Wellness trend reveals opportunities in confectionery

People all over the world have digestive issues. It’s no wonder that digestive wellness is gaining interest in the market.

• In the US, nearly half of consumers who seek health benefits from food are looking specifically for digestive health benefits.
• 45% of Swedish consumers would like their diets to support their gut health.
• In Finland, eight out of ten people either already use or would be willing to use functional food for their digestive wellness.
• Half of German consumers are motivated to use functional food and drinks to improve their digestive health.
• In Indonesia, two out of five people would like their diets to support gut health.
• In the UK, seven out of ten agree that actively managing gut health is essential to overall health. *)

Free from lactose products are an appealing option for many consumers who want to support their digestive wellness

A considerable proportion of the global population has problems tolerating and absorbing lactose, which may cause them digestive issues. In general, consumers are well aware that milk – and the lactose in milk in particular – is the possible culprit behind their gut issues. For this reason, milk-containing products that promote lactose free attributes appeal to a broad swathe of the global market.

Lactose free products are a growing sector in the latest food and beverage product launches nowadays, and in the dairy sector, products promoting lactose free claims have been among the fastest growing. While the majority of lactose free launches are in white milks, other categories, such as ice cream, chocolate milks, snacking products, yogurts and puddings are also growing. Lactose free milk chocolates have also gained a presence in the market.

The confectionery industry has all the prerequisites needed to capture growth from the health and wellness trend

Confectionery products, and chocolate products in particular, stand apart as foodstuffs that straddle a variety of consumption occasions. Chocolate products may be perceived as indulgent treats as well as suitable options for snacking. And there is clear growth for the healthy snackification trend, as consumers crave convenient and nutritious meal options when eating on the go.

Furthermore, a range of complex of factors influence consumers’ desire for chocolate – from sensory and emotional to social and ethical, or relating to dietary preference.

Increasing awareness of digestive comfort has triggered rapid growth for the lactose free market

Valio’s solutions give food and beverage producers the tools to tweak their offerings to better respond to the market’s demands. In addition to offering tasty, healthy, and nutritionally balanced food with customized functionalities, companies can develop their products to suit all consumers.

Valio Eila® lactose free milk powders are unique, specialty milk powders that enable confectionery producers to create tastier and healthier milk and white chocolate, fillings, sweet spreads, toffee and fudges, cacao drinks, coating chocolate, and a host of other products.

The versatile range of properties offered by Valio Eila® powders makes them suitable for use in a broad range of applications and for delivering on multiple on-pack claims, such as lactose free, gluten-free, clean label and less sugar. The powders can also be used to create and modulate different sensory profiles.