| Increasing the nutritional content of food products | | | | ingredients, demand for more novel and exotic |
| - especially from fruit and vegetables - is a | | | | fruit and vegetable ingredients is expected. |
| growing trend. Many consumers are actively | | | | Manufacturers are responding by utilizing the |
| looking for foods with only few ingredients and | | | | benefits of fruits and vegetables in already |
| wanting foods as fresh as time allows. This | | | | popular applications - whether it's a pizza sauce, a |
| means manufacturers need to source natural | | | | cereal bar or a fruit based snack - manufacturers |
| food ingredients that have no added sugars, are | | | | can help children as well as adults, get more |
| whole fruit or vegetable origin and have nothing | | | | servings of fruits and vegetables into their diets. |
| artificial added. | | | | However while trends indicate a preference for |
| The benefits of healthy eating are gaining | | | | healthy and natural foods, it is important to |
| momentum with government initiatives the world | | | | consider the role recent economic pressures have |
| over attempting to create awareness and | | | | played in changing the way consumers shop. Price |
| educational programs. Many studies indicate that | | | | and value have become key criteria for shoppers. |
| consumers are adopting a 'natural' lifestyle with a | | | | Fortunately natural fruit and vegetable ingredients |
| focus on health and well-being that includes green | | | | provide a valuable healthy halo to consumer |
| living, sustainability. | | | | products; adding value through nutrition and |
| Greater consumer awareness of environmental | | | | indulgence through flavour and format. |
| issues, such as global warming and climate change | | | | With a focus on the development of products |
| is creating a continuous shift toward products | | | | that positively impact the health and well being of |
| containing natural ingredients, with demand rapidly | | | | consumers without sacrificing on taste, |
| rising for convenience foods containing natural fruit | | | | manufacturers are able to hold valuable |
| and vegetables. With growing consumer | | | | shelf-space in supermarket aisles and generate |
| experimentation and acceptance of natural food | | | | consumer loyalty. |