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Health and wellness for consumers and business
In its biggest brand launch in 20 years, Mars Chocolate UK is confirming what we already knew – healthy snacking is big business. Ticking the sharing, on the go and fruit and nut trend boxes, the company says the new bar suits consumers’ busy lifestyles.
The big issues
I have attended two events in the last week, the combined themes of which represent three of the major focuses for the food and drink industry at present: waste, obesity and Brexit.
The Nestlé way
Furthering its commitment to sugar reduction, Nestlé Breakfast Cereals this week announced plans to cut an additional 10 per cent of sugar across its cereal range by the end of 2018.
Little and often
We have been discussing the growing trend of ‘snackification’ for some time now, which sees consumers moving away from the traditional three fixed meals a day towards more flexible snacking and grazing occasions.
To tax, or not to tax: that is the taxing question
Just a few weeks ago, I discussed the potential of the soft drinks levy being extended to other food groups, following the release of Action on Sugar’s six-point manifesto which calls for the tax to be extended to confectionery.
Certainly uncertain times
I was in London on Monday night (12 June) for the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Industry Dinner, along with around 500 other guests from across the food and drink sector.
Animal versus plant milk
Last Thursday (1 June) World Milk Day was celebrated with the launch of The Milk Manifesto, a joint declaration signed by nutrition scientists, setting out the lifelong health benefits of consuming milk.
Cider season
Despite cider rapidly being considered a year-round drink, the category is recognised as being responsive to warmer weather.
Is bread consumption going stale?
It was British Sandwich Week last week (14-20 May), but according to Mintel’s recently released British Lifestyles report, which tracks spending across all major consumer markets, bread use is going stale. Just one third (34 per cent) of Brits reporting eating sliced bread at least once a day in 2016 – down from 47 per cent in 2014.
Will confectionery follow in soft drinks’ footsteps?
We reported last week that UK consumers incorrectly believe the sugar levy, approved for sugar sweetened soft drinks, applies to far more products.
Pick of the pack
Interpack has closed its doors for another three years. The show is reporting a record attendance of 2,865 companies, with 170,500 visitors walking the halls.
Lessons in nutrition
The food and drink industry often has to reiterate that a ‘joined up approach’ is more beneficial than the demonisation of sugar, for example, or the food industry as a whole, when tackling the childhood obesity issue.
Time to shine
The entry deadline for this year’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Awards is 28 April, giving food and drink producers from across the supply chain and throughout the UK just days to submit their entries.
‘Tis the season
Last year, the largest contributor to chocolate NPD was seasonal launches, accounting for 25 per cent. More than one quarter of those seasonal launches (28 per cent) were positioned for Easter, highlighting the popularity of chocolate eggs and bunnies – I certainly indulged in some Easter chocolate over the weekend, and I’m sure many of you did the same.