Nut/Seed Snack Launches Rise, Due To Health Claims

Market researcher Innova reports that nuts and seeds accounted for more than 37 percent of new snack launches in 2013, up from 32 percent in 2008. Savory and salty snacks continued to dominate the category with 63 percent of launches. The main reason for the increase in new nut/seed snacks is the growing perception that nuts and seeds are nutritious and convenient. A third of global launches – 60 percent in the U.S. – of nut/seed snacks in 2013 used health as a marketing theme. About 19 percent of nut launches made organic, natural or additive-/preservative-free claims. Other popular claims were fiber, protein and low-sodium.