Formulation of Meal Boxes for Health-Conscious Consumers | Foodresearchlab

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FORMULATION OF MEAL BOXES FOR
HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS
An Academic presentation by Dr. Nancy Agnes,
Head, Technical Operations, FoodResearchLab
Group www.foodresearchlab.com Email
info_at_foodresearchlab.com
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Today's Discussion
OUTLINE Introduction Why is this popular Are you
ready How to convert your popular recipes into a
meal kit Where to start
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Introduction
Meal box or diet box are common terminologies for
packing a healthy meal. These readymade boxes
can either be a pack of pre- portioned
ingredients for you to cook at home or well-
prepared foods that can be heated before
consumption. The rationale behind the concept is
that you can avoid running to the grocery store,
buying unnecessary items and searching for a
mouthwatering recipe. This is specifically
useful for people struggling to cook a proper
meal after a long day at work. Contd...
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Consumers are increasingly aware of their health
requirements and a wide array of diet plans from
the internet, and consumers are looking for
nutritious, homecooked and budget-friendly
options. Although consumers prefer to eat a
nutritious and balanced meal most of the time, it
is not easy to sustain this by regularly eating
at home. Restaurant meals or fast food take out
are fancy and stimulating but are often loaded
with fat, sugar, salt and other kinds of
un-nutritional things which can make you
sick. Food manufacturers and businesses have
found an opportunity for such consumers and
created a meal box. Contd...
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Food product development companies hire chefs,
registered nutritionists to prepare recipes with
the right ingredients based on recommended daily
allowances. Food manufacturers display various
variables such as various recipes under
different plans, based on diet and health needs,
which most primarily get various recipes under
different plans, based on diet and health needs,
which mostly get delivered to the doorstep. The
best part of such plans is that consumers decide
what they would like to eat from all the healthy
options and food businesses cater to all types of
dietary restrictions. Contd...
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This includes Diabetes-Friendly, Carb-conscious,
Lean Clean, Performance Protein , Low
Carb/Low Cal Plant-based, Performance paleo,
Mediterranean Diet, DASH diet, Standard Keto,
Plant-based meals of new food product
development. Food companies such as Purple
Carrot offer meal boxes for aubergine date curry,
barbeque seitan, cashew coconut grain bowl, and
panko-crusted tempeh etc absolutely delicious
and offer a new sensory experience. A few of the
other big brands currently in the subscription
food market are, Hello Fresh, Gousto, Blue Apron
etc. Most companies cover the easy, balanced
meal options in the popular cuisine category,
such as Thai, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean,
due to their focus on taste and flavour. Contd...
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Why is this Popular
1. CONVENIENCE
Consumers might find it challenging to cook for
one or two individuals. Consumers can avoid
going to the grocery store and it also
significantly reduces the prep time, as most
ingredients are separated in their own
packs. The meal-kit comes either cold or frozen
to ensure the ingredients dont spoil, giving
you ample time to prepare it. Contd...
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Contd...
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The mal kit also comes with a detailed recipe
card with pictures for added benefit, explaining
every step of the process. 2. TRYING NEW EVERY
DAY Meal-kit allows you to try new and healthy o
ptions without having to invest your time and
energy. Meal-kit also provides various options, s
omewhere between 6 and 15 meals a week to choose
from. Food businesses have breakfast, lunch and d
inner options that will keep you nurtured the
entire day. Contd...
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• MINIMAL CLEAN-UP AND NO LEFTOVERS
• Since meal-kits are pre-portioned, servings cant
  be stretched and mostly, you wont end up with
  leftovers.
• However, cleaning up after your meal is
  relatively quick and easy.
• The preparation only requires pantry essential, i.
  e. salt, pepper, sugar etc. and cooking
  utensils, i.e. frying pan, stove etc.
• COST AND LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
• Meal kits are as cheap as cooking at home, but
  convenience comes at a cost.
• Contd...

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Contd...
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Finding a business that serves meal kits at a
price is not that hard to find. Most companies
offer discounts for new customers. Meal kits use
a good amount of packaging, which poses a concern
to the environment. It is difficult to ship food
at the desired temperature without insulated cardb
oards, disposable ice packs and plastics
bags. Although most packaging can be broken down
for recycling, food manufacturers are working on
alternative options. Contd...
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5. SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
Some meal-kit companies are taking the
sustainable route in achieving zero
waste. Sealed Airs thermal liners are made from
virgin fibres and are recyclable. Moreover, the g
el packs are from Nordic Ice and are made from low
-density polyethene (LDPE) and non-GMO
cotton. Gel pack contents could be drained into
trash or composted while the LDPE packs can be
recycled. Contd...
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Recyclable PET containers are also available with
the base jar made of polystyrene and the lids
from polypropylene. 6. SHELF LIFE With clean,
organic ingredients and sustainable packaging,
the next question to be answered is the shelf
life? Is the product stable at ambient
temperatures or needs to be stored cold or
frozen. Contd...
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Companies such as True Food Innovations primarily
focus on processing techniques, like high
pressure processing and well developed
formulations, which provides a long term shelf
life of 55 -60 days.
This provides ample shelf life for consumers to
enjoy their meals.
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Are You Ready
If you are a new food business and would like to
tap into this category, then you may consider
targeting consumers under the following
categories.

• Flexitarian We have extensively covered how
  consumers are moving towards a flexitarian diet
  in our previous blog.
• Free-form This is a wide area as it covers
  gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegan and a
  combination of these.
• Fitness enthusiasts and healthy options
  Companies are also focusing on creating recipes
  specific to athletes and gym enthusiasts.
• Contd...

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The rationale is to maximize the nutrients and
help consumers achieve their goal. Some companies
are attracting consumers using buzzwords such as
seasonal ingredients, lean cut meats, and local
produce.
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How to Convert Your Popular Recipes into a
Meal Kit
Start by creating your meal kit version of a few
of your best signature dishes, based on the
understanding of what your customers love.
You also do not want your consumers to recreate
your recipes, so include spice mixes or unique
sauces with raw ingredients. You can also create
a box version of your healthy recipe. The
options are endless when it comes to meal box
kits. Contd...
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As a new business, you need to be innovative in
creating new recipes based on dynamic food
trends, taste perspectives, and seasonal
ingredients.

• You could also perhaps consider bringing some of
  the old favourites, which most major companies
  dont dare to try.

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Where to Start
If you are entirely new to this business, you can
try Food Research Lab food kitchen to test your
meal kits.
Moreover, our food technology experts will help
you through various rules and regulations in
your area of sale, enabling your product to
promptly reach customers' hands. We will also
help you with a cost analysis of a new food
product development for the specification and
certification process of your product. Contd...
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What are you waiting for? Reach us at
salessupport_at_foodresearchlab.com. Dr Raj works
as a consultant at Food Research Lab, Chennai.
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