Consumers like to feel good about what they are eating, whether it’s a healthy salad or a sugary snack. Nutritional ingredient supplier Bell Chem wishes to demystify the role of functional sweets for commercial producers to keep up with the latest trends. Knowing today’s functional sweet market constitutes $3.7 billion a year and will increase to almost $6 billion in 5 years, it is imperative to understand consumer trends in this expanding market.

Cookies with a punch

Almost 1/5 of parents (19%) report they would prefer to give their children healthy cookies if the option was available. Most parents recognize their children readily choose cookies over fruits or vegetables, so adding vitamins, such as A, C, and E, and minerals, including folic acid, magnesium, phosphoric acid, and zinc normally found in fresh produce into confections satisfy both children and parents. 

The gut microbiome is foremost on the minds of many consumers; adding pre- and probiotics to cookies along with natural fiber reduces bloating and regulates a healthy gut. Two of the fastest-growing food categories happen to be probiotics and fiber.

Fuel for the body

Gone are the days when consumers would grab a candy bar in between breakfast and lunch. Instead, they look for snacks that satisfy more than hunger and a product that stresses the importance of nutrition, rest, recovery, or sleep. Cookies and cereals have recently begun boasting sleep-related products to lull the public into a proper night’s rest. Consumers are turning to magnesium, chamomile, and lavender. Many industries rely on sleep health experts to create products specific to this trend, especially considering the body’s natural tendency is to consume a sweet snack close to bedtime. Because high-glycemic snacks and quality of sleep are at odds, snack makers find working with experts key to improving their foods.

Less sugar, all the flavor

Advertising products containing less sugar than other national brands is another trend consumers have found alluring. Most manufacturers heavily sweeten their products, and even a reduction of 25% is not typically noticeable – except in the uptick of sales. While many snacks are looking toward sugar alternatives such as erythritol, Stevia, and sucralose to lower the total amount of calories, simply adding less sugar is a feasible alternative. 

More foods, better health

As with cookies, probiotics are often added to other sweets to promote digestive health, vitamins including beta-carotene, C, and E are added as antioxidants, caffeine and adaptogens stimulate the body, and collagen improves the skin and joints. Adding these products generally does not alter the flavor or appearance of snacks, just the bottom line as consumers snatch them off the shelf.

Seasonal and limited-time offers

Seasonal offers – pasta shaped like snowflakes or pumpkin spice anything – appeal to shoppers because they will only be around for a short while before retiring for another year. Limited-time offers might showcase a celebrity or event such as the Olympics or the Super Bowl and become the must-have snack for watching these events. Creating short-term snacks boosts sales with their unique shapes or flavors.

Skipping the allergies

Consumers have long recognized their allergies, and industries are paying closer attention. Snacks with egg, milk, wheat, soy, and nut alternatives have hit the shelves, and consumers are excited. Dietary restrictions may be due to health concerns, allergic reactions, or religious beliefs – Bell Chem offers a large variety of Kosher products for our customers. Regardless, these differing varieties have caused a major stir, especially with gluten-free varieties of snacks, which have led the pack in releases in new product launches at a 23% share. 

Bell Chem is your nutritional ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including nutritious ingredients for your functional sweets. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.