By Tracey Cheung.
Against the background of the Covid pandemic, there’s been no holding back on indulgence in confectionery for comfort, but things are changing.
According to Glanbia Nutritionals, a 2020 Mintel report showed 20 per cent of surveyed consumers reported that they snacked during the height of the pandemic to relieve stress.
However, with lockdowns ending and pandemic effects fading, a focus on health is back, which is where the future of confectionery lies, according to a new Mintel report, ‘The future of chocolate, sugar and gum confectionery: 2022’, which cites “the tension between indulgent and healthy confectionery”.
The trend is making room for innovative developments in the form of unique flavours and low sugar formulations. It also raises the notion of lollies becoming a healthy treat in the future with these advances.
Convenience World spoke with Benu Adhikari, Professor in Food Science at RMIT, who pointed to the following trends now emerging or that we can expect from confectionery manufacturers soon.
‘Better-for-you’ snacks
With health at the top of mind for consumers, confectionery manufacturers will do well if they can provide extra health benefits with great tasting products. A report on snacking by the Hartman Group in 2020 showed 76 per cent of surveyed US consumers saying it’s important that snacks offer health benefits. This can be in the form of confectionery with added functional health benefits, whether this be low sugar, added proteins, or vitamins and minerals.
Read the article in full in the October issue of Convenience World.
