Market Trends of Free-from Food Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Free-from Food Market according to our research experts:
Clean Label Product Development and Associated Labeling Compliance
- Products claimed as free-from, natural, and organic have started to witness soaring demand in countries like the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, India, and others. The increased consumer demand for free-from-food products and the rising clean-label claims on products accelerated the global market growth.
- Products with various label claims, such as "gluten-free," "dairy-free," "meat-free," "non-GMO," and "reduced sugar," have been benefitting customers over the past few years. Moreover, consumers constantly check food labels these days before purchasing any food product. Several organizational surveys on consumers' buying behavior reveal the rising consumers' interest in probing for superior ingredients on food labels.
- According to a study published by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) in 2021, the vast majority of survey takers (94%) were familiar with at least one front-of-package (FOP) label; over half (54%) said that FOP labels impact food and beverage purchases, and about a quarter (24%) said that they have a significant impact.
- Thus, clean label product development and associated labeling compliances are expected to drive the market's growth.
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Asia-Pacific is the Largest Region
- The increasing consumer preference for healthy and high-quality food products is expected to drive the free-from food market. According to a study on the Prevalence of Lactase Deficiency in Chinese children of different ages published by the journal Research Gate, only 38.5% of children aged between 3 and 5 years old were lactose-deficient, and 87% of those in the 7-8 year and 11-13-year-old groups were lactose- and dairy-intolerant.
- On the other hand, the massive media exposure and government education on lactose intolerance and infant allergies helped boost the purchase of free-from lactose baby milk formula and dairy products among consumers with related health issues.
- Another significant driver boosting the sales of free-from foods in the market over the forecast period is the ongoing trend of clean-label food products, with non-GMO, lactose-free, allergen-free, and gluten-free being the fastest-growing claims in the region. Thus, manufacturers are also launching innovative products to cater to the potential market.
- For instance, in October 2022, Licious, a meat startup in India, entered the plant-based meat sector with the launch of the brand UnCrave. According to the company statement, the brand will offer vegetarian chicken and mutton sheek kebabs directly to consumers. Thus, the growing trend of free-from food in the region and the product innovation from manufacturers will increase the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region over the forecast period.
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