Consumer trends and food regulations are changing fast. Consumers increasingly prefer healthy, natural products, while remaining attentive to quality, price and practicality. At the same time, food companies have to comply with strict regulations, particularly in terms of food additives, to guarantee product safety and transparency.
Consumer priorities: quality, price and health
On a global scale, 2 out of 5 consumers prefer to make food choices that protect their health [1]. They are increasingly demanding and attentive to the quality of the products they consume, which must now be both tasty and healthy.
Consumers prioritize products offering nutritional benefits, thus contributing to their well-being. In fact, consumers consider health to be the most important area of development for new food products [1].
In addition to this health aspect, consumers are looking for more natural products, including shorter ingredient lists and more natural ingredients. They are also increasingly vigilant with regard to the presence of food additives [3].
In this search for healthier products, consumers are especially drawn to practicality, with a preference for easy-to-use products. Companies must therefore ensure that they meet these expectations, while taking into account the leading factor in purchasing decisions: price [2].
Changing regulations
At the same time, food companies are obliged to comply with regulations, particularly in terms of food additives. The latter are subject to the rules laid down by the European Union, and must state on their label the additives used in accordance with regulation no. 1333/2008, which has been in force since January 2010.
To date, European regulations on additives define maximum authorized doses for each of them. Their use must be transparent for the consumer, and the technological purpose for which they are used must be demonstrated.
It is interesting to note that the EFSA regularly re-evaluates the safety of certain additives. For example, titanium dioxide (E171), used as a colorant and for its anti-caking properties, has been subject to several regulatory changes. A 2017 study showed that inhalation of this additive caused tumors in rats, classifying it as a suspected human carcinogen. Its use has not been authorized in Europe since 2022 [3].
More generally, these regulations are subject to change following the recent publication of new scientific studies highlighting the impact of food additive consumption on health. Of particular interest are two studies conducted by the Cress-Eren nutritional epidemiology research team (comprising researchers from Inserm, INRAE, Sorbonne University, Université Paris Cité and Cnam). They have demonstrated the link between consumption of products containing emulsifiers (such as mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, carrageenans, modified starches, phosphates, etc.) and an increased risk of cancers (particularly breast and prostate cancer) [4], as well as cardiovascular disease [5].
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