Health and nutritional ingredients

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...

Snacks take on breakfast, healthy snacking is multi-faceted, Mondelez report finds

06-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

Whether it's a favorite box of cookies or a protein-rich nutrition bar, consumers are chowing down on snack foods now more than ever, and the category remains strong in the face of inflation and other economic concerns, according to the State of...

FDA will not object to limited health claims regarding cocoa flavanols and cardiovascular disease

06-Feb-2023 By Lauren Nardella

FDA will allow a very narrow set of claims linking cocoa flavanols in high flavanol cocoa powder and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease following a petition from Switzerland-based chocolate and cocoa product manufacturer Barry Callebaut AG.

How to win market share in the retail game? Do something different

02-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

What do a meat snack company targeting vegans and vegetarians, a pasta brand combating carb phobia, and an energy bar with a mission to create a more inclusive wellness community have in common? They all did something different to win in the retail space....

PowerBar co-founder Jennifer Maxwell sings a new tune with energy bar brand Jambar

30-Jan-2023 By Ryan Daily

CEO of Jambar Jennifer Maxwell knows a thing or two about launching energy bar brands, having been one of the co-founders of PowerBar, which started the category almost 40 years ago. As she looks to expand category newcomer Jambar’s footprint in 2023,...

USDA strengthens organic oversight, transparency to protect against fraud, mishandling

19-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will step up oversight and enforcement of the production, handling and sale of organic products at the behest of industry and legislators who worry increasingly complex supply chains paired with the high price premiums...

Sleep supplement sales contract after two boom years

19-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

After growth of 40% and 22% in 2020 and 2021, sales of sleep supplements contracted in 2022 with the numbers offset by inflation, but unit sales shrank even more, according to data from SPINS.

Ayana Bio targets cacao bioactives production, ‘upgrades’ plant cell culture with synthetic biology and metabolomics

18-Jan-2023 By Elaine Watson

Ayana Bio — one of a new wave of startups seeking to unlock the potential of plant cell culture in the food and nutrition industry — is turning its attention to cacao bioactives with a $3m investment it claims will also benefit the wider industry.

DSM builds algal portfolio to help meet the growing demand for omega-3

18-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

DSM is expanding its algal omega-3 portfolio, driven by a gradual convergence in prices between fish and algal oil, and a focus on sustainability.

House Oversight chair to FDA: Enough is enough

17-Jan-2023 By Danielle Masterson

FDA’s failure to act on CBD created a space for bad actors and poor products to thrive, now the chairman—and the industry—want answers.

Omega-3 supplements may be ‘most efficient’ way to support neonatal development, researchers say

09-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Supplements of omega-3 raise blood levels of the fatty acids for both pregnant mothers and their babies via the umbilical cord, according to a new prospective cohort study.

FDA to reveal CBD oversight plans soon

06-Jan-2023 By Danielle Masterson

After dragging its feet for nearly five years, the agency is gearing up to make big moves.

Superfrau targets fun but functional beverage category with upcycled fizzy whey drink

05-Jan-2023 By Elaine Watson

Massachusetts-based startup Superfrau is targeting the emerging functional soda category with a vitamin and mineral packed sparkling beverage made from one core ingredient: upcycled liquid whey from Greek yogurt production.

Out of the wild: Increase of botanicals in cultivation not linked to conservation status

05-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

The number of medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) species in cultivation is dramatically higher than previously thought, according to a new global estimate, but not because they are all facing extinction in the wild.

Sharon Leite leaves Vitamin Shoppe after 4.5 years as CEO

05-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The Vitamin Shoppe will be announcing a new CEO as Sharon Leite announced she is leaving the retailer after four-plus years at the helm.

Cricket powder's 'outstanding' nutrition potential gets researchers hopping

03-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A new preclinical study concludes that cricket powder provides distinctive antioxidant properties in addition to excellent nutrition, making it an innovative tool to be used in both food and medical fields.

Polyphenols for the mind: review stresses “urgent need for more precise microbiome sequencing”

03-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new review observes that polyphenols influence the gut microbiota by shifting populations to beneficial strains, thereby influencing the microbial metabolites produced and influencing the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis.

Meat-free: Kinoko harnesses solid state fermentation to offer high-protein, minimally processed center-of-the plate options

01-Jan-2023 By Elaine Watson

While several firms are growing fungi in fermentation tanks to make meat analogs, Israeli startup Kinoko is ditching the stainless steel vessels, adding fungi strains to legumes and grains in stacked trays, and letting them work their magic in a solid...

Sesame milk gains traction in evolving plant-based milk market

01-Jan-2023 By Lisa Schofield

While almond milk and oat milk dominate the plant-based milk category in the US, Hope & Sesame sesame milk – which has a creamy texture and comparable protein levels to dairy milk (with the addition of some pea protein) – is gaining traction, generating...

The 'college diet': Soup sales surge as shoppers seek affordable meals and comfort

21-Dec-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Soup season is in full swing as temperatures across the country drop and cold and flu cases rise. But staying warm and reinforcing their reserves when sick aren’t the only reasons sales of soup are up significantly this year over last, according to new...

Iron supplementation ‘is beneficial for intelligence’: Meta-analysis

21-Dec-2022 By Olivia Brown

Iron intake was shown to have a positive effect on intelligence scores in children and adolescents from low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), in a new meta-analysis and systematic review.

Nestlé’s budget-friendly innovation strategy: ‘We are faster now than many of the startups”

21-Dec-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

No longer a lumbering giant when it comes to R&D, Nestlé significantly increased its number of new product launches and number of patents in priority areas by simplifying its innovation process, fostering an entrepreneurial culture and collaborating...