The UK Food and Beverage Innovation Network (FDIN) recently released the five major trends in the food and beverage industry in 2024, and said that natural sweeteners and plant-based foods are food trends that should be paid attention to in 2024, and the level of healthy diet in 2024 will be significantly improved compared with 2017. In 2017, the organization emphasized the food trend dominated by healthy diets and encouraged consumers to exclude certain foods, such as gluten and animal dairy products.

Trend 1: Foods that protect the intestines

Fermented foods and foods that support gut health have been gaining attention in recent years, with the popularity and growing popularity of kombucha and kimchi, and these foods will go mainstream in 2024.

FDIN predicts that the development focus of fermented foods will still be on prebiotics and probiotics, which will play a vital role in intestinal health. In 2024, eating unprocessed raw healthy ingredients may become more popular, such as garlic, leeks, yam, etc.

Trend 2: Further application of inulin

Inulin is a fibrous carbohydrate that is increasingly being used as a sugar and flour substitute. Found in chicory roots, inulin can be added to smoothies, baked goods, desserts like cakes, and even to thicken gluten.

Inulin is not only a natural sweetener, but it also offers a range of benefits that are better than maple and coconut sugars, including reducing constipation, improving gut health by acting as a prebiotic, enhancing heart health and reducing metabolic syndrome risk factors, and increasing calcium absorption.

Trend 3: Plant-based foods

FDIN said that in 2024, vegetarian and gluten-free products will become mainstream for everyone, not just a few. Due to the growing awareness of health and sustainable production methods, more and more consumers are reducing the amount of meat they eat. Therefore, in 2024, vegetarian products are likely to be made with meat-like texture and appearance to attract this growing market. Now there are many vegetarian meat foods in Europe and the United States that are almost indistinguishable from animal meat in terms of nutrition and appearance.

Trend 4: Meal Replacement Foods

Meal replacements have already carved out a niche in the food industry due to their convenience, lack of refrigeration, portability and nutrition. Meal replacements were initially targeted at younger children. By 2024, more meal replacements targeting adults will be available on the market, including pouches, on-the-go meals and sweet and savory foods in squeeze tubes.

As consumers increasingly combine fast-paced lifestyles with nutritional health, people will be more inclined to share healthy side dishes and snacks with their families.

Trend 5: Preventing Excessive Waste

In 2024, we’ll see more clever ways to reduce food waste by preventing certain foods from being classified as waste during the production process, such as spoiled food and wine grains.

FDIN also predicts that in 2024, consumers may see the full ingredients of food, not just the "good parts." In addition, more food companies and restaurants will make full use of damaged food, such as using damaged fruit to make juice.