Health and nutritional ingredients

PepsiCo CEO signals softer approach on pricing for 2023, raises full-year guidance on improved productivity, elasticity

25-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo beat Wall Street expectations for its first quarter 2023 earnings due to strong margin growth while backing off potential future price increases to combat inflation and other supply chain issues, the company's Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta...

Beverage, better-for-you are driving CPG deals in 2023

25-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

For all the talk of higher interest rates and tighter capital, large CPG food and beverage brands are still acquiring brands to bolster their portfolios, especially in beverages and the better-for-you category, John Siegler of BMO Capital Markets shared...

Under the sustainable sea(weeds): gimme Seaweed talks eco-friendly and organic snacks

24-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Organic seaweed snack maker gimme continues sustainable initiatives through its partnerships in Korea and developing bold flavors and new convenience channels with eco-friendly packaging.

Are almond hulls the next big upcycled ingredient? Mattson shares research into potential

24-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

Working alongside the Almond Board of California, Mattson is showing the potential of using almond hulls in food and beverage applications, as the upcycling food and beverage trend continues to pick up steam, Al Banisch, chief strategy and client engagement...

Introducing FoodNavigator-USA’s free editorial webinar: Plant-Based Dairy – From Oatmilk to Chickpea Ice Cream on May 17 at 11:30 CT

24-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of plant-based dairy, including milk, cheese and yogurt, continue to grow at a rapid clip despite challenging macroeconomic and market conditions, but units in some categories are dipping slightly, according to recently released SPINS data, raising...

Multifunctional FiberSMART granted GRAS status as a dietary fiber

21-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The multifunctional and tolerable prebiotic fiber is resistant dextrin made from tapioca and 20% as sweet as sugar, according to its producer, Anderson Advanced Ingredients.

Zurvita blends brain health, energy benefits with instant coffee drink

18-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based company Zurvita is blending the energy-boosting properties of coffee with functional brain health benefits in its latest instant coffee Zurge, as the brand looks to expand its presence in both these categories, Ideneth Vega, SVP of strategy,...

Younger consumers lead snack market growth, as shift to private label continues, Circana finds

14-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

As consumers look for quick energy boosts or moments of indulgences throughout their day, they are driving the snack market to new heights, while simultaneously becoming more critical of what they buy and trading down from premium brands to smaller sizes,...

Plant-based seafood market continues to swim upstream, but adds variety to consumer diets

13-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While plant-based seafood represents only a small fraction of the plant-based realm at $12m in revenue in 2022 versus dairy at $2.7b in the same period, according to NielsenIQ, there is still hope for it to make a splash as inflation pushes consumers...

Hello Alice’s Business Health Score helps small CPG companies access capital

13-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The fintech platform, along with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, intends to help small to medium-sized businesses access capital with the launch of the Equitable Access Program and its first product, the Business Health Score.

Glow Beverages tackles co-packing challenges to fuel retail expansion

12-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

Functional beverage brand Glow Beverages is expanding its retail footprint after overcoming initial co-packing challenges, brand Co-founder John Larson told FoodNavigator-USA.

Consumer health and wellness shaped by ‘a desire for quality of life and longevity, resistance to the commercialization of wellness and inflation’

12-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Navigating a post-pandemic life has pushed consumers towards re-establishing their relationship with their overall health, including mental health, according to Hartman Group’s The Great Wellness Reset survey.

The Good Flour Co. taps into growing demand for allergen-free, nutrition for children

10-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

From adults to children, gluten- and allergen-free foods are increasingly becoming a part of living a better-for-you lifestyle, which is growing the gluten-free market and providing The Good Flour Co. opportunities to innovate for the youngest of consumers,...

FDA could permit salt substitutes for standardized foods as part of sodium reduction effort

07-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The proposal is intended to provide more flexibility for foods with standards of identity where salt is a required or optional ingredient, and “facilitate industry innovation to reduce sodium in standardized foods,” the agency stated.

Searching for synbiotics: ADM, Brightseed partner on next-gen of gut health

06-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

Food ingredient company ADM and AI technology company Brightseed are bringing together the benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in the form of synbiotic food and beverage ingredients, Sofia Elizondo, co-founder and COO at Brightseed, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Natural Products Expo West

Dip, savory spread sales surge as consumers shake off pandemic era restrictions

05-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Once reserved for special occasions and parties, dips are breaking out as an everyday snack – and in some cases meal – to emerge as a fast-growing category driven by pandemic-fatigue, consumer interest in global flavors and an enviable family-friendly...

Natural Products Expo West

Upcycling food ‘is really one of the biggest opportunities facing the food industry’

04-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Upcycling food, or turning would-be wasted byproducts from one product into something delicious and nutritious for people, has emerged as one of the hottest trends in food and beverage in recent years with the market projected to grow at a compound annual...

Sweet Nothings expands shelf-stable snack portfolio with help of e-com partners

30-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Organic snacking brand Sweet Nothings continues to expand beyond the frozen smoothie segment with the help of two new flavors of its Nut Butter Bites, brand CEO and co-founder Jake Kneller told FoodNavigator-USA.

Health-Ade CMO says kombucha “is here to stay,” ready for growth

30-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

With a new can format and marketing campaign geared towards younger consumers, Health-Ade is looking to grow its brand and expand its base by tapping into occasions and capitalizing on greater consumer awareness of gut health, Health-Ade CMO Charlotte...

FDA draft guidance for “healthy” ingredients on food labels triggers concerns over limitations on innovation, consumer autonomy

30-Mar-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Products making dietary guidance statements should contain a meaningful amount of the featured ingredient or food category and not exceed certain amounts of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar, according to FDA’s draft guidance for industry on questions...

What is next for probiotics? Consumers seek transparency, science-backed validation

29-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Increasing interest in health benefits from probiotics, prebiotics and their synergies is opening new markets for functional foods and beverages, but for products to take full advantage of these opportunities, they must meet consumers’ rising bar for...

Can prebiotics and probiotics beverages grow together? Brew Dr. CEO says yes

24-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Oregon-based organic kombucha brand Brew Dr. is going "a little bit bolder, a little bit bigger" with its new branding and flavors as the company looks to expand household penetration amidst a growing competitive landscape in the functional...

PepsiCo bolsters pep+ framework with $216m investment in regenerative agriculture

23-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo is investing $216m in a strategic partnership with three farmer organizations, including the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, to boost regenerative agriculture practices in the US...

HOP WTR taps into functional benefits, alcohol moderation to grow brand

22-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Non-alcoholic beverage brand HOP WTR is leaning on functional ingredients like ashwagandha and L-Theanine to provide consumers with added mood management benefits, as the brand looks to sustain interest and repeat purchase following a spike in sales from...

AnaBio Technologies unlocks shelf-stable probiotic beverage market with heat-resistant, moisture-stabilizing micro-encapsulation technology

22-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

A patented micro-encapsulation technology from AnaBio Technologies promises to protect and stabilize probiotic bacteria from short bursts of high temperatures and moisture up to 12 months – unlocking an unmet demand in the fast-growing shelf-stable functional...

Zevia CEO talks rebrand, the “rising tide” for sugar-free sodas

21-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Natural soda brand Zevia is sweetening its branding with a new look as it aims to boost its household penetration and eliminate plastic from its supply chain, company CEO Amy Taylor told FoodNavigator-USA.

Natural Products Expo West

Uncle Matt’s looks to functional innovation in face of “most challenging season” for citrus sourcing

20-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

With the increasing demand for functional beverages, Uncle Matt's is preparing for a year of product innovation in the organic juice space at the same time that it navigates another challenging season for citrus sourcing, as brand CEO and founder...

Natural Products Expo West

Sea Monsters invade Expo West, Sprouts with seaweed, sorghum puffs

17-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Kid-friendly snack brand Sea Monsters is expanding into Sprouts, and the brand will have help from some friends – its titular sea monster mascots.

WhatIF targets ‘climate anxious Gen Z’ with bambara groundnut plant-based milk, noodles

17-Mar-2023 By Lauren Nardella

Singapore-based WhatIF Foods looks to bring its line of products derived from the bambara groundnut to a wider audience in the coming year, focusing on educating consumers about the legume’s benefits and appealing to the “climate anxious GenZ consumer,”...

Eat the Change expands Just Ice Tea line, aims to recapture Honest Tea market

16-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Eat the Change co-founder Seth Goldman is continuing to fill the gap left behind by The Coca-Cola Co.'s decision to discontinue Honest Tea by creating a “rhyming copy” of the beloved ready-to-drink brand under his new company, which recently released...

Free From Market promotes “food-as-medicine” digital health platform as key tool in preventive health

15-Mar-2023 By Lauren Nardella

The food-as-medicine movement is at an inflection point, and Free From Market is gearing up to make its patient-driven, digital health platform a solution for improving health outcomes.

Natural Products Expo West

Will hemp seeds sprout into the next big super seed?

14-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Nutrient dense and versitile hemp seeds might be the next ingredient to shake up the super seed space, long-dominated by chia and flax, according to a panel of experts and trendspotters at Natural Products Expo West last week.

Natural Products Expo West

Inflation slows, doesn’t stop natural & organic sales growth

13-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Rising inflation is taking a toll on natural and organic sales in the US, the growth of which slowed dramatically in 2022 and will likely continue to drop in the coming year before rebounding slightly in 2024, according to data presented at Natural Products...

Unite Food introduces bubble tea, baklava flavors at Expo West

10-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

To further its mission of bringing culturally relevant and globally nostalgic flavors to the energy bar category, snack bar maker Unite Food this week revealed two new flavors – a baklava and bubble tea – which it featured at its booth at Natural Products...

Tackling the food waste problem: The Spare Food Co. finds a ‘whey’

08-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

With a new flavor of its probiotic tonic set to hit store shelves regionally later this month, The Spare Food Co. is repurposing whey from the Greek style-yogurt manufacturing process to create its line of beverages while advocating for more food and...

Sonomaceuticals upcycles Chardonnay pomace into health benefits

08-Mar-2023 By Asia Sherman

Two wine industry veterans are channeling research and leftover grape pomace into a superfood ingredient chocked full of bioactive compounds for gut and heart health.

Kevin’s Natural Foods puts a Paleo twist on classic pasta dishes

07-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Kevin's Natural Foods has officially launched its cauliflower pasta meal kits, featuring several classic meat and pasta recipes, following a soft launch earlier this year with a goal of making eating healthy easier.

Plant-based chicken maker Next Gen Foods expands into non-dairy with Mwah! acquisition

06-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Up and coming plant-based chicken manufacturer Next Gen Foods is expanding into the non-dairy segment with today’s announced acquisition of Mwah! – a startup it says is leveraging a “cutting-edge methodology” to create “creamy and delicious dairy-inspired...

Rethinking the global food system: S2G Ventures highlights trends impacting the future of food

06-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Stakeholders across the food system – from farmers to CPG manufacturers – must embrace science and technology more deeply to better meet consumer demand for healthy, sustainable food choices and to reinforce supply chains and food security with climate-smart...

Space Tea takes mission of improving wellness through mushrooms to Expo West

06-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

On a mission to promote wellness through music, meditation, and mushrooms, functional beverage brand Space Tea is readying its next step for retail expansion while taking an opportunity to demo its product at this week's Natural Products Expo West...

Sola reformulates as all natural, rebrands keto-friendly bread

28-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

Low-carb food brand The Sola Company revealed a brand refresh and reformulation to remove remaining artificial ingredients from its of its keto-friendly breads to address consumer demands for more natural products.

A Dozen Cousins founder talks brand’s evolution, partnering with Walmart for Black History Month

27-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

With several recent wins, including a partnership with Disney and expanding beyond the ready-to-eat (RTE) space, natural food brand A Dozen Cousins has a goal of doubling its business in 2023 while delivering on its mission of creating minimally processed,...

PepsiCo moves in on mealtimes, puts ‘zero sugar at the center of portfolio transformation’

23-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

As the beverage and snack leader looks to expand its global market share and profits in the coming years, PepsiCo sees an opportunity to grow the company by homing in on meal occasions, tapping into health and better-for-you consumer trends, and optimizing...

Kraft Heinz reaches ‘inflection point’ in transformation with bold goal to capture $2b in sales with innovation in three years

22-Feb-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Kraft Heinz is entering the final stage of its transformation in which it plans to capture $2b in incremental net sales from innovation through 2027 after the company has systematically rebuilt itself following the dramatic fallout of an aggressive cost-cutting...

From hangover cure to military contract: Hoist targets expanded consumer base, distribution

21-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

As Cincinnati-based, hydration brand Hoist looks to expand its consumer base and move into more retail locations, it is building on a foundation established with the US military, Hoist Co-founder and VP Sales Ben Schmidt and Hoist Co-founder and President...

‘Diversity breeds innovation,’ Waju founder discusses startup challenges, splashing into Sprouts

20-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

Upcycled beverage brand Waju — which uses water produced from the fruit concentrate process — is ready to step into the retail space with a launch in over 400 Sprouts locations in March, after spending the last year optimizing its packaging and formulation,...

Whole Foods vets say ‘don’t try to be all things’ to win at sustainability game

20-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

When it comes to delivering on consumer sustainability demands, food and beverage CPG companies must juggle many plates from developing flavorful products to ensuring their supply chains are environmentally secure. But above all, brands need to focus...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Project Potluck scales up to help more people of color in the CPG industry access capital, combat stereotypes and shift cultural norms

20-Feb-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Since Project Potluck was founded in 2020 to support people of color in the CPG industry, the landscape and conversation around diversity and inclusion has changed dramatically, but according to the grassroots group turned non-profit a lot remains to...

Flavor & function: Prebiotic sodas shake up category with lemon-lime flavors

15-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

As consumers look for both refreshing tastes and gut health claims, more are turning to prebiotic sodas in a range of classic flavors — including lemon-lime — Howard Telford, head of soft drinks at Euromonitor International, told FoodNavigator-USA.

PepsiCo leans on new flavors, double-digit marketing to enhance consumers’ value perception, justify price increases

10-Feb-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Through a combination of new flavor and product launches, boosting advertising and marketing, and integrating purpose throughout the organization, PepsiCo expects to build on a strong fourth quarter and deliver upwards of 6% organic revenue growth in...