LAS VEGAS — Plants are gaining power in the food and beverage marketplace as more meatless and non-dairy options move into the mainstream. New global product launches with a plant-based claim grew 63% from 2011 to 2015, said Kara Nielsen, manager of sales and engagement USA at Innova Market Insights.

Kara Nielsen, manager of sales and engagement USA at Innova Market Insights

“We’ve seen this global flexitarian effect, where people are giving meat a break more and more often,” Ms. Nielsen said during a presentation at the Institute of Food Technologists’ annual meeting and food exposition. “Thirty-eight per cent of Americans are going meatless at least once a week.”

The rise of plants in new product development was one of 10 food trends highlighted by Arnhem, The Netherlands-based Innova Market Insights at the event, held June 26-28 in Las Vegas.

“Plants are coming into categories where they haven’t normally played a role or taking on new roles and changing the face of some of these categories and changing the conversation,” Ms. Nielsen said, citing an increase in the use of ingredients such as elderberry and spirulina as food colorings.

Botanicals are blooming in global product development; turmeric, rosemary and sage are among herbs and spices showing strong growth. Plant materials also offer sustainable solutions in packaging innovation, Ms. Nielsen said.

Read on for nine more food trends discussed by Innova Market Insights at I.F.T.