Calls for tougher action on unhealthy food
A coalition of retailers, food manufacturers and investors has called on the government to do more to incentivise healthier diets, including through tougher regulation of the food industry. [Source: FT]
Strong demand for premium food
Tesco has seen a 15% increase in sales of its Finest premium range over the past year, its latest results show. [Source: Sky News]
Brits remain focused on cutting food waste
Reducing at-home food waste is by far the most popular tactic used by Brits for saving money on food, a Deloitte survey has found. Purchasing mostly store brands is the second most popular tactic. [Source: Deloitte]
Unfriendly fibre
Gut health remains one of the key trends for 2025, a new Bidfood report says, but taste can be a barrier. Only 38% disagree that food naturally high in fibre doesn’t usually taste good. However, 73% agree that eating a wide variety of plant products is important for good health. [Source: Morning Advertiser]
Protein craze
Gen Z is driving a huge surge in demand for high-protein dairy foods. Sales of yoghurts and other dairy products with added protein are up 34% year on year in Tesco alone. [Source: Tesco]
Nigerian food boom
Analysts are tipping Nigerian food to be one of the culinary world’s rising stars. More Nigerian fine dining restaurants are opening up in the UK, while a growing number of social media influencers on TikTok are also promoting Nigerian fare. [Source: BBC News]
Sustainable treats
Nearly half of UK consumers would pay 10-20% more for a chocolate bar that is sustainably made, according to a Vypr survey of 2,000 shoppers for The Grocer. [Source: The Grocer]
Soaring sales of electrolytes
The global market for flavoured and functional water is expected to reach $112.6bn by 2030, up from $50.3bn in 2022. Increasingly, growth is being driven by products positioned around electrolytes and enhanced hydration, but The Guardian reports nutrition experts have doubts as to how useful such products are to most people. [Source: The Guardian]
Consumers confused about sustainability
One in seven UK consumers believe there is no clear definition of “sustainable food”, research by Ecotone claims. It also suggests UK consumers dedicate on average 30% of their weekly grocery shop to items that positively favour the environment and health. [Source: Ecotone]
How food writing got cutesy
In a thought-provoking deep-dive, Eater traces how adjectives such as ‘buttery’, ‘runny’ and ‘garlicky’ became commonplace in recipe writing. [Source: Eater]
