Page 36 - FoodFocusThailand No.179 February 2021

SPECIAL REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT

Global Food and Drinks Trends

for 2021

Mintel has announced three key trends for the global through the use of technology.
food, drink, and foodservice industries. “The COVID-19 global
pandemic has made consumers
• Feed the Mind: Innovative food and drink formulations will offer recognise that wellbeing is a vital
solutions for mental and emotional wellbeing that will create a new concern. In the coming years,
foundation for healthy eating. consumers will be looking for
• Quality Redefined: Brands will be challenged to respond to new more products and services that
definitions of trust, quality, and ‘essential’. offer mental and emotional health
benefits.”
• United by Food: Food and drink brands can balance a person’s
“Functional formulations and
need to feel unique and special with the desire to be part of communities emotionally engaging multisensory products will help food, drink, and
of like-minded individuals. foodservice brands command a larger share among a myriad of mental
Looking ahead, Daisy Li, Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink, and emotional health options. We predict that innovative food and
discusses how shifts in consumer behaviour related to wellbeing, value, drink formulations will help people learn how diet can impact mental
and identity will inspire formulation, packaging, marketing, and more in and emotional health, which will lead to new interest in psychology-
the years to come: based approaches to healthy eating.”

Feed the Mind In 2021 and beyond, expect to see food, Quality Redefined Expect to see
drink, and foodservice brands consumers look for approachable upscale
offer moments of respite meals for special ‘hometainment’ occasions.
1through product rituals and 2Expect to see brands and retailers launch
formulations that enhance stress relief appropriately priced products with ethical or
activities. As the singular focus of environmental claims and consumers increase their
avoiding COVID-19 fades, people will expectations for contactless retail that will expand to
make more serious commitments to include experiential services. Over the next five years
reduce the health risks associated with and beyond, brands and operators that invest in
unhealthy eating, become more seamless retail and equitable access to healthy food
interested in mindful and intuitive will come out on top.
eating, and seek proof and incentives “When it comes to value, pandemic-shocked

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