By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Guest Blogger

Health and wellness concerns will continue to be the overriding theme for 2009 for consumers in their food purchases, although economic conditions also will be uppermost in consumers’ minds as they strive to cut their food bills.

That’s the analysis of Diane Toops, news and trends editor for Food Processing.com, in an article “Consumer Trends for 2009.”

More specifically, Toops indicates, these trends will predominate.

Consumers want:

• To be in control of their choices, even in a recession. Companies that give consumers what they want or give them the freedom to customize their purchases will do well.

• Simplicity and purity. Manufacturers will focus on clear ingredient labels and products, emphasizing fresh, clean, and pure as essential values.

• To regain trust in the safety of the food supply. Reassuring consumers that they’re acting in the customers’ best interest will become a primary concern for businesses.

• To save money. Companies will provide premium meals that will be an alternative to going out.

• Fun-to-eat foods that lift the spirits. Companies will launch products to lighten the consumer’s mood.

Boomers will be of particular interest to businesses, Joan Holleran, director of research for Mintel, a marketing and research firm, is quoted as saying in the article. Companies will move beyond traditional “old age” products and services to ones that embrace the active, healthy lifestyles of many older consumers.

Healthy products will continue to be emphasized in new product development particularly foods with added health benefits for boomers as well as babies and seniors, according to Toon.

As boomers age, stress on bones and joints becomes more evident. Functional health ingredients for joint health and fortification with vitamin D and calcium will continue to grow in consumer products.

Other trends to meet the interest of consumers in healthy food will be:

• More whole grains.

• Healthy ingredients from the sea.

• The continued use of nuts and seeds in foods, such as snack bars.

• Energy drinks to help people relax.

• Supplement, mineral, and flavonoid laden food and drinks to enhance beauty and fight aging.

• Drinks to help people detoxify and remove harmful chemicals and substances from their bodies.

• Food and drinks with stevia, a natural sweetener with no calories.

• More eco foods and drinks.

• An increase in the use of flower flavors in food and beverages.

• A growing number of “brain-health” products.

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