# Seaweed Formula Baby food brands are using seaweed extract for developmental health reasons. By [Colin Smith](https://www.trendhunter.com/Colin96), Senior Insights Analyst | Published May 13, 2023 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/seaweed-formula ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.0/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Seaweed Formula trend? **Seaweed Formula:** Brands in the baby food industry have begun using hydrocolloids typically found in seaweed and algae. These extracts offer alternative, organic, plant-based sources of nutrients like DHA. This contributes to a sustainable industry while reducing costs due to the availability of algae. ## The consumer insight behind the Seaweed Formula trend Consumers with children are increasingly turning to natural baby foods, formulas, and milks. Each year the organic baby food industry grows by more than 10%, showing that there is an evergreen demand for healthy baby products. These consumers want to ensure their offspring grow up with the benefits of a natural diet, rather than risk using heavily processed foods as a cost-saving measure. As such, there is a real demand for brands to release affordable organic baby foods. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: May 12 to May 13, 2023 - Published: May 13, 2023 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Seaweed Formula trend ### Use of Seaweed Extract in Baby Food Baby food brands use hydrocolloids found in seaweed and algae to provide nutrients, contributing to sustainability and cost reduction. ### Demand for Plant-Based Baby Products Consumers with children are increasingly turning to natural, organic baby foods and formulas. ### Inclusion of Algae in Baby Formulas Algae is being used to provide essential nutrients in infant formulas and purees that are plant-based, dairy-free, and organic. ## What the Seaweed Formula trend means for industry ### For Organic Baby Food Industry There is a growing demand for natural, organic baby foods and formulas. ### For Plant-Based Food and Beverage Industry The use of plant-based ingredients in baby food supports sustainability and contributes to a healthier diet. ### For Infant Formula Market Innovations such as algae-based formulas and purees present disruptive opportunities in the infant formula market. ## Workshop question How could your brand incorporate organic and plant-based ingredients without raising costs to better address the growing needs of the modern consumer? ## Trend signals for Seaweed Formula Trend score 4.0 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 40%, freshness 16%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 40% - Freshness: 16% ## Examples of the Seaweed Formula trend 4 featured examples from May 12 to May 13, 2023. - [Kid Classic Milk Formulas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kendamil-stage-3): Kendamil Stage 3 is Perfect for Infants Between 12 - 36 Months (Category: Eco) Implication: With the increasing demand for organic and sustainable products, there is an opportunity to disrupt the baby formula industry by developing products that prioritize these values. - [Algae-Infused Baby Formulas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bebe-m-follow-on): Bebe M's Follow On Formula Features Rice Protein and Algae EPA/DHA (Category: Eco) Implication: Companies in the infant nutrition industry can leverage the trend towards plant-based and organic alternatives to expand their portfolio and appeal to a broader customer base. - [Organic Baby Puree Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-baby-puree): Cerebelly Crafts its Organic Purees with DHAs from Seaweed Extract (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Providing more diverse and nutrient-packed options for parents searching for the highest quality baby food products. - [Algae-Based Baby Formulas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remibio-primerice-plantbased-infant-formula): Premibio Primerice Offers Plant-Based Infant Formula (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The infant formula industry could benefit from integrating algae-based and plant-based options to meet the growing demand for diverse and inclusive dietary options for infants. ## Recent trend clusters - [Expressive Timekeeping](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/expressive-timekeeping) (Fashion) - [Narrative TIMEKEEPers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/narrative-timekeepers) (Fashion) - [Protein Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/protein-personalization) (Lifestyle) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Mini Clog Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cars-x-crocs-blind-box) - [Thoughtfully Designed Lunchboxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glacier-lunchbox) - [Historical Character Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polly-pocket-x-american-girl) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)