One new trend mentioned by exhibitors on almost every stand at SIAL is that Halal food and drink is in big demand – with apparently around 50% of visitors (many of them major food buyers) asking for preparation by these rules. It is now almost as important a criteria as natural ingredients, clean label and sustainable packaging.
Similar to that of Kosher food (following the Jewish religion) Halal products (following Muslim law) must not come into contact with products forbidden in the Muslim religion such as alcohol, pork or pork fat or oil. This can be for any product – snacks, drinks, sauces, ready meals and of course meat.
Meat preparation is a particular case and for this the animal must be alive and healthy at the time of the slaughter and stunning is not allowed. During the blood draining process a Muslim will recite the tasmiya or shahada dedication. The Halal Food Authority (HFA) monitors adherence to these halal principles across the food industry.
Those who comply with these regulations are winning the bulk of the orders. And innovation abounds to create foods that meet these standards. Micarna of Switzerland for instance is now producing an award winning salami, made with chicken, turkey and egg white, rather than animal fat, and Export Director Patrick Wilhem said the company had been surprised at the level of interest in this and others in their halal range.
The interest in halal beverages was reiterated by flavours and colours experts Doehler, who also underlined the dramatic variation in sweetness levels, demanded by various geographic sectors with Africa and the Midde East looking for far sweeter formulations than those enjoyed in Western Europe. These regions are enjoying spectacular growth in malt-based drinks again to meet religious mores. There is plenty to entertain and satisfy here as along with the classic fruit based malt beverages there are new opportunities for spicy and flower blossom variants with basil, geranium and elderflower as suggestions.
The company also sees more momentum in premium tonic water. We tasted a gently infused lavender tonic water and a pina colada style dairy drink with marula fruit. Water enhancers are also big business adding flavour to everything from milk to beer. Stored in a pocket size container, a non spill valve is essential for reliable transport.
So the face of the food and beverage industry is changing. With the plant based sweetener also a hot topic of conversation and the basis of much reformulation. And finally, one great new trend? The split between men and women at SIAL both among visitors and on the stands was around 50:50 – a massive improvement on an 80:20 split ten years ago, when FoodBev Media first went along to see new moves and growing trends in the global food and beverage industry.
Claire Phoenix is FoodBev Media managing editor – magazines. This is a personal blog and views expressed are her own.
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