Campden BRI predicts ‘weighty’ industry issues

This year will be a landmark one for the food and drink industry as it faces some ‘weighty issues’ that need to be addressed, predicts Campden BRI.

The food and drink research organisation predicts that products aimed at consumer health – particularly in relation to weight management and calorie control – will be one of the dominant trends driving the sector in 2013 and beyond. It also says that sustainability, and in particular, controlling water usage and water conservation will remain a key issue.

“Health and wellbeing has been a significant driver in recent years but this will gain momentum in 2013 as the focus shifts to calorie control and weight management,” says Steven Walker, director general of Campden BRI. “Just over a quarter of adults were classified as obese in 2010 and over 50 per cent of adults are predicted to become obese by 2050, with average intakes of saturated fat in the UK currently exceeding public health recommendations by around 20 per cent.

“It is, however, a complex issue with no universal remedy. But in the next 12 to 18 months, we will see increased pressure on food manufacturers to address the problem. While portion control has been suggested as a potential solution, it’s unlikely to be an acceptable solution for all consumers. Instead, there will be increased emphasis on product reformulation to reduce calories by cutting saturated fat and sugar levels.”

Campden’s other predicted dominant trend is the adoption of water efficiency best practice, as the food and drink industry continues to work to reduce its environmental impact.

“The food and drink industry is by necessity a significant user of water, but with the world’s water resources increasingly under stress, the issue of water conservation is more important than ever,” adds Walker. “Measures such as rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, waste water treatments, advanced drip irrigation systems for crops and new, emerging technologies to reduce water usage will all become more prevalent over the course of the next few years.

“Food and drink businesses are already taking significant strides to meet the voluntary whole industry target of a 20 per cent reduction in water use by 2020 and this progress is set to continue as more firms opt to reduce their water footprint.”