Mood food

Many Shanghai Food Expo consumers consider chocolate to be an important part of a healthy diet. Especially now that positive emotions are seen as part of physical health, making your happy food the Holy Grail. Ingredients that boost overall health by boosting spirits, such as chocolate, are highly sought after: 65% of consumers worldwide are looking for foods that contribute to mental health.

Anxiety management and stress reduction are especially important. Some studies suggest that flavonols (plant compounds with antioxidant properties) found in dark chocolate may benefit brain function, making it easier to manage stressful situations. Other studies have shown that eating cocoa-rich products can improve your mood in the short term.

68% of consumers globally believe that plant-based ingredients increase the health of chocolate, an increase of 15% compared to 2021. More people believe that plant-based ingredients add flavor to chocolate products, which makes plant-based ingredients a close second to nuts and fruits that can make your chocolate look both delicious and healthy.

Sustainable agriculture

Fair Trade Original, Rainforest Alliance, slave-free chocolate, climate neutral, many chocolate wrappers are dotted with certifications and labels to provide consumers with assurance about how cocoa is produced. And with good reason, as our survey shows that 68 percent of consumers worldwide are interested in products that come from sustainable farming practices.

Whereas in the past sustainable agriculture focused on soil fertility, biodiversity and harmless pest control, we are now seeing consumer concerns shift to supply chain, sourcing and ethics. People are very interested in the social impact of cocoa farming, with 65% now looking for food that they are confident farmers receive a fair price or a living income.

The benefits of long-term commitment to sustainable agriculture are numerous, such as the fact that this approach not only leads to a better life for farmers and their communities, but also to delicious chocolate for consumers.

Plant-based product

From 2019 to now, the "plant-based wave" that has swept the world is also quietly sweeping the chocolate world, in the chocolate industry, the biggest obstacle to making plant-based products is the development of dairy-free milk-like chocolate and white chocolate, which have the same excellent processability and versatility as dairy products. However, thanks to current solutions and technologies, there are now plant-based chocolate solutions aimed at professionals that allow for vegan creation without compromising taste and texture, thus opening new paths for the launch of many new vegan chocolate products.

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL Shanghai website for more information.

Source: Shanghai International Chocolate Exhibition

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