At one of the food industry’s largest and most notable tradeshows last week, the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo, food manufacturers gathered to show off the top trends in the industry. Among the major consumer trends, according to Innova Market Insights, are several notions that vegetarian food businesses are well positioned to take advantage of, including :

• Clean label. Health conscious consumers want ingredients and labels that are simple, understandable, and fright-free, with words and ingredients that can be pronounced and understood.
• Sustainable. Consumers have an eye on the future and food’s impact on the environment.
• Home cooking. Recession driven eating means more dining in the home.
• Inherent nutrition. Manufacturers are focusing on products’ inherent health benefits and natural goodness rather than on specific health claims that require regulatory approval.
• Functional superstars. Healthy ingredients already approved for functional claims stay in the spotlight.
• Immunity. Spawned from last year’s H1N1 virus, foods that boost immunity draw consumer attention.
• New delivery for energy. With busy lives, consumers are looking for new ways to boost energy levels.
• “Free from.” Avoidance is the name of the game as “fat free,” “gluten free,” and a host of other “frees” continue to attract consumer interest.
• Extreme flavors. New and bold flavors strike a chord with consumers interested in extreme flavors.
• Real authenticity. Consumers want products based on ingredients from a specific region.