*Lilia Kawazoe
Winning over consumers is one of the food industry’s biggest challenges, especially at a time when society is increasingly seeking healthy, natural, organic, and vegan foods. According to research by Euromonitor, an international market research firm, Brazil ranks fourth worldwide in healthy food consumption, with this market generating BRL 35 billion annually. The study also shows that, over the past five years, the healthy food and beverage sector has grown by an average of 12.3% per year.
Within this segment, plant-based foods—that is, products made with plant-derived ingredients—have been gaining prominence. These figures highlight the need for the food industry to keep up with consumer trends, invest in the development of healthier products, and adapt its existing product lines.
In response to this demand, Concepta Ingredients, a business unit of Sabará Group specializing in natural and technology-driven solutions for the healthy, natural, and organic food industries, continues to invest in innovation for the sector. This year, at the 23rd Food Ingredients South America (FiSA), the company launched organic liquid demerara sugar, becoming the first Brazilian company to bring this product to market. Sourced from organically grown sugarcane, liquid demerara sugar can be used in a wide range of food products, including breads, cakes, sweets, grilled foods, sauces, and chutneys. Its liquid form also makes it easier to handle and prevents hardening during storage, helping manufacturers make better use of the product.
Concepta also launched Organic Toasted Babaçu Oil, extracted by cold-pressing babaçu nuts sourced from the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Rich in lauric and myristic acids, this oil has a mildly nutty flavor and is an excellent alternative to virgin coconut oil. It offers similar nutritional properties while providing a more neutral flavor for cooking and recipe development.
According to a 2019 survey by Organis (the Brazilian Organic Products Association) on organic product consumption in Brazil, health concerns are the leading reason consumers seek organic products, cited by 84% of respondents. Product characteristics came next (30%), followed by environmental concerns (9%), curiosity (9%), and lifestyle (7%). The survey also found that 53% of respondents were “very interested” and 35% were “interested” in learning how to maintain a healthier diet. Together, these figures account for 88% of respondents, indicating that many Brazilians have changed their food consumption habits.
The market needs to see that food can be made healthier and more functional, while also benefiting the environment, without compromising on taste. This calls for the continuous development of nutritious, flavorful products suitable for direct consumption or use as ingredients in a variety of recipes.
There is no doubt that healthy eating is a lasting trend. The food industry is paying close attention to this changing landscape and seeking ingredients that can contribute to this major transformation.
*Lilia Kawazoe is Commercial Manager at Concepta Ingredients, a business unit of Sabará Group dedicated to developing natural and technology-driven solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, and veterinary pharmaceutical industries.
