13 Oct 2015 --- Across the world, health is one of the main issues of our time and often comes up in discussions relating to a balanced diet. Ever-present across all media channels, this awareness is also reflected in day-to-day life. More than ever before, consumers are paying attention to what they eat and drink. It is down to the individual to decide what he or she personally considers “relevant to health,” for example the sugar content of a beverage, an extra portion of protein or raw materials from organic sources. 

Minerals such as magnesium and calcium, as well as a whole series of vitamins, are essential for many key metabolic processes. Products enriched with these vitamins and minerals promise health benefits. Across the world, around 30 percent of consumers say that this is an important criterion in their decision on whether to buy a product. Slightly more (32 percent) say that a high protein content in a product is relevant. Right on cue, WILD will be presenting the next generation of protein bars at Anuga: high in protein, with a great taste and best sensory properties. But also in beverage segments protein is featured as a functional benefit. According to different everyday consumption situations, the range varies from sports drinks to energy and still drinks as well as to fruit juice based beverages. Another plus for an individual well-being: juice concepts containing fruit and vegetables. At Anuga, WILD will be showing delicate compositions in the color range of orange, pink and green.

According to data, more than two billion people were regarded as overweight or obese in 2013. In an online study, 75 percent of respondents worldwide said they wanted to lose weight and to change their eating habits to do so. The main stratagems here include reducing fat (65 percent) and eating and drinking less sugary products (62 percent). As a result, “less&low products” offer huge potential. At Anuga, WILD will be presenting a series of concepts, for example those sweetened with stevia that have excellent taste profiles, but also “light“ concepts with less sugar in general, as for example modern refreshers and near waters.

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, there is likewise a clear trend toward “less is more.” WILD has therefore put together a team of experts for beer-mix drinks in order to take account for the high international importance of this product group, currently the non-alcoholic variants in particular. WILD’s trade fair presentation includes fruity beer mixes with lemon and pink grapefruit flavors as well as a nonalcoholic “pink option” of a wine mix drink from the “Prickling Cooler” range. 

One key pillar in WILD's portfolio has long been concepts based on natural ingredients without E-numbers subject to declaration. “Clean label” is therefore an important part of the company's philosophy, not a short-term trend. Now, though, consumers want not only natural ingredients, but also a small number of them (“clear label”). WILD will be presenting beverage ideas with a taste originating solely from the fermentation of fruit juice concentrates without any additives at all.

More than one third of the people surveyed regard “organic” or “sustainable production” as an important criterion in deciding for or against a product.1 WILD is already addressing this global trend and is cooperating with the Rainforest Alliance NGO. Its seal signifies socially responsible production with the careful use of resources. WILD uses these raw materials in a number of juice based and nectar concepts. 100-percent-juices and lemonades made with organic ingredients as well as multivitamin drinks with fair trade declaration are also on the agenda of the ingredients expert.

The company also notes how eating habits are increasingly being influenced by ethical considerations. Consumers do not want to support concepts such as factory farming and so turn to a vegetarian lifestyle. People with a food intolerance are also hoping for a wider choice of products, or want to benefit from functional ingredients such as protein or fiber. At Anuga, WILD will be presenting exactly the right innovations to meet these requirements. 

At Anuga, WILD is for the first time presenting its innovative concept for protein bars. The snack was developed as a classic muesli bar, but contains the added functionalities of a protein bar. Its added value is reflected in all ingredients: the high-protein crisps are a source of protein. The bar also contains flavorless dietary fiber and is naturally sweetened with fruit extracts. One key advantage is that, unlike other protein products, they do not have an unpleasant mouthfeel. The recipes for the protein bars are also free of ingredients subject to declaration, such as emulsifiers, thickeners and sugar alcohols, which are traditionally used in muesli bars. WILD's product range includes bars with cranberry, apricot and blueberry. 

The trend toward lactose-free foods is reflected in the new WILD ice cream concepts: The ingredients expert has created a soy ice cream with natural flavors as a tasty alternative to milk-based ice cream for consumers with a lactose intolerance. WILD's portfolio includes vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice creams.

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