It’s a constant buzz in consumers’ ears: what they should eat, what they shouldn’t. From butter to eggs to bread, it’s hard to tell what is true. In fact, according to the International Food Information Council’s annual “Food and Health Survey,” over 80 percent of consumers say they receive conflicting information about what foods they should avoid. It doesn’t help that news sources will often take a study that correlates a food with a health outcome, like red meat and heart disease, and say that the food causes the health issue. This creates an alarm around one specific item while completely discounting other factors. Additionally, a recent study from the University of Glasgow found that up to 90 percent of nutrition and weight loss information shared by top influencers is opinion-based, not based in science. Many people rely on influencers as credible sources of information, so this is troubling to see.
What does this mean for the snack industry, which is often demonized for marketing processed foods? First of all, as more people are eating snack foods between meals and as meal replacements, the snack industry shows no sign of slowing down. As snacking continues to grow, consumers are seeking out more “better-for-you” options, according to Mondelez International’s “State of Snacking” report. Additionally, the report highlighted that people are more focused on snacking to meet nutritional needs and provide more personalized nutrition. Snacks are no longer synonymous with junk food.