Flavors and colors

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.

California Food Safety Act “sets a dangerous precedent,” food policy experts say

24-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

California’s Food Safety Act (AB 418) bans the inclusion of four food additives—propyl paraben, brominated vegetable oil, Red Dye No. 3 and potassium bromate—in food and beverages, a landmark state-wide law highlighting the potentially widening gap between...

FoodPairing shares how AI can speed up product development

20-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Food and beverage companies increasingly are leveraging AI tools to streamline product development and launch products to stay ahead of consumer trends and challenges, Bernard Lahousse, co-founder and go-to-market lead for FoodPairing, said during a webinar.

National Association for Convenience Stores

Blending convenience, novelty and flavors at NACS’ Cool New Products snack showcase

18-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Never-before-seen alternative snacks, energy drinks and frozen packaged snacks dubuted at the National Association for Convenience Stores’ Cool New Products expo Oct. 3-6 in Atlanta, Ga.

Futureproofing the Food System: What will it take to deliver on the promise of alternative proteins?

17-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Between FDA and USDA greenlighting the sale of cultivated chicken in the US, the ground-breaking of a large-scale precision fermentation facilities and advances in molecular farming, 2023 has been a banner year for novel protein production. But the path...

Natural Products Expo East

Non-alcoholic industry shakes off stereotypes, embraces new merchandizing strategies to drive 30% yoy growth

16-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Once relegated to the bottom shelf in the back corner of a store or hidden among the sparkling water or cocktail mixers, non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits are breaking free from the stereotypes of who drinks them and when, and in doing so are setting...

Can 'girl dinners' save the cheese plate? Datassential shares insight into hot flavor, food trends

13-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Cheeses might receive a boost from viral and divisive food trends like 'girl dinners,' as global and regional bold flavors like chili crisp, zhug, and Carolina Gold BBQ remain red hot, Claire Conaghan, associate director of publications at Datassential,...

California Food Safety Act signed into law, bans four food additives by Jan. 2027

10-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Food Safety Act on Oct. 7, 2023. The statewide legislation, the first of its kind in the US, “will prohibit any food product manufactured, sold, delivered, distributed, held or offered for sale in...

STōK Cold Brew is 'on the leading edge' of Danone North America’s growth strategy

05-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

STōK Cold Brew is tapping into the growing trend of at-home coffee shop experience with limited-time-offering flavors, as Danone North America makes the brand a crucial part of its growth strategy, company VP of ready-to-drink beverages Brittney Polka...

Lenny & Larry’s taps into consumer demand for more protein with Big Bar

04-Oct-2023 By Ryan Daily

Lenny & Larry’s is expanding its portfolio of cookie snack bars with a bigger format to tap into the increased demand for a variety of better-for-you claims, the company's senior VP of marketing and innovation Chris Cook told FoodNavigator-USA.

McCormick’s stock drops despite improved profit forecast, positive response to innovation

04-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Spice and flavor giant McCormick & Co.’s stock tumbled double-digits yesterday despite beating analyst expectations during its third quarter and laying out a solid multi-prong plan to drive volume and engage consumers going forward as investors became...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Most consumers don’t want sugar or artificial sweeteners – but what do they want instead?

28-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

More than fat or calories, the nutritional information consumers are most likely to look for on food and beverage packages is sugar, with a survey conducted by Cargill finding nearly two out of three consumers aiming to avoid it and the majority also...

Natural Products Expo East

Cedar’s Foods takes dip beyond snacks with labne launch

28-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sitting between Greek yogurt and soft cheese, labne (sometimes spelled labneh) has the potential to be the next big dip in the US – potentially rivaling long-time creamy favorites Ranch and French Onion but with a better-for-you positioning – but first,...

‘Pumpkin spice everywhere,’ NIQ’s Sherry Frey unpacks LTO trends for fall, winter

27-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consumers tapping into the autumn and winter festivities are turning to flavors like pumpkin, eggnog, and peppermint, while they look for more natural products and brush aside inflation to enjoy their favorite seasonal flavors, Sherry Frey, VP of Total...

Rebbl reduces ‘ambiguity’ in branding with a rebranded focus on occasions, ingredients

25-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based beverage brand Rebbl rebranded its line of drinks with a focus on occasions and conveying to consumers how to use the product, as the company looks to LTO flavors to grow trial, brand CMO, Mike Quinones, told FoodNavigator-USA.

On-demand webinar: Functional drinks 'account for the value growth' in US beverage market

21-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Blending convenience, flavor, and health benefits, the functional drinks have emerged as a key area of growth for the US beverage industry, as consumers continue to demand more out of their products than ever before, a panel of industry experts shared...

Bibigo spices up frozen offerings with Crispy Dumpling Bites

20-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Asian food brand Bibigo is expanding its portfolio of frozen products with new Crispy Dumpling Bites to meet growing demand for Korean flavors in the US, Megan Elliott, marketing director at Schwan's, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Pitaya Foods moves beyond frozen fruits with ready-to-eat smoothie bowls

19-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Pitaya Foods is taking its first step outside of the frozen fruit category with the launch of ready-to-eat smoothie bowls that will open doors in new channels, like convenience stores, company CEO and founder Chuck Casano told FoodNavigator-USA.

[Video] Fila Manila focuses on SKUs, sustainable packaging to grow brand

18-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Fila Manila is transforming its business through packaging innovation as it delivers authentic Filipino tastes to meet the growing demand for global flavors, the brand's founder and CEO Jake Deleon shared with FoodNavigator-USA.

Spindrift grows with new flavors, usage occasions

15-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Spindrift is growing by tapping into the increased occasions for sparkling water and innovating around flavor, including seasonal varieties, the brand’s VP of marketing Sue Kim told FoodNavigator-USA.

Howdy Homemade expands retail presence, furthers mission to create jobs for people with disabilities

14-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Ice cream brand Howdy Homemade is expanding its retail footprint and mission of employing people with individual intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) beyond its homestate of Texas, brand founder Tom Landis told FoodNavigator-USA.

California bill banning popular food additives moves to governor’s desk, excludes TiO2

13-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

California legislators this week passed a closely-watched and controversial bill that if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom would ban in the state the sale of foods and beverages including four popular food additives but not – notably – the colorant titanium...

‘Taste the future’: Coca-Cola uses AI to create its latest beverage launch

13-Sep-2023 By Rachel Arthur

The launch of Y3000 Zero Sugar represents the ‘first futuristic flavor co-created with human and artificial intelligence from Coca-Cola'.

Keurig Dr Pepper leans into premiumization, innovation as recession fears mount

07-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Keurig Dr Pepper executives sees significant potential for innovation and more premiumization across hot and cold beverage categories to drive sales, volume and consumer engagement in the coming year – brushing off mounting rumors about a potential recession...

Givaudan reveals the five consumer macro trends that will transform ‘confusion and disruption into certainty and opportunity’

06-Sep-2023 By Gill Hyslop

The world is currently fraught with uncertainties, ranging from economic and political instability to the ongoing threat of climate change and supply chain shortages. Along with the ever-present shadow of Covid-19, these factors are impacting people’s...

Juni sparkling tea blends cultures, benefits for body & mind from adaptogens, nootropics

05-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

For many Americans living a fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle, the meditative benefits of slowly sipping a hot mug of tea may be out of reach, but the health benefits and feeling of refreshment that come from a beverage brewed with adaptogenic, nootropic...

Tillamook leans into cheesy, premium brand positioning to grow into frozen entree segement

31-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Dairy producer co-op Tillamook County Creamery Association is taking its premium and cheesy message to the frozen food aisle, adding mac and cheese and pizzas offerings, as the company continues to explore opportunities to expand its presence geographically...

Machu Picchu wants to clean up energy drinks from ingredients to marketing for broader appeal

30-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Energy drink newcomer Machu Pichu’s dual marketing message of finding balance and connecting to nature and community sets it apart in a category that heavily promotes extremes and individual gains, as does its organic flavor technology and natural caffeine...

Aura Bora grows into conventional channel with help of botanical interest, multipacks

30-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Natural sparkling water brand Aura Bora is taking its premium, culinary-inspired sparkling beverages beyond natural channels as more consumers demand botanical-infused drinks, brand CEO Paul Voge told FoodNavigator-USA.

DSM-Firmenich discusses opportunities, formulation challenges of working with adaptogens

30-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

CPG brands innovating with botanicals and adaptogens to meet consumer demand for functional foods and beverages to improve their moods, alertness, and other areas of their lives, must overcome formulation challenges, two DSM-Firmenich representatives...

Nissin Foods goes to the flavor extreme with chili-infused Geki noodle launch

29-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Just in time for its 65th anniversary, Nissin Foods is going to the flavors extreme with its new Geki line of chili-infused noodles, as the company readies for more product innovation, the company’s senior VP of marketing, Priscila Stanton, told FoodNavigator-USA....

Carbonated soda market goes with its gut in responding to consumer demands

25-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

In an effort to reduce their sugar intake, many consumers are shaking up how they drink soda, opting for lower or no-sugar options with key functional benefits like gut health over the traditional sugary sodas, Salomi Naik, head of innovation at Ai Palette,...

Blank Slate Kitchen spices up at-home cooking with line of Sichuan chili oil, zhug

23-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Amid rising demand for spicy global flavors, Blank Slate Kitchen is looking to tap into the growing demand for natural Sichuan chili oils, while also raising awareness around zhug hot sauce, brand founder and owner Alex Sorenson told FoodNavigator-USA....

[Webinar] Better-for-you beverage brands meet the moment with functionality, flavor, nutrition

22-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consumers today are not only satisfied with great-tasting, affordable and nutritious beverages; they also want products that fit into their lifestyles and provide a range of functional benefits from energy, focus, and even heart, brain, and immune system...

Ice cream volumes soften in 2023 as consumers demand more fruity flavors, NIQ finds

18-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

With the summer ice cream season almost over, the market is facing fresh challenges as consumers pushback on discretionary spending, driving down volume, and look for more sustainable and high-quality products, Sherry Frey, VP of total wellness for NIQ,...

Calbee launches Harvest Snaps flavor with Walmart, focuses on growing Japanese snack brands in US

17-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Snack brand Calbee is growing through a two-pronged approach: driving its core US brand Harvest Snaps at the same time as elevating its Japanese snack brands to a new level among US consumers, company CCO Tim Bateman told FoodNavigator-USA.

[Video] Virginia Dare celebrates 100 years, discusses vanilla sourcing challenges at IFT FIRST

14-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

At IFT FIRST 2023, food ingredient company Virginia Dare blew out the candles on the birthday cake and celebrated 100 years in business, as it showcased its range of ingredients in a host of beverages..

NatureBox is betting on big flavours to boost the snacks scene

01-Aug-2023 By Gill Hyslop

From pickled strawberries to black tahini and the complex heat of ethic spices, the subscription-based healthy snack producer contends that staying on top of flavour trends will be key in grabbing a piece of the $100bn action.

Creating the future of food: Omega Ingredients CEO, food futurist discuss trends, sustainability

25-Jul-2023 By Ryan Daily

When it comes to creating the tastes of the future, food and beverage CPG companies aren't only tackling the demand to meet consumer ever-evolving taste preferences in a global economy, but they are grappling with making the supply chain more sustainable...