Reports&Events
Innovation Slows Down in the CPG Sector: Mintel Report
Mintel’s report reveals a significant slowdown in innovation within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. In the first five months of 2024, only 35% of global CPG launches were genuinely new products. This is the lowest rate of innovation recorded by Mintel since 1996. The lack of new innovations is driving consumers towards store brands, endangering the profitability and viability of established CPG brands. Companies are under pressure to innovate to maintain consumer interest and meet retailer demands, yet the high failure rate of new products complicates this process.
UK Food Standards Agency’s End-of-Year Consumer Insights Report
The UK Food Standards Agency has published the annual end-of-year report for the Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT) covering the period from July 2023 to March 2024. The report highlights significant concerns among consumers about food prices (87%), ultra-processed or excessively processed foods (77%), and issues of food poverty and inequality (75%). Confidence in the food supply chain increased from 55% in July 2023 to 60% in March 2024. Approximately one in every ten consumers reported engaging in risky food behaviors, such as lowering cooking temperatures, shortening cooking times, consuming foods past their expiration date, and setting refrigerator or freezer temperatures higher.
Infectious Doses of Foodborne Pathogens and Food Safety Interventions
The infectious doses of foodborne pathogens can vary based on several factors, which can be utilized to improve food safety interventions. For instance, the UK Food Standards Agency has set specific targets to reduce the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in raw chicken. A study in the US has shown that the risk of salmonellosis is largely due to exposure to a small number of raw chicken products contaminated with highly virulent Salmonella serotypes. Findings like these can encourage similar targeted interventions.
Thought Paper Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Food Science and Technology
A thought paper celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Institute of Food Science and Technology delves deeply into the impacts of climate change on food supply systems and the consequent effects on food security, sustainability, and nutritional values. This comprehensive document outlines how the food industry can enhance the management of waste and the use of reclaimed products more effectively.
SOFI Report: Alarming Findings on Global Food Security and Nutrition
According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, published by five United Nations expert agencies including the FAO, approximately 733 million people will face hunger. This equates to one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa. The report warns that the world is significantly behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, by 2030, indicating a regression of 15 years and highlighting undernourishment levels similar to those in 2008-2009.
Significant Increase in Glass Packaging Recycling in the EU: Close the Glass Loop Report
According to the latest report by the initiative Close the Glass Loop, established to promote the collection and recycling of glass packaging in the European Union, the amount of glass packaging collected in 2022 increased by 542,000 tons compared to 2021. These data indicate that the EU’s efforts in collecting and recycling glass packaging are intensifying, demonstrating significant progress in this area.
GFI Publishes Report on Global Policy Status of Alternative Protein Sources
The Good Food Institute (GFI) has published a report on the global policy status of alternative protein sources, detailing the policies adopted by governments on this matter. The report includes information on investments, supports, and regulations enacted worldwide.
Latest Bird Flu Report by EFSA, ECDC, and EURL Released
The latest report on bird flu, prepared by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL), has been released, covering data reported between April 2024 and June 2024.
Plant-Based Food Sales Decline
Sales of plant-based meat and seafood declined for the second consecutive year in 2023, according to the Good Food Institute’s “State of the Industry” report. While 19% of US households purchased these products in 2022, this number is only 15% in 2023. This decline shows that plant-based foods continue to fall short of consumers’ expectations in terms of taste, texture and affordability.