Where product development is concerned, it's all about health in 2008 for the consumer packaged goods industry. That's the word from Datamonitor, a consultancy which produces the new product development database Productscan Online. Expect the following in packaged goods next year:
- Probiotics hit the mainstream.
- Organic food and beverage makers will aggressively target the kids' market.
- "Superfruits," also known as high nutrient fruits like acai, noni and pomegranates, will hit the mainstream and larger companies get into the game.
- Expect an influx of African ingredients, such as baobab oil, into non-food products.
- Look for new products that help relieve stress or aid in sleeping. Examples include products based on the amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid.
- New products will be both healthy and provide the "crunch" so desired by customers.
- Look for bold, spicy flavors to pop up in new areas. In Portugal a yogurt drink that includes chili peppers among its ingredients was launched.
- Caffeine will find its way into more and more products.
- "Fresh," as in fresh foods, is hot. More foods designed to use steam as a cooking method will find their way to store shelves.
- Packaged goods makers will find new ways to be environmentally friendly.
