Consumer interest in the healthfulness of the foods they eat has been growing for some time. Moreover, there is evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has only ramped up consumer interest in foods that deliver health benefits.
Data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI show which health claims grew the most — and the fastest — among what the market research company calls the “Dairy 15” — a wide-ranging grouping that includes milk, creamers, yogurt, ice cream, cheese, and several other subcategories. For the 52 weeks ending April 17, 2022, Dairy 15 products featuring claims of no/low/less sugar grew the most, up 11.3% to $2.8 billion in sales, followed by GMO-related claims (up 9.3% to $3.3 billion), lactose-related claims (up 5.4% to $3.7 billion) and natural sweetener claims (up 9.8% to nearly $2 billion).