Boom to spiritualize comfort food segment

Comfort food, or snacks and beverages that people consume for pleasure or mood enhancement rather than nourishment or energy, has big business potential in China, which could help the segment to evolve, according to an industry report.

Consumers typically depend on comfort food when facing problems like depression due to work pressure or isolation, consultancy firm Mintel said in its report.

The growing pressures of modern life and the rise of singles as a key consumer group are key factors behind the increasing demand for comfort food, it said.