Global Consumer Trends Inspiring Innovation in 2025
IT’S TIME TO INNOVATE
Each year, Sensient observes the global consumer packaged goods spectrum and the ongoing evolution of consumer mindsets and priorities worldwide across the food, beverage, and pet markets. Throughout this blog, we will explore four trends emerging in product innovation for 2025 and beyond.
Globally, just 62% of food and beverage products launched in the first five months of 2024 are truly new products (Mintel 2024). Innovation has been challenged by increasing raw material costs and shortages, supply chain difficulties, and disrupted R&D processes in recent years, but consumers are looking for new and exciting products.
4 in 10 shoppers ages 18-43 agree that unique colours encourage them to try new flavours or ingredients.
US, Mintel 2023Colour can support the success of your next innovative launch by reinforcing flavour perception and drawing eyes to increase initial purchase intent.
What’s next in your launch pipeline? Let’s examine four consumer trends driving food and beverage innovation this year and how colour can play a role:
Request a ConsultationDIVE INTO THIS YEAR’S INSIGHTS:
MORE FROM YOUR FOOD
Consumers continue to seek foods with functional ingredients that can help them to achieve a broad range of health goals. Although function is appealing, it can’t compromise flavour. Products that are enhanced in some way to offer a specific benefit while staying exciting and delicious on their own help these consumers make progress toward their personal goals.
83%
of Brazilians prefer foods that make them feel full for longer
Mintel 2024
49%
of UK consumers agree conflicting health information makes it difficult to understand how to be healthy
Mintel 2024
68%
of US consumers think that it’s worth paying more for products of a higher quality
Mintel 2024
MICROTRENDS
IN-MARKET EXAMPLES
Mintel 2024
NORTH AMERICA
Actual Sunshine Rise and Glow
Functional Beverage
Kin Euphorics, United States
EUROPE
Mushroom Power
Superfood Gummies
Green Sweet, Netherlands
ASIA PACIFIC
Candy Watermelon Flavour
Formulated Caffeinated Beverage
Primabolics, Australia
LATIN AMERICA
Watermelon & Lime Sugar-Free
Sparkling Drink
Alü, Colombia
SOUTH AFRICA
Strawbery Meringue Energy Bar
Switch, South Africa
CHINA
Freeze Dried Cocoa Drink
Nestlé, China
CONCEPT INSPIRATION
Peanut Butter Protein
Boost Pet Treat
Ensure your furry friend is getting the protein they need with this peanut butter boosted treat.
Relaxing Lavender
Caffeine-Free Latte
Take a soothing sip of this foam-topped lavender latte to calm your nerves after that tough meeting or long day.
Superfruit Dipped
Granola Bar
Packed with real fruit and sweetened with dates, this dipped snack bar provides a delicious burst of clean energy on the go.
TRANSCENDENT TASTES
Consumers continue to favor foods that evoke a variety of emotions—those that transport them to the days from their childhood, to those that social media teases with the unthinkable flavours and sizes, to those that ignite multiple senses all at once—transcending them to another time or reality. Products that offer unexpected combinations or engage multiple senses create a new experience beyond the norm.
83%
of Japanese consumers agree small everyday happiness makes people enjoy life
Mintel 2024
45%
of South African consumers say they enjoy “breaking the rules” when it comes to food and drinks, such as breakfast foods at night or combining unexpected flavours
Mintel 2023
1 in 3
German consumers eat something indulgent every day
Mintel 2024
MICROTRENDS
IN-MARKET EXAMPLES
Mintel 2024
NORTH AMERICA
Salted Caramel Cream
Cheese Spread
Aldi, United States
EUROPE
Refresh Juicy Raspberry Lemonade with Hibiscus Sparkling Tea
R.Twining and Company, United Kingdom
ASIA PACIFIC
Showa Retro Pudding Pie
Lotte, Japan
LATIN AMERICA
Kit Kat Churro
Nestlé, México
SOUTH AFRICA
Vanilla Cream Flavoured Mageu
Homegrown, South Africa
CHINA
Yogurt Ice Cream with Runny
Bird’s Nest Filling
Mengniu Dairy, China
CONCEPT INSPIRATION
Gingerbread
Morsels
Flash back to winters past with the warm, spiced flavour of gingerbread, now in morsel format to use in your baking creations.
Tomato Basil
Swirl Bread
Add an extra layer to your sandwich with this bread swirled with bright tomato basil flavour.
Ube Crunch
Ice Cream
Dig into this uniquely purple ube ice cream with crunchy chocolate bits mixed throughout.
COMFORTABLE LABELING
Consumers are continuing to seek out foods that are locally sourced, sustainable, plant-based or natural. They are looking for clean labels and recognizable ingredients. Although consumers state that they are willing to pay more for environmental friendly benefits, but when presented with appropriate options, they continue to let cost, convenience, and flavour drive their final food purchases. Conscience is a factor, but quality is king, and consumers expect it all.
82%
of Mexican consumers agree that brands should show their impact on the environment on food/drink labels (eg carbon footprint, Eco Score)
Mintel 2022
70%
of global consumers try to avoid ultra-processed food
Mintel 2022
42%
of global consumers would prefer pet food that has replaced meat with visible plant-based ingredients to reduce the amount of meat in pets’ diets
Mintel 2024
21%
of Dutch consumers say they choose ethical foods (eg organic, fair trade, free-range) all or most of the time
Mintel 2024
MICROTRENDS
IN-MARKET EXAMPLES
Mintel 2024
NORTH AMERICA
Mixed Berry Blend
Crunchy Dog Treats
BarkBox, United States
EUROPE
Animal Best Friends Fruit Gums
Katjes Fassin, Germany
ASIA PACIFIC
Korean Twisted Doughnuts with
Miso Caramel and Coconut Dust
Asian Food Republic Meal Kit, New Zealand
LATIN AMERICA
Yogurt with Probiotic Cultures
Andina Alimentos, Perú
SOUTH AFRICA
Plant-Based 7 Ancient Grains
Simple Truth, South Africa
CHINA
Silky Coconut Flavoured Yogurt
Jinhai Yili Dairy, China
CONCEPT INSPIRATION
Natural
Strawberry Drink
This timeless childhood favorite is coloured with natural sources.
Ultimate
“Unbeef” Burger
Sink your teeth into this juicy plant-based burger, cooked to a perfect medium rare appearance
Preservative-Free
Fire Alarm Chips
These clean label chips are covered with a super spicy preservative-free seasoning.
ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCES
When it comes to food, exploration is the name of the game. Snacks that contrast upscale options with casual ones continue to gain traction in 2025, with many brands continuing to tailor snack kits or new product launches to meet the consumer demands. Similarly, consumers are seeking unexpected flavour pairings and foods with global appeal. Products that offer unusual moments of consumption or social virality stand out.
75%
of US adults seek out new flavours
Mintel 2023
80%
of UK parents agree that it is important that children try different types of cuisines from an early age
Mintel 2023
34%
of Polish consumers say that they like trying limited edition flavours (eg seasonal flavours, short-term releases)
Mintel 2024
29%
of consumers globally agree that unique colours encourage them to try new flavours or ingredients
Mintel 2024
MICROTRENDS
IN-MARKET EXAMPLES
Mintel 2024
NORTH AMERICA
Oreo Fizzy Cookie Flavoured Cola Drink
Coca-Cola, United States
EUROPE
KFC Original Recipe Fried
Chicken Flavour Crisps
PepsiCo, Germany
ASIA PACIFIC
Indomie Fried Noodles Flavoured
Ice Cream Cone, Indofood Ice Cream
Choc Rocks, Indonesia
LATIN AMERICA
Peanut Plant Based Bar
Cuultiva, Argentina
SOUTH AFRICA
Berry and Bubblegum Frootloops
Kelloggs, South Africa
CHINA
Ham and Milk Flavoured Ice Cream
Jin Zi Ham, China
CONCEPT INSPIRATION
Mesquite BBQ
Crackers
Perfect for a summer charcuterie board, these smoky, spicy crackers pair beautifully with cheese.
Yuzu Mango
Sports Drink
Explore a new flavour profile with this refreshing blend of yuzu and mango in a hydrating sports drink.
Lychee Lime
Gummies
Indulge in a mental escape to a tropical island with these deliciously sweet-tart gummies.
