Webinar preview: Foodology by Univar Solutions unravels nutrition trends amid “Wholesome Cravings” push

25 Sep 2023 --- Foodology by Univar Solutions has launched its “Wholesome Cravings” campaign, which focuses on healthy eating. The campaign highlights ways the company works with F&B manufacturers across different applications – beverage, dairy and snacks – to make their products healthier. The move comes amid a heightened demand for better sensory attributes in plant-based foods.

The company’s portfolio of ingredients includes enzymes, which are essential in achieving the desired sensorial attributes. Innovators are also leaning into new product formats and category expansion to continue growing meat and dairy alternatives.

Speaking to Food Ingredients First ahead of its webinar on September 28, Natalia McDonagh, head of marketing and technical sales, EMEA, Foodology by Univar Solutions, takes us through the current trends driving healthy nutrition.

“With health and wellness top of mind for consumers, we see it continuing to drive current trends across the F&B space,” she says.

Better for the planet
According to McDonagh, consumers have become “mindful nutritionists,” educating themselves on their needs and the nutrients and functionality of their food.

Foodology by Univar Solutions has launched its “Wholesome Cravings” campaign.“With this, today’s health-conscious consumers increasingly demand that ingredients are better for them and the planet, helping drive the sustainable foods trend across all categories,” she explains.

Although reduced fat, sugar and carbs still play a part in purchasing decisions, consumers want to indulge and treat themselves while understanding that the macronutrient breakdown is equally important.

“This means indulgent food and beverage items with a slight ‘better for you’ twist are attractive to the average consumer looking to nourish their body and mind,” says McDonagh.

When formulators can add healthy ingredients like fiber, protein and probiotics to indulgence foods, it’s a “game changer,” she adds.

“If consumers see healthier offsets such as vitamins or fiber boosts in their indulgence foods, they are more inclined to purchase those products from brands that offer that transparency.”

Clean labels in demand
For food manufacturers looking to reformulate products to meet the “healthier for me” trend, Foodology by Univar Solutions has ingredients that help reduce sugar, replace fat for calorie reduction and increase micronutrient content.

According to McDonagh, one of the most exciting offerings in the company’s portfolio is the company’s variety of enzymes that can extend shelf life, aid in manufacturing, increase yields and help with cleaner ingredient statements.

“Healthy nutrition is becoming the space to be in when it comes to food ingredients,” she continues. “We aim to enable producers to achieve cleaner labeling on final products while being mindful of pending government tightening regulations concerning healthy food descriptions.”

Consumers are frequently concerned about health and wellness – not just physical but also mental well-being. They want to feel better and ensure their immune system runs properly.

“Manufacturers are taking note of this and innovating to deliver healthier ingredients and products,” adds McDonagh.

Functional foods bolster self-care
Reformulation and sugar reduction are two of the most crucial elements that manufacturers should be looking at. The company has seen a focus on sugar reduction and protein fortification. Natalia McDonagh, head of marketing and technical sales, EMEA, Foodology by Univar Solutions.

As a more mindful approach to nutrition has emerged, self-care has become an increasingly important factor, and snacks that deliver on health and indulgence are more desirable. 

McDonagh believes this presents an opportunity for F&B development teams to focus on solutions that can provide indulgence, support consumers’ self-care needs and enhance nutrient density with products that are low in fat, salt and sugar.

“From supporting mental health to improving the way we look and feel, self-care is a trend that’s gaining more importance for the health-conscious consumer and will continue to guide purchasing choices. Taste, texture, flavor and appearance of goods matter alongside convenience and a healthier nutritional profile,” she says.

The role of plant-based
Markets show rising demand for healthier foods as consumers look for cleaner labels, less sugar, salt and fat, fiber and protein fortification and choice under the free-from and flexitarian nutrition lifestyles. Consumers now routinely review ingredient lists and educate themselves on risk factors, such as acrylamide.

“Product safety, quality and traceability matter like never before,” McDonagh stresses.

The latest up-and-coming trend that Univar Solutions sees is protein fortification in plant-based foods and beverages.

“Plant-based dairy is still big, but protein additions in food and drinks are attracting meat-eaters and flexitarians, who want to make their nutrition choices healthier. For plant-based foods, clean label claims about the plant-based meat market have recently garnered significant attention as well, so consumers are looking at that as well,” notes McDonagh.

Due to increased consumer demand, plant-based dairy alternatives have flooded the market for the past several years. This aligns with Innova Market Insights’ number four trend for 2023: “Plant-Based: Unlocking a New Narrative.”

The healthy eating trend is something that formulators look at from a consumer perspective.Such demands in the plant-based scene have made it imperative for food manufacturers to offer the best possible alternatives that deliver on texture, flavor profile, taste and health, McDonagh explains.

For example, oat milk has also become popular on the plant-based front. “Whether you’re starting a new venture into oat milk beverages or looking to expand your existing line of analogs, our experts can help transform growing trends into marketable products,” says McDonagh.

Oat milk is steadily becoming one of the latest and most significant trends in alt-dairy, taking off at the end of 2019. It is comparable to traditional dairy milk and this similarity appeals to consumers, particularly flexitarians.

“Our Foodology by Univar Solutions technical team will share plant-based innovations and how we can help create recipes and solutions for plant-based oat milk that tastes just as good as the traditional milk drink,” McDonagh says.

Meanwhile, the call for “wholesome indulgence” is accelerating, offering an opportunity to widen the appeal of indulgent products by looking at the free-from possibilities.

“For instance, dairy components can be exchanged for ‘vegan’ alternatives or by removing certain allergens and considering other protein sources such as oats, pulses and wheat,” adds McDonagh.

Upcoming webinar
In the company’s forthcoming webinar on September 28, attendees can learn more about the formulation and the latest ingredients and innovations in the Foodology by Univar Solutions portfolio.

The company’s technical team will walk through formulas, preparation and ingredients that deliver a healthier product, including plant-based meat and fish, no-added-sugar condiments and beverages and protein-enriched plant-based dairy desserts. 

You can register for the webinar here.

By Elizabeth Green