
Vitamin D Ergocalciferol
(D2)
Cholecalciferol
(D3)
Vitamin B9
(folate)
Folic acid L-methylfolate
Providing optimal vitamins and minerals amounts (RDA) while using the most bioavailable forms - maximized absorption.
13. Sugar reduction
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6%
7%
Functional ingredients used in low/reduced
sugar product launches
Increase in food and
beverage products
launched with
hydrocolloids and a
no added sugar
claim.
The challenge? Maintain texture,
mouthfeel and flavor intensity.
14. Where would you like to start?
Better understanding of your consumer needs and expectations.
Translating consumer feedback into strong innovation points.
Enhancing the macro/micro nutritional value of your products.
Reaching health/nutrition claims, front-of-pack standards.
Expanding product portfolio towards new flavors, categories or
dietary patterns such as meal replacement, veganism, keto,
gluten-free…
info@inewtrition.com
www.inewtrition.com
Editor's Notes
Vitamins
- Retinol acetate is considered more biologically active
- People with an MTHFR mutation (cyanocobalamin and folic acid insufficiently absorbed) can easily become deficient, therefore methylcobalamin and l-methylfolate
Minerals
- Chelated: mineral is reacted with aminoacids to form a complex, increasing bioavailability
- Bisglycinates: bound to glycine (improved sleep and muscle relaxation)
Anhydrous forms are very hygroscopic
Calcium Carbonate: High in Calcium (~40%), cheap, insoluble, gritty mouth feel, need acid to be bioavailable.
Calcium Citrate: Low Ca, pricey, highly soluble, easy uptake