Preservatives and acidulants

Study looks at reducing sodium intake through MSG substitution in saltiest food categories

08-Nov-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

As approximately 90% of Americans struggle with keeping their sodium intake in check, new research suggests that glutamates such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be used to reduce sodium in the food supply by 7% to 8%.

Kerry report: How are consumers’ perceptions of clean label evolving?

24-Oct-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Many consumers subscribe to a basic understanding of ‘clean label’ – for most, it loosely means products with fewer, recognizable ingredients free from preservatives and artificial additives – however, new research from Kerry shows that this definition...

Chinova Bioworks debuts mushroom-derived, clean label preservative for dairy and dairy alternative products

16-Oct-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Canadian startup Chinova Bioworks is introducing two versions of its new ingredient CHIBER – a clean label “antimicrobial shelf-life extender” made from chitosan, a natural biopolymer extracted from mushrooms – for dairy and non-dairy applications at...

‘Potassium salt’ is a better term than ‘potassium chloride salt,’ Nestlé USA, Kraft Heinz et al tell FDA

25-Sep-2019 By Elaine Watson

Food industry stakeholders have pushed back hard on the FDA’s proposal to permit the term ‘potassium chloride salt’ on food labels as an alternative to ‘potassium chloride,’ arguing that anything with the word ‘chloride’ in it is not consumer-friendly...

CSPI petitions the USDA to change rules on the labeling of nitrites, nitrates in processed meats

14-Sep-2019 By Elaine Watson

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and Consumer Reports have asked the USDA to prohibit firms from labeling processed meats as ‘uncured,’ and/or ‘No nitrate or nitrite added’ if they are cured with natural sources of nitrate and nitrite,...

KBI enlists consultant to review proposed kombucha standard of identity

27-Aug-2019 By Elaine Watson

Kombucha Brewers International (KBI), has contracted with EAS Consulting Group independent consultant April Kates to review a proposed standard of identity for kombucha designed to help preserve the integrity of the category as it grows.

Snack bar startup and ingredient supplier ReGrained balances ‘whimsy’ & business with new look

13-Aug-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

With a new look, logo and tagline debuting this month, San Francisco-based startup ReGrained hopes to add a little “whimsy” to its snack bars while also educating consumers about upcycling ingredients and creating a recognizable “calling card” for when...

60-second interview: NSF International updates Non-GMO certification program

05-Aug-2019 By Elaine Watson

NSF International has just updated its Non-GMO certification scheme and logo. FoodNavigator-USA (FNU) caught up with Sarah Krol (SK), global managing director of food safety product certification to find out what this means... and whether firms are ready...

Campbell Soup to FDA: The term ‘potassium chloride salt’ is not consumer friendly

13-Jul-2019 By Elaine Watson

The FDA’s proposal to permit the term ‘potassium chloride salt’ on food labels as a more consumer-friendly alternative to ‘potassium chloride’ has not gone down well with Campbell Soup, which favors the term ‘potassium salt.’

Corbion readies for boost in organic food ingredients production

11-Jul-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Corbion has received organic certification for its Nebraska-based production facility, where the company manufacturers vinegar- and lactic acid-based ingredients, meeting the rising demand for organic ingredients in the food industry.

Chaucer Foods rebranding reveals a company ready to move beyond freeze-dried strawberries

01-Jul-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

Freeze-drying strawberries may account for three-quarters of Chaucer Foods’ business, but according to the company’s CEO Scott Jacobson the company can offer much more to manufacturers looking to tap into consumer demand for healthier products that also...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Emerging flavors at IFT range from banana to breakfast cereal to vinegar & botanicals

28-Jun-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

At IFT earlier this month, banana fosters flavor was everywhere – on popcorn, in cookies, even in coffee – but according to the ingredient company Virginia Dare its star power status at the show wasn’t just because it is a traditional dish of the conference’s...

Bartek puts its best food forward with a new look, expanded capacity to meet demand for acidulants

25-Jun-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

The acidulant company Bartek is marking its 50th anniversary with updated branding, increased capacity and an expanded and experienced management team that is ready to upshift the company from maintenance mode to drive new growth.

Chinova Bioworks gears up for year-end launch of natural mushroom-based preservative

13-Jun-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Canadian startup Chinova Bioworks plans to launch its antimicrobial natural food preservative, made from mushroom chitosan, at the end of this year for dairy and sauce applications, answering industry demand for a clean label preservative alternative.

Trendspotting at IFT 2019 part 1: From novel fat- and egg-replacers to CBD and plant-based innovation

06-Jun-2019 By Elaine Watson

Plant-based meat, dairy and egg alternatives got top billing at the IFT annual meeting and expo in New Orleans this year, while hemp-derived CBD also made its debut, regulatory uncertainty notwithstanding... Check out part 1 of our gallery of highlights...

FDA to permit ‘potassium chloride salt’ in place of ‘potassium chloride’ on food labels; CSPI says new term 'not helpful'

17-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

The FDA says it will accept the term ‘potassium chloride salt’ instead of ‘potassium chloride’ on food labels in a bid to demystify the popular salt replacer for consumers, although industry stakeholders lobbying for a name change had hoped it would ditch...

Health advocacy groups, top food brands, urge Health Canada to permit term 'potassium salt' on food labels

07-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

Leading executives at Heart & Stroke, Hypertension Canada, Diabetes Canada, and Dietitians of Canada have joined a growing number of food manufacturers and retailers urging Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to allow ‘potassium...

Soylent unveils new Soylent Squared 100-cal mini-meal bar, plans savory product launch in the fall

18-Apr-2019 By Elaine Watson

Almost three years after launching - and then rapidly withdrawing - its Food Bar from the market, Soylent has unveiled Soylent Squared, a 100-calorie ‘mini meal bar’ featuring 5g of soy protein, 36 essential nutrients and probiotics.

Natural and clean label trends 2019: Have you registered yet?

11-Mar-2019 By Elaine Watson

We clocked a number of brands using terms from 'clean candy' to 'clean protein' on the showfloor at Expo West, but what does 'clean eating' mean, is 'clean' a term that brands should use on product labels, and where...

Class action litigation vs food & beverage brands ‘continued unabated’ in 2018, says Perkins Coie

05-Mar-2019 By Elaine Watson

The number of class action filings against food and beverage companies rose 9% to 158 in 2018, with firms vulnerable to legal action on a host of fronts, from slack fill to natural claims, says law firm Perkins Coie.

FDA has no objections to GRAS status of Kemin’s oil-soluble green tea extract GT-FORT

22-Feb-2019 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has no objections to the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of Kemin’s oil-soluble green tea extract GT-FORT, says the company.

48% of consumers buy plant-based and dairy milks, reveals IPSOS survey

24-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

Almost half (48%) of Americans have purchased both dairy- and plant-based milks over the past six months, according to an IPSOS survey of 2,006 adults commissioned by Dairy Management Inc.

Final GMO labeling rule does not require labeling of highly refined ingredients from GM crops, if no modified genetic material is detectable

20-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

In its final GMO labeling rule - released this morning - the USDA says it will not mandate the labeling of highly refined ingredients from GM crops if no ‘modified genetic material’ is detectable, but it will allow manufacturers to make voluntary disclosures...

Whole Grains Council, CSPI, American Heart Association, slam final rule on school meals: ‘This rollback is an unnecessary threat to children’s health’

07-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

Health advocacy groups have urged schools to reject a final rule from the Trump Administration that they claim reverses hard-won progress on sodium reduction and whole grain consumption, and “continue their commitment to serve healthier foods on our kids’...

News in brief

Kerry acquires California-based vinegar maker and Oman-based culinary sauces maker

25-Oct-2018 By Elaine Watson

Kerry has struck a deal to acquire Fleischmann's Vinegar Company Inc and AATCO Food Industries LLC for c. €365m ($415m) in a move it claims will boost its foundational technology portfolio and strengthen its position in foodservice and developing...

Chinova Bioworks self-affirms GRAS for natural chitosan preservative

23-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

An independent expert panel recently affirmed the GRAS status of New Brunswick-based Chinova Bioworks' mushroom-derived chitosan for use in food and beverages. The company is now working in parallel to file with the US FDA.

American Academy of Pediatrics’ advice to parents to avoid specific ingredients could impact CPG sales

22-Aug-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on FDA to undertake “urgently needed reforms” to the current regulatory review process for food additives to limit the risk of adverse health effects that correlate with the use of some colorings, flavorings...

Chinova Bioworks secures seed financing to bring 'consistent and effective' anti-microbial chitosan to market

13-Aug-2018 By Stephen Daniells

New Brunswick-based Chinova Bioworks has secured financing led by DSM Venturing and Rhapsody Venture Partners to accelerate development of its clean label mushroom-based natural preservative for food and beverages.

'Common sense clean label?' In conversation with Otis Spunkmeyer

07-Aug-2018 By Elaine Watson

To the casual observer, ‘cleaning up’ food labels sounds like an eminently sensible thing to do. After all, who wants to ingest anything ‘dirty?’ But what, precisely, are these grubby imposters apparently lurking in our foods and beverages?

IFT 2018: Beneo talks clean label starch and FDA dietary fiber clearance

26-Jul-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Starch can be found in nearly every corner of the CPG industry from shelf-stable pasta sauces and salad dressings to canned soups and jarred baby food because of its thickening and stabilizing properties. However, clean label options that deliver the...

Trendspotting at the IFT show 2018 part 2: From millennials and clean eating to Instagram-friendly food

25-Jul-2018 By Elaine Watson

Clean label is a longstanding trend in food formulation, but that doesn't mean you should start slapping the word 'clean' on food labels, said speakers at the IFT annual meeting and expo in Chicago. Check out part two of our gallery of...

Trendspotting at IFT 2018 part 1: From cellular ag and chickpea protein to GMO labeling

25-Jul-2018 By Elaine Watson

This year, cell cultured meat vied with chickpea protein, animal-free gelatin and almond protein for the spotlight at the IFT annual meeting and expo in Chicago, while the clean label trend continued to gather pace. Check out part one of our gallery of...

Kraft Heinz Campbell merger ‘could make sense’ if deal is snack-focused, but timing may not be right, says analyst

13-Jul-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

The rumored Campbell Soup sale to Kraft Heinz has sparked debate among industry analysts on whether or not it would be a smart move for both CPG players. Taking a closer look at the potential deal some benefits for both companies start to emerge.

Naturex focuses on clean label at IFT with launch of plant-based alternative to EDTA

09-Jul-2018 By Elaine Watson

Naturex is launching a natural alternative to EDTA suitable for lipid emulsions such as mayonnaise and salad dressings at the IFT show in Chicago next week to meet growing demand for clean label food preservatives.

Your guide to IFT 2018: From cellular agriculture to smart snacks for kids

07-Jul-2018 By Elaine Watson

Is cultured (aka ‘clean’) meat ready for prime time? And can personalized nutrition really deliver? Check out FoodNavigator-USA's guide to the hottest topics at the Institute of Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago on July...

If shoppers don’t trust bioengineered labels, GMO labeling will be a huge waste of time and money, say CPG brands

06-Jul-2018 By Elaine Watson

Public comments on USDA’s GMO labeling rule have exposed sharp divisions about whether it should include refined ingredients from GM crops, or foods produced via modern gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR. But they have also raised questions about...

Excluding refined ingredients from GMO labeling rule would confuse consumers and erode trust in brands, warns the GMA

03-Jul-2018 By Elaine Watson

Consumers will lose trust in the food industry if USDA does not mandate that refined ingredients such as oils and sugars derived from bioengineered crops are subject to GMO labeling, says the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).

How should we talk about HPP? Cold Pressure Council breaks the ice

02-Jul-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Cold pressed juices helped put HPP (High Pressure Processing) on the map. Now the technology is gaining consumer acceptance and understanding in other categories including meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat, prepared food items.

Hershey, Unilever: GMO labeling should apply to highly refined oils, sweeteners

30-Jun-2018 By Elaine Watson

If consumers are to believe that the food industry is serious about transparency, highly refined ingredients derived from GM crops must be included in the definition of 'bioengineered' enshrined in federal GMO labeling legislation, even if they...

Paddy Spence: ‘Our brand is on fire!’

Zevia heads to the Hollywood Bowl: ‘We’d love to be a $30bn market cap public company’

29-Jun-2018 By Elaine Watson

Stevia-sweetened zero-cal beverage brand Zevia – which first hit the market in 2007 - notched up growth of more than 50% year on year in the latest 12 weeks in conventional channels, driven almost entirely through velocity gains as consumers demand beverages...

‘Fermented foods for all’: Cleveland Kraut puts its Midwest reputation to good use

31-May-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Similar to Maine lobster or New York bagels, the credibility of these foods lie within their name and origin, which is part of the reason behind Cleveland Kraut’s success, a Midwest sauerkraut brand that has grown its presence from farmers markets to...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Kemin introduces plant-based alternative to EDTA for shelf life extension

16-May-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Kemin has developed a “consumer-friendly” plant-based shelf life extension solution, NaturFORT RSGT, for ambient products such as salad dressings and sauces, using a blend of rosemary, spearmint, and green tea extracts.

USDA proposed rule on GMO labeling raises more questions than answers

03-May-2018 By Elaine Watson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a long-awaited proposed rule to establish GMO labeling standards (the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard), but still leaves most of the key questions – including how to interpret its...

Walmart backs potassium salt petition

01-May-2018 By Elaine Watson

Walmart has joined a growing number of food retailers and manufacturers backing a citizen’s petition from NuTek Food Science asking the FDA to allow ‘potassium salt’ as an alternate name for potassium chloride on food labels.

Bai Brands latest target in malic acid lawsuits; Dr Pepper blasts 'meritless' complaint

20-Apr-2018 By Elaine Watson

Bai Brands is the latest high profile brand to be sued over claims that the malic acid in its beverages is produced from petrochemicals and serves as a flavoring agent that should trigger ‘artificially flavored' labeling on pack.

Soylent meal replacement RTD rolls out to 450 Walmart stores

11-Apr-2018 By Elaine Watson

Soylent – a meal replacement brand that gained a cult following among Silicon Valley programmers after its 2014 launch, but has since broadened its portfolio and its appeal – is rolling out to 450 Walmart stores across the US, taking its retail footprint...

V8 Splash is ‘artificially-flavored sugar-water labeled as if it were fruit juice,’ alleges lawsuit

10-Apr-2018 By Elaine Watson

Campbell Soup has been targeted in a lawsuit alleging that it falsely advertises its V8 Splash flavored juice products as “healthy, natural beverages brimming with healthful fruit and vegetable juices” when in fact the brand is “artificially-flavored...

What are the key beverage trends - and companies - to watch in 2018?

Soylent CEO Bryan Crowley joins lineup at FoodNavigator-USA, BeverageDaily online beverage innovation event

23-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

One of the most exciting players in the fast-growing meal replacement space, Soylent built its business – and a highly engaged community – online, first on its own website, and later on Amazon, but has recently ventured into the bricks and mortar space...

Nestlé USA backs 'potassium salt' petition

13-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Nestlé USA has joined a growing number of food manufacturers backing a citizen’s petition from NuTek Food Science asking the FDA to allow ‘potassium salt’ as an alternate name for potassium chloride on food labels.

New 'high pressure certified' seal to hit stores in the next 90 days

09-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Does the world need another packaging seal? Real estate on most food labels is limited, acknowledge the backers of the new ‘High Pressure Certified’ seal, but an independently-verified logo will help ensure the integrity of high pressure processing (HPP)...