It is no surprise that consumers show loyalty and preference for brands that understand their concerns about health and wellness. Organic and natural foods are preferred by consumers all around the world for their health benefits – and many consumers do not mind the premium prices that come along with these products. While these consumer preferences offer an opportunity for food brands to innovate and expand, food suppliers, distributors and retailers are all challenged to extend the shelf life of natural and organic foods without compromising the real taste, texture or color of these goods.
For hundreds of years, people have turned to a range of traditional methods to keep foods fresh – methods such as salt curing, freezing, or the addition of chemical preservatives. While highly processed foods and preservatives work well with complex supply chains, they clearly are not favored by legions of consumers who prefer not only fresh foods, but transparency when it comes to their food sources.