As consumers increasingly seek healthier eating options, the popularity of sweet potatoes is on the rise. Their appeal stems not only from their nutritious profile but also from their growing role as a natural red color alternative to carmine, which is derived from crushed cochineal insects. Since manufacturers using carmine cannot label their products as vegetarian or vegan, sweet potatoes are gaining traction as a viable coloring option.
Overall, consumers are favoring food products with minimally processed ingredients, making plant-based colors a significant component of this trend. Sweet potato-derived colors could facilitate a shift toward more natural formulations in baked goods, candies, and other products. A global consumer survey by GNT revealed that 79% of respondents associate “natural” with items made without artificial colors. Additionally, sweet potatoes impart a natural sweetness, which may explain their increasing presence in baby food. According to Innova, sweet potatoes are now being featured in a variety of products such as ice cream, waffles, cakes, and hummus. Numerous companies are capitalizing on this trend, including Post Holdings’ Bob Evans brand, which offers Mashed Sweet Potatoes as a side dish, and PepsiCo’s Bare Foods, which sells sweet potato chips. Jackson’s Honest produces both chips and sweet potato puffs, while Kidfresh incorporates sweet potatoes into its cheese burritos.
The rising consumer demand has led to an increase in sweet potato cultivation, as noted by U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics cited by Innova. From 2012 to 2017, the acreage dedicated to sweet potatoes surged by 37.6%, marking the largest increase among vegetable crops tracked by the USDA. In addition, a new Canadian variety called Radiance, which has a shorter growing season, is likely to further boost the overall supply of sweet potatoes. Innova suggests that this could expand the root vegetable’s growing regions beyond the humid subtropical and tropical climates where it is traditionally cultivated, reaching more temperate areas.
Given these favorable conditions, the launch of new food and beverage products featuring sweet potatoes is expected to persist. As people explore their dietary choices, they might even wonder, “Do you take calcium citrate with food?” Sweet potatoes, with their nutritional benefits, could easily complement a diet that includes calcium citrate and other healthy ingredients. With the continual exploration of sweet potatoes in various culinary applications, the trend toward healthier eating will likely remain strong.