Food safety will have the most impact on R&D strategies this year, according to 47% of the 514 food and beverage processors that responded to the annual Food Processing R&D survey, which was conducted in March. “Contributing to cost reduction” and “organic/natural” were the top answers for 23% and 10% of respondents, respectively, when asked what would have the most impact on R&D. When asked about the most important goal for R&D efforts in 2013, 48% of respondents said “truly new products,” 18% said improving current products and 13% said cost control. Sodium and added sugars are the ingredients that 39% and 27% of respondents, respectively, plan to remove this year. When asked to choose the key issues they will face over the next few years, 52% of respondents cited “healthier/better-for-you foods” and 50% each cited consumer trends and regulatory issues. When asked about the time frame of introducing a product to market, 31% cited “nearly a year,” 31% said six months and 21% said three months. R&D budgets for 2013 are “about the same as last year” for 51% of respondents, more for 22% and less for 13%.

Source: Food Processing