CHICAGO — As a food and beverage intelligence platform, Datassential has its finger on the pulse of emerging trends poised to transform portfolios and menus alike. To help commercial bakers prepare for the new year, Datassential’s “2026 Trends” report highlights what’s gaining traction in the culinary world.
“This year’s report captures a pivotal moment where trends are starting increasingly at retail (versus restaurants), and fiber is poised to overtake protein as the next big health trend,” said Jaclyn Marks, senior publications manager and trendologist at Datassential. “The ‘2026 Trends’ report equips foodservice businesses with the insights and data they need to navigate these shifts and capitalize on the foods and flavors that will define the year ahead and beyond.”
Check out a few trends Datassential expects to impact the commercial baking industry.
Fiber to the Max — Fiber is the New Protein: Fiber is positioned to surpass protein as the most sought-after label attribute. This is especially true for retail, where new products are popping up showcasing fiber in relation to gut health. Fiber, which can naturally increase the GLP-1 hormone, is shaking up the industry as the next big health trend, and more than half of consumers say that when thinking about their health in 2026, consuming more gut health-friendly foods will be a top priority.
Retail Reinvention — Retail vs. Foodservice Competition Ramps Up: Retailers are entering a new era as trend incubators, meeting consumers with quality, innovation and value that compete with restaurants. When asked where they typically learn about new food trends, 69% of consumers point to packaged retail products, and 63% cite prepared foods at grocery and c-stores.
This year’s report also outlines 10 new classic foods and flavors set to impact the industry for 2026, including ube and Basque cheesecake, as well as flavors Datassential experts anticipate will gain traction in the future, such as stracciatella cheese, ancient grain beer and huacatay (Peruvian black mint).
For more information and to access the full report, visit the Datassential website.
