Food and drink product launches with low carbohydrate claims in Europe have doubled (+95%) between 2008 and 2013, according to a research by Mintel.
It finds the most popular categories are those traditionally associated with carbs – in 2013, 10% of new low carbohydrate food and drink launches were pasta products, 10% baking ingredients or mixes, 9% bread and 8% snack, cereal and energy bars.
The top three countries in Europe for new low carbohydrate food and drink product launches are France, accounting for 17% in 2013, followed by Germany and Spain, accounting for 15% share of new product launches (NDP) respectively.
“Low carb diets were made famous with the advent of the Atkins diet, which reached its peak in popularity in 2004. Since then the number of followers of the diet has dropped off and a decline in the launch of low carb food and drink products has been witnessed globally,” says food science analyst Laura Jones.
“However, the Atkins diet managed to make consumers a lot more ‘carb conscious’ and aware of the quantity and quality of carbohydrates they consume and this underlying level of consciousness has been retained by some consumers.”
“As recent launch of low carb options across Europe started to include a wider range of products normally associated with carbohydrates, this is said to be one of the drivers behind the recent resurgence in the launch of low carb food and drink products across Europe.”
High protein products
Mintel says high protein may be aiding the comeback of low carbohydrate with European new food and drink product launches carrying both a low carbohydrate and high protein claim growing by 57% between 2008 and 2013.
It says the hype around foods with high protein is promoting product innovation, with high protein claims increasingly appearing in a wide range of products.
New product launches with high protein claims have tripled over the past five years in Europe with almost three times (+260%) as many high protein products launches in 2013 compared with 2008.
In particular, the growth has been driven by snacks, yogurt and prepared meals.
In 2013, of total new product introductions making a protein claim in Europe, snacks accounted for 24%, followed by dairy (20%) and processed fish, meat and egg products (15%).
As protein offers satiety benefits, it constitutes an important component in weight management – and Mintel’s research shows that new products launched in Europe carrying high satiety claims grew 164% between 2008 and 2013.
“Low carbohydrate products still occupy a relative niche position in the market and although they will never appeal to all consumers, the recent launches of low carb products in Europe are attempting to widen their appeal,” says Jones.
“Besides communicating the low carbohydrate content of the products, the presence or absence of other nutrients is also highlighted, with high protein claims positioning products as more than just low carb alternatives.”
“Since low carbohydrate products often fall short on producing the same filling effects as their higher carb alternatives due to the removal of some of the bulky carbohydrate, utilizing the satiating power of protein in low carbohydrate products will help increase the satisfaction of low carb options, as protein provides a sense of fullness, providing greater satisfaction to low carb foods which otherwise might be perceived as empty,” adds Jones.
High protein product opportunities
Mintel says there is scope for further significant business opportunities for high protein.
For example, it found that 66% of Polish, 61% of Spanish, 51% of Italian, 51% of German and 48% of French consumers would be interested in trying high protein bread.
Meanwhile, protein claims could benefit certain categories, such as cheese, delivering a more positive marketing message than fat content.
About 72% of French and Spanish, 71% of Polish, 64% of German and 61% of Italian consumers surveyed believe eating cheese is a good way to get protein into their diet.
Meanwhile, dairy products are a good source of natural protein that has served as a base for high protein claims, with milk gaining recognition over the past few years as an ideal sports drink.
Mintel finds about 52% of Italian consumers, 49% of French, 45% of Spanish, 37% of Germans think milk is a good drink to have during exercise.
Meanwhile, one in five (20%) consumers in the UK think milk is a good drink to have during and after sport.
“The ‘health halo’ of dairy products relates to the natural goodness of milk, namely its protein, calcium and minerals, which can provide a more nutritionally dense drink than commercial sports drinks,” says senior global food and drink analyst Chris Brockman.
“The high electrolyte mineral level of potassium and sodium make it ideal for rehydration. Continued research will help in the understanding of milk’s role and potential in rehydration, refuelling and repair.”
“While milk becomes more recognized as a sports drink, there will be more focus on the amount of protein, type of protein and even the ratio of protein like whey and casein,” he says.
“More science-led milk based drinks will emerge positioned as a sports drink, possibly with different formulations for pre, during and post exercise.”
“However, manufactures will need to address the perception of milk being less refreshing than carbohydrate-based drinks to gain broader appeal in order to capitalize on this market.”
