Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

Chamberlain Coffee continues RTD expansion, launches Oatmilk Lattes

02-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Gen Z-oriented coffee brand Chamberlain Coffee released Salted Caramel and Mocha oatmilk lattes last month to “appeal to those that like a sweeter coffee and prefer oats as their top choice of milk,” Christopher Gallant, CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Do consumers prefer sugar or non-nutritive sweeteners? It’s complicated

02-Jan-2024 By Flora Southey

Consumer confusion over how best to reduce sugar in one’s diet persists. Are they still looking for ‘zero added sugar’ in sweet drinks? Regulatory and ingredients experts weigh in.

From AI flavors to RTD alcohol: Coca-Cola talks innovation

21-Dec-2023 By Rachel Arthur

Once a soda giant, Coca-Cola has evolved its portfolio into categories that would once have been unimaginable for company (take, for example, RTD alcohol or AI-generated flavors). So how does the company steer its innovation efforts towards success?

Health and taste from fruit-based sweeteners

21-Dec-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Fruit has been used for sweetness in Europe since before we even knew about refined sugar. It’s still in widespread use as the basis for sweeteners.

Assessing the Ozempic effect: What food, beverage companies can do now to create healthier products

19-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

As the debate on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and public health continues, CPG companies have a range of opportunitied to create healthier products now, which can have meaningful impacts on consumer health, Hank Cardello, leadership solutions program...

Mitra9 gears up for national expansion with reformulated functional beverage, taps into non-alc demands

18-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

Functional beverage brand Mitra9 has released a reformulated cleaner label product ahead of retail expansion plans, as the company looks to improve margins and reduce costs, brand co-founder and CEO Dallas Vasquez told FoodNavigator-USA.

Zevia CEO gives “up edgy and cool to be timeless and iconic”

12-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consistent branding and values can create a stronger business over time compared to chasing trends or copying the competition, which can dilute a brand's long-term impact, according to Zevia CEO Amy Taylor.

[Video] Plant Press positions energy drink brand as a clean-label coffee alternative

08-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant Press founder Ariana Farahani took to the stage at the BevNET LIVE event this week to share her brand’s vision for a clean energy drink during the New Beverage Showdown, as the brand readies for retail expansion with the help of a $1.2m seed round.

White Claw launches electrolyte-enhanced 0% Alcohol: ‘It’s a fundamentally new kind of drink for every kind of adult drinker that could only come from White Claw’

08-Dec-2023 By Rachel Arthur

Hard seltzer pioneer White Claw is launching White Claw 0% Alcohol in the US in January: ‘a radically new beverage’ that is designed to combine White Claw flavors with hydrating electrolytes while replicating the complexity of alcohol.

Sugar reduction in 2024: How consumer demands, health policies will influence product launches

07-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

As consumers become increasingly wary of sugar content, CPG companies are meeting the demand for zero-sugar products with the help of natural sweeteners, a trend set to gain momentum in the US as regulators and scientists push for reductions.

Mood support, natural sweeteners set to disrupt beverage market, SPINS shares at BevNET Live

07-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

Functional and wellness attributes and mood-boosting and naturally sweetened drinks are primed for growth in the year to come, Scott Dicker, market insight director at SPINS, shared at BevNET Live.

How newstalgia blends comfort and novelty in the snack category

29-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Consumers still crave familiar flavors and experiences, as they did during the pandemic, but they also are open to new innovations and technologies -- leading to an emerging trend of 'newstalgia,' Kevin Ryan, CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research,...

Innovations in snacking

KIND embraces ‘AND’ philosophy for snacking innovation to balance health, taste, convenience & sustainability

29-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Health and wellness remain top priorities for snackers, but as peak pandemic continues to recede, indulgence is becoming more important and as such consumers are less willing to sacrifice taste for functional benefit, according to Emily Strobel, VP, growth...

How the cookie doesn’t crumble: Biobake promises to improve shelf-life and reduce food waste in bakery snacks

29-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While traditional amylase-based enzymes have helped bakery snacks improve shelf-life and freshness, its efficacy is limited if the dough contains high amounts of sugar. Kerry’s anti-staling enzyme, Biobake Fresh Rich addresses freshness and moisture for...

Limiting front-of-pack nutrition labeling to added sugar, saturated fat & sodium could skew potential health impact, stakeholders tell FDA

27-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Front of package nutrition labeling intended to help consumers select healthier foods and beverages by potentially calling out the amount of added sugar and other nutrients of interest could unintentionally expose children to higher levels of non-nutritive...

NPD Trend Tracker: From wholegrain spelt to Christmas dinner pie

27-Nov-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

In this week’s NPD Trend Tracker, we have a range of festive products, including a festive wrap, festive ice-cream flavours and a pie containing an entire Christmas dinner. We also have a new flavour from Tate & Lyle, a wholegrain spelt from Merchant...

Advertising allulose simply as ‘sugar’ is misleading, watchdog determines in case against Nutrishus Brands’ RxSugar

21-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

While allulose may technically be a ‘rare’ sugar, marketing it simply as sugar could mislead consumers to believe it is or is the same as common table sugar, the National Advertising Division of BBB National Programs determined in a recent decision.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: FTC warning to influencers includes new disclosure principle

20-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Warning letters sent last week by the Federal Trade Commission to two food industry trade groups and a dozen online health influencers questioning the adequacy of paid partnership disclosures may not be a harbinger of impending enforcement that some believe,...

Futureproofing the Food System

Will ‘healthy’ iconography help consumers select better options?

17-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While the FDA is updating its current definition of healthy and exploring voluntary iconography for packaging, the term means many different things to many different people, which could complicate the impact of the icon and product marketing, suggests...

Spilling the tea (and coffee) on natural beverage trends

10-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The functional and perceived health benefits of tea and coffee paired with their familiarity and diverse usage occasions across dayparts make them ideal platforms for beverage manufacturers to meet consumers’ evolving preferences for indulgence, health...

Consumers expect to pay more for holiday meals, continue seeking convenience from grocery retailers

10-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Thanksgiving retail is expected to see a more judicious consumer who expects to pay more this year and will seek more deals while retailers can expand food service departments with semi and fully-prepared meals to complement the majority of consumers...

Danone, Keurig Dr Pepper tell FDA that sugar reduction requires a different playbook from sodium reduction

09-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Research showing consumer preferences for sweetness intensity may not be as easy to reduce as their preferences for sodium suggests a “stealth health” approach of slowly lowering added sugar across the food supply may not be an effective strategy for...

Futureproofing the Food System

How do consumers’ perception of healthy drive their purchase habits and product development?

07-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

What does it mean to eat healthy? A survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) finds that 74% of consumers believe that food and beverage choices are interconnected with mental and emotional well-being, along with other insights that...

GAO report finds current US sugar policy needs reform, Alliance for Fair Sugar Policy agrees

06-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The report recommends that USDA update the sugar program's trade rules, providing the USDA more flexibility to bring more sugar into the market when needed by manufacturers and small businesses. Alliance for Fair Sugar Policy agrees it’s “time to...

Balancing sugar reduction, consumer demands: Why CPG companies might want to take the 'stealth-health' approach

03-Nov-2023 By Ryan Daily

CPG companies reducing sugar content to meet WHO and other health organization guidelines are increasingly relying on a variety of natural sweeteners, as the industry walks a precarious line in meeting those reduction goals and consumer demands, according...

Kraft-Heinz focuses on building value through packaging, external partnerships

03-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

In the wake of Kraft-Heinz's earning results, the company reported a 3.5 percentage point increase in its stocks with double digit growth in emerging markets. Carlos Abrams-Rivera, incoming CEO, Kraft-Heinz, discussed during CNBC’s Evolve Global...

No-guilt messages, colour-coded packaging and adaptogens: Snacking trends for 2024

27-Oct-2023 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Health and wellbeing remain at the forefront of snack marketing, with guilt-free pleasures, plant-based options, traditional flavours and adaptogenic ingredients expected to lead the sector into the new year.

[Video] Tate & Lyle shares how energy, hydration, gut health are driving the beverage market

26-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

CPG brands are responding to consumer demand for better-for-you beverages with a bevy of claims from energy to gut health that are driving overall category growth, Becca Henrickson, category development and planning manager of beverages for NOAM at Tate...

Are natural sweeteners the next evolution of better-for-you energy drinks? SPINS shares insights

26-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Energy drinks might be on the cusp of the next better-for-you evolution, which will see natural sweeteners gain over sugar and artificial alternatives, as the market overall continues to see high demand and strong unit growth, Scott Dicker, market insight...

Burlap & Barrel’s direct sourcing model, single origin spices offer unexpected and regional twists on familiar flavors that appeal to new & established home cooks

26-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

While Burlap & Barrel’s farm to kitchen model for its single origin spices may appear simple compared to traditional spice supply chains that are peppered with middlemen zig-zagging across regions and cultures, the process of establishing a direct...

Keurig Dr Pepper enters sports hydration category with Electrolit distribution agreement

26-Oct-2023 By Rachel Arthur

Keurig Dr Pepper will sell, distribute and merchandise premium hydration beverage Electrolit across the US: extending its portfolio into sports hydration.

Monster bolsters zero-sugar portfolio with Bang acquisition, expands Java line

25-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Energy drink giant Monster more aggressively is going after the better-for-you beverage space through its Bang acquisition, and zero-sugar and coffee innovation, representatives told FoodNavigator-USA.

National Association for Convenience Stores

How brands and c-stores can drive sales and in-store experiences through promotions

25-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Convenience stores are evolving into experiential destinations driven by consumers’ diverse usage occasions while brands have an opportunity to bundle their top sellers with retailers’ prepared foods, driving relevance for consumers, executives at Mars...

Coca-Cola Co. raises full-year guidance on Q3 2023 results, focuses on digital investments

24-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

The Coca-Cola Company continues to invest in sustainable packaging through its World Without Waste program and digital capabilities to fuel future growth, executives shared during the company's third quarter 2023 earnings call this morning.

National Association for Convenience Stores

Coca-Cola showcases Olyns' reverse vending machine at NACS

18-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Coca-Cola addresses high traffic trash disposal – and by extension stubborn recycling challenges – in c-store locations by featuring Olyns' reverse vending machine that collects and sorts plastic, aluminum and glass packaging during the National...

National Association for Convenience Stores

Blending convenience, novelty and flavors at NACS’ Cool New Products snack showcase

18-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Never-before-seen alternative snacks, energy drinks and frozen packaged snacks dubuted at the National Association for Convenience Stores’ Cool New Products expo Oct. 3-6 in Atlanta, Ga.

National Association for Convenience Stores

C-store consumer habits: balancing impulse purchases with nuanced usage occasions

11-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

C-stores can attract and retain customers who are looking for a quick and easy meal or snack by offering a variety of fresh and convenient food options, as well as bundling deals that offer discounts on popular products, Kathy Risch SVP, shopper insights...

PepsiCo raises 2023 full-year earnings outlook on Q3 performance, Gatorade loses market share to PRIME

10-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo released its 2023 third quarter fiscal year report and beat Wall Street estimates, citing increased demand for smaller-sized snacks and healthier options, as the company faces challenges from PRIME in the sports drink category and anticipates...

STōK Cold Brew is 'on the leading edge' of Danone North America’s growth strategy

05-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

STōK Cold Brew is tapping into the growing trend of at-home coffee shop experience with limited-time-offering flavors, as Danone North America makes the brand a crucial part of its growth strategy, company VP of ready-to-drink beverages Brittney Polka...

Lenny & Larry’s taps into consumer demand for more protein with Big Bar

04-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Lenny & Larry’s is expanding its portfolio of cookie snack bars with a bigger format to tap into the increased demand for a variety of better-for-you claims, the company's senior VP of marketing and innovation Chris Cook told FoodNavigator-USA.

Whipnotic whips up $2.5m in seed funding to fuel growth, adds two new flavors

03-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Whipped cream brand Whipnotic has raised $2.5m in seed funding to grow its retail distribution as demand for better-for-you dairy products and indulgences increase, brand co-founder and CEO Lori Gitomer told FoodNavigator-USA.

JM Smucker reduces GHG emissions by 93%, outlines next steps for sustainability goals

02-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

JM Smucker, the maker of Folgers, Dunkin', Café Bustelo, Jif and Smucker's Uncrustables, is making strides towards its efforts to reduce energy and water use, improve renewable and recyclable packaging and reach zero waste targets -- but it...

Non-GMO claims around sweeteners are less impactful while ‘natural flavors,’ ‘no added sugar’ gain traction among consumers

29-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The influence of non-GMO claims on purchase intent is declining, while claims such as “no artificial ingredients,” “natural flavors” and “no added sugar” are more impactful, Carla Saunders, senior marketing manager, Cargill, explained to FoodNavigator-USA.

Tagatose finds a home in lean labeling

28-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Despite FDA’s labeling of tagatose as an added sugar, the alternative sweetener’s nutritional and functional benefits continue to generate interest from the food and beverage industry, particularly with lean labels, Jim Kappas, VP specialty ingredients,...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Most consumers don’t want sugar or artificial sweeteners – but what do they want instead?

28-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

More than fat or calories, the nutritional information consumers are most likely to look for on food and beverage packages is sugar, with a survey conducted by Cargill finding nearly two out of three consumers aiming to avoid it and the majority also...

Natural Products Expo East

Chocxo innovates at the intersection of indulgence and lower sugar to help consumers balance physical, mental wellness goals

28-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sugar has emerged as public enemy No. 1 among consumers and FDA is looking for sugar reduction strategies at the behest of the White House – and yet, most Americans still want moments of indulgence with many people justifying them as much-needed support...

Monk Fruit Corp.’s GM discusses sweetener’s rise, how it taps into current consumer trends

28-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Monk fruit has gained popularity as a natural sweetener, and is poised for growth alongside natural and better-for-you trends as consumers and brands reduce sugar across categories, Monk Fruit Corp.'s GM David Thorrold told FoodNavigator-USA.

The Better Bakehouse bakes up better-for-you sweet treats with Donutful launch

28-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

The Better Bakehouse is shaking up the baked goods category with a better-for-you donut under its Donutful brand, while tapping into trends around clean label, company founder and CEO Tony Davis told FoodNavigator-USA.

[Video] Icon Foods CEO discusses state of sweetener market, responds to studies on health concerns

25-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

As consumers increasingly demand low and no-sugar products, CPG brands are responding to food and beverage development with an array of natural and artificial non-nutritive sweeteners, which have been the focus of several health studies this year, Thom...

Coca-Cola's economic contribution in the US revealed

25-Sep-2023 By Rachel Arthur

The economic contribution of The Coca-Cola Company and 64 independently-owned bottlers – collectively called ‘the Coca-Cola system’ – has been estimated by a new study.