2023 Global Food and Drink Trends: Looking to the Future

Consumer trends are constantly changing, particularly in the food and beverage industry. Keeping up with the newest trends is vital for a company's continued success and market relevancy. When it comes to identifying the new and upcoming trends in the industry, there is no other company to trust than Mintel, the leading Marketing Intelligence agency.

Their list of 2023 Global Food and Drink Trends is based on the results of workshops held by the company's food and drink analysts in various parts of the world. The predictions are supported by consumer data from over 36 global markets, product launches from the Mintel Global New Products Database, and evidence from the company's various data science and analytic tools. 

Here are four Global Food and Drink Trends that Mintel believes will impact consumer demand in 2023 and beyond.

4 Global Food and Drink Trends

1. Weatherproofed Provisions 

Extreme weather is becoming more and more commonplace, largely because of global warming and climate change. Extreme high and low temperatures, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires are just some extreme weather occurrences currently affecting the world. With this increase in extreme, disastrous weather comes a need to be prepared for any possibility. This issue has led to an increased interest in food and drinks formulated to have longer shelf lives and to help people endure extreme weather conditions they may face. 

Energy costs will also affect the way people shop. As energy costs rise, consumers will want food and drink options that require less energy to cook and store. Food and drink options will be valued for their energy-saving benefits and their potential to be used even when weather affects access to cooking and storage methods.

Creating products that can withstand extreme weather conditions is important, and so is protecting food sources. One way to help protect food products is to invest in drainage solutions capable of handling large volumes of water. FoodSafe Drains offers two products to help combat stormwater and flooding: the FoodSafe Slot Drain and Trench Drain.

The FoodSafe Trench Drain is a heavy-duty floor drain that handles large amounts of water. It comes in three styles: the Round Bottom, Flat Bottom, and V-Bottom, all of which have wide channels covered by a magnetic, tamper-proof grate and strainer. 

There is also the FoodSafe Slot Drain, which is similar to the Trench Drain in many ways. The difference is the opening; while the Trench Drain has a wide opening, the Slot Drain does not, which eliminates the need for any grate covers. The system offers a flow rate of up to 27 GPM, which makes it an effective option for removing excess water. 

All FoodSafe Drain systems comply with NSF/ANSI/3-A standards and use the highest quality materials to ensure a safe, sanitary system. FoodSafe systems are also fork-lift rated, which is ideal for commercial facilities full of heavy equipment. Both systems are also compatible with the FoodSafe Catch Basin and Strainer Basket, which can help catch any solid debris before it can clog the drain channel.

2. Staying Sharp

In recent years, focus and productivity have become major concerns for consumers. Consumers are more interested in food and drink products geared toward cognitive health management, including managing stress levels and optimizing brain function. 

Over the next few years, brands will begin promoting more brain-boosting ingredients, including caffeine, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and more. They will need to provide research for consumers that certain ingredients, like B vitamins and nootropics, are proven to help with cognitive health. 

3. Cosmic Comforts

Years ago, interest in space centered around the Moon, but these days, it goes beyond. You can anticipate new technologies coming out to help sustain human life in space, like water purification systems. Food and drinks developed for space, and the ideas behind them, will also migrate into mainstream consumer markets. These types of items, which are meant to help facilitate multi-year space missions, can provide new methods of ensuring the shelf-life of products for everyday consumers. 

4. Minimalist Messaging

Consumers don't want to be overwhelmed when looking at food and beverage packaging. They want to find clear, easy-to-understand information about a product, the advertised benefits, and clearly identified ingredients. Many brands will use technology to share their product's story and benefits, to allow their consumers to search for relevant information. E-commerce websites will also be more curated for specific health claims, priorities, and ethical certifications. 

Looking to the Future of Food and Drink

The world is always looking to evolve and innovate with new technology and ideas. With these ideas and innovations come new trends, and the food and drink industry is one area where new trends are plentiful. 

This article only covers 4 of Mintel's 8 anticipated global food and drink trends of 2023. Even small trends will continue to evolve and impact how food and drink are manufactured, advertised, and even stored. 

Consider how these trends can help your business, and contact FoodSafe Drains today to learn more about the systems they offer and how they can play a role!