“Cargill has been active in the nutrition space for more than 40 years through early childhood nutrition, and today one in 10 infants consumes products containing Cargill ingredients,” he said at the recent Vitafoods trade show.
“Early childhood nutrition education gave us a foundation, and we want to expand on that.”
Boetsche explained that the early childhood nutrition sector is evolving towards more sustainable options.
“People are looking for improved sustainability and we are answering that call with algae-derived DHA as a sustainable alternative to fish-derived DHA,” he noted.
However, he explained that there are several barriers to using algae, including fluctuations in market growth and the impact of COVID-19.
“The period of uncertainty around market figures is coming to an end, but after a big boom since the start of the pandemic, the market is starting to stagnate,” he noted.
But despite the recent market contraction, algae’s growth potential remains attractive in the long term, Boetsche explained.
“People tend to focus on what’s close by and on new products, but the impact of change is only seen in a year or two, and we usually underestimate the impact something will have over the next decade,” he noted.
“DHA is one of those ingredients that we’re going to see more and more of in infant formulas, nutritional supplements, and other products.”
Sports Nutrition
Cargill also exhibited pea proteins engineered to have high solubility, emulsification and binding properties for sports nutrition products.
The sports nutrition consumer base is expanding, explained Boetsche, noting that sports nutrition, traditionally focused on muscle recovery, is evolving to cater to a wider range of active lifestyles.
“This shift means formulators are starting to incorporate a wider range of ingredients, including not only specialized proteins but also carbohydrates, fiber and healthy oils,” he noted. “Our goal is to help our customers create formulations that support their active lifestyles.”
Targeting consumers
Boetsche explained that Cargill needs to target both the supplements and fortified foods segments because each targets different consumer groups.
“Supplement takers tend to have a greater understanding of specific health benefits and prefer targeted solutions, while foods with comprehensive health benefits appeal to consumers looking for a daily nutritional boost,” he noted.
As Boetsche explained, fortified foods could encourage consumers to become more educated about their health benefits and use supplements.
“Many consumers are interested in health benefits and behavior change, but changing behavior can be very difficult,” he added.
Healthy Aging
Consumers are increasingly concerned with extending their lifespan and ensuring that it is healthy, Boetsche explained.
While immunity remains a concern, financial considerations due to inflation also play a large role in consumer decision-making, Boetsche explained, noting that overall there is an emphasis on moving away from immunity alone to a more holistic approach to health.
“As people age, health becomes a primary concern and, coupled with the influence of digitalisation, which allows health information to be easily monitored and accessed through apps and the internet, the trend of living longer and healthier will continue to grow,” he noted.
“These gradual changes in healthy ageing trends will accumulate over the years and become increasingly mainstream. There is definitely an opportunity to contribute to the broader community.”
