Despite significant hurdles created by the COVID-19 pandemic, many new products managed to beat the odds and emerge as winners, making their way into shoppers' carts during unprecedented times and resulting in multiple $100 million launches. More than a quarter of the New Product Pacesetters launched in the fourth quarter of 2019 or January 2020 saw big performances, accounting for 51 of 200 Pacesetter products, with 27 in the food and beverage sector.

Consumers are studying nutrition and ingredient labels more than ever before. While more than half look for calories, many are specifically zeroing in on added sugars, total sugars, and total carbohydrates.

Naked launched its latest smoothie innovation, Indulgent Protein, now available in two flavors, Chocolate Protein and Vanilla Protein. 

Totally Unbaked, Ben & Jerry's first Limited Batch flavor of 2021, is a mixture of chocolate and vanilla ice cream that prominently features two unbaked components: chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie batter swirls.

Years of tepid sales quickly reversed with a COVID-19 pandemic that forced consumers into new work-at-home and eat-at-home routines. This certainly helped boost packaged breakfast food sales.

ONE Bar, a protein bar company known for their guilt-free, indulgent flavors, introduced limited edition ONE Fruity Cereal bars. The bars are now available at Trader Joe’s nationwide and c-stores, and rolling out further nationwide – including Amazon – in March. 

Experts at the Louisville-based beverage development company, Flavorman, identified drink flavor trends to watch for in 2021. Driven by the long-term effects of an on-going pandemic, this year’s forecast is shaping up to be focused on flavors that drive experience in a socially distant landscape.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients Food & Beverages identifies “Conscious Indulgence” as the key global market trend in its 2020-2021 Trend Report. Now that the dust is settling from the first wave of the global pandemic and the contours of a new world are starting to take shape, the company shares its vision on where the industry is heading in a new normal.

Breakfast cereals are something of a staple food in North America, with 60% of households saying they are a regular part of their grocery basket. However, times have never been more challenging for these core products as competition for the breakfast dollar has intensified considerably over the past decade or so.

This new report dives into understanding the role of health within the indulgence and snacking category (globally, regionally, and across 22 countries) to help companies ensure their products are well positioned for today and for the future.