Innovations and snacks: Flavoring for taste

The snacking market in France is undergoing a significant transformation. Consumer habits are changing, with people seeking products that are not only convenient and flavorful but also aligned with their health concerns. In this context, flavoring is becoming a key lever for manufacturers wishing to meet the expectations of an increasingly demanding public. By developing innovative flavors for their snack ranges, they can hope to attract consumers by offering unique, indulgent, and healthy taste experiences.

Snack market: What are the new consumer expectations?

The snack market in France has evolved over the past few years. While snacks continue to appeal, many consumers are paying close attention to the products they purchase. Increasingly mindful of their well-being, consumers are seeking alternatives with high nutritional value—without compromising indulgence. Snack products that stand out today are those that successfully combine balance, indulgence and convenience.

Current trends are increasingly driven by interest in products with reduced sugar, fat, or salt content, as well as snacks made with plant-based ingredients. At the same time, interest in more exotic flavors and protein-enriched products—especially plant-based ones—is growing.

This is where flavoring comes into its own. Indeed, careful work on flavors for snacks allows manufacturers to create taste profiles that meet new consumer demands while respecting their nutritional expectations.

New trends in snacks and flavors

A search for healthy, low-fat snacks

French consumers are looking for gourmet snacks that are low in sugar and fat. To develop this type of product, it can therefore be strategic to rely on active solutions such as: 

• Acti’Boost Fat, which simulates the sensation of fat without incorporating it
• Acti’Boost Sweet, which reduces the sugar content in snacks without sacrificing the desired sweetness

Plant-based proteins in snacks

Plant-based proteins, such as those derived from peas, soy or rice, are experiencing significant growth in the snack industry. However, these proteins can sometimes produce unpleasant flavors, such as bitter or earthy notes. This is where the Acti’Mask active solution comes in, designed to adjust the perception of these unwanted flavors. This solution makes it possible to create plant-based protein snacks while maintaining a pleasant taste that appeals to a broad consumer base.

A consumer in search of exotic and indulgent flavors

Exotic and indulgent flavors, such as yuzu and mango, are becoming increasingly popular in snacks. These flavors respond to a growing demand for products that offer new taste experiences.

Snacking: Above all, a comforting indulgence

Despite the pursuit of healthier eating, snacks remain a product that must evoke comfort for many consumers. Chocolate, cinnamon and caramel flavors remain highly popular, as they provide both gustatory and emotional satisfaction. The challenge now lies in creating lighter snacks that highlight these flavors. Thanks to its expertise in creating flavor signatures for health foods, Metarom offers tailored solutions to create new snack recipes that meet consumer nutritional requirements.

Metarom: Flavor expertise serving the snack industry

Metarom stands out for its expertise in flavoring and its tailored support for food industry manufacturers. The company has unique expertise in developing flavors and active solutions tailored to a wide range of products, including snacks.

Whether you're looking for natural flavors for cereal products or active solutions, Metarom can help you meet consumers' new expectations in terms of taste and nutrition. The company helps its customers formulate products that are healthy, indulgent and optimized for sensory performance.

To achieve this, Metarom's approach focuses on two main areas:

• Optimizing taste perception

By altering taste perception, Metarom enhances your products by reducing sugar and fat content without compromising enjoyment.

• Adapting flavors to new trends

Metarom anticipates market needs by creating innovative flavor profiles in the snack sector, from exotic flavors to comforting notes.

The snack sector in France is undergoing a major transformation, driven by growing demand for healthier and tastier products. Flavoring plays a crucial role in this transformation, providing manufacturers with new opportunities to meet consumer expectations while respecting their nutritional requirements. With its expertise in creating flavor signatures, natural flavors and active solutions, Metarom positions itself as a preferred partner to support you in developing snacks aligned with future trends.

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