Downturn Means US Food Industry Delays Launching New Products

The number of new food and beverage products launched in the US has dropped by 29%, a result of the global financial crisis.

New launches in 2009 accounted for 15,675 while the figure was 21,555 in 2008 against 22,241 in 2007, consumer behaviour research firm Mintel said.

In the snacks category, product launches dropped by 34% in 2009 to 1,568.

Categories including sugar/gum/confectionary also witnessed a fall of 44% down to 691 launches, while dairy finished with 43% fall launching 748 products.

The other sectors that saw a fall include: baby food (-43%, 125 launches); chocolate confectionary (-37%, 960 launches); savoury spreads (-36%, 170 launches); and non-alcoholic beverages (-34%, 2,083 launches).