Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Nutrition experts reveal Healthy US-style dietary pattern – but is it flexible enough?

22-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommends consolidating various dietary patterns into a single, inclusive Healthy US-Style Dietary Pattern that includes nutrient-dense, plant-based foods and which is accessible for all Americans.

Hershey leans into value, flavor with Kit Kat, Reese's, Jolly Ranchers

14-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The multinational candy maker aligns with shoppers’ interest in value-oriented products reflected through its Reese’s and Kit Kat brands, while Jolly Ranchers' brand refresh features new textures and formats.

Beauty meets confectionery: A growing trend in functional wellness

14-Oct-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Discover how beauty-enhancing ingredients like collagen and biotin are changing the confectionery industry with delicious, functional treats.

Reformulation is rife in F&B but consumers aren't sold yet

11-Oct-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Brands are reformulating to improve nutritional value and reduce or remove ‘unhealthy’ ingredient levels. But this is not always a vote winner with customers. Why?

ADM: 83% of GLP-1 users are ‘very interested in products specifically marketed as supportive of their needs on these drugs’

09-Oct-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

A new platform designed by ADM to help food and beverage manufacturers better understand and meet the needs of weight-loss drug users brings together proprietary consumer research and science, a portfolio of targeted ingredients and more than 25 ready-to-go...

UPF linked to type 2 diabetes - what does this mean for industry?

09-Oct-2024 By Donna Eastlake

New research has linked ultra-processed foods to type 2 diabetes. How will this latest blow impact the food and beverage industry and is reformulation the only solution?

Could anti-inflammatory effects of sweetener boost sales?

08-Oct-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Health concerns have put the sweetener industry in jeopardy. Could new research help to restore its reputation?

How food and drink is finally putting women's health before men

07-Oct-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Women’s health continues to grow as a hot food and drink topic, with brands exploiting the increasing NPD opportunities available

DGAC highlights nutritional disparities from latest dietary guidelines review

04-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Removing animal-based and carbohydrate-containing products and other food groups can lead to significant nutrient deficiencies, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC).

Startup Spotlight

Beekeeper Coffee taps into youth culture to build its RTD honey-sweetened coffee

03-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Beekeeper Coffee's co-founders leveraged their extensive brand-building expertise from giants like Nike and Beats by Dre to stand out in the crowded RTD coffee market with a distinct honey-sweetened brew, emphasizing authenticity and sustainability...

Watch on demand: Innovating low- and no-sugar beverages that meet function & flavor

30-Sep-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers increasingly want more from their beverages – more benefits, more flavor and more fun, but they do not want more sugar nor do they want to compromise on taste, which creates a challenge for manufacturers to find the sweet spot between shoppers’...

What is zebra striping?

18-Sep-2024 By Rachel Arthur

More than a quarter of drinkers embrace 'zebra striping', according to recent research. How can brands engage with this trend?

Pumpkin spice innovation to fall for: From Oreos to Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes and everything in between

16-Sep-2024 By Gill Hyslop

As we dive into the world of new product development (NPD) in this seasonal segment, it's clear that pumpkin spice is more than just a fleeting trend.

NPD Trend Tracker: From spooky treats to Christmas sweets

16-Sep-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Discover the latest product innovations in the world of food and beverages.

Sauces, condiments, spices bring global flavors to consumers’ kitchens

12-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Sauces, condiments and spices are offering consumers convenient ways to experiment with global flavors at home, as the seasoning category becomes one of the fastest-growing in specialty foods, driven by the rise in home cooking and the demand for bold,...

SPATE: Google, TikTok uncover emerging snack trends and sensory innovations

09-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

From spicy dill pickle chips to freeze-dried Skittles, today’s top snack trends reflect a growing demand for sensory overload coupled with nostalgic comforts, according to SPATE’s trend tracker with data from Google Search ending July 31 and hashtags...

How are manufacturers making sugar reduction tech pay?

05-Sep-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Sugar reduction has become a necessary part of food and beverage manufacture, but what technology is being used and how does it affect sales?

Watch this week: Explore better-for-you trends in beverage, including low- and no-sugar, in upcoming FoodNavigator-USA webinar

04-Sep-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

As the US functional beverage market expands, consumers are looking for more from their drinks – including energy to fuel their activities, added electrolytes to support hydration and vitamins to boost their immunity as well as emotional and mental support...

The rise of 'Summerween' expects to boost confectionery sales

29-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Core holidays like Halloween are being planned for earlier by consumers who are simultaneously looking for value in their holiday preparations and a desire for extended celebrations, which gives brands an opportunity to offer more assortments, formats...

Unpacking sweet proteins

29-Aug-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Sweet proteins can provide benefits that other sweeteners can’t, and without some of the drawbacks they provide. But how can they be produced?

Harken Sweets enters 1,000 new doors, aims to grow the better-for-you candy category

27-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Better-for-you candy brand Harken Sweets extends its reach to a wider audience who may not shop at premium grocery stores with its expansion into 1,000 HyVee, The Fresh Market, Alberstons, United Supermarkets, Market Street and Better Health Market stores...

Sweeteners and their function in food and drink manufacture

26-Aug-2024 By Nicholas Robinson

The use of sweeteners to reduce calorie content in food and drink is sometimes controversial, but vital to F&B manufacture. What sweeteners are used and what do they do?

AVVIKA’s RTD caffeine alternative aims to educate consumers about its functional ingredients, benefits

26-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Soon-to-launch AVVIKA breaks away from traditional energy drinks as a caffeine alternative that calls out its suppliers’ functional ingredients on the label for transparent communication with consumers, brand founders Doug Resh and Holden Rouse told FoodNavigator-USA.

ALOHA explores ‘simple way’ to introduce consumers to brand in new ad campaign

22-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Snack maker ALOHA’s “Deliciously Satisfying” ad campaign – inspired by its high-quality ingredients and better-for-you nutrition profile, including 14 grams of protein and up to 10 grams of fiber per bar – highlights “feel good” moments “that anybody...

SmartSweets expands into video commerce with QVC partnership, expects ‘broader audience’

21-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Low-sugar gummy manufacturer SmartSweets will tap into QVC’s platform to “reach a broader audience of health-conscious” at-home shoppers and promote a new bundle exclusive to the retailer, Heidi Dorosin, Co-CEO, SmartSweets told FoodNavigator-USA.

Should US tighten nutritional, promotional standards for baby, toddler food?

21-Aug-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Researchers are calling on US policymakers to regulate more tightly the nutrition and promotion of packaged infant and toddler foods after discovering most products for young children sold in the country do not meet international dietary recommendations,...

Medical advisory boards help brands win over skeptical consumers by validating health claims, science

20-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Food and beverage companies – like startup Instant Hydration – increasingly rely on medical advisory boards and experts to validate their ingredient labels and offer transparency to progressively knowledgeable and skeptical consumers.

Harris aims to ban food price gouging, while industry points to supply chain pressures

19-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris proposes a federal ban on price gouging to lower grocery prices as part of her economic platform for her presidential campaign, however food industry advocates maintain that food prices have remained...

Future Food Tech Alternative Proteins

[Watch] Functional ingredients may drive diversification in milk alternatives

16-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Plant-based milks offer great potential to not only mimic the nutritional profile of dairy milk, but also distinguish itself through taste, texture, functionality and technologies like precision fermentation, Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovations and...

Will diabetes concerns impact sales of fruit juice?

16-Aug-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Could a recent study, linking fruit juice to diabetes, spell trouble for beverage manufacturers?

Flavors, authenticity, consumer connection to drive food & beverage

15-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

From indulgent treats to non-alcoholic alternatives, consumers are craving brands that provide nostalgic flavors, better-for-you benefits and authentic brand connections - trends that are set to grow into 2025, according to several reports.

Snack attack: Is Mars’ $35.9bn bet on Kellanova the key to dominating the healthier snacks market?

15-Aug-2024 By Gill Hyslop

The mega payout by Mars, Inc. for Kellanova is driven by the candy giant’s desire to expand its footprint in the fast-growing market for healthier snacks, which is underpinned by consumer preference that is shifting away from traditional packaged foods...

InvestBev moves into non-alc category, invests in Sèchey

14-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Private equity firm InvestBev’s is making its first foray into the non-alcoholic category with an investment in Sèchey, a zero-proof wine, beer and spirits brand and marketplace.

New Product Development

What’s hot in confectionery? New Product Development from Mondelēz and Bazooka Candy

14-Aug-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

From Cadbury’s ‘fast start’ on Christmas to a pop-up return of the Caramac, meet the latest confectionery launches disrupting the industry

Price-conscious snackers seek value, global flavors in-store

13-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Price-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking healthier yet affordable snack options and shopping for new global flavors in-store, creating a significant opportunity for brands and retailers to develop more engaging and diverse offerings, according...

Tesla enters the candy market

12-Aug-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

He’s disrupted the car, space and social media sectors, is Elon Musk now coming for the confectionery industry?

Premium snacking NPD: Elevating cravings with gourmet, better-for-you snacks

12-Aug-2024 By Gill Hyslop

Ramping up the premium snacking experience involves curating high-quality, gourmet ingredients and emphasizing sophisticated, unique flavors that cater to discerning palates. This approach not only enhances the sensory pleasure of snacking but also elevates...

Soda taxes & school bans: Researchers call for stronger regulations as kids' sugary drink intake increases 23%

08-Aug-2024 By Rachel Arthur

Children’s sugary drink intake rose 23% between 1990 and 2018, according to a new study published in the BMJ - nearly twice the increase seen among adults. Sounding the alarm, researchers say that interventions such as school soda sales bans have become...

Morinaga America revs up HI-CHEW production, opens second facility

02-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Confection manufacturer Morinaga America, Inc., invested $130 million to construct its Mebane, N.C.-based facility to produce its flagship brand HI-CHEW, which has grown 20% year-over-year in the non-chocolate category over the past seven years, Teruhiro...

Shiru partners with Ajinomoto to develop ‘step-change solutions’ for sweet proteins

31-Jul-2024 By Ryan Daily

Food ingredient discovery company Shiru is partnering with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America to commercialize sweet proteins, leveraging AI to “understand the language of proteins” in the process, Jasmin Hume, CEO and founder of the tech...

IFT FIRST 2024

Interest in weight-loss drugs ‘turbo-charged’ food as medicine, but is the industry ready?

31-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The buzz around weight-loss drugs has “turbo-charged” the food as medicine movement creating opportunities and challenges for which one expert warns the food industry is unprepared to address, resulting in far more “losers” than “winners” – but he added...

CPG disruption: SPINS shares why innovation is needed in juices, pickles, pantry staples

25-Jul-2024 By Ryan Daily

CPG companies seeking to disrupt a market might want to turn their attention to categories where whitespace innovation is lacking — including in juices, pickles and pantry staples — a SPINS representative suggested in a recent webinar.

IFT FIRST 2024

Icon Foods, NutraEx Food share ingredients to cut sugar, without sacrificing function at IFT FIRST

24-Jul-2024 By Ryan Daily

Sweetener blends and modulators, like those showcased by Icon Foods and NutraEx at IFT FIRST in Chicago last week, could offer companies less expensive sugar-reduction and calorie-cutting solutions.

What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches: from rum to coffee

22-Jul-2024 By Rachel Arthur

From rum to coffee capsules, we take a look at some of the new beverages launching around the globe.

NPD Trend Tracker: From plant-based treats to snacks that are perfect for pairing

22-Jul-2024 By Donna Eastlake

In this weeks’ edition, we discover plant-based ice cream treats, some perfect snacks for that boozy sundowner and more…

Should you be marketing on the metaverse?

19-Jul-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe & Jess Spiring

As one confectionery firm launches its own candyland on Roblox to appeal to young gamers, we explore the merits of brand-building in virtual reality

[On-demand webinar] Healthy snacking market moves from free-from claims to holistic nutrition

15-Jul-2024 By Ryan Daily

Consumers are turning to healthy snacks that deliver functional claims — from improving gut health to promoting weight management — while still providing the sweet and salty flavors they expect, food and beverage industry experts shared during a recent...

Soup-to-Nuts Podcast: Widespread dehydration in US points to ‘opportunities for customization, variety & healthier options’ within functional beverages

15-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Mega-viral social media trends promoting water “recipes” and consumption, including #watertok, #beveragegoblin and #sexywater, alongside surging demand for hard-to-find Stanley cups may lead one to believe that Americans are sufficiently hydrated – but...

Could sugarcane super crop cut cost of sugar?

11-Jul-2024 By Donna Eastlake

The cost of sugar has increased sharply in recent years. Now researchers believe gene editing could boost supplies. But how, and what does this mean for manufacturers?

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Smart Sweets unveils new formula across portfolio at Sweets & Snacks

10-Jul-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Better-for-you gummy maker, Smart Sweets, launched its new and improved formula across its portfolio, including five new SKUs, catering to consumers seeking healthier candy for nearly any type of occasion, Katrina Hahn, Smart Sweets’ co-CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA...