Hsu Fu Chi, a snack maker based in Dongguan, Guangdong province, has partnered with the South China University of Technology to establish a healthy snack research center that focuses on exploring new trends in Chinese consumer preferences. This marks the first time that a university and enterprise have established such a center.
The research center will focus on innovations in raw material, technology, and healthy food, and it will encourage Hsu Fu Chi’s employees to make breakthroughs in food research and development through an innovation strategy and fund. The company has already made strides in the healthy snack market, having spent almost $29 million each year on R&D to study consumer preferences, raw materials, formulas, production, and nutrition and health.
In recent years, Hsu Fu Chi has launched dozens of healthy snacks, such as sugar-free sachima, sugar-free lollipops, and sugar-free dark chocolate, all of which have gained great popularity among consumers and helped the company win industry honors.
According to a report from market research firm Nielsen, nutrition has become a significant trend in the snack market, with 89% of surveyed consumers preferring healthier snacks. As such, the establishment of this research center integrated various resources to meet the differentiated needs of different consumption groups.
Xu Guozheng, the deputy Party secretary of SCUT, noted that the research center would support Hsu Fu Chi in the R&D of healthy snacks and jointly promote technology innovation in the sector. Hsu Fu Chi’s innovation strategy will also focus on offering delicacies while striving to bring joy and health benefits to consumers.
Overall, the establishment of the healthy snack research center represents a significant investment by Hsu Fu Chi in innovation, technology, and meeting evolving consumer preferences in the snack market.
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