Flavors and colors

PepsiCo brings back Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition

07-Mar-2024 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo is seeking submissions to its annual Greenhouse Accelerator Program, which will once again focus on Hispanic-owned startups in the food and beverage or food supply chain spaces.

Fly By Jing, Fishwife, Aura Bora share best practices for successful product collaborations

01-Mar-2024 By Ryan Daily

Two heads are better than one — or in the case of the CPG world — two brands in one product might be the recipe for business growth, as representatives from Fly By Jing, Fishwife, and Aura Bora shared during a recent SPINS webinar on product collaborations....

Copper Cow releases churro coffee flavor in Costco, adjusts to new funding reality

29-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Vietnamese coffee company Copper Cow is sweetening Costco aisles with a limited-edition churro flavor as it navigates growing without venture-capital (VC) funding, company CEO and Founder Debbie Mullin told FoodNavigator-USA.

Happy embraces ‘modern sensibility,’ mental-health advocacy to differentiate in coffee

29-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Serial entrepreneur Craig Dubitsky has partnered with award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. to launch happy, a coffee brand leveraging a modern design and a mission to improve mental health to distinguish it from the competition.

PATH’s flavored sparkling water is a continuation of bottle reusability

29-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

PATH’s primary business strategy revolves around the reusability of its aluminum bottles, diverging from the traditional single-use bottled water market. Launched its new flavored sparkling water was an obvious decision, PATH’s CEO, Shadi Bakour, explained...

Smoove's prebiotic beverages place African culture in the spotlight

29-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Tapping into the multi-billion dollar functional beverage market, Smoove’s RTD prebiotic juice is a cultural nod to African representation through indigenous and traditional ingredients, like tropical almond, tamarind and African cherry, while responding...

Winter Fancy Food Show

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Demand for functional beverages could lead to ‘tsunami of innovation’ in 2024

29-Feb-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Beverage sales have outpaced that of food within the specialty segment in the past decade, according to the Specialty Food Association, which attributes the boom to an increased demand for functional benefits, a faster pace of innovation and a lower threshold...

Startup Spotlight

Functional coffee brand Clevr sprouts onto Target shelves, readies rebrand

29-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Functional coffee and tea brand Clevr Blends is taking a “deep, not wide” approach to growing beyond its direct-to-consumer (DTC) roots and into Target, brand founder and CEO, Hannah Mendoza, told FoodNavigator-USA during a Startup Spotlight video.

IFF’s new CEO on rightsizing business: ‘Synergy became the goal instead of a tool’

26-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Fragrance and ingredient giant IFF could divest segments of its business as part of a larger strategy to rightsize the company after failing to capitalize on a merger with Dupont Nutrition and Biosciences that sent its stock price tumbling, new CEO J....

CAGNY 2024

PepsiCo builds out an ‘ecosystem of solutions,’ doubles down on positive choices

22-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo is expanding beyond snacks and beverages by going after more meal occasions and dayparts while continuing towards its nutrient goals outlined in its pep+ agenda, CEO Ramon Laguarta said at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference this...

Startup Spotlight

[Video] Startup élevé stands out in crowded sparkling water category with vintage-inspired packaging

22-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Startup élevé distinguishes its adaptogenic sparkling water brand in a saturated market through its vintage-inspired packaging, natural ingredients and distribution, co-founders and CEOs Tanya Major and Dianna Aguilar tell FoodNavigator-USA in this episode...

Kerry expects social media’s audacious flavor combos to shape innovation in 2024

20-Feb-2024 By Gill Hyslop

Researchers from the global taste and nutrition specialist annually conduct a deep dive into market and consumer trends using tech like artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP) and social media to track the flavors predicted to...

Justin’s new Dark Chocolate Candy Pieces emphasize ethically sourced, natural ingredients

13-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Justin’s launch of its Dark Chocolate Candy Pieces continues the brand’s emphasis on offering clean confectionery ingredients that are USDA-certified organic, use Rainforest Alliance cocoa and are Non-GMO Project Verified, aligning with the brand’s corporate...

PepsiCo’s net revenues decline first time since 2020, impacted by pricing and Quaker Oats recall

09-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo’s net sales declined for the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic due to lower volumes as consumers pushed back against higher prices, and supply-chain issues, the company reported Friday in its fourth quarter and 2023 full-year results.

Startup Spotlight

Netflix Snack vs. Chef winner S’NOODS launches noodle snack

08-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Winner of the first season of Netflix’s Snack vs. Chef show, Lauryn Bodden, is taking her award-winning noodle snack concept from TV screens to store shelves with the official launch of S’NOODS, as she shared in the recent episode of FoodNavigator-USA’s...

Crystal Light feature brand refresh with new functional product line, enters mocktail category

08-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The new year sparks a refresh not only for consumers but also for Kraft-Heinz’s powdered flavor enhancer, Crystal Light, which introduced a new logo, typography, photography and packaging to coincide with its new functional product lines inspired by consumer...

Gut-health soda market heats up: Health-Ade launches SunSip

05-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Kombucha maker Health-Ade is throwing its hat into the prebiotic soda ring again with SunSip, as consumers continue to seek out gut-health claims in the carbonated beverage category.

Kellanova expands core brands for c-store channels in time for summer

02-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Kellanova Away From Home’s latest snack launches seek to standout in the fast-paced c-store shopping experience with new flavors and formats that offer nostalgia, convenience, better-for-you choices and snacks as meals, Dan DeMeyer, senior director, commercial...

Illinois proposes to ban five food additives

01-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Introduced by Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, the Illinois Food Safety Act (SB 2637) would ban brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye No.3 and titanium dioxide from retail food products -- potentially making it the strictest...

Startup Spotlight

Harken Sweets reimagines ‘what a candy bar can be using the power of date fruit’

01-Feb-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The founder of startup Harken Sweets, which launched earlier this month, wants to “nutritionally overhaul” the candy bar category by using “the power of the date fruit,” like how she helped Caulipower reinvigorate the pizza category with the “power of...

Why Coca-Cola is betting on water security innovation

31-Jan-2024 By Flora Southey

With climate change exacerbating water stress and scarcity, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is backing new tech solutions to help future-proof the beverage industry.

Winter Fancy Food Show

Milkadamia’s Artisan plant-based milks launch in refrigerated set, show ‘less is more’

29-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Plant-based milk brand milkadamia moves into the refrigerated set and proves “less is more” with the debut of its organic Artisan macadamia milk and blends line that skips the fillers and gums common in many non-dairy beverages and responds to a growing...

Winter Fancy Food Show

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Trendspotting at the Winter Fancy Food Show reveals ‘better’ breakfasts, snacks, flavors and more

29-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

A resounding theme of “better” emerged at the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas last week, where more than 1,200 specialty food companies came together to showcase the latest innovations in cheese, condiments, baked goods, snacks and more.

Mentorship

NCA announces its 2024 Future Leaders class

24-Jan-2024 By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.

Kroger reformulates prepared foods, hones in on private label products

23-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

As grocery prices are predicted to decelerate, with an expected increase of 1.2% this year, Kroger’s strategic reformulation of its deli and bakery goods is focused on expanding value and convenience for its shoppers with a focus on flavor, quality and...

NPD Trend Tracker: From Deliciously Ella-inspired recipe boxes to menopause tea

22-Jan-2024 By Flora Southey

Which new products are hitting the shelves? In our latest NPD round-up, look at a new menopause infusion made with hibiscus, rosehip and passion flower; a ‘veggie spin’ on the classic macaroni cheese and bacon dish; and a flavour mashup between Baileys...

Startup Spotlight

[Video] ELAVI's journey to Costco and reinvigorating its brand

18-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Participating in Costco’s RoadShow and interacting directly with consumers to sample its gut-friendly, cashew dessert spreads gave WOC-founded startup ELAVI insights that would have “cost thousands of dollars” to acquire elsewhere, allowing it to make...

HI-CHEW turns to DTC, pop-up experiences to engage Gen-Z consumers

18-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Japanese candy brand HI-CHEW launched a direct-to-consumer (DTC) website as part of a broader strategy to appeal to Gen Z consumers, Joanne Hsu, senior brand marketing manager at Morinaga America, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Unilever, IFF & Wageningen University tackle flavor challenges in plant-based meat

15-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

A four-year research project between IFF and Unilever, along with Wageningen University & Research (WUR) scientists in the Netherlands, will focus on how flavors bind to protein molecules “with the goal of recommending novel flavoring strategies that...

My Drynuary: ‘Our customers are our main source of inspiration'

15-Jan-2024 By Rachel Arthur

Canadian non-alcoholic beer Partake Brewing was launched in 2017: and now sells its brews across Canada and the US. Evan Cohen, President and Chief Commercial Officer, looks at the two markets in this series on innovators in the low/no alcohol industry....

Chilau Foods turns to crowdfunding to expand distribution, cracks lid on packaging innovation

12-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Southern-inspired stew and flavor-base company Chilau Foods launched Wefunder crowdfunding campaign to fuel its retail expansion, as the company leverages packaging innovation to create a more accessible product, company founder Michael Anderson told...

Can Oatly reinvigorate slowing oatmilk category sales with launch unsweetened, clean-label options?

11-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Oatmilk pioneer Oatly’s new Unsweetened Oatmilk and Super Basic Oatmilk, which launched this week, respond to rising consumer concerns about plant-based milks, including their nutritional value and, for some, long lists of unfamiliar ingredients, which...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Tea sales rise, but volume flattens as brands explore how to boost consumption

08-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tea’s inherent functional benefits, positive sustainability messaging and diverse usage occasions, formats and flavor profiles should make it a shoe-in for US consumers searching for healthier options that don’t compromise taste or convenience, and yet...

What’s stirring this Dry January? Canned mocktails, extra hoppy beverages, functional drinks

05-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Non-alcoholic beverages continue to gain a foothold, cutting into the overall alcohol market, as brands like Longbottom, HOP WTR, and hiyo tap into consumer demands for quality, functionality, and health.

Researchers teach tech to taste in 'first step' towards accurate flavour modelling

05-Jan-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Danish researchers and industry professionals design an algorithm to help personalise consumer purchases and optimise the retail environment.

Mountain Dew Baja Blast splashes into new year with year-round availability, but will it undercut LTO appeal?

04-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo is celebrating 20 years of its fan-favorite Mountain Dew Baja Blast flavor by making it available in retail locations year-round in 2024, a first for the beverage that originated as a foodservice exclusive.

Campbell Soup Co plans ‘DSD transformation’ to fuel snack growth amid consumer demand ‘bifurcation’

07-Dec-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Campbell Soup Co. is embracing a direct store and integrated project delivery model to “unlock the full potential” of its iconic snack brands, including Goldfish, Lance and Late July, at a time when some Americans’ enthusiasm for snacking may be slowing....

Oterra, Ecoflora ‘complete the full spectrum of natural colors’ with FDA approval of Jagua Blue

05-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

FDA has approved the use of Oterra's and Ecoflora's natural blue color created from the fruit of Colombian jagua trees for use in foods and beverages, Nicolás Cock Duque, executive chair for Ecoflora, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Futureproofing the Food System

Watch this week: FoodNavigator-USA’s digital summit explores trends in food-tech, food as medicine and the circular economy

13-Nov-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

This week, join FoodNavigator-USA and stakeholders across the supply chain, including Eat Just, The Hartman Group, Oishii, NotCo, Instacart, NIQ, Consumer Brands Association, FMI – The Food Industry Association, Cargill and more for our three-day Futureproofing...

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...

FDA proposes banning brominated vegetable oil in food

06-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The agency concluded that BVO is no longer safe for human consumption, citing new toxicological evidence of its potential health risks.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: From healthy to ‘hedonistic’ and affordable to luxurious, 4 trends influencing colors, flavors in 2024

26-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

According to tastemakers at the nutrition and ingredient giant ADM, consumers are ready to “unapologetically” embrace luxurious, indulgent flavors and whimsical, vivid colors in their foods and beverages after years of holding back due to limited options...

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...

GUEST ARTICLE

Industry Insights from NIZO: Great flavour without compromise for plant-based food

26-Oct-2023 By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager

To successfully launch a plant-based product onto the market today, businesses have to go above and beyond in flavour to stand out. How can a new, more holistic flavour approach put an end to organoleptic compromise?

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...

Sensegen looks for 'the next big pumpkin spice' with Fall flavors collection

26-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Flavor and fragrance company Sensegen, a division of Blue California, is using consumer data and biotech to create on-trend tastes, Natasha D’Souza, VP of flavors and consumer experience at Sensegen, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Bell shares how flavor enhancers can address tomato, orange shortages

26-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

CPG companies facing supply-chain disruptions like a poor crop yield can leverage flavor enhancers to deliver great tasting, cheaper, and more sustainable products, Joan Harvey, company senior VP commercial GM of flavor division at Bell, told Food Navigator-USA....

Sweet and spicy flavors are driving consumers’ global food and beverage exploration

26-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Consumers across generations continue to explore global cultures through food, and international flavors that range from sweet to heat offer an opportunity for CPG brands to develop food and beverage products that expand consumers’ palettes and curiosities,...

Strengthening vanilla's supply chain through its farmers

26-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While the vanilla industry is seeing low prices and low demand this year, Virginia Dare’s partnerships with 1,300 growers in Madagascar are focused on fortifying communities’ livelihoods through social, environmental and economic initiatives that help...

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.