10 Trends Shaping the Food & Beverage Industry in 202510 Trends Shaping the Food & Beverage Industry in 2025

Every year, research groups publish their top trends in the food & beverage industry. In the last four or five years, they have been practically the same: less processed foods, plant-based ingredients, ready-to-drink cocktails, ethnic flavors, and more.

For 2025, Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute released its Food, Beverage & Supplement Innovation Trends. The Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI), announces the launch of its 10 Key Health and Nutrition trends for 2025, offering insights into the future of food and beverage innovation. Developed with insights from an industry network of over 100 scientific experts, including nutritionists, food scientists, sustainability leaders, regulatory specialists and more. This open access report offers a glimpse at the scientific developments that will shape nutrition innovation in 2025, with a subject matter expert opinion spotlighted per trend.    

“This report shows us that areas like healthy aging, reducing sodium and understanding the microbiome are all areas where science is evolving,” said Dr. Aoife Marie Murphy of KHNI. “These trends can inform new product innovation, delivering the health benefits that consumers are looking for, while also considering taste, affordability and sustainability.” 

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KHNI, now in its 10^th year, was established to advance ‘Science for Healthier Food.’ In the seventh edition of its Health & Nutrition Trends, the KHNI presents the latest breakthroughs in research, technology, product development, and consumer behavior that are shaping the future of the food industry.

The megatrend, Sustainable Nutrition, influences each of the key health and nutrition trends, which include:  

10 Key Health & Nutrition Trends for 2025

1. Accessible Nutrition

Ensuring nutritious food is affordable and available to everyone, regardless of income or location. Focus on affordable, nutrient-dense ingredients to combat hunger.  

2. Weight Management & Satiety

Increasing demand for satiety-boosting foods and the rise of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications are driving innovation for weight management.  

3. Healthy Aging & Longevity

Enhancing longevity and quality of life for ageing adults through distinct nutrition formulations that prioritize taste. 

4. Targeted Nutrition

Personalized dietary solutions addressing unique health needs, leveraging AI and biological data for tailored nutrition plans.  

5. Processing Paradox

Processed foods can enable safe, sustainable, convenient foods; however nutritional quality must be prioritized to address public health challenges. 

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6. Microbiome

Targeting the microbiome can unlock benefits beyond digestive health. Microbiome modulators such as diet, probiotics, postbiotics, and more offer opportunities for product innovation.  

7. Women’s Health

Addressing the distinct nutritional needs across women’s life stages, with a focus on hormonal balance and mental well-being through specific ingredients. 

8. Sodium Reduction

Increasing global regulatory pressure to reduce salt has spurred innovation in taste modulation and customized solutions. 

9. Policy Shifts

Stricter regulations like front-of-pack labelling and taxes on unhealthy foods are driving the food industry toward healthier and more sustainable practices. 

10. Biotechnology for the Future of Food

Advancements in microbiology, bioprocessing, and artificial intelligence are transforming how we produce food, making it smarter, more efficient and more sustainable.

As well, KHNI listed five key focus areas under the Sustainability mega trend.

Key Focus Areas for Sustainable Nutrition in 2025

Nutrient-dense diets: Encouraging diets rich in essential nutrients like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will tackle malnutrition while supporting overall health.

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Regenerative agriculture: Emphasizing farming practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and improve water cycles will not only enhance food security but also contribute to environmental sustainability.

Food waste reduction: From production to plate, strategies to reduce waste at all supply chain stages are key. This includes better storage solutions, improved logistics, consumer education and even upcycling waste products into taste products (e.g., sterilization of waste streams like spent grain or coffee).

Quantified impact: As net zero carbon targets and green claims grow, so does the need for measurable impact. Fast-changing regulations such as CSRD reporting have led to greater environmental accountability at a corporate and product level. The industry must embrace and invest in metrics to earn credibility and a justified place in the sustainability conversation.

Resilient supply chains: War, climate change, crop disease and economic instability impact the supply of certain commodity crops, leading to price increases. In 2024, cocoa supply fell by 11%, due to swollen shoot virus, soil degradation and illegal gold mining, resulting in a 300% price jump. Invisible innovations, such as rebalancing ingredients with taste extracts, will help maintain food supply and affordability.

In addition to the Sustainable Nutrition mega trend, research group ResearchandMarkets has named 4 additional mega trends:

The ResearchandMarkets report brief also lists 10 key trends under the mega trend umbrella to include:

KHNI’s commitment to advance and apply the science behind healthier food choices is supported by more than 1,100 Kerry scientists, external collaborators, and a Scientific Advisory Council composed of leading experts in health and nutrition.

The institute communicates scientific breakthroughs to the industry through credible, evidence-based resources, equipping food and beverage leaders with insights to navigate the evolving landscape of taste and nutrition.  

What This Means

Both Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute and ResearchandMarkets lists reveal the same thing: Food sustainability is at the top of consumers' minds and will likely stay. Foods geared toward the microbiome, women's health, and the others named above will be most sought after. Manufacturers should prepare for these trends where and when possible.

For instance, Nestlé has launched a new Boost drink that it says suppresses hunger and promotes GLP-1 production, tapping into the weight loss measures craze. As well, the food giant also recently launched a new brand called Vital Pursuit for consumers taking GLP-1 medications and other individuals focusing on weight management. The pizzas, sandwiches, and bowls offer convenience, taste, portion size, and delivering much-needed nutrients such as protein and fiber.

Conagra Brands also launched a new line under its Healthy Choice Brand. The line will feature an "On Track" badge on 26 select items, indicating that the products are high in protein, low calorie, and a good source of fiber, which make them "GLP-1 friendly."