The food industry is upgrading itself to personalize mass-produced food by prioritizing customer demands, to delivering better products and services to revolutionize the market.     

FREMONT, CA: Stepping into the digital era, the food and beverages industry has taken a swift turn towards the trend of personalization. Advanced technology and food make an unconventional combination, which has paired up to offer some of the most innovative products to consumers worldwide. Personalization gives a competitive advantage in every industry, and the food industry is characterized by customers with widely varying preferences based on several factors like nutrition, taste and packaging, making personalization even more valuable. F&B companies are now formulating ways to incorporate advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, and data analytics into product development and on-demand delivery, giving new dimensions to business prospects featuring customization.  

Established companies in the food sector are aware of the growing demand for personalized products. The trend is visible for packaged food, as well as for on-demand delivery items. This has led to a series of mergers and acquisitions where startups with technological proficiency and innovative capabilities are being taken over by bigger and more popular companies. From supplying expertise in managing online orders to extending automation facilities, food-tech companies do it all.  

Previously, the product development phase in the food industry involved a limited amount of research and planning, following which products were approved for testing and production. Now, the approach is changing. Big and small players today have the opportunity to leverage the power of data to develop products intelligently. Gaining market insights is becoming easier with vendors supplying data in ready-to-use formats, which can be processed to learn about the behavioral traits of consumers across international markets. Today, algorithms can throw up details regarding which community prefers which ingredients in their stew, or which seasonal fruit is more preferred in salads. Information is getting granular, enabling the food companies to customize platters like never before.

Consciousness about the health impact of food is leading to an increasing preference for healthy diets. Here as well, there are opportunities for the food industry to supply customers with personalization. The inclination towards mass-produced, unhealthy junk food is now being replaced with nutrition-laced options. Several food startups are playing a pivotal role in delivering services that cater to customers in a way that is highly efficient and organized. Plant-based diets, vegan food, keto-diets, completely organic cuisines are all available today through vendors who deliver freshly-made dishes on-demand through online platforms. Individuals today, expect the market to provide them with exactly what the doctor prescribes as the rate of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart issues are on the rise. Through several levels of personalization, food companies are helping clients make a healthy transformation feasible and quality food accessible.

Apart from the role technology has been playing in driving food delivery and order management platforms to push personalization and customization to a higher level, it has also helped them craft ways to improve packaging. Branding and packaging form an integral part of the food industry. As popular trends drive the industry towards better services, packaging has started making a difference. Informed customers prefer sustainable and environment-friendly packing. On top of that, companies have been trying to induce a higher level of personalization through the addition of photographs, names and other personal details. Customized, user-friendly and organic packagings are leading the way in enhancing the personalization experience for customers.

With the technology of 3D printing creating a buzz, the food industry is looking forward to another revolutionary that will enhance on-demand food services. Vendors can look forward to increased brand value, growing revenues and better customer engagement with personalization calling the shots in the food and beverages sector.