It’s that time of year when we reflect on the past 12 months. Getting to work with so many wonderful people in such a vibrant industry makes us incredibly thankful.
Here’s our look back at 2022, what already has our attention for the new year, and what to expect as we head into 2023!
2022 in Review from the SNI Team
This year has been filled with excitement and change for SNI as a company and team.
Not only did we welcome several new team members, but we also expanded our services in a big way – most notably the official opening of our new clinical facility and clinical trials website!
We also had the pleasure to attend the biggest events our industry has to offer, including SupplySide West, CHFA Toronto, and Natural Products Expo West. On the services side, all three of our divisions celebrated numerous client success stories which we shared whenever possible on our LinkedIn page and blog. Congrats to all involved!
Now, let’s look ahead.
2023 Trendspotting
Each year brings new food trends. For 2023, we expect to see:
Seafood alternatives getting their share of the spotlight
Meat has had all the attention in the alternative protein category – time for seafood!
We expect to see increased innovation in this space as consumers gain more awareness about the downsides of overfishing.
Plant-based food options, certifications, and science continues to grow
The plant-based sector is still going strong, and we anticipate this growth to continue as alternatives become more mainstream. We expect to see more plant-based products across all food categories (see seafood above), new formulations emphasizing less sugar, and transparency certifications.
Environmentally conscious food choices becoming mainstream
With the threat of climate change more urgent than ever, consumers are shifting their food habits to be more eco-friendly. This includes reducing meat consumption, limiting food waste, and seeking out (or being more open to) sustainable product packaging.
Regulatory “Watch-Outs” to Know
Finally, we can’t talk about trends without sounding the alarm bell on a few regulatory predictions to be aware of. Here’s what to know:
Food fraud still plaguing the industry
Unfortunately, food fraud still happens right here in Canada. Brands should remember the importance of labelling that is truthful and not misleading, and know that food fraud can be reported to CFIA. When in doubt, check with your regulatory team for guidance.
Food allergen labelling a high priority
Properly labelling food allergens remains a priority for governments. In the United States, the FDA recently updated two guidance documents to help food brands better comply. We wrote about this recently here. Make sure you’re not out of compliance heading into 2023.
