Food Trends for 2020! What better way to start the year.

The latest edition of the Food and Drink Business Magazine looks at trends for 2020 including Innova Market Insights

https://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/news

The top Food Trend for 2020 is

Telling a Product’s Story

Consumers are interested in knowing how a product is made. What it is made from and the provenance of ingredients. All of which will influence their buying decision.

Reducing food and plastic waste is on everyone’s mind with the release of the government, and major food organizations, waste reduction and recycling goals.

http://arl.org.au

Another Food Trend for 2020 – Plant Based Products and Sustainability

Carrying over from last year, Plant Based Products and Sustainability are ongoing trends in 2020. 

Clean labels with clear understood ingredients are the choice of consumers.

Reducing food and plastic waste is on everyone’s mind. Therefore, the government waste reduction and recycling goals has been timely.

Nutritious, easy to prepare, convenient and portable foods

Nutritious, easy to prepare, convenient and portable foods are a priority for consumers juggling busy lives.

Textured Foods

The consumer is more influenced by the Texture of foods. This gives an interesting food experience. Just released is Hungry Jacks Bursitis frozen drinks range, a slushy for added texture and fun.

Macronutrient makeover

Taking simple foods and giving them a macronutrient makeover. Therefore, boosting the healthy nutrients. This option for consumers is a hot trend. Therefore, such things as traditional pancakes with a protein boost will be appealing.

Hybrids

Hybrids are a mixture. Mixing sweet and salty. Also, mixing plant based with dairy based.  Gives more options that consumers appreciates even if they are questionable or controversial

Gut Health

Gut Health products have potential to continue their popularity in 2020. Therefore, providing unique benefits to the well in formed consumer.

Food for Beauty

Beauty Starts from Within – Food with a claim to beauty benefits. For example, collagen is traditionally popular with the Chinese. It is spreading to other markets. 

Personalisation, limited edition and seasonal special is another trend. These products continue to excite the consumers looking for something unique and special.

Check out our website for more interesting blogs https://qualdes.com.au/blog/

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To achieve this it is important to get the product concept detailed in writing in a product development brief.  This will ensure there are no misunderstandings about what is required.  Also, it ensures that the Marketing Department must put some thought into the concept and have some real justification for the project.

Marketing Feasibility

Potential new products should  be channelled through marketing for initial screening before acceptance as a project.

The following criteria can be used for the Study :-

•    Objective of the new product – line extension, new product range , new target  market etc
•    Marketing Strategy – How dose this product fit in to the entire market  drive
•   Market size – Is there real potential volume sales
•   Market trend – New market, Fad market
•   Estimated turnover – Can we make any money
•   Market Rank – Are we market leaders etc
•    Unique selling position – Why will the customer want to buy this product
•   Able to sustain Media support
•   Compatible with existing business
•    Delivers a Nominal contribution before marketing

The feasibility should provide a brief analysis of how the new product meets the above criteria, resulting in a recommendation.

Also consider, A qualitative concept evaluation market research study can also be undertaken at  this stage to gauge consumer interest.  Brands, sub-brands, positioning, packaging format etc may be explored at this stage.

A Product Development Brief can now be written to define the product.  There will need to be imput from several areas of the business to complete this.

Also, A Timeline should be completed to ensure product launch dates can be met. Here is an example of whats required in a Product Development Brief

Product Development Brief

What Does the Product Development Brief Really Mean?

This is the point in the development process were the R&D professional needs to convert customer language into technical terms.

Often we are presented with very vague terms in a marketing brief and we must convert these into words that will help us to develop the product.

For example, how do we formulate a flavour such as, Taste Home Made, Rich, Traditional, Distinctive.  The R&D professional must spend some time fully understanding the words.  Therefore, ask questions of either the customer or the marketing department.

Think about these as strategies to use :-

ALL NATURAL COLOURS AND FLAVOURS –

• Is it possible to have a natural- eg cola flavour?

• What is the difference between natural and nature identical OK?

• Will the customer pay the extra cost?

NUTRITIONAL CLAIMS –

• What dose the legislation say about the claim?

• How difficult is it to develop the product with that claim?

• Is it a valid claim- eg Lite chocolate cake?

• How important is it to the customer or is it just a perceived need?

FLAVOUR / TASTE –

Remember, Ask what is the meaning of the word – eg what does Traditional Flavour mean to you?  If you had to make this traditional product what ingredients would you use?

Are there any similar products on the market to compare?

STYLE OF PRODUCT

Do we want to ‘Australianise’ this (Asia, American, African) product ?

What are the cost restraints on the ‘gourmet’ product. Therefore, consider does the customer really want gourmet or are they still looking for a value family affordable product ?

Our next blog will cover some development tips for the Food Technologist

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What do we check on the food label

When you work with QualDes, we will compare your food labelling to the recipe to make sure it is correct.  This also involves checking the nutritional panel and ingredient listing.  This means they will be in the correct format.  It is also important to call the ingredients by the correct name. Also, they need to be in descending (largest to smallest amount). QualDes does much of this work on our nutrition calculator program.  This program uses data from all over the world to achieve accurate results.

Your Nutritional Claims need to also meet The Food Code.  We spend time checking this and advising of changes.  These changes will make your food label legal.  This is important as an incorrect food label can mean a Product Recall. This is not only expensive but damaging to your Brand.

Allergens are now a food safety issue.  Many recalls these days are because of undeclared allergens.  This often occurs as some ingredients will have “hidden” allergens. We can assist you with other aspects of food labelling including  health claims, advisory and warning declarations, regulatory compliance of ingredients, country of origin labelling, net weights and coding, halal and kosher requirements, and more.

Our experience in the field of food labelling in Australia makes us an effective partner for your food business, as we can not only evaluate your existing labels for compliance but also assist you in developing compliant labelling for new products. You can’t afford to risk non-compliance. Help your customers make informed choices, do your part to contribute to public health and safety, and ensure that all your products are labelled correctly when you work with QualDes.

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Labels on food and beverage products must meet the requirements of the Australian Food Standards Code. QualDes can calculate the nutritional panel, compile the ingredient declaration, and check that everything on the label meets the standards. They have extensive experience with the import of products and can advise about changes required to products that were labelled overseas. For clients who wish to make nutritional or health claims on their products, QualDes can assist them with understanding the legalities involved and ensure they are compliant.

QualDes Food Labelling Consulting Services

QualDes is regarded as a leading consultant in the food service industry. When you work with a foodservice design consultant from QualDes, you’ll ensure that the product labels you generate, comply with food regulations, and avoid the risk of a product recall. By the time your product enters the market, you’ll be confident that it meets legal labelling requirements, that it displays only admissible claims, and that you’ve included all the necessary information on the label.

The consultants at QualDes can assist with a wide range of issues, including nutritional information panel calculations, school canteen requirements, organic food labelling, allergen labelling, nutritive claims, health claims, consumer instructions for preparation and storage, net weights and coding, and more. They can not only ensure that your existing product labels are compliant, but also assist you in the development of compliant labelling for new products.

FOOD SERVICE CONSULTING COMPANIES: AN ESSENTIAL PART OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Consulting companies such as QualDes give you the confidence and safety of knowing that your products are legally compliant. Non-compliance carries strict penalties for a business. Don’t risk it – ensuring that your products are compliant is simple with QualDes. The benefits don’t end with legal compliance; you’ll also be helping protect public health and safety and empowering consumers to make educated decisions.

Food and beverage labelling requirements in Australia are continually evolving. Ensuring compliance with them can be incredibly time-consuming and resource-intensive. Working with an agency such as QualDes is a cost-effective solution that incorporates a practical and commercial approach. They’ll advise you on food labelling requirements and liaise with regulators and suppliers to ensure total compliance. QualDes can also assist with product development, food service safety consulting, and more, and they make it a priority to minimise the costs of formulations, raw materials, and processing. Don’t take chances. Be confident that your labelling meets all the requirements outlined in the Food Standards Code, ACCC, and Department of Fair Trading. Contact QualDes now.

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