As a food business owner, it always pays off to be clued into the latest foodie trends and inspirations. Some trends that are here to stay eventually take root into communities and society at large as culture. Therefore, it always pays to stay alert towards trends.
Here’s a few trends coming up in 2025 that every food business entrepreneur should not miss out on:
Back in the days, the cheapest supplier was often the best pick for keeping costs low. These days, industry opinion has taken a drastic turn, moving towards supporting local homegrown brands and businesses, especially ones from the local communities. Not only do you give back to the local economy by sourcing from nearby providers, it’ll also help reduce your carbon footprint incurred from logistics and shipping.
Environmentally-conscious packaging and zero wastage will be key phrases moving forward — not only does this apply to packaging for takeout boxes and the like, it also applies to food waste produced in the kitchen itself. Menus these days look towards incorporating upcycling, for instance, reusing byproducts of fruits and vegetables by creatively incorporating them into menu items. At the same time, eliminate plastic waste by switching over to biodegradable packaging and compostable materials. In Malaysia, look no further than Circlepac and Eco Food Packaging to get you started on the long road to a sustainable business.
Defined as food that provides additional nutrients for health-promoting functions and reduces the risk of development of several chronic disorders, functional foods are the way forward for health-conscious consumers. This trend first started with superfoods, and has now grown to include probiotics that can introduce holistic wellness to diets. Take a look at La Juiceria as an example. Providing delicious and healthy cold-pressed juice, they are dedicated to providing real food with natural ingredients. Thanks to them, eating well has become more accessible for everyone while still curated to fit the Malaysians’ taste! La Juiceria’s success for more than a decade is the perfect example that functional food and beverage are going to continue having an important place in consumer’s minds.
These days, it’s not uncommon for restaurants and cafes to offer vegan or alternative options to dairy. You will see plant-based ingredients in menus – from basic soy milk to fragrant almond milk, or even coconut yogurt. Some might be hesitant to try plant-based meats due to the unfamiliar manufacturing process. However, consuming beans, legumes, and vegetables as-is in healthy bowls has raised in popularity, making it an easy choice moving forward. RightSide is a fast-food restaurant that offers plant-based burgers, tacos, and milkshakes. With its bright, welcoming interior and attractive menu, it is only a matter of time before this diet option becomes widely acceptable.
With rising awareness of the processes of making ultra-processed foods, consumers have grown more aware of ingredients such as refined sugars, fats and salts. In general, food consumption has shifted more towards healthy eating and a return to basic, real ingredients that can be identified on plate. Healthy menus with zero trans-fat, low sodium and gluten-free products are just the tip of the iceberg of what is offered in the market these days, and it does pay to be up-to-date on these trends in your own food business as well.
Harness the trends and don’t let yourself get swept helplessly away in the waves of change. For more tips and tricks, sign up as a BizPartner today!
Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner
