May 22, International Day for Biological Diversity
*By Lilia Kawazoe
May 22 marks the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, a date proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) aimed at raising awareness in society about the value and significance this theme holds for the world. In Brazil, this period presents an opportunity to discuss ways to utilize our natural resources, reduce environmental and social damage, since in various regions there are communities that depend on ingredients derived from biodiversity to secure an additional source of income.
Drawing a parallel between this theme and the food industry, we find good examples such as butters and oils obtained from fruits and seeds of Brazilian biodiversity, including cupuaçu and Brazil nuts. The proposal is to incorporate these ingredients into traditional everyday recipes such as breads, cakes, cookies, sauces, and mayonnaises to nutritionally fortify the food while providing unique flavors.
In other words, beyond these products being sustainably sourced, they are beneficial to health due to their natural origin. In fact, we can observe a growing number of conscious consumers increasingly concerned not only with taste but also with the healthfulness and provenance of their food.
Evidence of this is seen in the growth of the healthy products market. According to Euromonitor, in 2017, the Brazilian healthy products market moved R$ 92.5 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 9.5% since 2012.
This scenario shows us that the food industry must be attentive to new consumption concerns. With an increasingly demanding market, it is necessary to develop innovative work and conduct constant research to provide 100% natural foods with appealing flavors. After all, the future of human survival depends on more sustainable practices across all sectors of the economy.
*Lilia Kawazoe is Commercial Manager of the Concepta Ingredients Business Unit, part of the Sabará Group, specializing in the development of natural and technological solutions focused on the food, beverage, animal nutrition, and veterinary pharmaceutical industries.
