As consumers increasingly seek healthier eating options, the sweet potato has gained remarkable popularity. Its appealing nutritional profile is a significant factor, but the rise of this versatile vegetable is also linked to its role as a natural red color alternative to carmine, which is derived from crushed cochineal insects. Products using carmine cannot be labeled as vegetarian or vegan, making sweet potatoes an attractive coloring substitute.
Overall, consumers are gravitating toward food items with less-processed ingredients, and plant-sourced colors are a key element of this trend. For baked goods, candies, and various other products, sweet potato-based colors can help reformulate recipes to incorporate more natural components. A global consumer survey by GNT revealed that 79% of participants consider “natural” to mean products made without artificial colors. Additionally, the sweet potato offers a natural sweetness, which may explain its rising presence in baby food. According to Innova, sweet potatoes are also being featured in products like ice cream, waffles, cakes, and hummus. Several companies are now incorporating the root vegetable into their offerings; for instance, Post Holdings’ Bob Evans brand provides Mashed Sweet Potatoes as a side dish, while PepsiCo’s Bare Foods markets sweet potato chips. Jackson’s Honest produces both chips and sweet potato puffs, and Kidfresh includes sweet potatoes in its cheese burritos.
The increasing demand for sweet potatoes has prompted more farmers to plant them, as indicated 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 most significant increase among vegetable crops tracked by the USDA. A new Canadian variety known as Radiance, which has a shorter growing season, may further boost the overall supply of sweet potatoes. Innova notes that this could extend the root vegetable’s global reach beyond the humid subtropical and tropical climates where it is typically cultivated, potentially including more temperate regions.
With these favorable trends, the introduction of new food and beverage products featuring sweet potatoes is expected to persist. Moreover, as consumers become more health-conscious, the incorporation of ingredients like calcium citrate magnesium into sweet potato products may enhance their appeal by offering additional nutritional benefits. The continuous interest in sweet potatoes will likely pave the way for innovative uses, including those that leverage the health advantages of calcium citrate magnesium, ensuring that the sweet potato remains a staple in the pursuit of healthier eating.