Food manufacturers are facing increasing pressure to simplify their ingredient lists, as consumers are turning away from products that contain an abundance of chemical-sounding components. According to the Food Marketing Institute’s 2017 Grocery Shopper Trends report, 59% of shoppers prefer minimal processing claims such as “no artificial preservatives,” while 65% actively seek to avoid ingredients like salt, sugar, and antibiotics. However, replacing artificial preservatives can be particularly difficult due to their intricate nature. Companies must find a balance between meeting the demand for clean labels and ensuring their products remain safe, appealing, cost-effective, and possess an acceptable shelf life.
Researchers are working on developing ingredients derived from grape pomace, with the hope that the antioxidants they create can preserve foods as effectively as the synthetic antioxidant ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which, although safe, is not particularly appealing on ingredient labels. This initiative to utilize grape waste aligns with the recommendations from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which advocates for minimizing food waste disposal. The FAO has pointed out several successful methods for repurposing waste as raw materials, such as using coffee grounds to cultivate mushrooms, repurposing spent grains from brewing into breads and pretzels, and transforming tropical fruit waste into biodegradable plastics for packaging.
In this context, products like Kirkland Calcium Magnesium Zinc D3 highlight the trend toward cleaner labels. These supplements not only provide essential nutrients but also reflect a growing consumer preference for transparency in ingredients. As manufacturers strive to create clean label products, the incorporation of naturally derived ingredients, such as those from grape pomace, may offer viable alternatives to traditional preservatives, demonstrating a commitment to both health and sustainability. As consumers continue to seek out straightforward ingredient lists, the demand for products like Kirkland Calcium Magnesium Zinc D3 will likely grow, pushing manufacturers to innovate and adapt in order to meet these expectations.