Whether companies are introducing sustainable products, plant-based foods, dairy alternatives or clean label beverages, an aspect of convenience is almost certainly part of product development discussions. As an increasing number of consumers satisfy appetites with small portion snacks, characteristics of convenience are becoming more sophisticated and nuanced among 2018 product introductions.

Here is a look at some recently launched products that keep convenience at the center of their reason for being.

Posted: November 7, 2018

A variety of industry trends are responsible for an uptick in healthy snack options:

• There is a growing preference amongst snackers for products that provide more healthful options than typical snacks.
• "Free from" remains a top driving trend for healthy-ingredient snack sales, with allergen- and gluten-free claims the most popular.
• Protein, bite-sized snacks, and innovative flavors are in high demand.
• There has been an increase in the percentage of adults who believe they snack healthier, which has climbed to 30% in the last decade. Relatedly, younger Americans are more likely to believe they eat healthier than are older adults.
• Finally, the term "natural" as a marketing tool may have to change if the US Food and Drug Administration adopts regulations concerning the term.

Date: September 8, 2016