As consumer preferences evolve, food and beverage industry must evolve with it

Consumer preferences sure to influence trends in the food and drink industry are the focus of “The Future of Flavours,” a new report from Mintel. Changing food preferences will spill over to the snack aisle as well.

Current trends suggest that while consumers are more adventurous, familiar favorites will remain exactly that. In China, 40% of consumers say they “look for new foods/flavors to try most of the time,” Mintel noted in its report, while 23% of South Korean consumers share this enthusiasm.

Expect interest to continue in bold, globally inspired tastes. At the same time, consumers want functional health benefits within their indulgences, which means brands will need to balance flavor and wellness. According to Mintel research, more than a third (34%) of U.S. consumers say claims like “free from artificial flavorings” and “free from artificial colorings” influence their purchasing decisions.

For convenience services operators, this means product tastings and careful product selection are essential to drive vending and micro market sales.

Looking ahead five years and beyond, sustainability and artificial intelligence can be expected to shape snack preferences and, more broadly, food and beverage operations. Artificial intelligence can help address issues of sustainability in the food chain, for instance.