Vegan Solutions to Serve the Global Rise of Plant-Based Eating
While diets limiting meat, dairy and eggs used to be viewed as fads, many of today’s consumers, especially millennials and younger generations, are shifting toward plant-based eating. The shift toward the plant-based diet is driven largely by younger consumers, however, their effect is raising awareness across the entire demographic spectrum. As a result of the global rise of plant-based eating, there has been a significant and growing need for vegan foods during the last few years. While there are many reasons consumers are turning to veganism, the fact remains that the new trend is shaping and leading innovation in the food industry worldwide.Global: fastest growing claims for food & drink NPD (indexed), 2013-18
Oceania had the strongest interest towards veganism in the last 12 months
Trending searches on vegan food items such as vegan drumsticks, vegan whopper, and vegan multi vitamin have surfaced in Australia, indicating strong interest in such food items, according to Google Trends data. Similarly found on Mintel reports, there is an interest in plant based and vegan diets. 34% of urban thai consumers were eating more non-animal sources of protein in 2017, which signals their interest towards a flexitarian diet, being on a plant based diet with occasional meat inclusion. 24% of the urban Indonesian consumers plan to follow a plant based diet in 2017, adding more plant based food into their diet, which provides infinite opportunities for vegan products that don’t necessarily only target vegan people.
However, regardless of any type of diet or drivers of a certain lifestyle, consumers aren’t willing to sacrifice taste. In fact, according to a Mintel report on Indonesia, taste is the driving factor when it comes to purchasing decisions, which consumers are willing to pay a premium for. Therefore, the taste of vegan products plays a crucial role in targeting people with different dietary lifestyle. Although vegans are a minority among the global population, multinational brands, especially retailers, are developing vegan-friendly options to cater not only to vegans but also to a wider eco-conscious or health-aware consumer base.
Companies put more focus not only on the production of plant-based foods that are appealing to the taste and nutritional demands of meat eaters, but also on the improvement of taste, texture and nutritional profile of vegan products as well. Since consumers have become more skeptical about food and drink ingredients and their sourcing, companies are looking for new ways to incorporate flavour components from natural origins.
Consumers seeking plant-based options are more likely to look for non-GMO products that are high in protein and have no artificial ingredients.
At Sensient, we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy delicious flavours that fit their needs—and that’s exactly what we’re creating here every day. In order to constantly exceed expectations, each flavour is made-to-order under exacting specifications. To satisfy the growing need for different free-from products, vegan flavours are also available for other dietary lifestyles such as Certified Organic, Organic Compliant, Kosher, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, or Allergen Free flavours.
For more information on how Sensient can help you create authentic vegan and other flavours that offer sustainability click here.
