“Healthy Snacking” was identified as a leading trend by Convenience Store News at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Show, held May 23-25 in Chicago with Asparagus Chips and Brussel Sprouts Puffs noted as prime examples of new healthy offerings. The National Confectioner Association’s (NCA) pick for the top salty snack at the show was Gouda & Romano Cheese Quinoa Chips, which capitalizes on the healthy image of quinoa.

The healthy trend was also identified in a Nielsen Co. study published last month which found that consumers scored cauliflower, avocado with black bean, and coconut chips as top 10 “non-traditional ingredients.”  In releasing the results of this latest study, Nielsen explained that these high scoring non-traditional ingredients put a more health-conscious twist on the traditional potato chip.  This latest study combined with the trends identified at the recent Convenience Store News Show demonstrate consumers’ continued appetite for “healthy” foods and sets the stage for continued innovation in the production and marketing of “healthy” foods.

That being said, the current trend towards healthy snacks could potentially be impacted by possible changes to FDA’s “healthy” definition.  (See previous coverage here, noting that FDA is currently considering industry comments on how best to redefine the term “healthy”).