Demand for ‘superfood' ingredients on the rise

EHL Ingredients, an importer, blender and packer of food ingredients, has seen a surge in demand for healthy ingredients during the past 12 months.

Ingredients dubbed ‘superfoods', such as chia seeds, have seen a 20% increase in popularity, alongside ginger (18%), almonds (15%), turmeric (10%) and lentils (20%).

A 2016 report by PwC showed that healthy eating is on the rise, with a large majority of millennials (18-34 year olds) changing their diet to include healthier options.

Christine Peers, sales director at EHL Ingredients, said: "The health benefits of these ingredients and the support of the media have led to a prominent surge in their popularity among the wholesalers and manufacturers we work with. People are seeking ways to live healthier lifestyles and are naturally looking to make changes to their diets to reap the health benefits associated with certain ingredients.

"Another benefit adding to the appeal of these ingredients is their versatility. Chia seeds are great as an easy breakfast addition, especially when added to porridge and yogurt, and lentils, nuts and ginger are fantastic in soups and curries. We expect to see a continued upward trend in sales and demand for products like these as the general public becomes more and more discerning when it comes to choosing healthy ingredients."

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