IRI examined how shopping behaviors and attitudes are affecting private label sales in its Q3 2019 Consumer Connect report, “Beyond Price, Consumers Find Value in Private Brands.”

Millennials, born 1981-1996, are the top consumers of plant-based meat alternatives, finds the NPD study. This generational group has adopted plant-based meat alternatives as a way to indulge sensibly, while addressing long-term health goals and animal treatment concerns.

In the fall edition of Talking Points, Rabobank offered advice to the CEOs of big food companies based on reader response to the question, “What single piece of advice would you give to the CEO of a big food company on how to respond better to today’s consumer?” 

While North America and Europe are currently the major markets for wellness foods and beverages, the trend is global, with Asia-Pacific likely to become the fastest growing market.

Survey results reveal 80% of adults eat breakfast foods as a snack or for breakfast-for-dinner, with more than 50% engaging in those behaviors once a month or more. And findings show nearly three-quarters of Americans state they feel happier or more energized on days when they snack on breakfast foods or enjoy them for dinner.

The first dominant segment is couples with children who focus on limiting added sugar as a means of promoting a healthy lifestyle for their families, according to the latest CFI Illuminate™ Digital Cultural Insights report.

Using AI, Tastewise goes beyond simply knowing which foods are currently trending, to understanding why they’re trending, giving food brands critical insights and more lead time to prepare for the future market demands.

I’ve witnessed some impressive paradigm shifts in how consumers — and product developers — understand and use food and ingredients. The needless demonization of salt, fat, meat, and sugar has moved away from the focus of concern, with most Americans recognizing the idea of moderation and moving away from the guilt that preoccupied everyfood decision.

More than any single seasonal flavor trend, it's really the overarching globalization of flavor that is turning the food industry upside down, ushering in a whole new approach to meeting consumer demand.