The food and beverage industry is entering a new era of consumer expectations; one shaped by emotional wellness, ingredient transparency, functional benefits, and globally inspired flavour experiences.
According to Mintel and Black Swan Data’s Food & Drink Mega Trends for 2026/27 report, consumers are becoming increasingly intentional about what they eat, why they eat it, and how products make them feel.
For food manufacturers, these trends signal more than changing preferences… they point to a broader evolution in how consumers evaluate value, trust, and innovation.
Here are five key shifts shaping the future of food and beverage development in 2026.
1. GLP-1s Are Changing the Rules of Snacking
GLP-1 medications are influencing how consumers approach food, particularly in the snacking category. Consumers are prioritising protein, fibre, healthy fats, and nutrient density while eating smaller portions overall.
But the bigger insight may be emotional rather than nutritional.
Mintel’s research highlights growing conversations around “joyless” eating experiences among GLP-1 users, as many functional snacks fail to deliver the comfort, texture, and satisfaction consumers still crave.
For manufacturers, this creates an important formulation challenge:
How do you create products that are both nutritionally purposeful and emotionally rewarding?
This trend points towards increased demand for:
- Craveable textures
- Familiar and nostalgic flavours
- Mood-supportive ingredients
- Functional formulations that still feel indulgent
At Blendtek, we’re helping manufacturers navigate this shift through formulation strategies that increase protein and fibre while minimising sugar to optimise nutritional and caloric value without compromising enjoyment.
The future of better-for-you innovation may depend less on restriction, and more on delivering balanced satisfaction.
2. Consumers Are Becoming Increasingly Skeptical of “Healthy” Claims
Consumers are scrutinising labels more closely than ever, and many are growing frustrated with products marketed as healthy despite containing long ingredient lists or heavily processed components. Mintel refers to this as the growing “health-washing” problem.
This signals a shift in consumer behaviour:
Health positioning alone is no longer enough to earn trust.
Today’s consumers increasingly want:
- Simpler ingredient statements
- Recognisable ingredients
- Greater transparency around formulation
- Evidence-backed claims
- Clear functionality without excessive complexity
For manufacturers, this likely means clean label starches and preservatives will continue expanding beyond niche categories and into the mainstream. Products that can simplify without compromising taste, texture, stability, or shelf life will be better positioned to resonate with evolving consumer expectations.
3. Functional Beverages Are Moving Towards Holistic Wellness
Functional beverages continue to evolve beyond single-benefit positioning. Consumers are increasingly connecting internal wellness systems, particularly gut health, to broader outcomes like skin health, energy, mood, and overall wellbeing.
The report suggests consumers are moving away from surface-level “beauty” claims and towards more holistic wellness solutions rooted in internal health support.
This opens the door for beverage innovation that combines:
- Digestive wellness
- Hydration
- Skin-supportive ingredients
- Probiotics and prebiotics
- Functional ingredient synergies
For manufacturers, this trend reinforces the growing importance of multi-functional product development. Consumers increasingly expect products to work harder by delivering layered benefits while still fitting seamlessly into daily routines.
At Blendtek, we’re supporting this shift with ingredients and formulation solutions, including minerals that help optimise hydration alongside broader functional wellness goals.
4. Savoury Flavour Profiles Are Becoming a Marker of Premiumisation
Mintel’s report highlights growing consumer interest in savoury, smoky, earthy, and umami-forward flavour profiles, particularly among younger consumers seeking more curated food experiences.
Flavour profiles gaining momentum include:
- Sesame
- Nori
- Cardamom
- Olive brine
- Thai basil
- Charred and smoky notes
The broader implication is especially interesting for manufacturers:
Consumers increasingly associate flavour complexity with craftsmanship, authenticity, and premium quality.
This trend reflects a growing appetite for:
- Chef-inspired flavour systems
- Globally influenced profiles
- Layered sensory experiences
- More adventurous but approachable formulations
As flavour sophistication becomes more mainstream, manufacturers may see greater opportunities to differentiate through nuanced flavour development rather than relying solely on sweetness or novelty.
We’re helping brands tap into this trend with a broad range of spices, seeds, and flavour-forward ingredients designed to support more layered, globally inspired formulations.
5. Gen Z Continues to Push Food Towards Experience and Discovery
social storytelling. According to Mintel, street food culture is heavily influencing how younger consumers think about snacks and flavour experiences.
Consumers are gravitating towards foods that feel:
- Authentic
- Globally inspired
- Visually engaging
- Spontaneous
- Culturally rooted
Trending flavour directions include:
- Ponzu
- Chipotle chilli
- Chaat masala
- Spiced maple
- Garlic parmesan
- Cotija cheese
For manufacturers, this trend reinforces the importance of creating products that feel discoverable and experience-driven. Consumers increasingly value products with a story, a sense of place, and flavour experiences that feel both social and shareable.
Looking Ahead: What These Trends Mean for Manufacturers
Across all five trends, one message is becoming increasingly clear: consumers are no longer evaluating food products through a single lens.
Taste alone isn’t enough.
Functionality alone isn’t enough.
Convenience alone isn’t enough.
Consumers increasingly expect products to deliver across multiple dimensions simultaneously:
- Enjoyment
- Transparency
- Wellness
- Authenticity
- Emotional connection
- Experience
For manufacturers, this creates both complexity and opportunity.
The brands that succeed in 2026 will likely be those that can thoughtfully balance:
- clean label formulation with performance,
- nutrition with indulgence,
- functionality with familiarity,
- and innovation with trust.
At Blendtek, we’re continuing to watch how these evolving consumer expectations influence formulation strategies, ingredient selection, and product development priorities across the industry.
As trends continue to evolve, one thing remains consistent: successful innovation starts with understanding not just what consumers are buying, but why they’re buying it.
Whether you’re exploring clean label reformulation, functional ingredients, emerging flavour profiles, or next-generation product concepts, our team can help turn market insights into scalable solutions.
Connect with our team to start the conversation. Contact Blendtek.