Fats & oils

Keto diet best in small doses, suggests mouse study

17-Feb-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Touted as an effective weight loss regimen, the keto diet has gone from niche to mainstream, with CPG products clamoring to align themselves with the trend. But are its immediate results outweighed by longer-term negative effects?

Lavva tests plant-based yogurts in Target, Kroger, gears up for launch of ‘decadent’ keto-friendly line

17-Feb-2020 By Elaine Watson

Lavva – which stands out in the burgeoning plant-based yogurt category with a no added sugar product fueled by Pili nuts and plaintains – is testing its wares in Target and several Kroger banners, and gearing up for the launch of Molten Lavva, a ‘decadent’...

WATCH: Nuttin Ordinary seeks new investment to take plant-based cheese brand nationwide

14-Feb-2020 By Elaine Watson

Made with five ingredients: cashews, water, Himalayan pink salt, nutritional yeast, and cultures, Nuttin Ordinary is seeking to stand out in the burgeoning plant-based cheese category with a short, clean ingredients list and a product that doesn’t try...

Investing in the Future of Food: Have better-for-you, meat alternatives & CBD jumped the shark?

12-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

As the number of food accelerators and incubators has increased in recent years, the barrier for entry into the market has decreased – and while this makes launching a new product or company easier, it has made cutting through the competition and finding...

Alpha Foods raises $28m to fuel growth of plant-based food empire

11-Feb-2020 By Elaine Watson

Plant-based food brand Alpha Foods has raised $28m in a funding round led by VC fund AccelFoods and supported by New Crop Capital, Green Monday and Blue Horizon, bringing its total funding to around $40m.

Heart-healthy walnuts could be the next big meat alternative as campaigns build on plant-based trend

03-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Hoping to exponentially increase consumers’ already growing interest in walnuts, the California Walnut Board today is launching a two-prong marketing effort that will promote the nut’s health benefits and versatility.

Olive oil sales slumped 7.1% YoY in December as Airbus tariffs prompted drop-off in promo activity

27-Jan-2020 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of olive oil slumped 7.1% in December 2019 vs December 2018 as tariffs on imported packaged Spanish olive oil imposed as part of the Airbus dispute prompted a significant drop-off in promotional activity, Nielsen data* shows. Unit sales...

Whisps Snacks taps into Americans' love of cheese with expanding cheese crisps lineup: 'We're growing a category,' says CEO

17-Jan-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Snack trends may come and go, but few can dispute the permanence of cheese in the American diet, says Ilana Fischer, founder of the fast-growing Whisps cheese crisps brand.

Harmless Harvest moves into plant-based yogurt: 'We’re making it pretty differently than just about anyone else'

17-Jan-2020 By Elaine Watson

Harmless Harvest – which has carved a distinct niche in the coconut water category via its use of micro-filtration (instead of thermal pasteurization) – is promising to bring the same commitment to novel processing methods, organic ingredients, and clean...

Atkins Nutritionals & Rob Lowe tackle misinformation about the low-carb diet in new campaign

15-Jan-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Recognizing that there is a lot of information – and misinformation – about different diets, weight management brand Atkins Nutritionals is launching a new multi-marketing campaign with spokesman Rob Lowe that aims to set the record straight about what...

Amarlane Foods debuts plant-based Betterine spread made from coconut oil: 'We’re not claiming that it’s healthy, but it is natural’

14-Jan-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Amarlane Foods spent the past three years in heavy R&D to bring its plant-based spread – made of coconut oil, water, soy lecithin, and arrowroot powder – to market.

KIND updates labels to reflect research showing calories from nuts have been “grossly miscalculated”

14-Jan-2020 By Elaine Watson

KIND is reducing calorie counts on its nut bars to reflect USDA research suggesting that traditional methods for calculating energy have "grossly miscalculated" the metabolizable energy from whole nuts, the core ingredients in its snacks.

Experts urge industry to work with schools to improve kids’ meals even as standards are rolled back

14-Jan-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Health and nutrition experts are urging food manufacturers to create healthier options for schools to serve students after new research shows that strengthened nutrition standards in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 are working and the fears...

Paucity of testing ensures olive oil adulteration continues to plague market, BAPP bulletin says

10-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

The Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program has released a bulletin on olive oil adulteration that shows that the issue, though widely acknowledged, continues to plague the market.

NPD Group: Consumers pay most attention to sugar and calorie content when reading the nutrition facts label

09-Jan-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

When it comes to reading the updated nutrition facts label, consumers are most keyed into sugar and calorie content, reports The NPD Group.

Plant-based Impossible Sausage to debut at Burger King via the ‘Impossible Croissan'wich’

07-Jan-2020 By Elaine Watson

The plant-based Impossible Sausage – the latest innovation from Impossible Foods – will debut next week at Burger King outlets in five states in the 'Impossible Croissan'wich' for a limited period.

Baze Marketplace pushes personalized nutrition from supplements to food

06-Jan-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

As mounting consumer interest in personalized nutrition continues to drive consolidation in the supplement side of the segment, the evidence-based supplement subscription service Baze is expanding into food as a point of differentiation, and in doing...

Whole milk consumption tied to lower likelihood of childhood obesity, says study

02-Jan-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Children and teens who drank whole milk (3.25% fat) compared to kids who consumed reduced-fat milk (0.1-2% fat) were less likely to be overweight or obese, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis led by St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health...

Perfect Day raises $140m to scale up animal-free dairy platform, prepares for 2020 launches in multiple categories

11-Dec-2019 By Elaine Watson

Perfect Day, a startup producing milk proteins via microbial fermentation (minus the cows), has raised $140m in a Series C round led by Temasek with substantial involvement from past investors including Horizons Ventures, bringing its cumulative funding...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: How breaking school lunch free from ‘trap of cheapness’ can bolster business

06-Dec-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

The National School Lunch Program serves approximately 4.9 billion meals a year to children nationwide, and for many recipients it is their only source of nutrition, and yet, according to a new book by Jennifer Gaddis, the program is chronically underfunded...

News in brief

What’s trending in nutrition? Keto, intermittent fasting, and clean eating, say dietitians

26-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

The high fat, moderate protein and ultra-low carb keto diet is likely to remain the top diet trend of 2020, followed by intermittent fasting and clean eating, according to a poll of 1,259 registered dietitians conducted by marketing and PR agency Pollock...

Decline in obesity of some young children attributed to improvements in WIC food package

24-Nov-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

A significant decrease in obesity among 2- to 4-year-olds participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children between 2010 and 2016 suggests recent changes to the type of food and beverages covered by the program are helping...

NEW PRODUCTS GALLERY: From Twinkies cereal and CBD-infused tea to Coca-Cola's AHA moment and Chobani Oat

20-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

Check out FoodNavigator-USA’s latest gallery of new products hitting US shelves, from a slew of CBD-infused beverages to Coca-Cola's AHA flavored sparkling water and a flurry of innovation from Chobani, which is heading into two new categories: Creamers,...

Real dairy butter... minus the cows? Perfect Day expands its animal-free microbial fermentation platform

19-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

Perfect Day, a startup producing milk proteins via microbial fermentation (minus the cows) plans to expand into animal-free milk fat and other new-to-the-world fats that could replace coconut and palm oil in plant-based burgers and other products.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: What might the 2020 dietary guidelines for the first 1,000 days include?

15-Nov-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

With emerging research showing that the diet of pregnant women and children under the age of 2 years can have a powerful impact on children’s brain development and future health, the upcoming recommendations for the 2020 Dietary Guidelines will, for the...

Nestlé tie up with Corbion gives fresh impetus to algae in the alternative protein market

14-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

Algae has not – yet – gained much traction in the ‘alternative’ protein market. However, things could be about to change following a deal between Corbion (which acquired assets from algae ingredients pioneer Terravia in 2017) and Nestlé to develop the...

AAK opens California customer innovation center targeting plant-based dairy alternative formulations

14-Nov-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

AAK, a supplier of value-added vegetable oils and fats, has expanded its network of customer co-development facilities with the opening of its Richmond, California, innovation center, allowing for rapid prototyping of bakery, plant-based, and personal...

GROW Välling draws on Swedish heritage to launch a better-for-you alternative to toddler milks

14-Nov-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

Transitioning children from breast milk to cow’s milk and solids can be frustrating and frightening for parents if their little ones regularly push away new foods, creating a market demand for so-called toddler milks and follow-on formulas that claim...

CoreFX CEO talks convenient, healthy fats and ambitions to become a 'holistic nutrition and wellness company'

07-Nov-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

CoreFX Ingredients -- a Chicago-based supplier of dry, stable functional powdered fats and oils -- is experiencing increased demand across it portfolio, especially for its plant-based offerings such as avocado, evening primrose, and Sacha Inchi oils....

Extra virgin olive oil standard of identity needed to tackle 'widespread mislabeling,' claims petition

07-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

If the term ‘extra virgin olive oil’ is to have any meaning for US shoppers, the FDA needs to come up with a standard of identity – and enforce it – argues a citizen’s petition filed this week by the American Olive Oil Producers Association (AOOPA) and...

Layn Corp. establishes separate entity for CBD business, launches Plantae to complement CBD formulations

05-Nov-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Layn Corp. has registered its hemp-derived CBD business based in Indiana as HempRise LLC, which will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the global botanical extracts and plant-based ingredients company.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Trends at FNCE from personalized nutrition to new solutions for allergy-sufferers

01-Nov-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

Earlier this week, more than 10,000 registered dietitians, nutritionists, nutrition science researchers, policy makers, healthcare providers and industry leaders descended on Philadelphia to learn about and discuss key health issues facing Americans at...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Edlong enters CBD space through partnership with Radient Technologies

23-Oct-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Natural flavors company, Edlong Corporation, and Radient Technologies, manufacturer of cannabinoid-based ingredients, are partnering to develop a range of CBD flavors and ingredients for the global food and beverage market.

WATCH: FoodBytes! Chicago winner Capro-X tackles acid whey

14-Oct-2019 By Elaine Watson

Capro-X - a spin-off from Cornell University - uses microbes to convert the organic compounds in acid whey into high-value flavor and fragrance ingredients such as caproic acid and caprylic acid, which are currently sourced from palm oil.

VMG Partners acquires popchips to anchor new branded snacking platform

09-Oct-2019 By Elaine Watson

Private equity firm VMG Partners is betting big on the snacks category with the formation of a new division – Velocity Snack Brands (VSB) – set up to buy, incubate and grow snack brands, beginning with the acquisition of the popchips* brand from majority...

news in brief

Nestlé gears up for 2020 launch of the ‘PB triple play,’ a 'no-compromise plant-based bacon cheeseburger'

09-Oct-2019 By Elaine Watson

In 2020, diners ordering Nestlé's plant-based Awesome Burger (in the US) or Incredible Burger (in Europe) will be able to pair it with plant-based cheese and bacon via the 'PB triple play’: a "no-compromise plant-based bacon cheeseburger."

Cargill, Unilever chart multiple paths to reduce plastic in packaging

08-Oct-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

Large food and beverage suppliers and manufacturers are aggressively reducing their use of plastic in response to rising concerns about the material’s negative environmental impact by consumers who increasingly shop based on their values.

Ahiflower becoming increasingly attractive alternative to fish oil and flaxseed oil

07-Oct-2019 By Danielle Masterson

A new plant seed oil offering high levels of omega-3s from a non-genetically modified crop is taking the omega-3 segment by storm.

Hershey deal will accelerate distribution, take ONE Brands into new categories, says CEO

03-Oct-2019 By Elaine Watson

Joining forces with Hershey will help protein bar maker ONE Brands reach new audiences in club, foodservice and international markets; help support moves into new product categories; and crank up marketing; says ONE Brands president and CEO Peter Burns.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Bulletproof names new CEO furthering its mission of becoming a household name

27-Sep-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Bulletproof 360 Inc., maker of Bulletproof Coffee, has appointed Larry Bodner as its new CEO, who will be focused on running the day-to-day business and growing the company's omnichannel retail presence.

Bulletproof’s ‘biohacking’ innovations promise to help people become better, faster & stronger

26-Sep-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

To meet the demands of today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, consumers everywhere are looking for shortcuts to be better, faster and stronger – fueling the emergence of so-called biohacking, a term coined by the CEO of Bulletproof and made easier by...

News in brief

Impossible Foods makes East Coast retail debut at Wegmans, Fairway Market

25-Sep-2019 By Elaine Watson

After a successful launch in 27 Gelson’s stores in southern California, the Impossible Burger is making its East Coast grocery-store debut at all 100 Wegmans grocery stores in seven states and at two Manhattan locations of Fairway Market (MSRP $8.99/12oz...

Noblegen gears up for launch of complete protein from a Non GMO source that can go 'head to head' with animal protein

25-Sep-2019 By Elaine Watson

Noblegen is gearing up to enter the burgeoning alternative protein space in October with a complete protein derived from a microorganism that it can coax into producing multiple high-value ingredients via a proprietary technique called ‘facilitated expression’...

Smart Fat: Novel technology to transform liquid oils into solid fats could boost juiciness in plant-based meats, reduce sat fat, claims Cubiq Foods

19-Sep-2019 By Elaine Watson

Barcelona-based start-up Cubiq Foods has developed a mechanical process it claims can convert liquid oils from sunflower to olive oil into solid or semi-solid structured fats that can improve juiciness and reduce saturated fat levels in plant-based burgers,...

Should babies eat meat? Serenity Kids’ says yes, points to nutrient density of its meat & veggie pouches

18-Sep-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

While many parents eat meat, poultry and fish, the idea of feeding these foods to babies might sound strange to them based on the majority of baby foods currently marketed, but startup Serenity Kids is turning this preconception on its head with its line...

Keto-friendly cereal Magic Spoon raises $5.5m in seed funding

12-Sep-2019 By Elaine Watson

Direct to consumer cereal brand Magic Spoon has raised $5.5m in a seed funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners as it seeks to take its keto-friendly wares to a wider audience.

Socati launches two CBD products 'that behave just like any other food ingredient' for the CPG market

27-Aug-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Socati Corp., a processor of broad spectrum hemp extracts, has launched two CBD products for the CPG industry containing a minimum of 80% CBD and 4% of the minor cannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) with non-detectable levels of THC.

IQ Bar raises $1m to meet exploding distribution, support new product launches & drive velocity

27-Aug-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

Unlike some fundraising companies that want to accumulate as much financial support as possible, the founder of the Boston-based brain and body nutrition company IQ Bar wants just enough to help him fill his obligations and fuel the next round of growth...

Scientists create butter-like spread with 80% water

21-Aug-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Cornell University food scientists have created a low-calorie butter-like spread that consists of 80% water and minuscule drops of vegetable oil and milk fat, mimicking the look and texture of dairy butter without the use of artificial stabilizers.

JUST, Inc CEO: ‘The company is JUST Egg, and JUST Egg is the company’

21-Aug-2019 By Elaine Watson

JUST Egg - a plant-based scrambled egg alternative made with mung bean protein – is already outperforming conventional eggs in some accounts, and is now the #1 priority at JUST, Inc given the size of the addressable market, says CEO Josh Tetrick: “Right...