European Consumers Drive Demand for Protein & Reduced Sugar in Food Formulations
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Consumers across Europe are increasingly prioritizing long-term health and wellness, shifting away from restrictive dieting towards sustainable lifestyle changes focused on nutritional quality. This evolving demand is prompting food manufacturers to prioritize ingredient innovation, with a focus on boosting protein and fiber content while substantially reducing sugar levels. BENEO will be showcasing solutions to meet these demands at Fi Europe 2025.
The Rise of Nutritional Empowerment
Weight management is no longer viewed as a quick fix, but rather a continuous journey, according to industry observers. This shift is fueling a demand for foods that offer both health benefits and enjoyable taste experiences. Manufacturers are responding by focusing on “empowerment through better choices,” rather than simply restricting calories.
“Reducing sugar, as well as increasing protein and fibre, are key strategies in supporting sustainable weight management and a healthy lifestyle ” a senior official at BENEO stated.
Protein & Sugar: Key Consumer Focus Areas
European consumers are actively monitoring their intake of both protein and sugar. Data indicates that the number of individuals tracking their protein consumption has increased by one-third in just two years, and over half are now influenced by “high in” or “source of” protein claims when making purchasing decisions. Concurrently, awareness of sugar’s impact on health is growing, with more than half of European consumers actively watching their sugar intake and seeking out “low in sugar” options.
BENEO’s Solutions for Formulation & Reformulation
To address these evolving consumer preferences, BENEO is preparing to demonstrate the potential of its ingredient solutions at Fi Europe 2025. The company’s latest culinary creations highlight how functional ingredients can be used to improve the nutritional profiles of food and beverage products. These solutions include ingredients that increase protein and fiber content, and also alternatives to high-glycaemic sugars.
BENEO has developed a range of “protein in” and “sugar out” recipes designed to meet current consumer needs. These samples feature plant-based proteins, scientifically proven prebiotic fibers, and sugar replacement solutions.
Innovative Product Prototypes
Several prototypes demonstrate BENEO’s capabilities:
- High Protein Sandwich: This plant-based sandwich utilizes faba bean and rice proteins to deliver a complete essential amino acid profile, alongside hummus enriched with faba bean protein concentrate and chicory root fiber.
- Sugar-Reduced Vanilla Custard: This indulgent treat achieves a 30% reduction in sugar through a combination of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) and flavorings, while simultaneously increasing dietary fiber and improving the Nutri-Score from C to B.
- Ready-to-Drink Chocolate Meal Replacer: This plant-based beverage combines faba bean protein concentrate, chicory root fiber, and palatinose™ – a low-glycaemic carbohydrate – to provide sustained energy and support satiety, while also naturally triggering the body’s own GLP-1 release.
The Impact of GLP-1 Drugs
The emergence of GLP-1 drugs is reshaping the weight management landscape, influencing consumer perceptions of nutrition, satiety, and lifestyle choices. Manufacturers are recognizing the need to support these changes through innovative product advancement.
“We have invested in production facilities to support manufacturers to meet these demands,” the BENEO official added.”Our functional ingredients are a perfect fit to achieve these goals, offering a versatile portfolio that allows for holistic, value-added solutions.”
Visitors to Fi Europe in July 2025 can explore BENEO’s solutions and sample these new products at Booth 4.0C40, Hall 4, and at the company’s live culinary cooking corner.
