Christina Furlong, MSc Innovation, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board
Marks & Spencer are one of the best innovators in the business. In 2018 they launched ‘Used Our Loaf’ beers made from surplus bread. The retailer teamed up with Adnams brewery to create 3 flavours: triple English hop pale ale, raspberry fruit beer and Earl Grey pale ale. These new products launches are right on trend. Upcycling surplus food is gaining market traction and consumers are looking for products that ‘close the loop’ on food waste. This is an example of Innovating Against Waste a sub trend of Responsible Living from Bord Bia’s consumer lifestyle trends.
Carlsberg ‘Snap Packs’
2018 was the year that consumers rose up and said no to plastic. Carlsberg launched new ‘snap packs’ after spending 3 years developing a solution to the industry standard plastic rings. The new packaging innovation means up to 76% plastic reduction compared to previous multipacks and a reduction in C02 emissions. Cees’t Hart, CEO of Carlsberg Group said “Carlsberg's snap pack will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste, and we look forward to giving our consumers better beer experiences with less environmental impact”.
Hellmann’s Tomato Ketchup with Honey
This new tomato ketchup product from Heinz is sweetened only with honey, contains more tomatoes than their standard tomato ketchup and is made with sustainably grown tomatoes. Hellmann’s has very cleverly taken out added sugar in favour of honey to create a more natural product. Sugar will continue to be a major public health concern in 2019 as PHE pushes the industry on sugar reduction and new labelling is adopted in Belgium and France. Rediscovering Natural is also a Health & Wellness sub-trend.
Fora’s FabaButter
Brooklyn-based vegan company Fora has launched a new plant-based butter called FabaButter made using aquafaba. According to the brand, FabaButter is the first and only sustainable vegan butter made from upcycled aquafaba that would usually be poured down the drain by hummus manufacturers. It melts and spreads like traditional butter and can be used as a 1:1 replacement in cooking and baking. As Veganuary rolls on, Fababutter is another product hitting the market at the right time.
Dr Oetker’s Yes It’s Pizza
In 2018 Dr. Oetker extended their range launching 3 pizzas with vegetable bases: spinach, beetroot and cauliflower. The product made of nearly 40% vegetables is a manifestation of the Health & Wellbeing trend Engineering Goodness. The product shows a consumer desire to have great tasting meals with balanced nutrition.