SIAL Paris 2026 runs from 17th to 21st October
SIAL Paris has outlined 10 food trends for 2026 ahead of its trade fair at Paris Nord Villepinte on 17th-21st October 2026.
The findings come from the new SIAL Insights 2026 report, an international analysis compiled with data from Kantar Food 360, Circana and ProtéinesXTC.
Food buying is becoming more personalised, more functional and more focused on experience as shoppers weigh economic, health and environmental pressures.
Trend 1 is healthy eating for a high-performing body. Consumers are looking for measurable benefits such as protein, fibre, energy, immunity and digestive health.
Trend 2 is the “gut brain”, which links food choices to mental wellbeing. Sleep, stress management, hormonal balance and cognitive performance now shape what people buy.
Trend 3 keeps pleasure in focus. SIAL Insights 2026 points to stronger demand for premium taste, bold flavours and culinary discovery.
10 food trends for 2026
Trend 4 shows environmental action becoming more personal. Shoppers are paying more attention to lower carbon footprints, short supply chains and accessibility than to broad “natural” claims.
Meanwhile, trend 5 shows plant-based eating moving beyond meat substitutes. Diets now include more pulses and a wider range of plant-based foods.
Trend 6 centres on individualisation. Age, lifestyle, nutrition goals and personal preference are driving product development in 2026.
Trend 7 questions fixed mealtimes. Functional snacks and small meals are becoming more common alongside traditional meals.
Trend 8 focuses on accessible added value. Consumers still want quality and health, but they want both at affordable prices.
Trend 9 tracks digital technology. Social media, influencers and online recommendations are playing a bigger role in purchase decisions.
Trend 10 is inclusive innovation. Companies are under pressure to meet a wider range of dietary, cultural and social needs.
Beyond the 10 trends, the report identifies five broader shifts: personalised health, richer food experiences, individualised offerings, a better balance between value and accessibility, and innovation shaped by digital tools, inclusivity and pragmatic sustainability.
The SIAL Insights team stated: “These insights show that the food of tomorrow will be more personalised, more closely aligned with individual expectations and more focused on creating value.”
The team added that understanding these developments is essential for companies that want to anticipate future markets.
Industry professionals will be able to explore those themes at SIAL Paris 2026. The event is set to gather more than 8,500 exhibitors and stakeholders from over 200 countries.
