Emulsifiers, stabilizers, hydrocolloids

Solazyme’s AlgaWise algae oils trialed by ‘several’ global food and beverage companies, says CEO

03-Aug-2015 By Elaine Watson

Several leading food and beverage companies are now trialing Solazyme’s new high-oleic AlgaWise algae oils, while the egg shortage and the FDA’s final determination on partially hydrogenated oils have also boosted demand for the firm’s AlgaVia whole algal...

What were the hottest - and weirdest - ingredient trends at IFT? From fermented stevia & mushroom mycelium to the world’s smallest vegetable…

23-Jul-2015 By Elaine Watson

Can the world’s smallest vegetable give other sources of plant protein a run for their money? Will consumers accept ‘synbio’ ingredients, and will the rare sugar allulose be a hit? FoodNavigator-USA hit the show floor at IFT to find out what’s hot, what’s...

Almond Breeze almond milk only contains 2% almonds, claims false advertising lawsuit

22-Jul-2015 By Elaine Watson

Consumers understand that almond milk must contain some water, but they would be surprised to learn that the leading brands contain just 2% almonds, alleges a class action lawsuit vs Blue Diamond Growers.

Your guide to IFT 2015: From cultured meat, 3D printing, and novel proteins to feeding your hungry microbiome...

06-Jul-2015 By Elaine Watson

Why is dietary diversity essential for a healthy microbiome? Can 3D printing and edible insects live up to the hype? And when will growing meat in the lab be commercially viable? Check out FoodNavigator-USA's guide to the hottest topics at the Institute...

General Mills to remove artificial ingredients from cereals by 2017

23-Jun-2015 By Kacey Culliney

General Mills will remove all artificial flavors and colors from its breakfast cereals across the US over the next two to three years.

Florida consumer drops false advertising lawsuit v Hampton Creek over Just Mayo

23-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

A Florida consumer accusing Hampton Creek Foods of falsely advertising its Just Mayo spread has dropped her lawsuit against the company, her attorney has confirmed.

Egg replacement ingredients help manufacturers reformulate in avian flu wake

19-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The spread of avian flu among hens in the U.S. may be slowing, but the resulting egg shortage could take up to two years to rebound – prompting some worried manufacturers to permanently reformulate their products with egg replacement ingredients, industry...

Avian flu outbreak has not dented consumer confidence in eggs, reveals American Egg Board survey

17-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Devastating though the latest outbreak of Avian flu has been to the US egg industry, it does not appear to have dented consumer confidence in eggs, says the American Egg Board.

United Egg Producers: It could be 1-2 years before US egg industry recovers from avian flu

17-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

It could be one to two years before the US egg industry is firing on all cylinders again following the latest avian flu outbreak, says United Egg Producers, a co-op which owns 95% of the nation’s egg-laying hens.

Bakers hail new egg supplies from The Netherlands, but warn that avian flu crisis is ‘far from over’

05-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

The arrival of egg products from The Netherlands “may make up for about 10% of the supply that’s been lost due to the impact of the avian influenza” in the US, says the American Bakers Association. 

Americans believe ‘preservatives / chemicals’ are significantly more harmful than added sugar, saturated fat and sodium, says new poll

02-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

A poll* of more than 4,200 US consumers conducted in April 2015 by CivicScience shows Americans believe that ‘preservatives / chemicals’ are significantly more harmful to their heath than added sugar, saturated fat and sodium.

Avian flu prompting strategic rethink at US food companies, claims Hampton Creek boss: 'It's not just about price'

26-May-2015 By Elaine Watson

The latest outbreak of avian flu has, predictably, prompted a surge in demand for egg replacers. But some industrial egg users are now considering making permanent changes to recipes and menus rather than just making tactical substitutions whenever egg...

Egg supplies decreasing at ‘alarming rate’ due to avian flu, warn bakers

26-May-2015 By Elaine Watson

Bakers and other big users of eggs could face major supply shortages if the government does not act quickly to allow temporary imports from more egg-producing countries, claims the American Bakers Association (ABA), which says “25% of industrial egg product...

Experts untangle GMO developments and impact on firms at FoodNavigator-USA’s Going Non-GMO forum May 20

19-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Pressure on food manufacturers to label genetically modified food and provide non-GMO alternatives is mounting as consumer concern and confusion about the technology increases in response to a deluge of negative messaging about it. 

Cargill eyes sustainable seaweed for carrageenan range

12-May-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Cargill has introduced a new range of carrageenans for drinks makers in order to improve the sustainability of their sourcing.

Attorney: This case could end up in the Supreme Court

What does the ruling in Vermont mean for GMO labeling?

30-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

While opponents of Vermont’s GMO labeling Act 120 suffered a major setback this week after a federal judge rejected many of their arguments, some attorneys predict the case could ultimately end up in the Supreme Court to settle a long-running debate over...

Chipotle goes non-GMO, and embarks on ‘quest to eliminate additives’

27-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

Chipotle Mexican Grill has “achieved its goal of moving to only non-GMO ingredients to make all of the food in its US restaurants”, and is now embarking on a quest to eliminate additives such as dough conditioners from its foods.

Hampton Creek CEO: People told me foodservice was a high-volume, low-margin play with no branding opportunities; they were wrong

22-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

From a standing start in late 2013 – when it hit shelves in Whole Foods - Hampton Creek’s egg-free spread Just Mayo is now in 21,000 retail locations. But its progress in foodservice has been even more meteoric, says CEO Josh Tetrick, who says a deal...

And now the lawsuits… FDA warning letter to KIND triggers wave of consumer litigation

20-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

As widely predicted, multiple class action lawsuits were filed against KIND on Friday following the publication of a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter citing a long list of concerns over label claims on its bars and its website.

Where next for hydrocolloids?

17-Apr-2015

Once considered purely technical ingredients (thickeners, stabilizers, gelling agents), hydrocolloids are “going through a transformation from purely functional to nutritional ingredient status”, say the organizers of a conference dedicated to the $7bn...

Is ALDI the ‘most underestimated grocery retailer in the US?'

15-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

While Trader Joe’s gets plenty of plaudits, its German parent company ALDI – which operates nearly 1,400 stores in 32 US states - is probably “the most underestimated grocery retailer” in the nation, according to a new report from market researcher Hartman...

Hain Celestial all-natural lawsuit to proceed: ‘One does not have to suspend reality’ to understand why plaintiff felt misled, says judge

10-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

A California federal judge has given the green light to a false advertising lawsuit filed against Hain Celestial accusing it of misleading shoppers by describing its Sunflower Dream beverage and related products as ‘all-natural’ when they contained “artificial,...

Jamba Juice settles ‘all-natural’ lawsuit, but will pay no damages

24-Mar-2015 By Elaine Watson

Jamba Juice has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit filed in California alleging it misled shoppers by labeling its smoothie kits as ‘all-natural’.

Hampton Creek Foods sued again over 'deceptive' Just Mayo name

24-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

Just weeks after Unilever dropped its false advertising lawsuit against Hampton Creek Foods over its egg-free spread ‘Just Mayo’, a consumer class action making near-identical claims has been filed in Florida - and then abruptly withdrawn again.

Clear label pledge

Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Kisses to go non-GM

23-Feb-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

Hershey intends to remove genetically-modified ingredients from Hershey’s Milk Chocolate and Kisses by the end of the year.

Innophos' sales down 1% for 2014 on supply bottleneck, soft demand

19-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Specialty phosphate producer Innophos experienced a sales decline both for its fourth quarter of 2014 and well as for the entire year. Soft market conditions were to blame as well as a continued issue with the supply of purified phosphoric acid (PPA),...

Fruigees finds the white space in the fruit snacks category: ‘We’re not getting much sleep, but it’s the best thing we’ve ever done’

05-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

While it might not have been a classic Eureka! moment, watching his fellow medical students squeezing baby food into their mouths during lectures was certainly a defining moment in the genesis of LA-based fruit snacks sensation Fruigees and the life of CEO...

Naturex ramps up quillaia production at Chile plant

02-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Naturex is consolidating its Chile Botanics acquisition by ramping production of quillaia, one of the division’s locally-sourced ingredients.

SPECIAL FEATURE: So Soylent secures $20m… Money well spent?

26-Jan-2015 By Elaine Watson

While uncharitable observers have described Soylent as “only slightly more appealing than an IV bag”, news that the LA-based food substitute firm has just secured $20m in funding and is now generating “millions of dollars per month in subscription revenues”...

From turmeric to almond milk: What’s hot in beverage formulation?

20-Jan-2015 By Elaine Watson

While consumers may think twice about buying a large box of cereal featuring a new functional ingredient, they are much more willing to try new things in the beverage category, which is a hotbed of innovation right now, two leading ingredients suppliers...

Consumers want more than just cold and sweet

Arctic Zero unveils fresh new look, poised for ‘significant growth’ in 2015

08-Jan-2015 By Elaine Watson

Guilt-free but indulgent frozen dessert brand Arctic Zero grew sales by more than 25% in 2014 versus 2013 and is “poised for significant growth” in 2015, says the San Diego-based firm, which has just unveiled a new logo and pack design.

Hampton Creek Foods raises $90m to support ‘massive’ growth: ‘Just Mayo has gone from zero to 15,000 locations in a little over a year’

18-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

A high-profile lawsuit* filed by Unilever accusing Hampton Creek Foods of falsely advertising its flagship product ‘Just Mayo’ has not, it seems, dented Silicon Valley’s enthusiasm for the plant-based foods pioneer, which has just raised another $90m...

Patent Watch

General Mills eyes patent hat-trick for ready-to-bake gluten-free doughs

10-Dec-2014 By Kacey Culliney

General Mills has filed three patents for gluten-free doughs that it has developed in ready-to-bake format to offer an alternative to dry mixes.

Monsanto exec: GMOs are not the Holy Grail. What they are is an important tool if used properly

08-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Genetically engineered crops are not a magic bullet and some weeds have become resistant to the herbicide glyphosate (RoundUp) used with selected GM crops, said Monsanto’s chief technology officer Dr Robert Fraley in a debate on Wednesday. But that doesn’t...

Gluten-free mug muffin start-up hungry to invigorate market

01-Dec-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Gluten-free microwaveable muffins plug a market gap where major food firms are slow to innovate, claims a start-up looking to upscale its muffin pot concept.

US dairy-free frozen desserts market could double or triple in five years, predicts ‘Godfather of ice cream’

26-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

The US dairy-free frozen desserts category could “double or triple” in the next five years as more consumers explore almond, coconut and other alternatives, predicts ice cream guru Malcolm Stogo, who is now bidding for a slice of the non-dairy action...

General Mills settles ‘100% natural’ Nature Valley lawsuit; does not admit liability

19-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

General Mills has agreed that it will not use the term ‘100% natural’ to describe Nature Valley bars that contain certain ‘artificially produced’ ingredients in order to settle a long-running false advertising lawsuit*.

Attorney: Unilever needs to prove 'Just Mayo' misleads reasonable consumer

Unilever sues Hampton Creek Foods for false advertising: Just Mayo is masquerading as a mayonnaise and stealing market share from Hellmann’s

09-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

UPDATED: Unilever has filed a lawsuit against Hampton Creek Foods accusing it of falsely advertising its egg-free Just Mayo spread and causing “irreparable harm” to Unilever's Hellmann’s mayonnaise brand and the category as a whole.

US egg consumption highest it's been in 7 years: ‘Protein is where there is a big opportunity right now.’

24-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Egg prices have risen steadily in the past three years, and firms touting plant-based proteins as an alternative have attracted a huge amount of media attention. But new data suggests that this has not dampened demand for eggs, with per capita consumption...

Ingredion on Penford deal, gums, bolt-on acquisitions and Non-GMO - a ‘significant niche’

17-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Press coverage of Ingredion’s $340m acquisition of starch & gums maker Penford made much of reducing its reliance on high fructose corn syrup in the light of lackluster soda sales. But HFCS now accounts for just 15% of sales at Ingredion, which has...

Ingredion expands ingredients empire with $340m deal to buy Penford Corp

15-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Sweeteners & starches giant Ingredion has expanded its ingredients empire with the acquisition of potato starch specialist Penford in a $340m deal that could close before the end of the year.

Dispatches: AACCI annual meeting 2014

Gluten-free NPD knowledge needs to catch up, says Ingredion

15-Oct-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Knowledge on gluten-free product development must improve because the bar on quality is higher than ever, says a technical specialist at Ingredion.

Bamboo fiber, protein beverages, and gummies: Hydrocolloid expert talks innovative delivery systems

15-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Beverages continue to be one of the hot beds for innovation when it comes to nutrient fortification, with insoluble fiber, nutritional oils, and (of course) protein all catching the eye.

Ingredion ties up with Desert King International to take natural foaming agents to a global audience

06-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Ingredion has struck a deal with Desert King International (DKI) to become the exclusive global distributor of DKI's natural foaming agents from Quillaja saponaria (the soapbark tree) and Yucca schidigera (the Mohave yucca plant) for use in food...

Equity crowd funding will transform food industry, expert says

02-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

New crowd funding platforms will transform the food industry, said an executive of a Canadian company set to go that route to raise additional capital.

B&G Foods hit with 'all-natural' lawsuit over 'artificial' or 'GMO' dextrose, xanthan gum, maltodextrin, citric acid, soy lecithin

23-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

B&G Foods is the latest firm to be hit with a class action lawsuit accusing it of misleading shoppers by labeling products containing ingredients that are “highly processed” or/and derived from genetically engineered crops as ‘all-natural’. 

Best practices in ingredient marketing

Anderson Partners: Ingredient suppliers have a brand story to tell, too

02-Sep-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Ingredient suppliers are taking on expanded roles in the packaged food and beverage industry beyond just selling ingredients, from research and development to consulting. 

Food manufacturers divulge chemical use; shouldn’t be the last word, CSPI says

29-Aug-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has decided to share its database on how food manufacturers use chemicals that are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) with the US Food and Drug Administration, an initiative the trade group claims will “improve...

WhiteWave pulling carrageenan from Silk, Horizon

21-Aug-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Citing mounting consumer pressure, WhiteWave Foods says it will remove carrageenan from its Silk and Horizon brands.

Z Trim Holdings unveils BioFiber Gum for supplement encapsulation, food additive applications

20-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

Z Trim Holdings, an Illinois-based producer of functional ingredients derived from corn fiber and other grain byproducts, has launched its BioFiber Gum (BFG) for food, supplement and industrial applications. BFG is said to have both a suite of attractive...