Kerry’s latest research into foodservice beverages shows consumers are seeking flavours that they link with health and nutrition benefits such as strawberry, lemon and mango, but are also seeking excitement and a sensory experience through newer formats like Frappuccino and bubble tea. 

Examining nearly 400 limited time offerings (LTOs) across 12 regions in Europe, the new Art of Taste and Nutrition 2022 summer analysis categorises the top beverage platforms and flavours, while examining future trends and influences across the world. According to the research, the top three LTO trends are as follows: 

• Travel through taste: Moving beyond just a beverage, LTOs can also deliver an experience. Many outlets this year launched beverages with flavours such as mango, pineapple, passion fruit and coconut to create a tropical island experience for the senses. 
• Natural refreshment: Consumers are craving a cool, refreshing beverage, with many now focusing on flavours they consider natural and local to the different European regions such as lemon and strawberry.  
• Health and nutrition focus: Consumers are looking to foodservice outlets for healthier options. Nutrition focused LTO ranges need to deliver not only great taste but also health benefits through fortification and healthy halo ingredients. 

Commenting on the new report, Daniel Sjogren, VP and General Manager for Foodservice in Kerry Europe, said:  

“With markets in Europe fully re-opened this summer, foodservice operators find themselves once again competing for consumers attention. LTOs have come back with a vengeance and are more popular than ever. We have found that consumers are looking for exciting sensory experiences, with the rise of bubble tea and drinks that are a visual experience and shareable on social media.  

“Fruit flavours continue to be the core flavour offering for summer LTOs across Europe but with two clear distinctions. Firstly, exotic flavours have become more prominent in consumers’ minds as they remind themselves of their favourite holiday destinations. However, consumers are also becoming more conscious of their own health and are seeking out flavours aligned to their personal nutrition needs.”  

Future trends 

Looking towards 2023, it is clear that sustainable nutrition will continue to gain traction with consumers more concerned with both their physical and mental health post-pandemic and the health of the planet. They are also more interested in unique menu items, with foodservice operators now having to consider not only taste but look, texture and smell to create a complete sensorial experience.  

“Our prediction for the future is that sustainability along with nutrition will continue to become more important as consumers look for great tasting beverages that are better for them and better for the planet. However, many operators find it challenging to deliver on these evolved trends while also being able to communicate them to their consumers in a meaningful way. At Kerry, we look forward to partnering with customers to bring our insights to life and deliver exciting new concepts for summer 2023,” adds Mr Sjogren. 

The Art of Taste and Nutrition beverage analysis for summer 2022 can be downloaded here.  

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As parents and children across the country prepare for the return to school, SPAR is making lunch box options more exciting and appetising for children and parents alike through recipes and an extensive range of fresh and healthy produce.

As part of the SPAR Better Choices campaign, SPAR has created recipe ideas for lunch boxes, after-school snacks and weekend treats that are packed full of nutritious fruit and vegetables and help encourage healthy habits into weekly routines.

The leading Irish convenience retailer is leaning into using language as a way to engage children, with recipes like Veggie Dib Dabs, Love Heart Toasties, Star Faced Sambos and many more to make sure that packing lunches for school is both fun and nutritious.

SPAR and Seamus have produced a ‘Seamus Says’ video series which sees the Ireland and Everton captain provide top tips for keeping children active after school and at the weekends.

SPAR is also giving families the chance to win a kitchen kit of essential kitchen utensils and a €50 SPAR voucher to stock up on healthy choices ingredients. To be in with a chance of winning and to also access all of Seamus’ top tips, simply visit SPAR’s social media accounts.

Throughout the campaign Clare-based lifestyle content creator Emma O’Leary, who runs the Instagram account @lifewithtinyhumans, will take to her own kitchen and show followers just how easy the recipes are to follow as she gets her own kids back to school.

As a father of three, Seamus, appreciates the importance of a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise. Speaking at the campaign launch, he commented: “I am thrilled to be involved again with SPAR Better Choices this year. I know how hectic the return to school can be for some parents and with three growing daughters at home, who are preparing to go back to school, it’s really important that they have healthy and tasty meals as they settle back into their school routine.

“I am delighted to be working with SPAR to promote the importance of healthy eating and the importance of exercise and we are really looking forward to trying some of the SPAR Better Choices recipes at home!”

SPAR Sales Director Colin Donnelly added: “At SPAR we are committed to providing our customers with the best product offerings across our stores. Our aim is to offer parents affordable solutions for their families and to give piece of mind in knowing that they can always rely on us to have a great choice of healthy options when it comes to preparing for the return to school this year.”

Caption: Republic of Ireland and Everton captain Seamus Coleman helps launch SPAR’s Better Choices campaign 

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The new research by safefood has revealed that eight in ten people in Ireland agree that so-called “junk” food advertising aimed at children should be banned (80.2%), while almost seven in ten (69.4%) of respondents’ support restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to adults.

In particular, the research revealed high levels of public acceptance for policies that supported healthier food environments for children. These included educational campaigns focusing on children in school; healthier vending machines in schools; and new restrictions on developing fast-food outlets near schools. Meanwhile, just under half (47.3%) think portion sizes in restaurants and fast-food outlets should be restricted as a measure to address obesity.

The research also reveals that 80% of people recognise that obesity poses a serious public health challenge. Previous safefood research had estimated that overweight and obesity was costing the island’s economy approximately €1.6 billion per year in direct and indirect costs.

1 in 5 primary school children in Ireland have overweight or obesity. Among adults, 60% live with overweight (37%) or obesity (23%).

The research coincided with the All-Island Obesity Action Forum hosted in Belfast by safefood in partnership with the Departments of Health in both Ireland and Northern Ireland The event brings together leading experts from the United Kingdom and the island of Ireland to explore a range of policy approaches to address overweight and obesity, and public support for such policies.

Dr Aileen McGloin, Director of Nutrition with safefood, said: “Overweight and obesity are the most serious long-term public health issues we face and tackling them poses complex challenges for policy makers, society and the Irish economy.

“People are becoming more and more aware of these rising rates of overweight and obesity. Our research shows the public is ready for a range of policies for children and adults to address this and benefit them.

“There’s already strong work happening at a policy level in Ireland. Of note is the establishment of nutritional standards in pre-school settings, the introduction of the sugar sweetened drinks tax and work in food reformulation. By identifying those policies that have strong public backing, we can better support and empower people to make healthier food and lifestyle choices. This has the potential to create lifelong, sustainable changes which can benefit current and future generations, our society and the economy in Ireland.”

The safefood research demonstrated high levels of public support for government-led policies aimed at tackling childhood obesity, with over two-thirds backing the ban of vending machines with unhealthy snacks and drinks in schools (77.8%) as well as a majority backing planning restrictions on the opening of fast-food outlets close to schools (66.5%).

Nine in ten respondents also endorsed healthy school meals (91.8% for primary schools and 90.6% for secondary schools), educating children on food prep skills at all schools (91.7%), while 85.3% believe children should receive a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise in school each day.

The research also found that nine out of ten respondents (88.8%) supported policies requiring meals sold or provided at private and public sector workplaces to meet a healthy standard of nutrition.

For more information and to download the report “Public acceptability of policies to address obesity”, visit: www.safefood.net/news.

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