Meat, fish and savory ingredients

Franklin Farms sets sight on plant-based seafood category with refrigerated tuna

15-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based food brand Franklin Farms enters the seafood category with its latest tuna product, as it looks to innovate around ready-to-eat offerings and unique proteins, Shelley Cheng, VP of marketing and product development for the brand’s parent company...

Joint venture between Cult Foods and Peqish Food Co. focuses on medically tailored food and cellular agriculture

15-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Cult Foods, an investor of cellular agriculture technology and products, and Peqish Food Co., a ready-to-eat culinary medicine food brand, are joining forces to develop and commercialize cellular agriculture food products within the medical foods framework.

Generative AI shows potential to streamline marketing and communications for CPG brands, as long as brands oversee its output

15-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

During “The Promise and Pitfalls of Generative AI for Food and Beverage Operations” webinar, Nick Markman, senior product manager, Evocalize, explained that while the risks of producing misinformation from generative AI are significant, it’s up to brands...

Prime Roots raises $30m in Series B to scale plant-based deli meat

15-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

Mushroom-based protein startup Prime Roots is expanding distribution of its alt-based meats to deli counters and restaurants across the US with the help of $30m in Series B funding, brand CEO and co-founder Kimberlie Le told FoodNavigator-USA.

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee prioritizes eating patterns, nutrient intake for young Americans and caregivers through a health equity lens

12-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) revealed during a wide-ranging meeting May 10 that it will prioritize eating patterns during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence as well as review the dietary reference intakes for macronutrients and energy....

Study finds plant-based egg replacer reduces bakery carbon footprint by 72%

12-May-2023 By Gill Hyslop

With increasing demands for bakery manufacturers to find innovative ways to meet rigorous sustainability goals, plant-based ingredients are set to be an important part of the solution.

Supreme Court upholds California Prop 12’s ban on ‘unethical’ pork, triggers far-reaching consequences

11-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The US Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to uphold California’s ban of pork that does not meet its heightened animal welfare standards simultaneously is being hailed as a “watershed moment” by animal rights activists and condemned by producers and their...

Brands, retailers ‘need to continuously earn shopper dedication’ amid inflation

10-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Developing sharp and effective messaging through loyalty programs can effectively strengthen consumer engagement and loyalty at a time when 65% of consumers are concerned about inflation, according to 84.51°’s recent Inflation Special Report.

Nestlé’s research institute addresses agricultural sustainability, aligning with its climate mitigation plans of reaching net-zero by 2050

10-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Nestlé officially inaugurated its Lausanne, Switzerland-based research institute, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, to improve agricultural sustainability throughout its supply chain.

Cattaneo Bros. focuses on no-added sugar, better-for-you options to differentiate in meat snack market

10-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

California-based meat snack brand Cattaneo Bros. is looking to expand its physical and digital footprint by meeting rising consumer demand for better-for-you snacks and animal welfare, brand CEO Katelyn Kaney told FoodNavigator-USA.

Foodtech startup Lypid releases whole-cut, plant-based pork belly with patented fat technology

09-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

Following a successful seed round last year, foodtech startup Lypid is ready to take its plant-based fat technology to a larger audience with the release of a whole-cut, plant-based pork belly, designed to meet the demand for healthier meats, brand founders...

HomeBake 425/:30 is Kraft Heinz’s latest foray into frozen entrees, side and veggie meal solutions

09-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Kraft Heinz’s recently launched HomeBake 425/:30 enters the frozen convenience category while playing to rising nostalgia for comfort foods like chicken parmesan, homestyle mac & cheese and cheesy broccoli.

Tyson Foods leans on branded food business as commodity segment sags under pressure

08-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Protein giant Tyson Food’s branded foods business, including Hillshire Snacking, Jimmy Dean and Ball Park, was a bright spot in an otherwise “tough” second quarter marred by supply and demand imbalances, ongoing high costs and reduced consumer spending.

Value remains key for e-grocery shoppers across income groups, says Brick Meets Click study

08-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Across income groups, shoppers continue to focus on value although retailers have an opportunity to instill a competitive edge by enhancing private label strategy.

The new plant-based reality: Bridge2Food panel discusses market obstacles, opportunities

01-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

Despite several headwinds facing the category, the overall plant-based market is still expanding, though challenges persist in the form of retail and formulation challenges, a panel of industry experts shared during a session titled “The Elephant in the...

Breeding, technological advances enhance taste, texture and nutrition of plant-based protein

01-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Plant-based manufacturers and ingredient suppliers are investing heavily in crop development and fractionation as well as technical and mechanical innovations to improve the taste, texture, nutrition and cost of their products in an effort to woo more...

Food, beverage manufacturers hit “reset” on alt protein, invest $9.5bn in ESG projects in 2022

26-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

As food and beverage companies look to allocate capital in the coming year, many food and beverage manufacturers are taking a moment to reflect on how best to move forward with alternative meat production while investing heavily in ESG-related infrastructure...

Meat, eggs and milk play ‘vital’ role in meeting global nutrition targets: FAO

25-Apr-2023 By Flora Southey

Globally, the consumption of animal source foods including meat, eggs and milk can help to reduce stunting, wasting and overweight amongst children, according to a new UN report.

Climate tech funding could give cultivated meat companies a needed financial boost

21-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Positioning cell cultured meat as a critical climate mitigation solution could help the nascent industry unlock much-needed additional funding – and engage a more diverse set of investors – at a time when traditional resources are ebbing and competition...

Hello Alice’s Business Health Score helps small CPG companies access capital

13-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The fintech platform, along with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, intends to help small to medium-sized businesses access capital with the launch of the Equitable Access Program and its first product, the Business Health Score.

News In Brief

Grocery prices drop for the first time in 2.5 years, but shoppers remain hesitant

13-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Grocery prices may finally be falling after stubbornly going up for more than two and a half years even as annual inflation across other categories and overall have dropped in recent months, according to the most recent data from the Labor Department....

ADM, Believer Meats team to accelerate cultivated meat products consumers will want

12-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Ingredient supplier ADM and cultivated meat pioneer Believer Meats are joining forces to accelerate development and commercialization of cultivated meat products with a focus on improving the taste, texture, color and other consumer relevant characteristics...

FAO identifies ‘food safety hazards’ for cell-based products, advocates proactive communication before negative ‘rigid opinions’ form

11-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Cell-based food producers, regulators and stakeholders should proactively and transparently address safety concerns about their products and processes now – before they hit the market – or else risk losing in the court of public opinion, cautions the...

Conagra Brands' focus on margin expansion, innovation and brand building pays off

06-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Conagra Brands solid growth and margin recovery in its third quarter reflects its strategic success of “moving past discrete supply chain disruptions and prioritizing productivity and value over volume,” CEO Sean Connelly said during the company's...

Aqua Cultured Foods’ hooks $5.5m to fast-track plant-based seafood from biomass fermentation

06-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food-tech startup Aqua Cultured Foods’ plant-based, whole-muscle seafood made through biomass fermentation will launch in select restaurants this summer thanks in part to an infusion of $5.5 million in seed funding led by Stray Dog Capital announced this...

Seafood consumption declines in response to inflation, FMI reports

03-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Seafood sales fell 3.8% last year to $16.3b from the previous year, as consumers shifted their shopping in response to rising inflation, but remained above pre-pandemic levels as consumers sought options that are healthier, more diverse and environmentally-friendly,...

Anti-innovation and consumer choice? Italy moves to ban lab-grown meat, cheese and fish

03-Apr-2023 By Oliver Morrison

First it was Nutri-Score. Now Italy is waging war on lab-grown food to preserve its famous gastronomic heritage.

Industry questions basis of FDA’s proposed caps for lead in baby food, seeks compliance guidance

03-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

While many industry stakeholders laud FDA’s efforts to reduce lead in baby food and products for children under 2 years old, they question the logic behind the tolerable levels proposed by the agency in draft regulation and want additional guidance on...

What is behind rising food prices and when will they come back down?

31-Mar-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Rapidly rising food prices are expected to slow in 2023 after supply chain challenges, geo-political strife, climate change and agricultural policy changes contributed to record inflation in 2022 and prompted government action, according to federal agencies....

EAT-Lancet diet: Increased intake of animal source foods recommended by researchers to fill micronutrient gap

31-Mar-2023 By Flora Southey

Fresh research suggests the planetary health diet does not provide enough vitamins and minerals – including iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin B12 – to nourish the global population due to its low amount of animal source foods.

Extracellular accelerates cultivated meat business, secures $1.2 million in funding

29-Mar-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Extracellular, a UK-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in the cultivated meat space, secured $1.2 million, including $700K in non-dilutive funding according to the company. CEO and founder, Will Milligan spoke with Food Navigator-USA...

Future Food Tech

From fundraising to consumer engagement: Cultivated meat must clear more than regulatory challenges to get to market

27-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even as cellular meat companies continue to clear regulatory, technical and scientific hurdles, the timeline for when their products will launch remains a moving target as emerging challenges – ranging from the banal to black swan events – threaten to...

Meat consumption holds steady as consumers alter amount, type to combat inflation

24-Mar-2023 By Lauren Nardella

Consumers are reacting to higher meat prices by shifting how much and what type they buy, but the share of households purchasing meat or poultry from retailers was virtually unchanged in 2022, according to a new report.

Plant-based meat has more to offer: Stakeholders share strategies for success

23-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

It is too soon to give up on the plant-based meat segment, which has seen sales and household penetration slip in the past year, but which is evolving to meet demand for products that are healthier, tastier and more convenient, argued industry stakeholders...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Precision Fermentation Alliance launches to promote food-tech, drive acceptance, inspire innovation

20-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Precision fermentation is emerging as one of the buzziest technologies in food, and even though it has been used safely for decades without raising eyebrows, new uses and broader awareness are prompting consumer questions that if left unanswered could...

Expo West trendspotting: Mushrooms have their moment in snacks, beverages

17-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Over the last several years, mushrooms have increasingly become a popular functional ingredient in a range of products, from plant-based burgers to snacks to ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. And at Natural Products Expo West last week, many of these latest...

NotCo reveals expanded plant-based, AI-created products at Expo West

13-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Food-tech company NotCo unveiled at Natural Products Expo West a range of new products created with its AI-based technology that will launch this year, following the debut of its NotCo Burger at last year’s event.

Expo West Trendspotting: From beverages bursting with boba to munchable mochi and plant-based beyond meat and dairy

13-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Emerging and maturing trends revealed at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim last week ranged from dips delivering delightful dinners, mochi moving into multiple day parts, plant-based expanding beyond analogues, and beverages brimming with better-for-you...

Softening consumer views of food-tech open door for precision fermentation, new food production methods

10-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The long-held and loudly voiced disapproval by some of science and technology in food production in favor of “idealized nostalgic narratives” of natural food is beginning to soften – opening the door for broader adoption of food-tech, including precision...

FDA preps for enforcement against baby, toddler food contaminated with lead

08-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA could seek disciplinary action against baby and toddler food manufacturers for lead and other contaminates even before it finalizes recently proposed draft guidance to limit lead concentrations in packaged food for young children, agency officials...

Mosa Meat, Nutreco replace pharma-grade ingredients in cell feed with food-grade alternatives

07-Mar-2023 By Flora Southey

Mosa Meat and one of its investors, Nutreco, have replaced 99.2% of the pharma-grade ingredients in basal media with food-grade alternatives.

USDA proposes tighter definition for ‘Made in the USA’ claims on meat, poultry and eggs

06-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Industry stakeholders are lauding an effort by the US Department of Agriculture to close a loophole that currently allows meatpackers and egg producers to label their products as “Made in the USA” even if they were imported, but they also caution the...

Register today for FoodNavigator-USA’s webinar Plant-Based Meat: Beyond The Honeymoon Period

02-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

As dollar and unit sales of frozen and refrigerated plant-based meat at retail continue to slide and grocers cut back on their selections of refrigerated meat alternatives, many stakeholders are wondering if the honeymoon period for the category has ended,...

McCormick CEO calls 2022 an ‘aberration,’ execs share plan to boost growth, restore flavors margin in 2023

23-Feb-2023 By Ryan Daily

After disappointing fourth-quarter numbers and announcing plans to “streamline its workforce,” McCormick & Co. outlined a three-pronged approach to tackle the challenges it has faced in recent years and assure investors and customers its “strategic...

Exclusive: Frozen Chinese food brand XCJ rebrands as MiLa as it expands its portfolio, distribution

23-Feb-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Xiao Chi Jie (XCJ), the modern Chinese food brand that helped put authentic soup dumplings on the US map by cultivating a cult-like direct-to-consumer following during the pandemic is ready to expand into brick and mortar stores this April with a new...

Upcycling food waste to grow ‘highly nutritious’ mycelium protein

21-Feb-2023 By Oliver Morrison

Israeli food tech start-up Mush Foods claims it is propelling the “meat-plus” movement to the mainstream of foodservice and food retail.

Animal and plant-based meat sales fall as consumer concerns about inflation mount

20-Feb-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers pulled back on animal-based meat purchases in January after a slight uptick in sales and volume in December, likely related to holiday celebrations at home which for many Americans center around fresh meat, according to data from IRI crunched...

Dissecting cultivated meat regulation part 2: What’s working in the US and Singapore, and what’s not?

16-Feb-2023 By Flora Southey

Both the US and Singapore have seen cultivated meat products pass through their regulatory processes, yet the two governments approach novel foods in different ways. Which challenges and opportunities exist within these regulatory frameworks, and what...

'These products will only take a significant portion of the global market when they can compete with conventional meat on taste, price, and convenience': alt protein sector looks for solutions amid mixed investment figures

16-Feb-2023 By Oliver Morrison

Alt protein advocates are calling for governments to ‘step up’ to build a ‘more sustainable food system’ after data showed that global investment in sustainable proteins decelerated last year and sales of meat alternatives dipped in some countries.

Egg prices continue to climb at slower pace alongside those for other food consumed at home, propping up food inflation, CPI reveals

14-Feb-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Overall US food prices accelerated in January over December after steadily slowing month-over-month between September and December, but the opposite is true for food consumed at home, which cooled in January – continuing a trend that began in December,...