Health and nutritional ingredients

LesserEvil raises capital to fuel growth, expansion into more multipack options

21-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Better-for-you brand LesserEvil announced that it “received a significant minority growth investment from Aria Growth Partners” as well as secondary investment from Valor Equity, Invest Eco, and Touch Capital, as the company scales its operations to meet...

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...

Moyu launches better-for-you baked good applications with konjac-based mix

20-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Baking mix brand Moyu recently launched in the US better-for-you and healthier baked goods featuring konjac, which is gaining more widespread use, brand founder Gillian Hu 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.

Amy’s Kitchen gets ‘back on track with innovation,' releases multipack offerings

19-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Natural frozen food brand Amy’s Kitchen is brushing off years of slower innovation and kickstarting new product and format development, including new packaging options, as the brand expands its presence in the frozen aisle and with more occasions, company...

Getting into Whole Foods, Sprouts and staying there: Mason Dixie Foods, Enjoy Life Foods share tips for success

15-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Securing shelf space among the top natural retailers requires CPG brands to focus on the differences between stores and how they can innovate alongside them, a panel of industry experts shared in a recent Naturally webinar.

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.

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Protein consumption up across age groups, but sodium, saturated fat and added sugar still high

15-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While overall dietary patterns are poor for American adults and adolescents who are exceeding the recommended limits for sodium, saturated fat and added sugar, toddlers are eating better and protein consumption across age groups is on the rise, according...

Ginkgo Bioworks wants “computers to speak DNA,” beefs up AI capabilities with Google’s help

14-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks is boosting its mission of making biology more accessible by partnering with Google to build out its AI capabilities, company representatives told FoodNavigator-USA.

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Health Equity Working Group provides framework for Dietary Guidelines for Americans protocols

14-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) working group shared this week refined protocols for systematic reviews, food pattern modeling and committee evidence review which will shape the committee’s recommendations for the Dietary Guidelines for...

Maja expands vegan options with plant-based baking mixes, overnight oats

13-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based CPG company Maja is capitalizing on the demand for vegan and allergen-free baking, and building brand awareness after launching earlier this year, the brand founder and CEO, Mackenzie Varthi, told Food-Navigator-USA.

DAVIDsTEA delivers flavor-and-function-forward teas

13-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

DAVIDsTEA is growing its loose tea portfolio with more adaptogen-forward blends that promote a wide range of health attributes like relaxation, sleep, energy and more.

Planteneers expands customer service and applications capabilities for plant-based customers

12-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Planteneers broadens its customer service and applications technology team with the launch of its Plantbaser online platform and upcoming pilot plant facility in Aurora, Illinois to better meet the demands of its plant-based customers, explained Ashley...

Frozen food market continues growth, as consumers look for quick, nutritious products

12-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

On-the-go consumers looking for convenience and nutritious offerings are increasingly turning to the frozen food aisle, where they are purchasing breakfast items and better-for-you offerings, Michelle Garcia, client strategy director of CPG at Vericast,...

Menopause: Women’s health at risk due to avoidable nutrient deficiencies

11-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

“Menopause is a perfect storm of nutritional challenges,” nutrition experts explain in a new report by the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (HSIS), with research revealing nearly half of women are worried their diet won’t support them...

Belliwelli’s ‘goal is to make gut health mainstream,’ expands nationally in Target locations

07-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

On Sept. 17, the gut-friendly snack bar brand BelliWelli will be available in 1,554 Target locations nationwide -- adding to the more than 1,000 new doors the brand expanded into in the past year, Katie Wilson, CEO, Belliwelli told FoodNavigator-USA.

From low-sugar to climate change: The macro trends shaping food, beverage innovation

06-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Food and beverage CPG brands looking to stay ahead of the market are innovating around reduced sugar, plant-based eating, and sustainability, Barb Stuckey, chief Innovation & marketing officer at Mattson, shared during an IDBBA webinar on leading...

Zenb takes ‘yellow-pea pasta revolution’ on the road with retail expansion into Sprouts

05-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based pasta brand Zenb is expanding its distribution to Sprouts Farmer Markets nationwide, as it pushes into more retail stores with the help of its mobile kitchen and product innovation, the company’s senior VP of marketing Hugo Perez told FoodNavigator-USA....

Prescription produce programs associated with better health, food security – bolstering food as medicine movement

05-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

New research shows adults at risk of heart disease who were prescribed produce ate more fruits and vegetables and after six months had lower blood pressure, body mass index and blood sugar levels – buttressing calls by public health advocates and The...

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...

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...

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...

Indoor farming brand Plenty doubles retail distribution, breaks ground on strawberry facility

30-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Indoor farming company Plenty is expanding its distribution in California to all Whole Foods Market and Gelson’s Markets stores, doubling its retail presence, as it starts work on its Richmond, Va., strawberry farm in partnership with Driscoll’s, the...

Hungryroot's personalized grocery service hits $182 million in revenue

29-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Hungryroot's transition to an AI-driven, personalized grocery and recipe service has resulted in a 67% YoY revenue growth to $182 million in 1H 2023, Alex Weinstein, chief digital officer, Hungryroot, told FoodNavigator-USA.

From functional to ethical, identifying the health halo in botanicals

29-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Angela Getzel, beverage business development lead, Kerry, explained to FoodNavigator-USA that as consumers are looking for more label transparency, from low/no sugar and artificial ingredients to environmental responsibility, botanicals fit into that...

Yaza spreads the word about labneh with brand launch

28-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Tapping into the demand for snacking occasions and culturally inspired foods, food brand Yaza launched in the US last week, as it prepares to spread the word of labneh to a wider audience, Christian Karim Khalil 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,...

Qina reveals top 10 trends in personalised nutrition

25-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Personalised nutrition experts at the Qina consultancy have revealed a top tends report, unveiling a ChatGPT take-over, a merging of food and pharma, an entrance of big tech firms, and new abilities created by at-home blood draws.

Odyssey Elixir partners with 7-Eleven and Wegmans to bring functional mushrooms “out of niche spaces”

24-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

As adaptogens and mushrooms continue piquing the interest of health conscious and sober-curious consumers, the sparkling, functional mushroom beverage brand expanded its convenience and grocery retail presence so “more people are able to experience the...

Albertsons releases 2023 ESG report, citing progress on several fronts

24-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Albertsons this week released its 2023 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) report and announced that it has made progress to reduce carbon throughout its supply chain and reinforce food security in the communities it serves.

Nellson CCO bites into snack bar trends: flexitarian in, keto out

24-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

With the ebbs and flows of consumer demand, the snack bar market is preparing to meet the demand for more plant-based protein with flexitarian products, as some recent diet claims might be on the way out, Bart Child, CCO at Nellson, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Birdzi to power Berkot’s loyalty program

23-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Berkot’s Super Foods will implement Birdzi’s comprehensive customer intelligence and engagement system across its 17 grocery locations in Wisconsin and Illinois.

MOSH secures $3m in Series A funding to add “fuel on the fire” for brand growth

23-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Better-for-you brand MOSH is preparing to take its brain-health-focused protein bars to a wider audience with the help of $3m in Series A funding, which will provide financial support as the company looks to make a bigger push into retail, brand co-founder...

Taste still drives beverage choice among consumers, along with hydration, nutrition and simplicity

21-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

From convenience to hydration and satiation, consumer preferences for beverages offer manufacturers an opportunity to hone in on value, attributes and nutrition with taste and simple ingredients as a common driver, according to Hartman Group’s Modern...

Albertsons encourages healthy eating with Sincerely Health’s nutrition insight tool

21-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Albertsons has updated its Sincerely Health app with a nutritional insight too that will take the groceries purchases and provide a snapshot if a consumer is meeting the daily serving recommendations of the USDA MyPlate.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: TiNDLE sees long-term growth in plant-based despite current downturn

19-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even though plant-based protein sales continued to slide in July, prompting retailers to slim down and shift offerings from the more premium placement in the refrigerated section to the freezer aisle, startup TiNDLE Foods still sees significant opportunity...

Experts react to new health and nutrition claim proposals

18-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

A number of regulatory experts have spoken out following the proposals published by the UK Office for Health Improvements and Disparities (OHID) last week, which suggested introducing improvement notices to improve adherence to health and nutrition claim...

“Pumpkin was definitely table stakes,” KIND brand manager shares LTO strategy

17-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Snack bar brand KIND is jumping into the fall flavor season with the debut of two seasonal varieties of Thins bars to tap into consumer trends to inspire flavor and product innovation in 2023 and beyond, Emily Geiger, brand manager for KIND, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Recess expands regional retail footprint, taps into zero-proof and supplement spaces

17-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Along with entering 5,000 new retail spaces like Target, Albertsons, CVS, Sprouts, H-E-B and Winn Dixie, the better-for-you, relaxation sparkling beverage brand also recently launched its Recess Mood and Recess Zero Proof Craft Cocktails.

dsm-firmenich gets FDA GRAS for novel HMOs

16-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The US FDA has issued ‘Good Day Letters’ to dsm-firmenich for three Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notices submitted for the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) LNFP-l/2’-FL and hypoallergenic grade LNnT and 2’-FL.

Pumpkin flavors are back, spicier than ever: Unwrapping 2023's LTO launches

16-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

From pumpkin-flavored coffee creamers to snack bars to caviars and everything in-between, CPG brands are preparing consumers for Autumn with a host of new and returning limited-time offerings (LTO) across dairy, snacks, dips, and other categories.

Will aronia berry be the next elderberry? A3 spreads the word on fruit's functional properties

14-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

With a high antioxidant content and functional properties, aronia berries might be the next big hero ingredient for better-for-you applications, Blake Johnson, managing partner with American Aronia Accelerator (A3), told FoodNavigator-USA.

Low consumer curiosity in sustainability, plant-based foods reveals marketing opportunity

11-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Simplicity is key for foodies, according to Curious Plot’s latest study on consumer curiosity where “early adopter consumers” across generations provided culinary, nutrition and sustainability insights on what drives their food choices and habits.

Catalina Crunch capitalizes on demand for better-for-you cereal, launches Pairings line for texture twist

10-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Better-for-you brand Catalina Crunch has released its Pairing cereals line to grow its brand and retail presence by providing an alternative to conventional sugary breakfast cereals, Krishna Kaliannan, CEO of Catalina Crunch, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Sabra dips into spicy, bold flavors with Frank's RedHot & Stubb's Bold Hummus collaborations

09-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Hummus brand Sabra is spicing up its portfolio with a trio of new products, including collaborations with Franks’s RedHot and Stubb’s, as the company readies more new flavors and innovations, Olugbenga Diyaolu, the company’s global chief research, development,...

IFT First

IFT First: How can nutrition and food science inform each other? Big data may help

09-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Food science’s role in public health will play a more critical role in addressing increasingly nuanced dietary and nutrition preferences within a diverse and growing population. Big data and personalized nutrition offer solutions to fine tune these preferences...

Actual Veggies’ produce-packed patties’ fast growth suggests alternative future for plant-based meat alternatives

09-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The rapid growth of plant-based protein newcomer Actual Veggies suggests the sliding sales of alternative protein products that closely mimic their animal counterparts does not represent a lack of consumer interest in vegetarian and vegan options, but...

American Egg Board cracks open food, beverage innovation with Eggcelerator Lab

07-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Product developers looking to crack open new food and beverage innovation often face challenges, but with the American Egg Board’s (AEB) Eggcelerator Lab, the trade group is streamlining the process and finding new opportunities for food and beverage...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Fauxmosa makes a non-alcoholic mimosa with California wine grapes

07-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Fauxmosa, a non-alcoholic mimosa brand, is made from California wine grapes and flavored with juices commonly found in a traditional mimosa was shown during the Summer Fancy Food Show which took place June 25-27 in New York City. CEO and co-founder,...

Consumers get thrifty with coupons, online shopping as economic pressures persist, Circana finds

02-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consumers across socio-economic statuses are responding to higher grocery bills by using coupons and online shopping tools to price compare, Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive and practice leader for client insights at Circana, shared during a webinar this...