Health and nutritional ingredients

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...

'Cocoa used to be in a fruit on a tree. Through technology we make it in a cell mass in a bottle...'

Lab-grown cocoa? Celleste Bio backs plant cell culture to solve ‘chocolate supply crisis’

21-Dec-2022 By Shane Starling

Israeli start-up Celleste Bio is building momentum to disrupt the chocolate supply chain… by growing cocoa in a lab.

Meta-analysis: Some micronutrients may be better for the heart than others

15-Dec-2022 By Asia Sherman

Supplementation with some but not all micronutrients may benefit cardiometabolic health, says a new review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Others may even be bad for your heart.

Fermented fava: A ‘new ingredient’ to fuel next gen plant-based innovation?

15-Dec-2022 By Katy Askew

Nordic food innovator Foodiq has developed what it describes as a ‘new ingredient’ targeting plant-based products, fermented fava.

Kemin breaks into functional beverage market with dispersible form of algal immune health ingredient

14-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Kemin Industries is looking to further tap into the thriving functional beverage market with a water dispersible form of its BetaVia immune health ingredient.

STARTUP NATION PART THREE: Israeli food startups to watch, from animal-free dairy to designer sweet proteins

14-Dec-2022 By Elaine Watson

In part three of our gallery of highlights from FoodNavigator-USA's recent trip to Israel, we profile startups exploring everything from high-tech indoor vanilla cultivation to the manufacture of no-sugar-added snack bars using compression and ultrasonic...

Guest Article: Issues and challenges for omega-3s in 2022

12-Dec-2022 By Ellen Schutt, Executive Director, GOED

While 2022 may be categorized as the year the world returned to somewhat normalcy, the last 12 months still held their share of challenges, and for omega-3s, questions remain about how the market will change in 2023.

Danone supports research exploring COVID-19’s microbiome impact: ‘Food and nutrition can have an important role’

09-Dec-2022 By Katy Askew

Research from scientists at Rutgers University and supported by Danone has focused on the impact COVID-19 has on the microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live in and on the human body. The findings could feed into Danone’s R&D efforts...

CBD in 2022: A year in review

06-Dec-2022 By Danielle Masterson

We’re five years in, so what does the CBD industry look like now and what can we expect in 2023? We spoke with several CBD experts who walked us through the highs and lows of 2022.

Better brains, better guts: Natural Grocers picks out trends for 2023

06-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

Omega-3s and gut health ingredients will see greater demand in 2023, according to new projections by supplement retailer Natural Grocers.

DSM temporarily reduces vitamin C production in China

06-Dec-2022 By Jane Byrne

DSM is to significantly cut back production of vitamin C at its Jiangshan, China based facility, with immediate effect. It says it will re-evaluate the situation in late January 2023, after the Chinese New Year.

STARTUP NATION PART ONE: Israeli food startups to watch, from a flavor revolution with solid state fermentation to boozy shelf-stable creams

06-Dec-2022 By Elaine Watson

It's got a population of under nine million, but in the food innovation stakes, Israel punches way above its weight. FoodNavigator-USA headed to Tel Aviv for the Food Tech IL annual innovation event organized by The Strauss Group’s The Kitchen FoodTech...

‘A continuing pattern of antagonism by FDA toward CBD in food and beverages’: Experts weigh in on recent warning letters

05-Dec-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The recent raft of warning letters to brands selling CBD-infused foods and beverages marked a shift in FDA approaches to the ingredient, with the Agency seeming to opine that food and beverages are “somehow a greater risk than supplements”.

Pharma-style dispersal technology opens food, bev doors to wide array of botanical ingredients

02-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

New food and beverage applications have been demonstrated for a whole host of bioactive botanical ingredients via a new dispersal technology.

Can a rail strike – and by extension food shortages on shelves – be avoided?

29-Nov-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle promise to push forward this week legislation to divert a looming national freight rail strike that threatens significant job and financial losses and which could snarl still fragile supply chains, including...

Holiday grocery shopping: Consumers swap name brands for private label

28-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

As inflation continues to bite, private label is increasingly becoming a go-to option for shoppers, finds Daymon.

Cargill acquires soybean processing facility and refinery

28-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Cargill is expanding its soybean processing capabilities with the acquisition of Kentucky-based Owensboro Grain Company.

WATCH: Next-gen biomanufacturing… from lower-cost feedstocks for precision fermentation to ‘cell-free’ approaches

28-Nov-2022 By Elaine Watson

Biomanufacturing everything from ‘animal-free’ dairy and egg proteins and high-intensity natural sweeteners to heat-and pH-stable red pigments is a hot topic in food tech. But which microbes will be the production workhorses in future, will new cell-free...

Mintel: What will we be eating and drinking in 2023 and beyond?

23-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Nearing 2023, consumers are increasingly demanding more from food and beverages, seeking out products that provide a personal functional health benefit and added value, according to Mintel's 2023 Global Food & Drink Trends report.

Cargill appoints new CEO: 'He’s a person of action and results...'

23-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Cargill has elevated its chief operating officer (COO), Brian Sikes, to CEO effective Jan. 1, 2023.

From ube to gulab jamun... Gen Z and Millennials embrace 'diverse, unusual flavors' in desserts and confections

22-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Moving on from the comfort and nostalgic flavors that grounded consumers during the pandemic, consumer interest in more diverse and unexpected flavors within dessert categories is on the rise, according to consumer research from T. Hasegawa.

Molson Coors to exit CBD market in the US

22-Nov-2022 By Rachel Arthur

Molson Coors will unwind its Truss USA joint-venture and exit the CBD beverage business in the United States at the end of this year.

'Quite frankly, I'm concerned for our entire industry...' FDA cracks down on firms selling CBD-infused foods & beverages in ‘aggressive’ new stance

22-Nov-2022 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has sent out a raft of warning letters to brands selling CBD-infused foods and beverages, adopting an “aggressive position” that one industry source told us made him “concerned for our entire industry.”

Target deals with an increasingly price sensitive shopper: 'We see our guests holding out for and expecting promotions more than ever,' says EVP

21-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Caught between providing value for its increasingly price sensitive shopper and generating healthy profit margins, Target is identifying new ways to optimize and simplify its business to drive positive long-term growth.

‘We want to move snacks from candy to food…’ Torr FoodTech raises $12m to form snack bars using compression and ultrasonic waves instead of sugary binders

21-Nov-2022 By Elaine Watson

Torr FoodTech - an Israeli startup deploying an intriguing new approach to creating snack bars by deploying pressure and ultrasonic energy instead of sugary binders to ‘weld’ natural ingredients together - has raised $12m in a series A round as it expands...

Nestlé microbiome breakthrough identifies weaning opportunity: ‘This paves the way for solutions supporting children's growth and development’

21-Nov-2022 By Katy Askew

Nestlé scientists are among a team that has detected novel gut bacteria present in the transition from infancy to early childhood. The Swiss company tells FoodNavigator it hopes the discovery will advance innovation that supports childhood development...

Ashwagandha and apple cider vinegar sales surge as consumer spending on herbal supplements continues: ABC report

18-Nov-2022 By Stephen Daniells

US sales of herbal dietary ingredients grew by almost 10% in 2021 as the category exceeded $12.3 billion, according to the 2021 Herb Market Report from the American Botanical Council.

Many US adults misjudge the quality of their diets, study finds

17-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

While most adults are aware of the importance of fruits and vegetables in their diets, many individuals overestimate the quality of their daily diets, new research from the American Heart Association has found.

Researchers find the molecules in breast milk that may protect infants from developing allergies

16-Nov-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Scientists have identified the specific molecules in breast milk which if added to formula may help address the disparity that formula-fed babies are more sensitive to allergens.

Researchers discuss link between iron supplements and Parkinson’s

16-Nov-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Excessive iron intake may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) and calls into question the benefit of supplementation where clinical deficiency is not diagnosed, say scientists.

Poppilu acquired by Juicy Juice and SUNNYD parent company to fuel growth of better-for-you kids lemonade category

15-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Chicago-based kids lemonade brand Poppilu has been acquired by American Beverage Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harvest Hill Beverage Company (makers of Juicy Juice and SUNNYD), to build upon the brand's success of establishing the kids...

Zevia gains household penetration while riding out temporary inventory management issues

14-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Zevia continues to gain new shoppers, increasing the brand's household penetration (+1.3 million households in Q3 2022 vs. Q3 2021) while the company sorts through temporary inventory management issues that have dented its full 2022 year outlook.

Nutrition: Plant-based drinks ‘not real alternatives’ to dairy milk – study

14-Nov-2022 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Nutrient quality in plant-based beverages should be considered on a par with sustainability credentials, researchers say as they assessed the quality as well as quantity of micronutrients in common plant-based drinks.

Soup-to-Nuts Podcast: How are US eating patterns evolving and what opportunities are emerging?

14-Nov-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Between Americans’ hectic on-the-go lifestyles pre-COVID, the pandemic prompting everyone to hit pause followed by hybrid work schedules, inflation rates at 40-year highs, and increased expectations that food not only nourish the body but also the soul,...

The rise and rise of oatmilk: 'We're growing significantly faster than the rest of the brands in the category,' says SunOpta CEO

11-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Plant-based foods and beverages co-manufacturer SunOpta continues to see strong growth across its plant-based milks portfolio especially in oatmilk, which is growing at more than twice the rate of the broader oatmilk segment.

Bobo's opens 'super bakery' to meet pent-up consumer demand: 'The stage is well-set for us to eclipse $100m next year,' says CEO

09-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Having outgrown its three facilities in Colorado, Bobo's is moving into its two-years-in-the-making 'super bakery' which will give it enough capacity to triple its output of bars and put it on track to eclipse $100m in revenue next year.

'Unbelievably convenient' Proper Good lands $3.5m in seed funding to fuel retail expansion of shelf-stable meals

08-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Proper Good, a shelf-stable meal solutions company, has raised $3.5m in seed funding to fuel its retail expansion and new product innovation.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ingredion doubles down on specialty starches investment

07-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Ingredion has completed one-third of its planned $160m capital investment into expanding capacity for its clean label specialty starches to improve its operational flexibility amid ongoing supply chain disruptions.

Kroger-Albertsons merger hits roadblock in Washington state, Albertsons challenges 'meritless' anti-competitive claims

04-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

A Washington state court has granted a temporary restraining order to block dividend payments to Albertsons investors related to the $24.6bn merger with Kroger announced in October 2022.

Appetite for plant-based dairy is growing among mainstream consumers, claims Cargill

03-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumer appetite for plant-based dairy is growing, according to survey data from Cargill, which saw a jump in consumption between 2021 and 2022.

Mondelēz plans for December price increases but sees strong consumer brand loyalty

03-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

While consumers are tightening their purse strings and cutting down on many discretionary purchases, snacking is one area many are not, according to Mondelēz International, which continues to see consumers opt for name brands over private label and value-priced...

What happened to drinkable soup? 'It wasn’t the category, it was the product-market fit'

01-Nov-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Chilled drinkable soup had a moment five to six years ago with a flurry of brands entering the niche segment attracting excited investors who backed brands positioning themselves as a fresh meal on the go that consumers could drink like a juice. But what’s...

Herbalife abruptly ousts CEO on heels of disappointing sales

01-Nov-2022 By Hank Schultz

For the second time in recent years network marketing giant Herbalife has made an abrupt management switch, with board chairman Michael Johnson stepping in as interim CEO. The move coincided with a disappointing sales report that saw the company’s share...

Natural Products Expo East

Strong Roots expands into frozen meals – one of the few bright spots in plant-based

01-Nov-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

While sales of plant-based products across the board continue to slide, consumer data from Evergi shows at least one segment is bucking the trend – frozen meals and bowls – an area into which the fast-growing vegan brand Strong Roots is eagerly expanding...

What does the Kroger-Albertsons merger mean for brands? 'It's a double-edged sword...'

28-Oct-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

While the industry waits to see if the $24.6bn mega merger of Kroger and Albertsons will hold up against scrutiny from regulators, brands and suppliers are also standing by to see what the consolidation of the second-largest and fourth-largest US supermarket...

Suja Life and Vive Organic form wellness shots powerhouse: 'We believe both brands will continue to grow at a double-digit pace'

27-Oct-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Suja Life's recent acquisition of cold-pressed juices shots brand Vive Organic brings together the No. 1 and No. 2 brands in the category to accelerate and scale the still-niche wellness shots segment.

If biomanufacturing is the next industrial revolution, what does that mean for food ingredients?

27-Oct-2022 By Elaine Watson

Will a large percentage of flavors, colors and sweeteners be made in bioreactors by 2050 or are the costs and challenges associated with precision fermentation technology such that it only makes sense to produce a handful of high-value ingredients in...

ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH: From high-protein fermented grains to packaging from agri-residues, meet the 45 startups handpicked by FoodBytes! by Rabobank in 2022

25-Oct-2022 By Elaine Watson

The 45 startups selected to participate in the FoodBytes! By Rabobank food and ag innovation program in 2022 provide a neat snapshot into trending topics in food and agriculture, from personalized nutrition and upcycling to robotics and farm biologics.

Plant-based cheese by numbers: Small declines in dollars and units overall, but big variations within category

24-Oct-2022 By Elaine Watson

SPINS data shared with FoodNavigator-USA ahead of our Futureproofing the Food System virtual summit (Nov 15-17) shows a mixed picture for US retail sales of plant-based cheese, with overall dollar sales down -2.3% to $218.94m and unit sales down -3.6%...

Futureproofing the food system: How are food insecurity and health outcomes connected and what benefits do produce prescriptions, medically tailored meals and personalized nutrition offer?

21-Oct-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Researchers are calling on clinicians and the healthcare system to screen for food insecurity and better promote food access programs after discovering that Americans with limited or uncertain access to adequate food is on the rise and they are more likely...