Moderated by FoodNavigator-USA Senior Correspondent Ryan Daly, “Elevating Healthy Snacks: Meeting the Demand for Function, Taste and Format” will feature a panel discussion on how brands are meeting the demand for healthier, more nutritious products through innovation on July 10 at 11 a.m. CST.
The webinar panel will include snack brand founders, innovators, market analysts and investors from the healthy snacking industry.
- Shelley Frey, Vice President of Total Wellness at NielsenIQ
- Mark Washington, Founder and CEO of Supergut
- Peter Barrick, CEO of Rivalz
- Samir Ozavar, SVP of Strategy and Innovation at Cibo Vita
- Melissa Dolan, Director at Emil Capital Partners
GLP-1 Drugs Elevate U.S. Health Debate
Opening the webinar exploring the macro trends impacting the snacking sector, Flay will share insights from NielsenIQ’s Snacknomics research which shows that healthful snacks are driving market growth as consumers seek products that meet their taste buds, nutritional needs and budget.
Recently, Frey spoke at the “Food as Medicine” event in Chicago, where he discussed how the arrival of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy has changed the conversation about obesity and health in the United States.
GLP-1 drugs have been touted as a possible solution to the obesity and diabetes epidemic in the U.S. Proponents of GLP-1 drugs claim they can help consumers lose weight by significantly suppressing appetite, while opponents question the drug’s price and worry about side effects.
In a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey of over 1,400 consumers, 12% of consumers said they had tried a GLP-1 drug and 6% said they were currently taking a GLP-1 drug. Additionally, 62% of consumers said they were taking a drug to treat a chronic condition such as diabetes or heart disease, and about 40% said they were taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss.
Healthy snacks respond to GLP-1 effects
Large CPG companies like Nestle are following the GLP-1 trend. The CPG giant recently launched its Lean Cuisine line of frozen meals for people taking GLP-1 medications. Snack brands are also leaning into the demand for GLP-1 benefits, releasing products that mirror some of the medication’s benefits.
With a portfolio of snack bars and powders, Supergut has found success in the market, serving as a complement to treatment plans and an outlet to Ozempic and Wegobee, and was recently launched as part of the GLP-1 section in GNC stores nationwide.
Additionally, salty snack brand Rivalz is tapping into the demand for products that drive satiety with a portfolio of protein- and fiber-rich snacks made possible through patented extrusion technology.
During the webinar, Washington and Barrick will discuss how GLP-1 trends have evolved and how consumers are seeking products that promote satiety and gut health. Ozavar will also discuss how Cibo Vita is capitalizing on the demand for probiotic-rich foods with its Probiotic Yogis, fruit bites made with its proprietary encapsulation technology.
How are brands weathering the financial crunch?
While healthy snacks are capitalizing on interest in gut health and GLP-1, food and beverage startups face challenges securing enough capital to expand amid high interest rates and low levels of venture capital funding.
Washington previously said Supergut has made a series of cuts to streamline its operations and expand into GNC stores, and the brand is in fundraising mode to fuel further growth.
At Expo West, Dolan shared his thoughts on the current state of venture capital funding, noting that brands that survive next year will be in line for better investment prospects.
“The past 12 months have been full of pessimism. [and] The funding environment is really tough. The good news is that consumer products aren’t going away, and we’re going to see strategic players come in within the next two to three years. [large CPG companies] “— we’re looking to acquire related brands again, so if we can just keep our heads up and get through this year, there’s a lot of light at the end of the tunnel,” Dolan previously told FoodNavigator-USA.
