Rise of RTE & RTD Products

Snacks have become increasingly popular over the past few years and even become a meal replacement in many instances, with Millennials and Gen Zs blurring the lines between meals and snacks. Between the cultural shift to dual-income families and the overall desire for convenience, the demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-drink (RTD) products has never been higher.

RTD products are very straightforward; the term refers to drinks that are pre-mixed, blended, or prepared, meaning that they are “ready-to-drink.” Examples of RTD beverages are bottled coffees, canned seltzers, juices, and so on.

RTE products have a wider variety and encompass many food items, and can be shelf-stable, refrigerated, served hot, or require some minimal heating. This means that RTE products can range from sandwiches and power bowls to canned soups and frozen meals. The goal is for the product to be as convenient as possible.

As the demand for RTE and RTD products has grown in the past few years, they’ve developed in many ways. Now, we’re finding RTE and RTD items with better ingredients, plant-based alternatives, culinary-forward options, and many that incorporate global flavours. In addition, as with supplements in the nutraceutical industry, some RTE and RTD products can assist consumers in bridging nutritional gaps in a convenient way. An example of this could be meal replacement protein bars or protein-enhanced water.

There are many more examples of RTE and RTD items, but the bottom line is that consumers are looking for convenience and willing to pay more for these products. Packaging can play a crucial role here by helping make the item more shelf-stable or stay fresh for longer.

You can find out more about the crucial role of packaging by contacting us here or request a quote online.

Source: Food Beverage Insider