In the contemporary consumer environment, the balance between health and indulgence is increasingly important. A new report from Innova Market Insights highlights the ice cream category’s growing focus on delivering pleasure without guilt.

Launches grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of less than 1% from 2014 to 2018, per the Innova Market Insights database. Unfortunately, last year's tally will not advance the cause. Yet plenty was happening if you knew where to look.

Alter Eco’s commitment to clean ingredients extends from the farm to the final recipe with no corn feed, no GMOs and no refined sugars, soy ingredients or preservatives.

Prepared Foods talks inclusions and ice cream trends with Jeni Britton Bauer, founder and chief creative officer of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.

“The role of snack food is changing in different ways in reaction to Americans’ desire for balance, portable snack foods, and holistic wellness,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America.

Consumers are more likely to say that exercising is worth the effort (48% vs 31% eating healthy), fun/enjoyable (28% vs 17%), empowering (27% vs 16%) and a source of pride (21% vs 15%) than eating healthy. 

The Cashew Butter Blondie combines the sweet flavors of caramel and honey to create a soft, cake-like treat that's topped with crunchy pecan pieces. The Raspberry Cocoa Brownie fuses dark chocolate with tart raspberry pieces for a winning blend of whole, real ingredients with no preservatives or artificial ingredients.

When it comes to foodservice menus, it's clear that milks, cheeses, cultured products and frozen desserts carry function, flavor, texture and on-trend tastes.

So Delicious Frozen Mousse is a brand-new line of decadent frozen desserts that have 300-330 calories per pint (110 or less per serving).

Raspberry Acai in Chocolate Bar: Juicy red raspberries and the sweet tartness of acai create a harmony in the Coconut Bliss Raspberry Acai in Chocolate bar. Packed with antioxidants and stunning flavor, this coconut milk delicacy will enliven your taste buds with its exotic flare. A rich dark chocolate shell adds a layer of indulgence.