There is a strong undercurrent being driven by customers. Everyone knows it, but not everyone gets it. These days, “health is truly wealth”. Health conscious customers are dictating menus and shifts in healthier alternatives in food ingredients.
Rightly so, given that forecasts from the National Health and Medical Research Council (2013) predict that by 2025, 83% of men and 75% of women aged 20 years or more will be overweight or obese – linking sugar as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic.
Heralding the health movement is café champion Natvia. Its natural sweetener phenomenon has infiltrated the hearts of coffee worshippers, and is now generating groundswell support from the masses – beyond the cup.
The market for naturally-derived ingredients has grown strongly in recent years due to the shift in consumer awareness, of the importance of nutrition and healthy eating. Natvia Director Sam Tew thinks that their products can be part of the solution.
There are believed to be over 14,000 man made chemicals added to food today. While most of these are well-tested and harmless, a number have come under fire recently, causing product recalls and at times major protests around the world due to harmful chemical additives.
Three years on, Natvia is reaching new heights. Working with other food brands, they are now able to provide customers healthier alternatives and cafés with food products that satisfy the demand.
Tew is modest about Natvia’s latest wins. Today, Natvia is an ingredient within several food items, including Fountain Smart Sauces (barbecue and tomato sauces), a variety of drinking chocolates with Vitarium (kids’ range strawberry, banana, chocolate, hot chocolate, mocha and latte) all easily found at your local grocery shop.
Tew confesses, “Our goal is to spread the health revolution and change as many people’s lives as we can.
“Part of this program is to work with partners to develop healthier food alternatives that cafés can serve or customers can find at their local grocery.
“We want to provide great tasting products to your palate without compromising on the ingredients.”
Tew adds, “We have been fortunate to have found great partners who share our dream of a health revolution.”
Like a light bulb moment, Tew looks up and says, “We want to ask our café partners and food partners one question – ARE YOU IN?”
Tew is simply asking café owners, manufacturers, roasters and customers to join in the health crusade fuelling his mission.
Like a prophet, Tew and his team are spreading the news on Natvia and healthier food alternatives. Judging from Natvia’s previous performance on the coffee scene with the World Barista Championships – they will have a strong following.
For more information regarding Natvia and products with Natvia, please visit www.natvia.com.au or email info@natvia.com.au
