Healthy Dairy Products Expand Their Presence in the Market
The increasing consumer interest in healthier eating habits has prompted dairy companies to innovate and expand their product offerings. The availability of information about ingredients and nutritional benefits has led to a more informed consumer base, encouraging a shift in consumption patterns.
At Grupo Piracanjuba, product manager Beatriz Loureiro explains that consumer demand guides the company's innovation efforts. The company employs technologies that maintain the integrity and properties of ingredients, resulting in products with high nutritional value that align with market expectations. Piracanjuba was a pioneer in launching lactose-free milk and dairy products, responding to the growing demand for products with health-related attributes.
The company's approach to product development involves balancing nutritional value, taste, and quality. This involves selecting ingredients and utilizing technologies and processes that preserve characteristics such as texture and creaminess while enhancing nutritional value. Among the promising categories identified by Piracanjuba are protein drinks, which are gaining popularity due to their high protein content and additional benefits like being lactose-free and having no added sugars.
Similarly, Vigor Alimentos has observed a consistent increase in consumer interest in balanced diets, with a focus on reducing sugars, fats, and ingredients perceived as detrimental to well-being. According to marketing director Karina Dal Sasso, providing access to lighter alternatives has become a natural path for the brand, combining health attributes with flavor and expanding consumption occasions.
Dal Sasso highlights that the industry's main challenge is not just removing ingredients from formulations but also reconstructing the sensory experience of traditional products. Ingredients like sugar and fat play crucial roles in texture and creaminess, necessitating solutions that maintain product quality and identity despite new formulations.
The yogurt segment is seen as a leader in this movement, as consumers already perceive it as a contributor to a balanced diet. Cream cheese is another category that is adapting to new consumer demands with updated versions. According to Dal Sasso, products with high penetration, frequent consumption, and a perception of healthiness present the greatest potential, enabling broader access to new propositions without requiring significant changes in consumer habits.
