There has been a widespread rollout of products containing Stevia in recent times, with new products containing the natural sweetener increasing by 400 per cent globally between 2008 and 2012, and 158 per cent between 2011 and 2012, according to new research from global market research organisation Mintel. Europe is experience “phenomenal growth” and is now a key market driver for Stevia, according to Mintel. It accounted for a quarter of global new product launches containing Stevia in 2012,... ...Read more »

New research has found that Australia’s love of the traditional meat pie with sauce is waning, as chocolates and lollies as convenient snacks gain popularity with consumers. Although the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has meant less impulse buying, the research from Australian industry research group BIS Shrapnel showed that people are still willing to buy confectionary through convenience stores, milk bars and other ‘route trade’ locations. Overall, confectionary as a total product category... ...Read more »

Sales of peanut butter in the UK are on the rise, according to new market research from Mintel, leading the global market research organisation to label the spread a ‘rising star’ in the sweet spreads market. While it seems that jam and marmalade are falling out of favour with Brits, sales of peanut butter have increased by 20 per cent in the last two years alone, growing from £47 million in 2010 to £56 million in 2012. Volume sales have also increased by 17 per cent over the same two year... ...Read more »

A new trend for ‘mid-calorie’ products has appeared in the global carbonated drinks market, according to market research organisation Innova Market Insights. The new products, which Innova Market Insights said are “positioned as a halfway house between the taste of full-sugar products and the health benefits of sugar-free options”, are being trialled by Pepsi-Co, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper Snapple as a way of renewing interest in the carbonated drinks market, which is considered a “mature... ...Read more »

US chefs will be focusing on healthier meals and will be updating menus to combat elevated food prices in 2013 according to a new US report by the National Restaurant Association. The What’s Hot in 2013 report surveyed 1,800 US chefs last month on their attitudes towards menu items and trends in the food industry, finding that health is a top priority for restaurants in the coming year. The report found that 53 per cent of chefs “always” make the effort to make a dish as healthy as possible... ...Read more »

US-based Innova Market Insights has revealed the growing presence of the antioxidant, resveratrol, in food and beverage products. Following other popular food trends such as the addition of acai berry and spirulina, Innova Market Insights believe that resveratrol could be “the next big thing.” The market research company has linked the “powerful antixodiant” to anti-aging, cancer prevention, cardiovascular health and healthy inflammatory processes, and believes that it will soon appear in... ...Read more »

Less than half of Australian parents prepare fresh fruit for their family on a daily basis, according to a new report released today by Australian Pineapples. The Australian Pineapples Family Nutrition Report surveyed 510 Aussie parents about their eating habits and fruit intake. The report focused on parental influence on children’s eating habits and the buying behaviour around fresh fruit. The report found that despite 60 per cent of parents want their kids to eat more fresh fruit, but only 46... ...Read more »

One in four Australians change their food habits because of news coverage, according to public relations company Weber Shandwick’s annual food trend report, Food Forward 2013. The group predicts artisan supermarkets, Wagyu restaurants and sweet/savoury flavour combinations will be some of the biggest upcoming food trends. The recently released Food Forward 2013 report reveals sentiment about Australian food culture from more than 1,000 consumers and leading taste-makers from around the country... ...Read more »

Global market research company, Innova Market Insights, has identified its top ten key emerging trends likely to impact the food and drinks market through 2013. The market research company say that previous successful predictions have included the emergence of interest in naturalness and sustainability as long ago as 2008 and the return to softer claims for 2011. Innova Market Insights have predicted the following ten trends for food and beverage markets in 2013: The Aware Shopper, who is more informed... ...Read more »

Latest consumer research from US firm Technomic has found that share-able meals and combo meals are key consumer needs when eating at a restaurant. The 2012 Menu Positioning and Consumer Trend report found that restaurants can improve their performance by offering share plate and shareable meal options, as over 70 per cent of Americans surveyed say that they prefer to order these over any other meal. The survey of 1,500 consumers showed that top shareable snacks ordered in America were mozzarella... ...Read more »