Nutrition and health trends: Expert insights into food, wellness, and sustainability

PUBLISHING DATE
July 15, 2024

The SIAL Newsroom sat down with a few members of this year’s SIAL innovation awards jury to discuss the future of food. At the intersection of nutrition and health, industry experts Junghoon Moon, Karine Perrot, and Ariane Voyatzakis share their knowledge and understanding of evolving consumer trends, focusing on convenience, natural ingredients, and environmental impact.

Nutrition and health trends: Expert insights into food, wellness, and sustainability
Junghoon Moon, Managing Director and Professor at Seoul National University

Junghoon Moon, Managing Director and Professor at Seoul National University, highlights the increasing demand for convenient yet healthy food options. “Consumers are increasingly looking to reduce the time spent on cooking while still wanting to maintain a healthy diet,” he notes. Ready meals have seen significant improvements, offering everyday meal standards and even restaurant-quality dishes.

This shift is partly driven by the trend of solo dining, where people eat with one hand while holding a smartphone with the other. “The concept of healthy eating is also evolving, with a focus on enhancing and reducing specific individual nutrients to meet personal needs,” adds Moon. This necessitates intuitive labeling on packaging to communicate these benefits effectively.

Nutrition and health trends: Expert insights into food, wellness, and sustainability
Karine Perrot, Market Intelligence Expertise Director at Kantar

Karine Perrot, Market Intelligence Expertise Director at Kantar, observes that in challenging times, people seek comfort and pleasure from food, while being mindful of their health and the environment. “Our study, Kantar Food360, shows that in 2024, consumers favour innovations that emphasise natural ingredients, local sourcing, and environmental sustainability,” she says.

Authenticity and health are strong consumer expectations, with a significant link between diet and health. She also points out the growing interest in well-being benefits, physical appearance, and the rise of vegan, fair-trade, and allergy-friendly products. “There is a curiosity for exotic foods from diverse cuisines,” she adds.

Nutrition and health trends: Expert insights into food, wellness, and sustainability
Ariane Voyatzakis, Innovation and Prospective Director at ANIA

Ariane Voyatzakis, Innovation and Prospective Director at ANIA, discusses the food industry’s ongoing efforts to optimise nutritional content while maintaining safety and quality. “In 20 years, the salt content in bread has been reduced by half,” she highlights. Simplifying recipes meets consumer and distributor demands, while maintaining high food safety standards.

“Efforts include reducing additives and preservatives in charcuterie, focusing on mitigating potential health risks associated with nitrites,” she explains.
Furthermore, the industry is prioritising environmental impact reduction, especially in livestock farming, which significantly contributes to carbon footprints. “Initiatives include encouraging farmers to adopt methane-reducing practices and developing plant-based or hybrid products,” she notes. Packaging innovations, such as reducing plastic use, are also key areas of focus.

The trends highlighted by these experts can also be observed through these pre-selected products for Sial Innovation awards such as the following:

  • Les breuvages du Voironnais

Stand: 5CF021
Country: France
Category: Beverages
Product: Ginger Mania Ultra-Concentrate Set


A refreshing and healthy beverage concentrate made with natural flavors and extracts, containing less than one calorie per glass. A few drops are enough, whether in cold water in summer, hot water in winter, or in cocktails and cooking all year round. Made with love in France, without sugar, sweeteners, colorants, or preservatives. Clever and optimised packaging with no overpackaging, zero plastic, and zero cushioning. The set is certified FSC mix 70%.

Nutrition and health trends: Expert insights into food, wellness, and sustainability
  • Sabarot

Stand: 5AHJ056
Country: France
Category: Grocery
Product: Plant-Based Patty Mixes


A product that meets the demand for plant-based meals and today’s consumer needs. These mixes are made with dry, 100% natural ingredients. They contain no additives or preservatives and can be used to make patties in just 8 minutes.

  • An alternative way to enjoy pulses and cereals
  • Easy and quick preparation (only 8 minutes)
  • 100% delicious
  • Nutriscore A

Plant-based patty mix. A source of protein. Makes 4 to 5 patties. Ready in 8 minutes.

There’s still time to register your products for SIAL Innovation this year, the deadline is 30 August 2024, but the sooner you register your products the sooner you can benefit from the visibility that SIAL Innovation can offer you.

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Featured image: S. Tsuchiya – Unsplash


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