The trend of simplifying ingredient lists in food products seen in Europe in recent years is migrating to the UAE, and wider GCC region.
This is according to the marketing manager AMEAP of international bakery supplier Dawn Foods, Frédéric Debrun, speaking to Caterer Middle East at Gulfood this week.
"We have noticed a growing demand for 'clean label' products. Big retailers operating in the UAE - and I think the UAE is setting the trend in the region - are demanding ingredients that are a lot more clean label than they used to be in the past," Debrun commented.
Elaborating, he explained that this means retailers want suppliers to decrease the list of additives in products and added: "The more natural the ingredients, the more clean label you are."
He noted that while there has been increasing demand for clean label products in Europe for many years, it is only recently that he has noticed a trend towards this in the GCC region, and remarked: "There is a rising consciousness [among consumers]."
The US-based company, which operates in 105 countries, is taking part in the 21st edition of Gulfood, which started on February 21 and runs until February 25, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
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