New product development is the primary goal for R&D efforts this year for 41% of the 409 food and beverage processors that responded to the annual Food Processing R&D survey, which was conducted in March. Product line extensions and existing-product improvement are most important for 16% and 14% of respondents, respectively. Cost control was the most cited issue impacting R&D strategies this year, followed by “cleaning up labels and reducing ingredients.” Nearly 47% of respondents plan to remove sodium from products this year, 29% plan to eliminate added sugars and 25% plan to add fiber. When asked to list the major issues they will face over the next few years, 52% of respondents named “healthier/better-for-you foods” and 51% cited “following consumer trends.” Respondents indicated that it took an average of 8.7 months to bring a product to market, although 38% of respondents said it took almost a year. R&D budgets this year are comparable to last year for 48% of respondents, higher for 25% and lower for 17%. Compared with last year, 57% of respondents said employment in their departments is similar, 25% said it is higher and 18% said it is lower.

Source: Food Processing