Beneo set to return to Sweets & Snacks Expo supplier showcase

The Beneo ingredients group is set to make a key industry appearance as it lines up a return to this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, as part of the event’s fast-evolving supplier showcase, writes Neill Barston.

Notably, the event, taking place between 13-16 May, will be in a new location for the show in Indianapolis, with more than 800 businesses so far registered to exhibit, including a number of companies from across Europe and further afield.

For its part, Beneo will be showcasing solutions including its new beta-glucan (fibre for heart health) and faba protein, which is also targeting the wellbeing market, with the business having enjoyed a notable presence at Sweets & Snacks in its former home of Chicago.

Kyle Krause,  Regional Product Manager, Functional Fibers and Carbohydrates, for Beneo North America noted that Indulgence is continuing to be a popular trend among consumers with a new twist toward “mindful indulgence.”

He said: ” People are looking fo sweets and snacks that are both tasty and beneficial for one’s health and for the planet, according to a 2023 Social Insights Media report from Meltwater. Numerous studies have shown that consumers are reading labels more closely than ever before to determine what’s ‘clean and green’, according to a Innova Market Research study, “Revealing the Future: Exploring the Trends in Clean Label Products in the US & Canada.” This means, in many cases, a focus on products and those that offer not only taste and texture but significant health benefits like lower sugar/fewer calories, fiber enrichment, mood enhancement, and general overall wellbeing.

“There is also a demand for plant-based products to deliver the same level of indulgence as their non-plant-based counterparts, according to Mintel’s “Food and Drink Flavor Trends 2023.” An Innova survey in 2023 indicated that when it comes to snacking, 6 in 10 consumers globally (strongly) agree to look for healthier alternatives to snacks or to be more aware of mindful snacking.”

As he added, with  consumers becoming more knowledgeable about ingredients that provide health benefits, being more focused on reading labels, and having increased demands for healthy choices, BENEO expects that the market for sweets and snacks, as well as other healthy food and beverage products, will continue to perform strongly.

Market demand will also encourage ingredient providers and manufacturers to further innovate. The BENEO-Technology Center works hand-in-hand with manufacturers to develop new and exciting alternatives to meet customer demands. For example, our natural, non-GMO prebiotic chicory root fibers have been able to provide a 30% reduction in fat content (as compared to a reference product) in chocolate fillings and a 30% sugar reduction in a chocolate chip cookie. BENEO’s portfolio of rice ingredients, including starches, flours and highly digestive protein can also be applied to a wide range of indulgent products that improve body, mouthfeel and are both gluten and lactose-free.