Breakfast cereal claims’ focus on fibre, wholegrains and protein, research
Breakfast cereals have traditionally had a fairly healthy image, despite the proliferation of relatively high-sugar products in some parts of the market. Three-quarters of the breakfast cereal launches over the 12 months to the end of October 2014 had a health positioning of some kind, according to findings from market research organisation Innova Market Insights.
This varied regionally, according to Innova Market Insights, rising to over 94 per cent in Australia and falling to 64 per cent in Asia.
“There is a growing interest in products featuring a more general health or multi-benefit positioning, running alongside the wide range of health benefits now associated with many breakfast cereals,” said Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights. “This is exacerbated by regulatory restrictions on claims in some regions, including North America and the EU,” she said.
‘Wholegrains’ and ‘fibre’ most popular health claims
The most popular health claims in cereals overall concern the use of wholegrains and fibre content, according to Innova Market Insights.
These featured in nearly 47 per cent of breakfast cereal launches, with wholegrains used in 31 per cent and fibre content in 34 per cent, showing the level of overlap and that a significant number of products use both types of claim.
Protein claims increasingly popular
“Source of protein” claims were increasingly featuring in product activity, which Innova Market Insights said reflected rising interest in the food and drinks market as a whole. These claims were used in just under 10 per cent of cereal launches globally, rising to 15 per cent in the US.
Heart health leads active health claims
In terms of active health claims, which are most often associated with functional benefits, heart health continued to lead, despite a tightening up of claims legislation in many markets, according to Innova Market Insights.
It was used in nearly 8 per cent of launches recorded globally, rising to 13.1 per cent in the USA, ahead of vitamin and mineral fortification with 7 per cent globally, energy and alertness with 5.5 per cent, digestive or gut health with just under 4 per cent, and weight management with just over 2 per cent.
US leads health claims growth
As might be expected with its huge and highly developed breakfast cereals market, the US tends to lead product activity and innovation in many instances, according to Innova Market Insights. This was reflected in recent launch activity.
The growing interest in protein was reflected in the greater emphasis on protein content in some established brands, as well as the launch of special higher-protein options. General Mills’ Cheerios, one of the leading US cereal brands overall, was extended in mid-2014 with two new Protein variants, following the launch of Protein options in the Company’s Fiber One range earlier in the year.
Another iconic US cereals company, Post, has also added protein variants to existing lines with its Great Grains Protein options, and followed this up with two new Digestive Blend cereals featuring active cultures, introduced early in 2014.
UK market also increasingly focused on healthy image
Over in the UK, which is another well-established breakfast cereals market, product activity has also been focusing on a healthy image and higher fibre content. There was a rising popularity in granola and muesli, in response to the demand for unprocessed, natural and healthy breakfast options.
The Special K Nourish brand, available in the US and Australia, has yet to appear in the UK; rather the focus in 2014 has been on the Special K Granola range introduced earlier in the year. In a similar vein, Special K muesli products have also been launched in France and Germany.
