Speciality Food Magazine May 2024

@specialityfood 30 paying to their wellbeing. We’ve already seen a growing preference for HFSS-compliant products, with a double-digit increase in volume, up 17% in 2023 compared to the previous year.” Beyond health, Fiona says shoppers are keen to see new, exciting innovations in the snacking aisle, and that NPD here is being driven by Gen-Z and their demand for bold tastes. Spice is especially key for this demographic and is here to stay, with more than half of consumers saying they love spicy food, and with the hot and spicy space in snacking seeing increased sales of 8.9% year on year. Classic flavours shouldn’t be ignored though, Fiona adds, saying although the crisp market particuarly is fuelled by new developments in flavour, core shoppers in indy retail (particularly those aged 55 to 64) like the old favourites. Around 87% of consumers in this age group buy salted crisps, and 90% cheese crisps on a regular basis. SNACKING ESSENTIALS FOR 2024 FRUIT We’ve seen some incredibly fun products popping in this space, I n the UK we love a snack. Whether that’s a cheeky little biscuit to dunk in our cuppa in the morning, or snuffling a bag of crisps in front of a good movie. As sales figures show, there’s been no slowing down of spending power here, especially as the trend for affordable ‘treat moments’ continues in the face of the cost- of-living crisis. Shoppers are demanding delicious bites that don’t break the bank but, increasingly, are looking for snacks boasting health claims today, in light of HFSS regulations. Snacking insider, Fiona Tomlin says health is a consideration in around 70% of snacking occasions which is “no surprise given the increasing focus consumers are UK SALES OF CRISPS, SAVOURY SNACKS AND NUTS ARE FORECAST TO EXCEED £7 BILLION BY 2028 MINTEL STOCK CHECK S P E C I A L I T Y F O O D M A G A Z I N E * 2 0 2 4 * PINEAPPLE FRUIT SNACKS THE DORMEN New fruit bites, made with 100% fruit and crisped rice. No added sugar, sulphites or shortcuts. thedormenfoodcompany.com SEA SALT LOVE CORN Love Corn has just launched multi packs of its Sea Salt crunchy corn snacks – ideal for lunch boxes. Each pack (of five) is sized for snacking, and contains less than 90 calories and 50% less fat on average than crisps, while being high in fibre. lovecorn.co.uk SMOKEHOUSE BBQ CORN NIBBLES INDULGE Smoky, savoury, crunchy corn bites. These are free from nuts and gluten and high in fibre. novel-foods.net SEA SALT & BLACK PEPPER ROASTED LENTILS NUDIE Packed full of fibre and protein. The lentils are roasted before being seasoned, and are sold in shot packs making them easy to eat on the go. nudiesnacks.co.uk SWEET CHILLI JUST CRISPS Made from the brand’s own potatoes and cold-pressed British rapeseed oil, and coated in a sweet, spicy, warming chilli flavour. justcrisps.co.uk DRAGON FRUIT CHIPS SOUL FRUIT Crispy, fruity, delicious bites in an exotic flavour. Something daringly different for snack time. soulfruit.co.uk PARMESAN MINI TONGUES SEGGIANO An alternative to cheese crisps. These little flatbreads are made in Piemonte for Seggiano, using extra virgin olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano. seggiano.com SOUR CREAM & ONION LENTIL PUFFS SAVED Lentil puffs with a secret ingredient – crickets, to boost their protein punch. Contains 40% less saturated fat than crisps. savedfoodco.uk CHILLI BEEF BILTONG HUNTERS A premium protein-packed snack. This award-winning gluten-free biltong is pepped up with a piquant peri peri spice blend. huntersbiltong.co.uk ALMOND SALTED CARAMEL TRUFFLES BOOJA-BOOJA Grab and go two packs of the plant- based chocolate maker’s scrummy, gooey, sea salted caramel and roasted almond truffles. boojabooja.com EATING ONTHE GO We are a nation of snackers...but what’s fuelling British consumers when it comes to satisfying mid-afternoon hunger pangs?