How Your Company Can Hop On Functional Food Trends
The idea of functional foods began in Japan in the 1980s when producers focused on manufacturing foods with a role beyond basic nutrition; these foods affected consumers positively. The idea crept across Europe before catching root in the United States. Nowadays, “functional foods” is a buzzword that nutritional ingredient supplier Bell Chem knows you want to learn more about. With its vast array of nutritional ingredients, Bell Chem has the correct products to make your existing foods and beverages more, well, functional.
The 2024 Global Trend Study by HealthFocus International noted that almost 75% of consumers are aware of the role of functional foods, and nearly 50% will purchase more functional foods in the near future, increasing the $320 billion spent on healthy foods and beverages annually.
With so many consumers focused on healthy eating, high prices are a major barrier to lower-income households. Adding small amounts of supplements, such as caffeine, protein, or fiber, in products can open a different market share for your products without seriously increasing the product price.
Different bodies, different diets
Over half of adults in the United States reported they joined a diet program within the past 12 months. Of those individuals, 20% of the diets focused on high-protein foods. These foods are typically fresh meat or beans, but the advent of packaged foods for most meals means noodles or cereal bars with milk powder, peanut flour, or sweet whey meet these dietary needs in a quick, reliable packaged food. Eating on the run is no longer a quick snack; it has become the primary choice of approximately 75% of consumers. Knowing the majority of consumers want portable, healthy foods means manufacturers can easily benefit by supplementing their existing food supply chain.
Drink yourself healthy
Bottled water is no longer simply water. Instead, energy water with a boost of caffeine stimulates the mind and body to work better and longer. Energy drinks have long included calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, but now these supplements are available in water. With a burst of flavor, citric acid in water can give vitamin water a distinct flavor with health benefits. Choose Vitamin A, any of the B-complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, or any others. Vitamins boost the body’s immune system, and this water trend generates more revenue than any other health trend. Adding a small amount of sugar, honey, or sugar substitute allows your water to compete against soda.
Bell Chem is your nutritional ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including functional food ingredients. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.