Meat, fish and savory ingredients

Omnivores, enhanced protein content might be keys to growing alt-protein market, GFI reports

18-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

The plant-based meat market could grow by providing options to omnivores and consumers embracing a high-protein, low-meat diet, the Good Food Institute (GFI) shared in its annual State of the Industry report.

Startup Spotlight

Nourish Ingredients expands in animal-free specialty fats with Creamilux for dairy

18-Apr-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nourish Ingredients, a pioneer in the emerging ‘animal-free’ speciality fat segment, is expanding into non-dairy with the debut of Creamilux – a low-inclusion lipid that recreates the rich, creamy mouthfeel, taste and emulsification properties of dairy...

Serenity Kids on creating global cuisines for the next generation of foodies

15-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

With an infusion of $52m in Series B funding closed last month, Serenity Kids will drive growth and innovation to provide diverse, nutritious baby food inspired by global cuisine.

Consumers trade down to save on meat, plant-based still struggles on taste, texture, 84.51˚ reports

15-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Consumers are buying less expensive cuts of meat and buying more meat on sale as food prices driven up by inflation remain high, market research firm 84.51˚ shared in its latest consumer report, which also detailed shopper trends for plant-based alternatives....

The Future of Protein Production Chicago takes ‘temperature’ of alt protein investments, regulations

15-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

As the alternative protein industry continues to wade through challenging macroeconomics, the sector might have reasons to be more optimistic in 2024, with investment activity picking up and more companies obtaining commercial approval across the globe,...

SHICKEN fuels US expansion with $5.3m investment from Veg Capital

12-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based chicken manufacturer SHICKEN is using a recent investment from venture-capital firm Veg Capital to expand into the US, brand Co-founder and CEO Parm Bains told FoodNavigator-USA.

A traceable seafood industry requires a globalized effort for standardized data collection

11-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The seafood industry needs coordinated data collection and standardization to reduce the risk of illegal, unregulated and unrecorded seafood, explained Sara Bratager, food traceability and food safety scientist at the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC)...

USDA finalizes modern WIC program, secures additional $1bn in funding

10-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

A wider range of packaged foods, including canned fish, canned beans and some plant-based dairy, could qualify for reimbursement under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) following an update by the US Department...

Natural Products Expo West

Safe Catch sets its own heavy metal standards for packaged seafood

09-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Canned seafood brand, Safe Catch, initially began as a technology company that tested and analyzed fish tissue samples for heavy metals within seconds, which was later implemented into the brand’s standard that contained metals “10 times below the FDA...

Mason Dixie’s frozen breakfast sandwiches make comfort food clean

05-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Mason Dixie Foods' transition from foodservice to retail, including Whole Foods and Costco, allowed the brand to tap into whitespace in frozen breakfast foods with a healthy halo and clean label, Ayeshah Abuelhiga, the brand’s founder and CEO, explained...

Nourished on how to communicate the potential of personalised nutrition to consumers

05-Apr-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Personalised nutrition has immense potential for extremely bespoke nutritional benefits to consumers. But for such a niche category, how does a company communicate this potential?

From ice age to modern day: Mammoth Meatball maker Vow releases cell-cultivated quail meat

04-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Australian-based cell-cultivated meat company Vow is moving from extinct animals to something more familiar with the release of Forged Parfait, featuring a cell-cultivated meat product based on the Japanese quail, company Co-founder and CEO George Peppou...

Umami Bioworks, Shiok Meats merge to scale cultivated seafood production

02-Apr-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Umami Bioworks and Shiok Meats merge to accelerate the development of sustainable seafood solutions to “provide consumers with mercury-free, nutritious and culturally relevant seafood alternatives, thereby contributing to the regeneration of marine ecosystems,”...

FDA’s import alert targets synthetic chemicals for food products, including PFAS

22-Mar-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The recent import alert grants FDA the authorization to prohibit entry of human food products into the US if they are contaminated with a broad range of synthetic chemicals that are deemed harmful for human consumption and the environment.

Changing freshwater cycle: Are we on a collision course with disaster?

22-Mar-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Human activity has significantly altered the freshwater cycle. But is this change reversible, and if not, what does it mean for the future of food and water supplies?

How is the food industry supporting childhood nutrition?

21-Mar-2024 By Donna Eastlake

From infancy through to adolescence, nutrition is essential in ensuring a healthy body and mind for our youngsters. So how can this be achieved and what it the food industry doing to help parents?

FoodEx Japan 2024

Beefing up activity: US hopes to drive Japan exports as tourism rebounds and retail opportunities emerge

20-Mar-2024 By Gary Scattergood

The US is hoping to see a resurgence in beef exports to Japan on the back of a post-pandemic increase in tourism and new retail opportunities, after reporting a 23% drop in 2023 to shipments valued at $1.8bn.

Season Health partnership will focus on reducing hypertension, improving nutrition access

18-Mar-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The partnership will serve two segments of patients at Steward Health Care Network in Mass. with the goal to “reduce stage two hypertension for patients in the hypertension program and improve both engagement and nutrition insecurity status for patients...

Future of Seafood

Tune in on demand: Future of Seafood webinar explores role of R&D and technology

14-Mar-2024 By Deniz Ataman

FoodNavigator-USA's free editorial webinar 'The Future of Seafood' is available on demand and explores how plant-based Bettafish, acquaculture brand Local Coho and cultivated seafood Forsea Foods maximize taste, nutrition and environmental...

Cole’s Seafood focused on aligning with ASC certifications to reach a broader market

13-Mar-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Seafood suppliers increasingly need to navigate a complex landscape of ethical, regenerative, and eco-friendly certifications, which can feel like a "juggling act" that confuses consumers, Dean Hrabar, marketing and business development manager...

Single-ingredient meat analogue developed in ‘happy accident’: ‘We’re the first and only ones doing this’

12-Mar-2024 By Flora Southey

Although developing meat alternatives from a single ingredient was not Nosh Bio’s initial aim, the start-up very quickly realised it had something ‘super powerful’ on its hands.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Applegate doubles down on regenerative agriculture after seeing the positive impact of its DO GOOD DOG

11-Mar-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Can the humble hotdog help slow or even reverse the negative effects of climate change? According to natural and organic meat brand Applegate Farms the answer is yes – especially if it is made with regeneratively farmed beef, which the company is committing...

News In Brief

USDA scrutinizes negative antibiotic claims, may require more testing for veracity

06-Mar-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Companies that make negative antibiotic claims may soon be required to regularly conduct and submit to USDA test results documenting the claims’ veracity if an ongoing study conducted by the agency confirms antibiotics routinely in animals destined for...

Cargill highlights its sustainable proteins for first-ever tasting in NYC

03-Mar-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Cargill showcased the breadth of its protein portfolio and sustainable sourcing partnerships in a multi-course tasting earlier this month in New York City.

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....

Consumers embrace 'just-in-time shopping,’ shift fresh-food spending to save money, Circana finds

29-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

To combat high food prices, consumers are increasing store trips and shifting what they purchase in fresh food, including moving away from meat, seafood, and produce to deli and bakery items, Jonna Parker, principal II, fresh foods team lead at Circana,...

Sustainable aquaculture: Charting US growth through NOAA's initiatives, retail demand

21-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

US aquaculture is in a state of transformation led by initiatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries), coupled with the increasing prevalence of certifications, and a growing demand for responsibly sourced seafood...

Protecting children from deceptive food advertising: The scope of NY’s S213-B bill

21-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Recently proposed legislation in New York seeks to expand the state’s deceptive food advertising regulations to include safeguarding children who may be susceptible to excessive consumption of unhealthy goods, but lawyers with the firm Venable argue the...

Earth Fare and Merryfield gamify nutrition labels in-store

20-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Earth Fare, an organic and natural grocery chain, has partnered with Merryfield for its Micro-Moments program where shoppers can scan QR codes in-store for additional ingredient education on select better-for-you brands. This supplements Merryfield's...

USDA approves RTE meal box delivery for children in rural Alaska

20-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved the demonstration project, Alaska Meals to You (M2Y), for the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (AK DEED), to help find an effective way to provide meals to children in rural Alaska during...

Egg prices drag down dairy again, prepared meats remain strong in deli, Circana reports

19-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

After a challenging year, dairy and deli markets are starting 2024 with unit growth, as egg prices rise once again as a result of avian flu, Jonna Parker, principal of fresh foods team lead at Circana, shared during an International Dairy Deli Bakery...

NPD Trend Tracker: From mandarin orange juice to AI-generated recipes

19-Feb-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we see how high orange juice prices have led to the development of mandarin orange juice, and the rise of generative AI has led to the creation of an AI cookbook. Furthermore, we see a rebranding from Mallow &...

Frozen foods continue serving consumers’ needs, open opportunities for brands to provide variety

16-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Consumers seek frozen foods to reduce waste and as a cost-effective nutrition source, creating opportunities for brands to reimagine options for the nearly $78bn frozen food department, according to Conagra Brands’ recent Future of Frozen Food 2024 report.

USDA pushes for more timely SNAP payments that account for a third of retail grocery sales

12-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

SNAP households are a major contributor to F&B sales, with 70% of SNAP dollars going towards food and beverages, according to Circana data, yet problems with late and inaccurate payments by states hinder access to food for the 42 million participants...

Hungryroot grows 40% YoY, expands curation of healthy foods

09-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Generating $333m in net revenue and more than $9m in profit, Hungryroot attributes its growth to its AI-driven “core personalization” of users’ food preferences and an expanded inventory in its three facilities, explained Alex Weinstein, the company’s...

Super Bowl ranks high among holiday weekends, snacks take center stage

08-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

As Las Vegas prepares for the estimated $215bn economic growth from the additional 215,00 visitors for the Super Bowl, CPG companies and retailers have a significant opportunity to feature value-added offerings for viewers across the country, according...

Tyson Foods’ decision to shutter less efficient chicken plants, beef facilities pays off with strong Q1

06-Feb-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tyson Foods’ multi-point plant to improve its performance, including “right-sizing” its footprint by shuttering older, less efficient chicken plants and several fresh meat case-ready facilities, is paying off as the protein packer reported better-than-expected...

Arizona next state to propose cultivated meat censorship

02-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Arizona, along with Florida and Texas, is the next state to propose stringent laws like censorship and bans for cultivated meat products, running the risk of “stifling the free market and their state’s economy," Curt Chaffin, GFI's director...

Regenerative agriculture, renewable energy is ‘best path forward’ for reducing Scope 3 emissions

31-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Upstream and downstream activities that indirectly impact a company’s Scope 3 emissions may be difficult to measure, but a collaborative investment between stakeholders will help improve environmental impacts long-term, Brian Nash, vice president of corporate...

USDA invests $11.5m to reduce food waste from landfills

31-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

USDA’s investment will go towards 38 cooperative agreements “that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills,” according to the organization’s statement.

To grow or not to grow: Bovine cells engineered to produce their own growth factors in cultivated meat production

31-Jan-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Cultivated meat needs growth factors in order for its cells to grow. These are usually added to the cell culture media at considerable expense, impacting potential for commercialisation. New research, however, has shown that edited bovine cells can produce...

‘Plant-based downturn isn’t halting innovation’: Beneo talks 2024 alt protein strategy

30-Jan-2024 By Flora Southey

The ingredients supplier outlines its two-pronged alternative protein strategy, which it is betting on to reignite demand for plant-based meat.

Super Bowl LVIII: The products, ads expected to make big plays during game day

29-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

With the Super Bowl two weeks away, consumers are preparing their grocery lists and budgets for the big game day, as CPG brands ready their ads and promotions with the anticipation of receiving a volume boost the week after the game.

‘People want to eat meat,’ SCiFi Foods CEO on first production run, potential of cell-cultivated meat

26-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Food-tech company SCiFi Foods inches closer to releasing its hybrid meat product that consists of a blend of cell-cultivated beef and plant proteins, upon completing its first commercial-scale production run, company co-founder and CEO Joshua March told...

Regulatory greenlight for cultivated beef leaves EU sector ‘hopeful’

26-Jan-2024 By Flora Southey

The world’s first regulatory approval for cultivated beef has been granted in Israel. For EU cultivated meat stakeholders, is the greenlight yet another sign the EU – which has yet to approve such a product – is falling behind? Or does it hold promise...

IFF to improve alternative meat capabilities, invests in Coperion’s HME technology

24-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

By investing in Coperion’s high-moisture extrusion (HME) technology, which improves sensory attributes like texture and appearance of plant-based meat alternatives, IFF will incorporate its flavor and ingredient expertise from its Re-Imagine Protein Innovation...

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Subcommittees collaborate on diet simulations for diverse populations

23-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's (DGAC)Health Equity Working Group and Food Pattern Modeling and Data Analysis subcommittees provided details on its pilot program to develop dietary intake patterns for American Indian and Alaska Native...

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...

‘Mass customisation’: New 3D printing tech brings more flexibility to alternative meat and seafood production

23-Jan-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Austrian start-up Revo Foods is well known for its 3D-printed fish and meat whole cuts. Now, it has announced technology that can work continuously and produce a variety of products simultaneously, introducing significant flexibility into the production...

Cultivated eel that ‘melts in your mouth’? How Forsea mimics ‘tender, succulent’ texture of fish and seafood

22-Jan-2024 By Flora Southey

Eel meat is unlike any other: it is fatty, tender, and ‘almost melts in your mouth’, explains Roee Nir, co-founder and CEO of Forsea Foods. The start-up is working to mimic these attributes with stem cells in a lab.