Lu Ann Williams

Lu Ann Williams is Global Insights Director at Innova Market Insights, provider of market research services including the Innova Database. With more than 25 years’ experience in the food industry, Lu Ann is a trend expert and frequent public speaker at events worldwide. She leads a team of analysts and works with global clients. Contact her at luann.williams@innovami.com.

Clean Label Concerns Expand Beyond Health to Incorporate More ‘Social’ Ingredients

The pandemic has accelerated focus on healthy diets and ingredients perceived to be natural and good for immunity

Lu Ann Williams

April 15, 2021

Consumers’ growing interest in cleaner living is broadening and this is raising expectations around what constitutes a “clean label.” In fact, this evolving demand necessitates use of more meaningful storytelling.

Top Trends in Food: Eat Pretty

Consumers are increasingly selecting food and drinks that support their physical appearance and reduce the effects of aging

Lu Ann Williams

April 12, 2021

“Eat Pretty” was one of Innova Market Insights Top Trends for 2020, but interest continues to grow for 2021 and beyond. That’s because the “Beauty from Within” concept is taking on a whole new meaning and the food and beverage market continues to see a growing number of launches bordering on the cosmeceutical.

Processors Get Creative to Add More Fiber

Fiber benefits are associated with gastrointestinal health as well as reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, obesity, type 2 diabetes and even some cancers

Lu Ann Williams

November 18, 2020

Consumers increasingly understand and recognize the benefits of fiber and it’s influencing their “better-for-you” food and beverage selections.

Consumers Still Seek Protein, Welcome New Ingredient Sources

The greatest numbers of protein-related claims are found in specialist areas such as pet foods

Lu Ann Williams

October 5, 2020

Interest in dietary protein intake and the protein content in a range of foods and drinks continues to develop. Consider too that more consumers are aware of different protein sources and their potential benefits.

More Consumers Value "Personalized Nutrition" in Selecting Foods, Drinks with Added Benefits, Dietary Appeal

When Food Gets Personal: Innova Market Insights finds personalized nutrition is on the rise and moving beyond tailored diets

Lu Ann Williams

September 8, 2020

Thanks to technological advances and ever-expanding choice in foodservice and retail venues, each of today’s consumers can adopt a more individual approach to eating.

Conscious Consumers Shift from Clean Label to Clean Packaging

Sustainability has emerged as a key consumer driver, particularly with regard to packaging and plastics

Lu Ann Williams

August 6, 2020

With the clean label trend now established, consumer interest increasingly is shifting to other aspects of clean food and drinks. Sustainability has emerged as a key driver, particularly with regard to packaging and plastics.

More Consumers Want Foods and Drinks with Functional, Better-For-You Benefits

Protein continues to be a key area of interest among consumers, with protein content driving food choices across a wide range of food and beverage categories

Lu Ann Williams

July 13, 2020

Nutrition is becoming a central pillar to a healthy lifestyle for a growing number of consumers. They are seeking products that not only taste good but also offer additional health value.

Consumers Increasingly Expect Companies to Invest in Sustainability

This expectation is pushing food and beverage manufacturers to prioritize eco-efficiency, especially in reducing food and plastic waste

Lu Ann Williams

June 10, 2020

Consumers increasingly expect companies to invest in sustainability, and it's no longer just about recyclable packaging. It's about making the entire product lifecycle sustainable, from agricultural practices to resource-efficient factories, to food waste and packaging waste reduction.

Plant Power, Clean Labels and Personalization Drive Segmentation of Sports Nutrition

Global launches of sports nutrition products more than doubled between 2015 and 2019

Lu Ann Williams

April 29, 2020

Younger consumers are still the primary audience for sports nutrition products, and with Gen Z and Millennials expressing great interest in products that meet their individual needs or tastes, it is no surprise to see further segmentation of the sports category.

Fun with Food & Beverage Flavors

Flavors continue to lead the way to accentuate a product’s image, mood or even a health profile

Lu Ann Williams

April 8, 2020

On average, flavor is the single most important factor in consumers' food and drink choices. So it is no wonder that innovators continue to play around with taste profiles in order to deliver novelty and satisfy increasingly discerning taste buds.

ON DEMAND: Whether you're in R&D, formulation, or innovation, this session will provide enzyme-driven insights to improve your plant-based dairy portfolio.

ON DEMAND: Once targeted at athletes, active nutrition products with benefits like energy, focus, hydration, and protein are now winning over everyday consumers seeking support for their busy lifestyles.

Lu Ann Williams

ARTICLES

Clean Label Concerns Expand Beyond Health to Incorporate More ‘Social’ Ingredients

Top Trends in Food: Eat Pretty

Processors Get Creative to Add More Fiber

Consumers Still Seek Protein, Welcome New Ingredient Sources

More Consumers Value "Personalized Nutrition" in Selecting Foods, Drinks with Added Benefits, Dietary Appeal

Conscious Consumers Shift from Clean Label to Clean Packaging

More Consumers Want Foods and Drinks with Functional, Better-For-You Benefits

Consumers Increasingly Expect Companies to Invest in Sustainability

Plant Power, Clean Labels and Personalization Drive Segmentation of Sports Nutrition

Fun with Food & Beverage Flavors

Unlock the Future of Food and Beverage Innovation

Are you a leader in research & development? Stay ahead of the curve with Prepared Foods, the premier source of information and insights for today's trend leaders and taste-makers in food and beverage manufacturing.