News article
8 July 2009
No 'health crunch' on product innovation, says FDF
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PRESS RELEASE
The economic downturn has not created a 'health crunch' when it comes to new
product innovation, suggests research conducted for the Food and Drink
Federation
(FDF) by independent consultancy Mintel's Global New Products Database.
Based on its tracking of all new product launches in the UK grocery market,
Mintel has discovered that nearly 250 reformulated products were launched in
the
first six months of this year - similar to the same period in 2008. In all,
over
700 product lines have been launched with new recipes since January 2007 - the
equivalent of nine a week - more than in any other European country.
Mintel's research also suggests that total sales of healthier eating options in
some key food and drink categories are now worth £8bn - and in some areas are
growing at twice the rate of the market as a whole.
The research is contained in a new report - 'Recipe for Change' - published
today by FDF, which describes how food and drink manufacturers are developing
new
products, and refreshing old favourites, so that they are lower in calories,
fat,
or salt.
David Jago, Director of Insight and Innovation at Mintel GNPD, said:
"The amount of work still being undertaken suggests there is no immediate
sign
of a 'health crunch' here in the UK judging by the number of newly reformulated
products appearing on supermarket shelves. Even if things slow down in the
second
half of the year, it is clear from our global research that UK manufacturers
and
retailers are still leading the way on reformulation."
Melanie Leech, FDF Director General, said:
"Our sector's world-class capabilities in research and development have
allowed
us to tackle the complex task of changing the recipes of much-loved British
brands without compromising on quality or taste.
"The recession is clearly forcing companies to reprioritise their
investment
decisions, and Government does need to be realistic about the pace at which our
members can be expected to keep delivering new innovations in such competitive
market conditions. Nevertheless, our report clearly shows that our members
remain
totally committed to helping consumers eat more healthily - and reformulation
is
just one of the ways in which we will continue to make a real difference."
More Information
For further information about the Food and Drink Federation's Recipe for Change report, and the food and drink industry's work to reformulate products, please
contact
the FDF Press team
on:
-
Keren McCarron on keren.mccarron@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7132
-
Sarah Lovell on sarah.lovell@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7131
-
Rebecca Wilhelm rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7140
For further information about Mintel contact Sian Brenchley in the Press Office
on 020 7600 5703 or press@mintel.com.
Notes for Editors
- The Recipe for Change report includes case studies from apetito, Allied
Bakeries, Baxters Food Group, Britvic Soft Drinks, Kellogg's, Kraft, Mars,
McCain,
Macphie of Glenbervie, Nairns, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Premier Foods, United Biscuits,
Unilever and Young's Seafood. View the report at www.fdf.org.uk/health_wellbeing/recipe_for_change.aspx
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry - the UK's
largest manufacturing sector.
- Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) monitors product innovation and retail success in the consumer packaged
goods market worldwide. Mintel is a leading global supplier of consumer,
product
and media intelligence. For more than 35 years, Mintel has provided insight
into
key worldwide trends, offering unique data that directly impacts client
success.
With offices in Chicago, London, Belfast, Sydney, Tokyo and Shanghai, Mintel
has
forged a unique reputation as a world-renowned business brand.
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