MARKETING NEWS

Tate & Lyle investigates the growth factors influencing the European bakery market. Consumer research highlights the daily consumption of bakery products among different age groups, emphasizing health benefits and considerations amidst changing regulations like HFSS and Nutri-Score. Younger consumers prioritize health features like added fibre, protein, and clean label claims, while cost-consciousness alters purchasing behaviors; and reformulation presents a balancing act between health improvements and maintaining taste. Restrictions prompt product changes to align with evolving consumer preferences and regulatory demands, fostering opportunities for innovative indulgence.

In 2024, ADM anticipates a revolution in the food industry where aesthetics and flavor innovation will shape consumer preferences. This evolution combines sensory indulgence with economic and wellness responsibility, focusing on personalized visual and gustatory foods. Artificial intelligence will be key in creating global trends, while the demand for functional foods without sacrificing taste continues to rise.

The push for clean-label products might be hindering efforts toward significant sodium reduction in food products. Despite years of focus on reducing sodium intake, average sodium consumption in the US remains high, leading to health risks like heart disease and stroke. Various global entities, including government agencies and health organizations, are urging food companies to cut down on sodium.

The Dutch biotechnology company Meatable opened a new pilot plant in the Netherlands to expand the production of its cultured pork meat. With a successful funding round, the 3,300 m2 facility, doubling their previous capacity, will enable them to scale up production and test larger quantities of cultured pork products.

The 2024 Sports & Active Nutrition Summit USA​ will return to San Diego for its sixth year on February 12, 13 & 14 at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. Produced by NutraIngredients-USA , the summit brings together industry and research professionals in the sports and active nutrition space to bridge the gaps between cutting-edge science, business strategy, and key regulatory developments.

The Coca-Cola Company is intensifying its digital investments and capabilities, transforming the way the company operates. President and CFO, John Murphy, shared the company's three-fold view of digital: as a capability, a medium, and a disruptor. For Coca-Cola, building digital capabilities involves upgrading their ERP system to SAP S/4HANA and migrating their entire business to the cloud. This foundational base allows them to explore more advanced digital capabilities for marketing, data leverage, and cybersecurity. The company now collaborates with top software players, acknowledging their expertise in this field. Moreover, Coca-Cola is exploring next-generation AI capabilities, exemplified by the AI-powered holiday card generator and AI-designed futuristic drinks like Coca-Cola Y3000. Digital also serves as a primary marketing medium, with over 60% of the company's media spend allocated to digital, marking a significant increase from previous years.