Ingredient specialists will bring solutions for health-promoting solutions, including plant-based foodstuffs, to ProSweets Cologne from January 30 to February 2, 2022. The show organizers anticipate innovative ingredients will be introduced, which not only go into recipes that are rich in protein and fiber, but also make clean-label claims possible.
The focus is on immune-strengthening contents, which goes hand in hand with a growing interest for personalized diets. The ‘Ingredients’ Event Zone in Hall 5.2, jointly organized by Koelnmesse GmbH and the DLG, German Agricultural Society, is addressing this complex theme and will present the results of the survey entitled “My Food – Personalization and Diet”. Beyond this, a knowledge hub with presentations by ingredient specialists is being prepared for visitors.
Parallel to this, the popularity of plant-based ingredients is driving the innovations of the sweets and snacks manufacturers, ProSweets’ organizer highlights, which drives the trend for added fibers. “It is not without reason that the sweet segment is currently one of the product groups with the most health claims regarding grain, vegetable and legume-based fibre concentrates. As a rule, these can be easily integrated into existing recipes without altering the manufacturing processes. Wafer biscuits that contain wholegrain fibre in the filling, without a perceivable difference in taste,” Koelnmesse pointed out.
As a result of extended lockdowns and social distancing measures, naturalness and health are two of the trends that are becoming more and more relevant for purchasing decisions. According to a survey by FMCG Gurus, around 38% of consumers worldwide are currently seeking healthier sweets; 63% take a critical look at the list of ingredients. Label claims statements standing out for their popularity include ‘free from additives’ or ‘100% natural’.
Trends
The growing number of new product launches with health benefits is also reflected in research done by Innova Market Insights. As a partner of Koelnmesse, the market research company will present the most important ingredients trends of the sweets and snacks industry for 2022 at ProSweets Cologne. For instance, Lu Ann Williams, Global Insights Director, is expecting an increase in the awareness for the content of antioxidants and the potential advantages snacks containing dark chocolate and ‘superfruits’, like pomegranates or goji berries, bring for a healthy immune system. creaminess or crunchiness, are an example of this.
According to Innova Market Insights, the market for plant-based foods is recording two-digit growth rates worldwide. There is a particularly high demand for snacks that are rich in protein and sugar-reduced. Protein concentrates obtained from chickpeas, beans or lentils, which thanks to their functional properties also have a pleasant mouthfeel and provide a creamy texture are relatively new on the list of ingredients here. Almonds, nuts and cashews, which serve as a source of healthy fatty acids, are also popular.
The exhibiting companies will cater for all these trends early next year with tailor-made solutions using ingredients such as fruit powder, nuts and vitamins, but also botanic extracts, functional fibers or legume-based protein concentrates. Against this backdrop, the development of new sweets in the clean label section is gathering speed.
ProSweets Cologne 2022 is expected to reflect how the expectations of the consumers are changing and that healthy options are becoming the priority for the sweets and snacks manufacturers. The congress #CONNECT2030, which will also be transmitted live on the digital event platform, ISM & ProSweets @home, aims to provide long-term forecasts.
