Food Sector Faces A New Reality As Health Trends And Supply Risks Take Centre Stage

The food and drink industry is being reshaped at pace, with fresh consumer habits and ongoing supply-chain turbulence top of mind for leaders across the sector.

Image: Food Manufacture

At the recent Business Leaders’ Forum held earlier this month, Lumina Intelligence’s insights manager Liv Warren set out three key pressures driving change: health trends, supply-chain risks, and shifting ideas of value.

Consumer Behaviour

On the health front, Warren highlighted a major swing in consumer behaviour. After years of plant-based enthusiasm, there’s a renewed appetite for meat and wholefoods, alongside growing interest in high-protein and nutrient-rich choices.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are under closer scrutiny too, with more people looking for foods that serve a purpose — not just fill a plate.

Weight-loss Jabs

Perhaps the biggest talking point was the rise of weight-loss jabs based on GLP-1 medications. While still in the early stages in the UK, these drugs are expected to gain traction as they become more affordable and accessible.

Research presented at the forum shows nearly one in five UK consumers is either using, has used, or is considering GLP-1 treatment — something that’s already prompting category shifts in retail and foodservice as businesses plan for smaller appetites and more nutrient-dense options.

Retailers and restaurants are already responding. From nutrient-focused ready meals to smaller portion menus in high-end venues, the industry is beginning to adapt to a future where calorie counts and function matter more than ever.

Supply Chain Disruption

Supply disruption was another clear theme at the forum, where Warren described “disruption” as the new normal. Climate extremes — such as droughts and heavy rainfall — have already cost more than a year’s worth of global bread supply and sent cocoa prices surging.

These cost pressures are prompting both product innovation and a renewed focus on resilience, from alternative ingredients to creative product reformulation.

Shifting Values

Finally, the concept of value is shifting. It’s no longer just about low price points — consumers increasingly see value in quality, craft and customisation, and are willing to pay a premium for products that deliver on those fronts.

Ultimately, he trends highlighted by Lumina at the forum suggest the UK food sector is entering a period of rapid evolution. From health-driven reformulation to weather-related supply shocks and changing consumer expectations, manufacturers and retailers alike are having to think differently about how they innovate and compete.