In the dynamic realm of food and beverage, the IFT FIRST Food Expo stands as a beacon of innovation, unveiling trends that are reshaping our culinary experiences. Let’s delve into the top five trends that are setting the stage for a transformative future in our kitchens and dining tables.
1. Holistic Health and Wellness: A Culinary Revolution
The concept of health and wellness in food has evolved to encompass mental and emotional well-being, alongside physical health. A key trend at the expo was the focus on sugar reduction and personalization in food products. Cargill’s innovative EverSweet + ClearFlo combines a stevia sweetener with a natural flavor, enhancing flavor modification and solubility. Similarly, Sweegen introduced a new liquid stevia sweetener, aligning with consumer trends for easier manufacturing integration.
Personalized health and nutrition have become more holistic, with consumers seeking tailored food and beverage options. This trend is about understanding individual health and happiness needs, a challenge that food companies are increasingly eager to meet.
2. From Clean to Clear Labels: The Era of Transparency
The clean label movement has evolved into a demand for clear labels, with consumers expecting complete transparency about their food’s ingredients. This shift is exemplified by Prosur’s emphasis on clear labeling in its functional ingredients derived from natural vegetable and fruit extracts. Similarly, Blue California has developed an alternative to titanium dioxide, reflecting a growing concern for environmental impact and regulatory compliance.
3. Multifunctional Ingredients: The Functional Powerhouses
Food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly seeking ingredients that deliver multiple functional attributes. ADM’s research on consumer interest in probiotics led to the development of products like the tomato masala biotic snack bite, combining plant protein, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Additionally, Hilmar Cheese Company demonstrated how whey protein concentrate can replace whole eggs in certain formulations, highlighting the multifunctional nature of ingredients.
4. Sustainability: The Core of Future Innovations
Sustainability remains a key driver in food and beverage innovation. Ingredients upcycled from food waste, like Ocean Spray’s Cranberry Seeds, add natural color and nutrition to various foods. Lemnature Aquafarms introduced nutritional powders created using a sustainable process with the lemnaceae plant, underscoring the industry’s commitment to sustainability.
5. Plant-Based Power-Up: Meeting the Demands of a Diverse Demographic
The plant-based eating trend has expanded significantly. BENEO’s new faba bean ingredients cater to the growing flexitarian population, offering texture improvement and protein enrichment in vegetarian and meat alternatives. MYCO Technology’s FermentIQ Protein, made by fermenting pea protein with shiitake mushroom mycelium, is another innovative approach, enhancing flavor, aroma, and digestibility.
In conclusion, the trends showcased at the IFT FIRST Food Expo reflect a dynamic industry that is responsive to consumer demands for health, wellness, transparency, functionality, sustainability, and plant-based options. As these trends continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly shape the future of food and beverage, offering exciting possibilities for both consumers and manufacturers.
