Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of what they eat and drink. While people are more knowledgeable about food risks, they are also becoming more aware of the relationship between food and well-being.

Contemporary habits and lifestyles and lack of time to prepare food and eating out have modified the behaviour of consumers and families. Ready meals take up 50% of meals consumed in some countries and large metropolitan areas. Many find it hard to find the time to cook meals from scratch.

These eating habits, involving the consumption of more high-calorie food and food containing high amounts of saturated fats, combined with a reduction in physical exercise, have led to an increase in health risks.

Nutritional focus
In part due to information campaigns implemented by governments and public authorities, public opinion is beginning to look seriously at all the nutritional and health issues related to food, and asking the food and beverage industry not only for products that are functional and that have a gratifying appearance and taste but also nutritional.

The big picture
Consumers and public opinion also want to know how the products they consume impact the environment throughout their entire life-cycle and whether or not workers’ rights are respected.

To satisfy consumer scrutiny the food and beverage industry must also ensure the quality and safety of products. It has to accountable for the raw materials used, the conditions in which they were grown or reared, as well as the reliability of the technology used during manufacturing
and processing along the entire supply chain.

Consumers are increasingly looking for responsible brands that show they care.