Meat, fish and savory ingredients

Introducing the FoodNavigator-USA digital summit: Futureproofing the Food System Nov. 14-16

03-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

To feed a global population of 10bn people by 2050 we need to produce more food in the next 40 years than we have in the past 8,000 years, but as illustrated by the Green Revolution simply increasing available calories isn’t the answer – they need to...

Drop in egg price drives down dollars sales in dairy for August 2023, Circana finds

27-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Dollar growth declined and unit sales were flat in the dairy category in August, as prepared meals and entertaining products are bright spots in the deli counters, according to Circana data shared in a recent IDBBA webinar.

Bridging the gap between conventional meat and alternative proteins

27-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Alternative proteins offer myriad potential solutions to curb the effects of climate change and public health risks, while creating space for partnerships with corporate meat producers, panelists said during the Good Food Conference last week in a session...

Season Health brings prescription food services to health care plans across the country

26-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Following his experience witnessing the effects of ingredient-and-recipe meal kit services on consumer health during his tenure as Plated's former CEO, Josh Hix now leads Season Health as its CEO. The company collaborates with health plan benefits...

Pavle Stojkovic to serve as chief strategy officer, Omeat

26-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Following the release of Omeat’s fetal bovine serum (FBS) replacement, Plenty, the company appointed Pavle Stojkovic to chief strategy officer, who will “focus on internal operational excellence” to continue its path towards scalable and sustainable cultivated...

Cultivated meat ‘breakthrough’: Media supplement achieves full muscle maturation on scaffold within 48 hours.

26-Sep-2023 By Flora Southey

Having achieved muscle and protein gains in 2D environments, Profuse Technology is celebrating a ‘breakthrough’ in cultivated meat growth within 3D environments, CEO Guy Nevo Michrowski explains.

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.

Nourish Ingredients teams with Boston Bioprocess to scale animal-free specialty fats

20-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nourish Ingredients, a frontrunner in the burgeoning ‘animal-free’ specialty fat segment, is teaming with Boston Bioprocess to efficiently scale the most “potent fat molecules” responsible for replicating the “animalic” aroma, flavor and taste of meat...

Alternative protein segment diverges as more plant-base players shutter, cultured meat passes milestones

18-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The plant-based protein industry continues to suffer losses with two well-funded companies closing their doors, while the cultured meat segment steadily checks milestones and tackles hurdles as it prepares for broader distribution and consumer adoption....

Threats mount against nearly-finalized proposed update to organic animal welfare standards

15-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Hard-fought for and nearly finalized regulations that would strengthen animal welfare standards under the USDA Organic program are at risk of becoming collateral damage from a growing political fight about the ripple effects of regulations and legislation...

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...

Cultivated meat researchers get €1.8 million to solve commercialisation barriers

14-Sep-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Researchers from Germany, Israel and the UK have been given €1.8 million in funding to work on solving the barriers to creating cultivated meat at scale, and thus to provide it on a commercial basis.

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Consumer Brands Association urges DGAC to develop more research on ultra-processed foods

13-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The Consumer Brands Association is pushing back against the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s intention to explore the health impact and future role of ultra-processed foods in the American diet, noting at a meeting hosted by HHS and USDA yesterday...

Eat Just raises funds to continue 'intense focus on profitability'

01-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based and alt-protein company Eat Just has completed its latest rounding of funding, which will support the company’s goal of profitability, as it continues to grow the distribution of its Just Egg and scale up its cultivated meat capabilities,...

Hormel Foods steps up promotions, advertising & innovation to hold market share

01-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Hormel Foods trimmed its sales outlook for the full-year after missing third-quarter expectations amid increased competitive pressure that pushed it to cut prices and increase promotions and advertising at retail.

Melt&Marble creates animal-free fats to help close taste gap between alternative, animal proteins

31-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

To help close the taste-gap between alternative proteins and their animal-based counterparts, food-tech startup Melt&Marble is expanding and improving the selection and performance of available animal-free fats, which it says ultimately will help...

Omeat launches potent and cost-effective FBS alternative

30-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

After launching out of stealth mode in June, Omeat continues to improve price points for cultivated meat with the recent development of its fetal bovine serum (FBS) replacement, Plenty, Ali Khademhosseini, Ph.D., founder and CEO, Omeat, explained to...

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.

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....

A ‘pioneering’ process for spent cell culture media: Rejuvenation tech expected to bring down price of cultivated meat

29-Aug-2023 By Flora Southey

Bioprocessing company CellRev has signed a joint development agreement with fluid management-focused Saint-Gobain Life Sciences to rejuvenate spent cell culture media for the cultivated meat sector.

WILDE Protein Chips expand its retail distribution and production, launching new flavor

25-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

From its initial beginnings as a meat-based protein snack bar, WILDE quickly pivoted into the chip category where the brand saw demand for its flavored chicken-based protein chips in Whole Foods, Sprouts and Costco with a recent expansion into Target...

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.

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....

Schweid & Sons launches USDA-approved climate-friendly burgers with Tyson Foods for retail distribution

22-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Part of Tyson Foods' Brazen line, the climate-friendly ground beef is produced from cattle enrolled in Tyson's Climate-Smart beef program, and exhibits a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions according to Schweid & Sons’ press release.

The canned seafood craze continues: EcoFish plans Freshé brand growth with DTC’s help

21-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

With canned seafood having a moment on TikTok and on charcuterie boards, EcoFish is tapping into the growing awareness and usage of canned seafood as it doubles down on its efforts to grow its e-commerce business in the face of retail challenges, Henry...

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...

Rebellyous Foods overcomes ‘quality at scale’ challenges for plant-based protein production to close supply-demand gap

15-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

For the plant-based meat industry to close the supply and demand gap and reduce prices it must overcome what Rebellyous Foods CEO and Founder Christie Lagally describes as a “quality at scale” challenge, in which limited access to the “right tools” drives...

A temporary blip or a sign of oversaturation? Beyond Meat’s woes and the future of plant-based meat

11-Aug-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

This week, it was announced that revenue for plant-based meat brand Beyond Meat had fallen by more than 30%. Does this say more about Beyond Meat or the plant-based sector in general? Why are some consumers rejecting plant-based meat?

“Consumers abandon” plant-based meat category citing taste, nutrition, price concerns, Mintel finds

08-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Between recent acquisition and slumping unit sales, the plant-based meat alternative (PBMA) market faces headwinds as consumers shift to less expensive proteins in the face of economic pressure, though all might not be lost for the category, Mintel shared...

Walmart, Amazon set for fiercer digital rivalry, as Gen Z gets critical on tech, Euromonitor finds

08-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

The online grocery channel is facing several headwinds in 2023, as macro-economic factors are influencing where and how consumer shop, Gen Z consumers become weary of tech, and two key market players - Walmart and Amazon - intensify their rivalry, Matthew...

Tyson Foods to close four more chicken plants to cut costs as sales continue to slip

08-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tyson Foods will shutter four more chicken facilities as part of a “bold,” multi-point plan to improve its performance, which has struggled for years to balance supply and demand and navigate falling prices and higher costs.

Is it ‘shakedown’ time for the plant-based sector? Meat-free innovators weigh in

07-Aug-2023 By Flora Southey

With signs some plant-based makers are struggling, we ask innovators whether the meat alternative category is experiencing a slowdown, a ‘shakedown’, or other?

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: ProducePay matches grocers, growers for better supply, price stability

07-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Offering an abundant selection of fresh, high-quality, diverse fruits and vegetables is a top priority for most grocers given the produce section is often a key driver for overall store foot traffic – but according to a recent survey staying stocked is...

Is Alpha Foods’ acquisition a sign that the plant-based meat market is reaching maturity?

03-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consolidation in the plant-based meat market -- like in the case of Alpha Foods (Alpha) this week -- will likely continue into the foreseeable future, Miri Eliyahu, senior research analyst at Euromonitor, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Kraft Heinz's volumes sag after price hikes, but 4-prong plan to recapture share taking hold

03-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite losing market share in recent months due to higher prices and increased promotional activity by competitors, Kraft Heinz CEO Miguel Patricio says he is confident the company will meet its full year net sales targets and exceed previous gross profit...

Asian food company Helion Food serves up sustainable, nutritious, and shelf-stable meals

31-Jul-2023 By Ryan Daily

Asian food company Helion Food is growing its ShinYi brand with a recent expansion into Sprouts, as taps clean label trends and sustainable food sources to tell its brand story and provide consumers with nutritious, microwavable dinners, company CEO Jonathan...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Students lobby for more plant-based school meal options

31-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

While regulators, legislators and industry stakeholders debate whether whole, 2% and flavored milks should be offered alongside plain, low-fat and fat-free options as a required component of school meals, a growing number of students are raising concerns...

Organic Trade Association promises ‘all-out effort’ to block latest threat to proposed animal welfare standards update

26-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Once again efforts to update and strengthen animal welfare standards under the organic standard are under threat, this time by an amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations bill that seeks to block funding for the implementation or enforcement...

IFT First

Standardizing regenerative agriculture claims requires industry collaboration

25-Jul-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Brian Nash, VP, corporate sustainability, Ingredion, spoke with FoodNavigator-USA at IFT FIRST in Chicago about how companies must work together to establish a more unified regenerative agricultural claim.

FDA food traceability measures need specific data standards - FMI

25-Jul-2023 By Lauren Nardella

The Food and Drug Administration offers more information to help the food and beverage industry implement its Food Traceability Rule through the recent release of FAQs, while industry suggests certain data standards could help it meet challenges in compliance.

Summer Fancy Food Show

Unbound Snacks wants to reposition walnuts as more than topping or baking inclusion

14-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

When most Americans think of walnuts, if they think of them, they think of a topping for oatmeal or salads or an inclusion in baked goods, not as a standalone snack – but newcomer Unbound Snacks wants to change this with the launch of a line of brightly...

Cargill unveils Pink Himalayan Salt ingredient range ahead of IFT FIRST 2023

12-Jul-2023 By Ryan Daily

Food ingredient company Cargill will showcase its latest innovation in salty solutions at IFT FIRST next week with a new line of Pink Himalayan Salt products, as food manufacturers increasingly look to the ingredient for its perceived better-for-you benefits,...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Popadelics leverages pop-ups in fashion stores to secure placement in grocery retail

12-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Most food and beverage startups’ go-to-market strategy includes a combination of direct-to-consumer and grocery, but when mushroom-based snack brand Popadelics recently launched it took a less conventional route – placing a greater emphasis on luxury...

How retailers can create an efficient and tailored in-store experience

11-Jul-2023 By Deniz Ataman

By leveraging foot-traffic data, retailers can understand how their consumers are spending time in-store to develop a personalized and streamlined shopping experience.

Summer Fancy Food Show

Jack & Friends charts new ‘inclusive’ path for plant-based jerky to better meet taste, nutrition expectations

11-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Plant-based meat snack alternatives – and sales – are climbing as new players, including startup Jack & Friends, enter the market with vegan options that better mimic the taste, texture and chew of their animal counterparts, while also offering a...

Future Food Tech Alternative Proteins

Turning the tide on alternative seafood: Strategies to close the supply-demand gap

11-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The alternative seafood segment may be a small fraction of the size of its counterparts in plant-based and animal-free dairy and meat currently, but the sector is primed for growth as demand for seafood outpaces supply and concern about the oceans’ health...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Six trends to watch from the Summer Fancy Food Show

10-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

At the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City late last month emerging and established brands were going back to basics with simplified ingredients, streamlined packaging, clear cut benefits and natural – if not always familiar – flavor profiles.

Summer Fancy Food Show

Canned seafood brands continue strengthening ESG initiatives at Summer Fancy Food Show

10-Jul-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While canned fish is seeing a comeback thanks to TikTok, Summer Fancy Food Show featured a few brands at the show, arguably giving them more visibility on their products and ESG initiatives.

Omsom takes "loud and proud" Asian flavors to Whole Foods' instant noodle aisle

06-Jul-2023 By Ryan Daily

Asian food brand Omsom is taking its message of bold, authentic global flavors to the instant noodle aisle with retail expansion distribution at Whole Foods as the brand taps into the growing demand for convenient, spicy, and globally inspired foods,...

Summer Fancy Food Show

The specialty foods market is expected to surpass $200b this year

06-Jul-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Despite overall sales growth, the specialty foods industry has faced challenges in recent years, including inflation, declining unit sales (for the first time) and increased competition from conventional grocery stores, explained David Lockwood, CEO,...