Mintel’s top food trends for 2019: From healthy aging to convenient food hacks

By Mary Ellen Shoup

- Last updated on GMT

©GettyImages / filadendron
©GettyImages / filadendron

Related tags Mintel Sustainability

Mintel’s forward-looking trends for 2019 center on full-circle sustainability, healthy aging, and ‘elevated convenience.'

Sustainability: a 360-degree approach

The definition of sustainability has expanded to incorporate the entire product life cycle from suppliers to consumers, according to Mintel analysts.

This more circular approach will require companies, retailers, and consumers to embrace their roles in the sustainable sourcing, production, distribution, consumption and disposal of products, said Mintel.

On the consumer end, a heightened awareness of packaging and food waste has come to the forefront.

“A seismic shift in how consumers think about plastic is underway as they become more aware of the damage plastic waste does to the planet,”​ Mintel reported.

Many organizations, companies, and packaging industry coalitions have come together to help reduce plastic use and waste as a result.

“Biobased packaging materials will be key components to the next generation of responsible packaging,”​ added Mintel.

The supplier has an increased responsibility as well as soil health and regenerative agriculture initiatives have taken the spotlight in recent years. Brands such as EPIC Provisions recently became the first consumer brand to carry the newly-launched Land to Market Ecological Verification​ (EOV) trademarked seal on one of its products.

In 2019, Mintel predicts further support and demand for corporate sustainability programs and increased commitments to improve circularity of packaging materials through improved recycling, reuse, composing and use of environmentally-friendly materials.

Forever young

Given that the population of people over the age of 60 continues to grow and people are living longer, the dialogue around health and wellness has now transitioned to a more targeted industry conversation around healthy aging, according to Mintel.

Food and drink manufacturers have many opportunities to formulate and brand products to meet this consumer demand especially in the areas of bone, joint, immune system, and brain health and longevity.

Mintel noted that food and drink manufacturers can draw on emerging research into nutrition and longevity as well as traditional medicine practices, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to develop products catered to an aging population.

In 2019, Mintel foresees an increase in the use of holistic ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, green tea extract, and medicinal mushrooms.

“Expect to also see food and drink manufacturers look to the beauty and personal care industry for inspiration for healthy ageing product development. More food and drink will address longevity-related health concerns, be marketed with positive language that rejects terms like ‘anti-ageing’ for its negative connotations, and appeal across ages,”​ Jenny Zegler, associate director, Mintel food & drink, said.

Elevated convenience

On-the-go consumers are shopping across channels for grab-and-go breakfasts, quick snacks, and dinner-time solutions, according to Mintel.

At the same time, consumers are expecting high-quality food and beverage options that fit into their fast-paced, time-crunched lifestyles without having to sacrifice on their health goals or flavor.

“Premium, fresh, and healthy convenience food and drink are essential now that many people consider themselves to be foodies, which raises their expectations of food quality, flavours, and formats,​” Mintel stated.

Mintel added that food and beverage manufacturers must have wide distribution in order to stay competitive against the tempting convenience and availability of quick service restaurants or fast foodservice delivery.

Looking ahead, a new wave of shortcuts will be available, offering new conveniences such as the expansion of individual meal kits sold at retail, foodservice-inspired packaged beverages, and a new generation of prepared meals, sides, and sauces that emulate the flavors and formats of restaurant meals, Mintel said.

“We predict the rising segment of consumers who are often on-the-go, yet want to spend more time at home, will increase demand for upscale, ‘speed scratch’ solutions and restaurant-quality, ready- to-consume products.

"As meal kits and foodservice-inspired beverages lead the way, there will also be more opportunities for brands to develop healthy, flavorful, customizable, and quick premium convenience products for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert occasions,”​ Zegler added.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Content provided by Ayana Bio | 12-Jan-2024 | White Paper

Ayana Bio conducted the Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Pulse survey, offering insight into consumers’ willingness to consume UPFs, as well as the variables...

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Content provided by Rethink Events Ltd | 11-Jan-2024 | Event Programme

Future Food-Tech is the go-to meeting place for the food-tech industry to collaborate towards a healthier food system for people and planet.

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Content provided by T. Hasegawa USA | 08-Jan-2024 | Application Note

As consumers seek increased value and experience from food and beverages, the industry relies on research to predict category trends. Studying trends that...

Oat Groats – Heat-treated Oat Kernels

Oat Groats – Heat-treated Oat Kernels

Content provided by Lantmännen Biorefineries AB | 06-Dec-2023 | Product Brochure

Lantmännen offers now Oat Groats: Heat-treated oat kernels, also known as oat groats or kilned oats, undergo heat treatment to inhibit enzymes that could...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars