Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

Nude Mints aims to revamp mints category with a more effective and modern breath freshening solution

23-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Nude Mints wants to modernize the mints category, which co-founder Sean Davis believes is outdated and lacking innovation, by launching breath mints using a new multi-layer capsule technology that promises a deeper and extended breath freshening experience...

Zevia appoints new CEO to lead next chapter of growth

17-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Zero-sugar stevia-sweetened soda brand Zevia has appointed its current president of the company, Amy Taylor, as its new CEO succeeding Paddy Spence who will remain as chair of the company's board of directors, effective August 1, 2022.

DouxMatok strikes deal with Batory Foods to distribute Incredo ‘enhanced’ sugar

15-Jun-2022 By Elaine Watson

DouxMatok, the Israeli firm behind patented technology that makes sucrose taste sweeter, has teamed up with Batory Foods to distribute its Incredo enhanced sugar in North America.

Tim Tebow joins NuSkool Snacks as low-sugar, plant-based bar category gains steam

14-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

NFL free agent player and ESPN broadcaster Tim Tebow is joining the ranks of low-sugar, plant-based nutrition bar company NuSkool Snacks, a move founder and CEO Joe Christensen believes will help the brand secure new accounts and distribution.

Magic Spoon closes $85m Series B, announces nationwide retail rollout at Target

13-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Low-carb, high-protein cereal brand Magic Spoon has closed an $85m Series B fundraise led by private investment firm HighPost Capital and will also be making its exclusive retail debut at Target stores nationwide.

Barry Callebaut: Mindful indulgence fuels next wave of chocolate consumption

06-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumers are taking a more mindful approach when it comes to chocolate consumption by balancing their cravings for indulgence with a growing interest in various better-for-you attributes whether it be health related or environmental, says global chocolate...

Soylent projects sales of $100m in 2022: ‘We're growing by consumption increases versus a discounting and distribution game’

06-Jun-2022 By Elaine Watson

Soylent is projecting sales of $100m this year on a run rate basis driven by solid double-digit growth and margins holding steady, ensuring it remains cash-flow positive without having to raise prices, despite the challenging inflationary environment,...

Joywell Foods raises $25m as it gears up to launch beverages featuring sweet proteins

27-May-2022 By Elaine Watson

Joywell Foods, which deploys microbes to produce nature-identical ultra-sweet proteins found in fruits and berries, has raised $25m in a funding round* led by Piva Capital as it gears up to launch its first consumer products featuring the sweeteners.

Stevia IP battle: Sweegen prevails in four-year-long patent dispute with PureCircle over Reb M; Ingredion to appeal

25-May-2022 By Elaine Watson

A court has found in Sweegen’s favor following a four-year legal battle with rival PureCircle over IP relating to the manufacture of stevia sweetener Reb M.

New BODYARMOR CEO on J-Lo, taking on 800lb gorillas, and the ‘separate but connected’ strategy with Coca-Cola

24-May-2022 By Elaine Watson

Gatorade is the undisputed leader in sports drinks, says the new CEO of BODYARMOR, which recently overtook Powerade to capture the #2 slot in the category. But after four years at Chobani, challenger brand extraordinaire, Federico Muyshondt knows a thing...

FDA denies request to exempt tagatose from added sugar labeling in decision slammed as ‘contradictory and illogical’

20-May-2022 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has denied a request to exempt rare sugar tagatose from the total and added sugars declaration on the Nutrition Facts panel, three years after granting the same request for rare sugar allulose, a decision petitioner Bonumose has slammed as “contradictory...

Tomorrow Farms debuts animal-free flavored milk brand Bored Cow with Perfect Day: 'Animal-free is the future of this category'

19-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Fresh off of a $10.5m funding round, Tomorrow Farms is debuting is first product and brand -- Bored Cow -- which uses Perfect Day's animal-free whey protein to recreate a cow-free version of flavored milk, giving consumers the nutrition and functionality...

Good Good closes $20m Series B funding round to fuel next chapter of growth

16-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Good Good, an Icelandic breakfast brand of no-sugar-added products, has closed a $20m Series B funding round which will help support new low-sugar product innovation and future US product distribution.

Monster Energy sees strong demand for energy drinks while anticipating ongoing supply chain challenges

09-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Monster Energy reported a strong increase in net sales for Q1 2022 as it steadily works to stabilize its business against rising supply chain costs, but remains bullish on the market and consumer demand for its energy drinks portfolio.

Synthetic biology and the future of food. In conversation with ‘biology by design’ co Ginkgo Bioworks

09-May-2022 By Elaine Watson

When Ginkgo Bioworks’ head of codebase Dr Patrick Boyle was working on his doctoral research between 2006-12, he was “basically ordering DNA one gene at a time,” he recalls. “I think I ordered less than six total genes for my entire PhD.” Today, the Boston-based...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Voyage Foods lands $36m Series A funding, first product launch planned for Q2 2022

05-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Oakland, California-based food tech company Voyage Foods has raised $36m in a Series A funding as it prepares to launch its first product in Q2 2022.

Keto in focus, part six: ‘The second coming’ of keto – low-sugar, high-protein launches bet big on the diet

28-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Undeterred by a drop in Internet searches in North America for ‘keto’ and ‘ketogenic’ that might suggest declining interest in the high-fat, moderate-protein and ultra-low-carb diet, many packaged food manufacturers appear to be doubling down on the claim...

Keto in focus, part five: Nestlé’s Boosted Brew offers uncompromised functional coffee experience

28-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

For many avid followers of the keto diet, compromise – be it in convenience, taste or simply going without – is an unwanted and unavoidable tradeoff for their health goals; but it doesn't have to be, especially first thing in the morning, according...

‘The world now turns to Brazil and the US for corn, and prices will rise…’ so what does this mean for corn-derived sweeteners?

22-Apr-2022 By Elaine Watson

With supplies from Ukraine and Russia – which together accounted for 15.3% of global corn exports in 2020/21 - in jeopardy, “the world now turns to Brazil and the US for corn, and prices will rise,” says Rabobank, which notes that prices are already trading...

Keto in focus, part four: ‘It's the latest incarnation of low carb…’

20-Apr-2022 By Elaine Watson

In part four of our series on the high-fat, moderate protein, ultra-low-carb keto diet, FoodNavigator-USA checked in with experts at consumer insights specialist Hartman Group, and product innovation company Mattson to get their take on whether it is...

Keto in focus, part two: The evolution of keto… ‘We’re seeing people eating more of a higher protein ketogenic diet’

19-Apr-2022 By Elaine Watson

In part two of our new series on the high-fat, moderate protein, ultra-low-carb keto diet, FoodNavigator-USA caught up with Dr Ryan Lowery, CEO at Ketogenic.com, which also owns the ketogenic certified scheme used by brands including Quest Nutrition and...

Keto in focus part three: Catalina Snacks CEO... 'The majority of our audience just want to eat less sugar and fewer carbs'

19-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Fast-growing keto snacks company Catalina Snacks is proving that 'keto' is no longer reserved for the low-carb, moderate protein diet's devotees but has a broader consumer scope and appeal.

SPINS: Which sweeteners are resonating with consumers?

18-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

While consumers may be searching for ways to reduce their sugar intake, products that provide a sense of sweetness are still in high-demand, positioning certain natural sweeteners for continued success, says SPINS.

Keto in focus, part 1: From hardcore keto dieters to the ‘carb-conscious’

18-Apr-2022 By Elaine Watson

The high-fat, moderate protein, ultra-low carb ketogenic diet has its devotees and detractors. But what kind of impact is it having on the CPG industry, how big is the addressable market for keto or keto-friendly products, and is this a fad or a lasting...

Where next for honey? National Honey Board talks opportunities ahead for the category

15-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

As many consumers take note of their sugar consumption and weigh different sweetener options from zero-calorie stevia and monk fruit to low-glycemic alternatives such as agave and coconut sugar, where does centuries-old honey land on the spectrum of consideration?...

WATCH: Gut health soda, plant-based, and regenerative agriculture... Trendspotting with PRESENCE

13-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

With 33 years operating in the natural foods industry, national food broker PRESENCE has seen many trends come and go and others grow into long-term growth drivers for the industry.

Tate & Lyle expands allulose production amid ‘exponential’ growth for sweetener with ‘temporal profile almost identical to sucrose’

13-Apr-2022 By Elaine Watson

Tate & Lyle has expanded production of allulose in a bid to meet surging demand for the rare sugar, which has exploded in popularity following the FDA’s decision to exclude it from the total and added sugars declarations on the Nutrition Facts panel.

Zero sugar, zero cartoon characters... Starryside targets tweens with immunity-supporting Star Water in 8oz cans

05-Apr-2022 By Elaine Watson

Formulating beverages that parents can feel good about - and kids will actually drink - is notoriously challenging. However, the founders of Starryside reckon they may have cracked the code with Star Water, a zero-calorie flavored water with added vitamins...

Do current advertising rules for children’s products go far enough to protect their health?

05-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Recently strengthened self-regulatory efforts to curb marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children still do not go far enough to “meaningfully protect” children, argue public health advocates after new analysis reveals “loopholes” in the Children’s...

OCA brings simpler, cleaner alternative to energy drink category: 'What drives me the most is to make a change in the category'

30-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Led by a PepsiCo alum turned beverage entrepreneur, OCA is carving out a spot for itself in the growing 'clean' energy drink category with a simple ingredient deck which includes 120mg of caffeine from green coffee extract.

New horizons for stevia: Cargill unlocks additional applications for sweetener system

22-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Three years since first debuting its ClearFlo modifying ingredient technology used to reduce sensory off notes of stevia, Cargill is debuting a single solution and combination of the two: EverSweet stevia + ClearFlo, giving food and beverage manufacturers...

Rowdy Energy expands natural energy drink offering with calorie-burning thermogenic line targeting female consumers

17-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

The natural energy drink set is buzzing with activity and Rowdy Energy is gaining strong consumer traction with the highest repeat rates in the category, and a new line of thermogenic, calorie-burning energy drinks targeting female consumers, an untapped...

Stevia-sweetened Green Cola ramps up presence in the US, aiming to lead zero-calorie soda category

15-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Two years into its US debut, Green Cola -- a stevia-sweetened, zero-calorie soda brand -- is pushing into new retail accounts to compete against the likes of Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi.

Retail

US chocolate and candy sector in good health as sales soar over 11% in 2021

15-Mar-2022 By Anthony Myers

American candy and chocolate consumers are increasingly focused on seasonal celebrations, sharing and gifting, along with their emotional wellbeing, according to the NCA’s third annual State of Treating report.

‘From non-existent to fastest growing energy drink in the US’, mapping the meteoric rise of ZOA Energy

03-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Launched less than a year ago by a mix of entrepreneurs, investors, fitness industry veterans, and celebrity Dwayne Johnson, ZOA Energy claims it has quickly become the fastest-growing energy drink and #2 brand in the healthy energy drinks category (per...

UN demands more diverse food production methods as report warns climate change risks are greater than thought

01-Mar-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Nearly a third of the world's crop fields will be unsuitable for food production by the end of this century unless carbon emissions are curbed, warns the latest instalment of the IPCC climate change report.

WATCH ON DEMAND: Healthy beverage trends: From sparkling water to wellness shots

28-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

What are consumers looking for when it comes to healthy and functional beverages? Is it sparkling water to kick a sugary soda habit or a daily wellness shot with ginger and turmeric for an immunity boost? Find out in the third and final session of FoodNavigator-USA's...

Keurig Dr. Pepper reports positive growth across segments as it sees some light at the end of supply chain tunnel, says CEO

25-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Keurig Dr. Pepper reported continued top-line performance growth of 8.7% for Q4 2021 vs. the prior year driven by its packaged beverages segment, which posted nearly 10% in net sales growth for the full year and a 17% increase in Q4 2021.

De La Calle’s fermented tepache brings Mexican street food culture to US with $7m fundraise

24-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

With the help of a $7m fundraise, Startup De La Calle is bringing to more Americans nationwide a modern version of the beloved and naturally functional Mexican “street vendor treat” tepache – a probiotic beverage made from fermented organic pineapples...

Introducing the FoodNavigator-USA Positive Nutrition virtual summit: From feeding the gut microbiome to plotting the next 10 years in plant-based protein

17-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

What up-and-coming plant proteins are the most exciting? Chickpeas? Hemp? Canola? Barley? Pongamia? What do we really know about the best overall dietary pattern to support a healthy gut microbiome? And how do we educate consumers about the benefits...

Waterdrop CEO outlines US ambitions: ‘We wanted to make something beautiful and easy to use like an Apple product’

14-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Waterdrop – an Austrian startup that has gone from zero to $100m in revenue across 12 countries in five years with dissolvable plant- and vitamin-packed sugar-free cubes (‘micro-drinks’) you can drop into tap water – plans to aggressively ramp up its...

Sweeteners consumed during pregnancy may affect baby’s microbiome

03-Feb-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The new research underscores the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

Designer proteins… made to order? Tierra Biosciences unlocks potential of cell-free protein synthesis with online ordering platform

02-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

Microbes from yeast to fungi are now routinely used to produce some ingredients more efficiently than plants or animals. But next-gen ‘cell-free’ processes that deploy some of the biomolecular machinery inside the cell wall, could slash R&D lead times...

News In Brief

Sweegen takes the pole position in race to commercialize sweetener brazzein with launch of Ultratia

01-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

In the race to bring the high intensity sweetener brazzein to market at commercial scale, taste solution provider Sweegen is claiming first place today with the launch of Ultratia, which the company says is a key tool in improving the health profile of...

Icon Foods’ sweetness modulators ‘bury’ off-notes of sugar alternatives for more appealing flavor profiles

27-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Two new sweetness modulators from Icon Foods promise to smooth out the flavor profiles of popular sugar substitutes that, despite significant advancements, continue to fall short of recreating the flavor of processed sugar – either because they come on...

Breakthrough ingredient for plant-based chocolate? Palsgaard highlights high-performing lecithin replacement

26-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Plant-based chocolate manufacturers have a new ingredient to add to their toolbox: Palsgaard AMP 4455, an emulsifier which Palsgaard claims is twice as efficient as lecithin and can reduce the amount of cocoa butter used in plant-based chocolate formulations...

Stevia framework greenlights 4 technologies to boost supply, encourage innovation that reduces sugar

25-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

The adoption of four production technologies for steviol glycosides by the international food standards authority Codex Alimentarius earlier this month opens doors for industry to produce and source at scale and more sustainably less-common versions of...

Sweet Victory chewing gum helps fight sugar cravings on two fronts with Ayurveda botanical

20-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Founded on the belief that sugar cravings are rooted equally in physical and emotional needs, the co-founders of Israeli startup Sweet Victory drew on their backgrounds as a psychologist and nutritionist to solve for both -- helping people kick their...

DouxMatok & Blommer Chocolate bring ‘game changing’ portfolio of sugar-reduced chocolate to US

19-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

DouxMatok, an Israeli firm that is shaking up sugar reduction with patented technology that heightens the perception of sweetness, is teaming with Blommer Chocolate to produce a ‘game changing’ portfolio of chocolate products with significantly less sugar,...

Zevia doubles down on platform brand vision: 'We're sourcing volume from, candidly, everywhere,' says CEO

18-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Veteran zero-calorie soda brand Zevia is pouring a significant amount of resources into becoming a fully-fledged platform brand with a growing portfolio of products that spans energy drinks, teas, mixers, and kids drinks, said CEO Paddy Spence.