The Current State (Or Plate) Of Food – Fast Facts

The food industry is constantly changing and to be successful in the food manufacturing industry, you have to stay abreast of the trends. To help with that, here is your cheat sheet of fast facts as to the current state (or plate) of food.

• Consumers are currently looking for what foods can do for them – food that can help them perform, stay awake, get smarter, etc. Proteins, antioxidants, superfoods, probiotics, prebiotics, and more are part of this trend.
• Plant-based foods are on the rise as consumers who say they eat meat has dropped 16% since 2014.
• Eggs, ahi tuna, carne asada, applewood smoked bacon, and brisket are among the fastest growing proteins on restaurant menus.
• Consumers now care more about natural ingredients and clean labels than brand recognition when purchasing food products.
• 75% of consumers say they’ll switch to a brand that provides more in-depth product information.
• Consumers are increasingly looking for “free from” food that isn’t just free from specific ingredients but also free of animal cruelty, genetically modified ingredients and unsustainable supply chains.
• Consumers are relying on food labels to convey company values, turning the way food products are marketed from commercial jingles or scenes showing how products impact consumers to manufacturer’s ingredients, processes and backstories.
• Consumers are willing to pay more for foods that are viewed as sustainable, organic and healthy.
• Food product recalls have skyrocketed in the past five years, largely due to technological improvements in food testing, factory farming, growing automation in food production, an improving economy, globalization, and growing consumer awareness.
• With the potential for large-scale production, the once strictly wild groundcherry has proven that gene editing could change the market for fruit crops in the near future.
• 55% of households claim high protein is a significant factor in food purchases for their families, so food manufacturers of high-protein products could benefit from informing consumers about the levels of protein in their product.
• The top ten trends in the food manufacturing industry are automation, efficiency, clean labels and healthy foods, e-commerce, food safety, decline in good workers, sustainability, increased consumer demand, cost pressures, and new packaging solutions.