lifestyle

Modern Lifestyle Is Increasingly Challenging, Consumers Are Increasingly Careful In Choosing Nutritious Food Products

Along with changes in people's lifestyles that increasingly prioritize health, demand for food products has also shifted significantly. People are now increasingly aware of nutritious and healthy intake, rather than just being tasty or filling. According to the Director of the Southeast Asian Food & Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFEST) Center, Bogor Agricultural University, Puspo Edi Giriwono, today, consumers are not only looking for food that can fill them up, but also those that can provide long-term health benefits. This is reflected in the increasing demand for food products that do not only meet calorie needs. Consumers are also looking for food needs that contain ingredients that support body health. In Puspa's view, today's consumer needs are not only about being full, but also related to health. In this context, nutritional information on food product packaging is very important because consumers are increasingly aware of what they consume. Every ingredient contained in a food product, from basic ingredients to additives, must support the goal of creating healthy food. Puspo said that in recent years, there has been an increase in demand for functional food ingredients that offer health benefits beyond just meeting basic nutritional needs. "We see this year after year, the increase in functional food or functional ingredients is very important," he said. 

In addition to meeting calorie needs, these products also provide additional benefits such as reducing the risk of disease or supporting digestive health. This makes consumers more careful in choosing the food they consume. The public, he continued, also understands the nutritional information listed better, which is an important step to ensure they get the desired benefits. Along with the busyness of modern life, consumers increasingly need food that is practical, quick to prepare, and safe. Therefore, Puspo emphasized the importance of providing practical food that can be prepared in a short time without sacrificing quality and safety. 

With the increasing demand for easily accessible products such as ready-to-eat meals, manufacturers are faced with the challenge of providing food that is not only practical but also nutritious. It should not be overlooked that the safety of raw materials and food additives used in ready-to-eat products is very important and must be ensured through rigorous testing. Ultimately, the main goal in food development is to reduce the risk of disease including lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. "By improving the quality of available food, including reducing calorie, sugar, salt, and fat content, and adding functional ingredients that can support health, we can reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in society," he added. To that end, Puspo emphasized that in the future, innovation is needed in developing healthier and more practical food products. This is needed to support the healthy lifestyle of people who are increasingly aware of nutritional values. For that, collaboration between producers, consumers, and government institutions is important in ensuring the availability of delicious, nutritious, and safe food for health. 

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Tag: Lifestyle Puspo Edi Giriwono SEAFEST