Western Europe

Child and juvenile obesity remains a significant concern in Spain, which had one of the highest rates in Europe in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. Indeed, the World Obesity Atlas 2023, a report published by the World Obesity…

Sugary soft drinks have become a particularly strong focus for concerns about the rise in childhood obesity across many markets. The issue of childhood obesity is particularly pressing in Spain, with research from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III…

Sugar has become a primary focus of consumer health concerns in recent years, as a high sugar intake has increasingly been associated with a wide range of health issues, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In particular, sugary snacks have…

Despite holding a low overall value sales share within Spanish hot drinks, demand for organic options rose strongly in 2023. The most significant factor limiting stronger demand for organic products is their higher price points compared to standard…

Although Spanish consumers still had to tighten their belts in 2023 due to high inflationary pressures, various health and wellness dairy products and alternatives witnessed growth during the year. Demand for low fat/no fat claims stabilised in 2023,…

A key development in health and wellness trends across national markets and product packaged food categories at the end of the review period was the increasing alignment of health concerns with ethical considerations around issues such as…

The health and wellness industry continues to gain greater significance overall, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, as consumers have become more cognisant of the negative impact of processed food and a range of drinks on their health and…

Health and wellness continued to be a key driver of innovation and sales in staple foods during 2023, as consumers looked to invest in food and drink that could prevent long-term health problems while supporting daily wellness goals. Health awareness…

Health and wellness concerns are increasing across Ireland, shaping buying habits within staple foods. Consumers are looking to improve nutritional content, avoid artificial ingredients, and reduce high sugar and fat levels. As consumers have changed…

High fibre remained the leading health and wellness claim in staple foods in Greece in 2023. Many consumers look for high fibre products to compensate for the deficiency in their fibre intake from vegetables, especially as increasingly hectic…

The number of people adopting vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diets is growing in France. While still somewhat underdeveloped as compared to neighbouring markets such as the UK and Germany, this trend has gained momentum in recent years, primarily…

Health and wellness trends are becoming increasingly aligned with ethical considerations in consumer purchasing decisions. Consumers are becoming more concerned about social and environmental sustainability, climate impact and animal welfare, as well…

With the health and wellness trend gathering momentum on an annual basis in Belgium, Nutri-Scores have been gaining in importance across packaged food categories, including staple foods. In general, local consumers are seeking out staple products…

Health and wellness trends continued to rise on the soft drinks landscape in 2023, having been bolstered by concerns surrounding COVID-19, which reinvigorated focus on health and preventing long-term illnesses. Health concerns have, therefore,…

Aligned with the rising demand for healthier options, consumers in Ireland are looking for practical, convenient ways to boost their nutritional intake. Fortified soft drink options have become increasingly appealing, with products offering…

Sugar has become a key focus of consumer health concerns on the back of increasing publicity around the role of excessive sugar consumption in the development of a range of health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Sugary…

Retail volume sales of organic soft drinks in France declined for a second consecutive year in 2023, and at a steeper rate than in 2022. This was driven by a second consecutive year of elevated inflation with living costs continuing to rise and…

No sugar was the leading health and wellness claim in soft drinks in Denmark in 2023. Sugar has become a key focus of consumer health concerns in recent years, supported by scientific research and media coverage focusing on the role of excessive…

As obesity and general health and wellness are growing concerns amongst the Belgian population, low and no sugar soft drinks are becoming more popular and are taking sales share from regular soft drinks. Sugar, and particularly sugary soft drinks,…

Vegan snacks recorded the strongest retail value sales in 2023, with triple-digit growth seen from vegan confectionery, savoury snacks, ice cream and sugar confectionery. There is an ongoing rise in vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diets in the…