In 2019, the food and beverage industry will experience a mix of the familiar and the innovative. As the year progresses, we can expect to see trendy products, significant mergers and acquisitions, and groundbreaking innovations shaping the sector. However, the primary trends have already begun and will continue to evolve throughout the year. Functional foods are set to become even more sophisticated and sought after, particularly with the anticipated introduction of legally available cannabinoid CBD. The industry will witness more substantial M&A activities alongside numerous smaller transactions, influencing the direction of Big Food’s future. Additionally, packaging and production methods will increasingly prioritize environmental friendliness, with companies striving to meet their sustainability commitments. Products designed to cater to consumers’ health and wellness needs will keep emerging, and the plant-based meat segment will continue to gain traction in the market.
Interestingly, discussions around nutritional content, such as the debate between calcium citrate vs calcium carbonate, will play a crucial role in product formulation. These discussions will likely influence consumer choices as health-conscious individuals seek out options that align with their dietary preferences. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the food and beverage landscape will be shaped by both established trends and emerging innovations, including the ongoing exploration of calcium citrate vs calcium carbonate in functional foods. Here’s a closer look at our predictions for the food and beverage industry in 2019.