The global COVID-19 pandemic had a marked impact on consumers’ attitudes toward health. COVID took a heavy toll on people in poor health and consumers looked for quick ways to boost their health as a defense against the disease.
Prepared Foods Editor Bob Garrison talks immunity-focused products and ingredients with Barbara Brueckner Shpizner, Vice President, Innovation at Mattson, a third-party innovation consultant in Foster City, Calif.
Every year poses its share of market challenges to companies operating in the snack and bakery market—a vital economic sector, which at retail alone accounts for over $100 billion in annual US sales.
Many consumers identify the pandemic as the reason why they have used online grocery shopping options for the first time
July 29, 2021
The US food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020, more consumers than ever before were deciding to order food and beverage items online to avoid grocery shopping in crowded stores, where they might be exposed to the COVID-19 virus.
Consumers across the globe are placing increased emphasis on positive nutrition rather than the more traditional reductionist methods of diet control
July 16, 2021
The long-established trend towards proactively managing our health and well-being has been brought into sharper focus by COVID-19. Research by Innova Market Insights reveals a new wave of opportunity for functional nutrition product launches for 2021 and beyond, which will be explored further in a webinar on July 19.
Some hardships present opportunities for food manufacturers and their R&D teams to partner with foodservice operators
July 8, 2021
“Last September, an operator approached us to help alleviate some labor challenges they were experiencing,” notes Elise Carlson, CFS, King & Prince senior research and development manager. “They were taking frozen, cellophane-wrapped cod, thawing it and then cutting it into pieces. Kitchen staff then cut the cod by hand so not all pieces were exactly the same, which is a desirable attribute."
The global pandemic has raised levels of consumer anxiety while accelerating a more proactive and holistic approach to health
July 7, 2021
Innova Market Insights’ consumer research indicates that one in four people globally has become more concerned about their immune health since before the pandemic. The most significant increase was among Millennials (aged 26 to 35 years) and younger Gen X (aged 36 to 45 years). Higher levels of concern among these relatively young age groups indicate the potential for longer-term consumer interest.
The 26th annual report addresses unprecedented impact from the pandemic on new product strategy
June 9, 2021
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.
The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for the cheese category. While the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced demand for cheese in foodservice, the category’s growth at retail was extensive, notes Kelly Slentz, associate brand manager, cheese for La Farge, Wis.-based Organic Valley.
Trend reveals consumer desire to build immunity, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and manage stress
April 6, 2021
Consumers have been trying foods, ingredients, and substances that help them build immunity, prevent inflammation, aid their digestive health, and relieve stress and anxiety, according to NPD’s Health Aspirations and Behavioral Tracking Service, which continually tracks consumption habits linked to wellness goals and identifies long-term, mainstream trends.