Healthy and sustainable diets 3
ESA members are committed to meet citizens’ needs and consumer demands in an effort to promote healthier and more sustainable diets.
T he European savoury snacks industry listens to the preferences of the millions of consumers who enjoy its products every day. Consumers demand great tasting snacks and treats, excellent value for money, constantly improved nutritional content and of course the highest safety standards and quality ingredients in finished products. To meet these expectations, ESA members continuously invest in the development of new products, ingredients and manufacturing methods. Although savoury snacks products contribute very little to the average dietary salt, saturated fat and fat intake in the European diet, our members are always working to bring great flavours and tastes to market whilst ensuring lower levels of salt, saturated fat and total fat. ESA members have pioneered reformulation and innovation leading to healthier snacks. Whilst manufacturers have already successfully reduced the average quantity of salt in their recipes in the
past decades, the European market has witnessed a considerable drop in fat and saturated fats levels in the recent years thanks to the replacement of previously used frying oils with high-oleic oils (such as sunflower or rapeseed oils) or the use of new cooking techniques (e.g. air-popped snacks or oven-baked snacks). To further improve the nutritional composition of the products, snacks makers also increasingly include fibre- and protein-rich ingredients such as pulses to develop the market for healthier options. Moreover, in response to growing consumers’ demands, manufacturers are increasingly including natural ingredients in their recipes. This commitment to “clean ingredients” is set to be one of the major products innovation trend for the years to come. ESA members recognise their responsibility as advertisers and have endorsed guidelines on commercial communication and vending, supporting initiatives to develop and spread
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