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Fruit Powders and Vegetable Powders Are Versatile for CPG Brands

With growing demands from consumers for clean label products, the popularity of fruit powders and vegetable powders has skyrocketed. While fruit and vegetable powders have been used for a long time in baked goods, the movement of clean labeling and eating has revolutionized the use of these powders and extended their use to many other categories.

Recent trends of food focus on more than just taste and color as many consumers are looking for products that have functional benefits and clean labels. Fruit and vegetable powders fit the bill as they can easily be incorporated in labels and they give the consumers the impression that the product is more natural and healthier than the conventional products.

Today, many food manufacturers have incorporated fruit and vegetable powders in making their products. They are not only used in making healthier versions of donuts, muffins, and cookies but virtually many types of products including pasta, cereals, and so much more. Powdered produce is way better than fillers as they increase the nutrient content of food. GrandFusion powders especially set products apart from the crowd. The NutriFusion technology enables companies to add a small amount of fruit and veggie powder (225mg) and add 50% daily value of 12 different vitamins at the same time. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of fruit powders and vegetable powders.

The Benefits of Fruit Powders and Vegetable Powders

There are so many benefits of using fruit and vegetable powders. Several studies indicate that it can boost overall health. In the 2016 study conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, adults who consume powdered blueberry showed better signs of cognitive performance. Researchers noted that consumption of such powders can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Other studies noted that fruit powders contain rich amounts of polyphenols that can help maintain good heart and cognitive functions. What makes powdered produce powerful is that they are denser compared to whole foods thus the concentration of nutrients is larger. Imagine that one teaspoon of powdered spinach may be equivalent to several cups of raw spinach. So, if you use two or more teaspoons, you do the math.

The Need for Nutrient-Dense Food is High

 

There is a growing desire especially among the younger consumers for foods that are loaded with high amounts of nutrients and minerals. In a recent report released by market research company Mintel entitled “Snacking Motivations and Attitudes US 2015,” it is more likely that younger consumers prefer snacks with added nutritional value such as fiber and protein content compared to the elderly consumers.

Powdered produce also contains high amounts of antioxidants and fiber content. In fact, one can get more fiber and antioxidants with a few tablespoons of powdered produce compared to eating a whole cup of fruits and vegetables. Moreover, they also contain high amounts of natural sugar thereby omitting the need for more free sweeteners.

Inspired by www.bakingbusiness.com

NutriFusion Fruit and Vegetable Powders Nutritional Claims FDA

Trends: Consumers Want More Functional, Healthy Beverages

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Consumers approach wellness in a holistic view these days. They prefer foods that come are organic and GMO-free, and other clean label cues. This trend is taking over drinks as well as more consumers want functional and healthy beverages.

The Trend for Healthy Beverages

Innova Market Insights, a Netherlands-based company, noted that many consumers are now becoming savvy when it comes to buying their favorite drinks. In 2016, a trend regarding the rising consumption of functional beverages rose to 27.2% from 12.6% in 2012. This means that more people opt for drinks that are fortified with vitamins and minerals or those that contain high amounts of protein for muscle buildup. These drinks are touted for their health benefits. The result is many companies in the US and UK are shifting their focus to healthy beverages to supply the growing demands of the market.

coco cocktail nutrifusion refresh alcoholic beverage

Aside from functional beverages, there is also a growing trend called “lighter enjoyment” where consumers are opting for alcoholic drinks that have lighter alcohol content and more flavor and texture to reap the benefits of the alcoholic beverage without the need to be intoxicated.

Today’s shoppers are taking health and other wellness-related matters into their own hands, and this has created a niche within the beverage industry to meet the growing demand. There is an increasing number of consumers who are following healthy routines such as training and exercising, so they need a drink to support their lifestyle.

The Effect of The Healthy Beverage Market

So why are many people turning to healthy foods and beverages instead of medicine? People who are not getting their desired results from traditional medicine are trying out health and wellness products. The trend here is an opportunity for companies to innovate their products into functional food and beverages.

This is where personalization of products comes in as people have different preferences when it comes to their health and wellness. For instance, people who follow specific diets tend to avoid specific ingredients in their beverages. So the traditional, one-size-fits-all approach to creating drinks is no longer a reliable concept for manufacturers.

 

Many shoppers are making more focused and informed buying decisions. They are very mindful of the types of products that they buy.  Aside from the kinds of ingredients, the “why,” as well as the “how” behind the product, is an essential factor in the decision making process of today’s shoppers. This adds another layer of complexity to the food and beverage industry to develop products that will appeal to more educated customers.

Beverages attribute to more than $11 billion in global sales, and these highly competitive functional drinks are slowly creeping up to make up a quarter of the market. In fact, functional and healthy beverages made $3.1 billion in sales last year, and the projections seem to grow more by the year.

Inspired by www.bevindustry.com

Functional Ingredients and Label Claims Continue to Lure Consumers

Reading Time: 2 minutes

According to the latest numbers from Packaged Facts market research, 49% of all U.S. consumers buy nutritional bars, beverages, or both. Food and beverage products using functional ingredients with functions like nutritional support, weight loss, increased energy, and meal replacement were included in their analysis. However, energy drinks, sports drinks, milkshakes, granola bars, and snack bars with no nutritional purpose were excluded from their analysis. The Packaged Facts’ National Online Survey consisted of 2,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and over.

Convenience is Key to Category Growth

Brands have been positioning their nutritional drinks and bars as convenient, healthy, on-the-go options for the busy American. As a result, sales have skyrocketed over the past five years. The market has hit $8.8 billion in 2016 with an annual growth rate of 9.5% over the past five years. Packaged Facts predicts a bullish future for the two categories with combined sales reaching $13.1 billion by 2021.

Younger generations are key purchasers with highest use rates. Many of the Millennials and Gen-Xers see being busy as a “badge of honor” so these products are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Packaged Facts found that 57% of all U.S. consumers are drinking nutritional beverages as a meal replacement.

Functional Ingredients: Superfoods and Protein

 

Functional ingredients are booming, and nutritional drinks and bars are using them to enter the market with a unique value proposition. The barriers to entry are low, but gaining significant market share is a different story. High protein content is expected from consumers at this point with 72% saying they look for that feature when purchasing nutritional drinks.

Some nutritional bars and drinks are turning to innovative superfood solutions to increase nutrient support claims. Brands are using products like GrandFusion to enhance their bars and drinks with natural vitamins from up to twelve fruits and vegetables without impacting flavor or texture. Interested in learning more? Click your industry in the navigation and learn more about how GrandFusion could benefit your products.

Inspired by www.nutraingredients-usa.com