Snacking habits across the globe are undergoing a significant transformation.
Driven by various factors including changing lifestyles, demand for healthy options, dietary preferences, and product innovation, the global snacking industry is experiencing robust growth with over 90% of people in Europe consuming snacks, with over a third eating snacks at least once a day.¹
One of the main drivers within the sector is the demand for snacks that align with nutritional values. Consumers are becoming much more informed and deliberate about their food choices, seeking snacks that satisfy hunger and contribute positively to their overall health and wellness.
The growth in this key sector is reflected in the growing range of innovative products now available – from beverages to baked goods, brands are expanding product ranges using a combination of traditional and innovative new ingredients and formulations to meet these multifaceted expectations.
Most snacks are consumed in the morning when healthy food is a key need.² Ingredient-tech innovation is at the heart of this evolution and is playing an important role in ensuring that the demands of both consumers and food and drink manufacturers are met.
Christian Sobolta, Manging Director at CSM Ingredients group, comments: “The healthy snacking sector has experienced growth over the past five years and is set to continue on this trajectory. Innovation in ingredients has been fundamental to this, with manufacturers working closely with their customers to ensure new product development meets consumer demand.
“The key to its success is leveraging technology and innovations to develop smarter, more sustainable solutions that are resilient to evolving demands and the ever-changing marketplace, while still delivering that unmissable moment of joy which is particularly relevant when snacking,” adds Sobolta.
Ingredients innovation
Leading the charge in terms of innovation, developing unique ingredients and delivering solutions is CSM Ingredient group – a global leader in ingredient research and development, comprising CSM Ingredients and HIFOOD.
With in-depth expertize in bakery, plant-based systems, and value-added solutions, CSM Ingredients collaborates with customers to ensure they can meet the demands of the fast-growing sector, including increasing consumer demand for high-quality, tasty and cost-effective sources of protein.²
Protein bar revolution
The consumer interest in protein bars is evolving from predominately gym goers to consumers with a health conscious and general snacking occasions. According to a 2024 report, the protein market is expected to grow from $12.15 in 2024 to $27.48 billion by 2034.³
With this boom in demand for high-protein snacks, HIFOOD introduced Proteios a range of Textured Vegetable Proteins (TVP) made by thorough advanced extrusion technology to create different shapes and structures that have a high protein content.
Made from allergen-free yellow pea protein, Proteios delivers clean-label, plant-based protein enrichment in formats including small granules, making it ideal for ready meals, cereal bars, and bakery applications. It boasts a very high protein content of 71% and is fully customizable for each individual product and, importantly, meets the increasing consumer preferences for sustainable, animal-free options.
One of HIFOOD’s standout innovations perfect for protein bars is MeltecÒ, a semi-solid, patent-protected ingredient derived from vegetable fibres from legumes and cereals. Capable of replacing up to 30% of sugar, Meltec can be used as a humectant, texturizer, bulking agent, and binding agent. Its fibrous structure provides functional performance including lower calories whilst enabling clean-label, additive-free, and healthier formulations across bakery, cakes, bars, fillings, and confectionery products.
Baked to perfection
The demand for healthier baked goods across Europe and the US is seeing an increase with the need for high-quality ingredients that ensure products look and taste the same as traditional versions.
SlimBAKE, a fat-reduced emulsion, is a game-changing solution, transforming bakery formulations. It allows bakers to reduce fat content by 30% and calories by 20% without compromising on taste or texture to produce the same indulgent quality products that meet the growing trend for a protein-enriched / low-carb nutritional pattern.
Designed for a 1-to-1 substitution of traditional margarine or butter it is available in both butter-based and plant-based options. It is also optimized for laminated products including croissants, Danish and puff pastries, and is aligned with EU nutritional regulations.
In addition, CSM Ingredients’ Protein Bread solutions deliver on the growing demand for low-carb, high-protein bakery products. With an authentic rustic crust and soft crumb, there is no compromise on taste and feel.
The bread’s 20% protein content derives from pea protein with flexible dosage options, allowing manufacturers to make products that are low carb, high fiber, and vegan without added sugar or palm oil.
Savoury snacks
For use across the savory sector in bars, vegetable crisps, and vegetable snacks, innovation is helping drive forward new products. HIFOOD is at the forefront of this and has developed innovative systems to tackle sodium reduction in food formulations. SALTEC uses conventional potassium chloride (KCl) enhanced with next generation natural flavors to cover the typical off-notes of KCI and boost saltiness.
Its allergen-free sodium content doesn’t sacrifice flavor, allowing manufacturers to achieve a critical balance as regulatory scrutiny and consumer awareness grows. SALTEC NATURAL 06, is the perfect solution to meet growing expectations in terms of clean label as it is the sea salt-based version of SALTEC, allowing the reduction of sodium while still enhancing taste and consumer satisfaction.
Functional innovation in beverages
In parallel with the growth of healthier snacking food products, the plant-based beverage market continues to expand with natural, allergen-free, ingredient functionality and label simplicity – all important factors for manufacturers. The enduring popularity of protein-enriched vegetable milks and smoothies is a key factor in driving forward the growth and thus the spotlight is on delivering nutritious and superior quality, time after time.
HIFOOD’s Micro Protein and Hi-Smooth are both advanced solutions designed to meet modern demands for performance, nutrition, and transparency for beverage formulations.
The Micro Protein range is a new range of micronized vegetable proteins, developed for protein enrichment without impacting significantly the structure, flavor, and texture of plant-based beverages. Both Micro Protein P6 and P11 deliver high protein content (>70%) in an ultra-fine, highly dispersible form with a clean flavor and mild color.
Hi-Smooth is produced from flaxseed fiber, with similar qualities to traditional hydrocolloids and can act as a valuable clean-label and allergen-free replacement for Locust bean gum, xanthan gum, Gellan Gum and carrageenan’s. Hi-Smooth is perfect for use in beverages and smoothies and works in both hot and cold conditions.
A broad commitment to better-for-you snacking
CSM Ingredients group is committed to meeting the needs of the ever-evolving healthy snacks sector. Ensuring high quality ingredients are used at every step and working in partnership with its customers to innovate and grow is fundamental to its purpose and continued investment in research and innovation.
References
- Mintel. Attitudes Towards Snacking Europe 2023.
- Mintel. The Future Of Snack Bars 2024.
- Precedence Research. Protein Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034.
