In the lead up to trade industry event FHA-Food & Beverage, FHA’s latest report highlights how increasing consumer focus on health and wellbeing has led many food and beverage companies to reformulate its products with functional food ingredients.
The FHA Insider Special report titled, Healthy trends driving demand for functional food products in Asia, examines how consumer trends are shifting the demand for particular functional foods in products such as juices and dairy.
Euromonitor International research has found increasing incomes in the Asia-Pacific region has also contributed the push for more premium products using “exotic and healthier ingredients”.
Remedy Kombucha co-founder Emmet Condon said the “fizzy drink” category was one where consumers are looking for healthier options.
“There’s certainly potential for growth as more people around the world cotton on to the benefits of live cultured foods and the health risks posed by the excess consumption of sugar loaded soft drinks,” said Condon.
Meanwhile in Japan, dairy product and functional food ingredient manufacturer Morinaga expects the demand for probiotics and dietary supplements in the South-East Asia region to remain promising, with parallels between product development and increased consumer awareness.
“The probiotics market in Asia-Pacific region has witnessed an increase in the new product development activities wherein novel and specialty strains are incorporated to achieve targeted health benefits,” said said Dr Wong Chyn Boon, research associate, international division, Morinaga Milk Industry Co.
To read the full FHA Insider Special report, click here.
FHA-Food & Beverage will be held at Singapore Expo from 31 March – 3 April 2020. Register here.