By Brandon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer
SUSTAINABILITY
Achieving Net Zero Using AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to play a major role in adding operational efficiencies to food manufacturing. By leveraging AI techniques in transportation, logistics, production and retailing, companies can cut energy usage and thereby emissions. Retailers will be able to reduce merchandising waste by leveraging AI for shelf-life monitoring and expiration-date tracking, as well as demand forecasting.
Source: Food Technology Magazine
TRADE
Post-Brexit EU Import Rules Arrive
Despite leaving the European Union (EU)’s single market in January 2021, the United Kingdom delayed introducing the full border controls several times over concerns on cost and disruption. This month border controls for imports of fresh food such as meat and dairy products from the EU come into effect. The delay was also made to give businesses more time to prepare for the requirements, which include the requirement of a veterinary-signed health certificate on meat and dairy products.
Source: Speciality Food Magazine
INNOVATION
Sugar Reduction Trend Continues
Innova Market Insights data suggests that food and beverages with lower sugar claims grew at a 3% CAGR between October 2018 and September 2023. Last year the top category launched with reduced sugar claims was soft drinks. Sucralose was the leading sweetening ingredient in product launches with sugar reduction claims.
Source: Food Ingredients First
Health and Affordability Lead in Consumer Trends
The food and beverage industry must respond to changing consumer preferences in 2024 to remain competitive. Health-conscious choices, affordability and nutritional quality will all be paramount in the year ahead, according to flavor company T. Hasegawa and reported in Grocery Dive.
Key Trends
- Economical, nutrient-rich ingredients
- Ingredients for sustained fullness
- Premium nutritional ingredients
- Health-conscious ingredients
In 2023, the food and beverage industry responded to the shifting dynamics of health-conscious consumers. W.K. Kellogg Co, for example, debuted a better-for-you cereal as it pushes to attract more consumers in the millennial and Gen Z demographic. Its new puff offering is a protein-heavy and zero-sugar alternative to its traditional sweet offerings.
Whole Foods Market 2024 trends prediction report forecasts that consumers want to see the “plant” at the forefront of the plant-based category. With a focus on protein content, more plant-based products are using ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, tempeh and legumes in place of complex meat alternatives.
Source: Grocery Dive
FOOD SAFETY
FAO and WHO Release Produce and Poultry Meat Reports
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) have published two reports on microbial hazards in fruits and vegetables and measures to control Salmonella in poultry meat.
As reported by Food Safety News, the complexity and diversity of how produce is stored, distributed and marketed at the point of sale creates data gaps, particularly in developing economies. Scientists said retail and food service was the “forgotten part” of the supply chain because limited studies highlight the significance of education and training on produce safety.
For the poultry meat assessment, experts said no single control measure was sufficiently effective in reducing either the prevalence or the level of contamination of broilers and poultry meat with Salmonella. Authorities added that control strategies based on multiple interventions have the most significant impact on Salmonella in the broiler production chain.
Source: Food Safety News
