Mondelēz International has acquired full ownership of Hu (pronounced ‘hue’ as in ‘human’) Products, a well-being snack company best known for its premium vegan chocolate bars.
McCormick & Company has purchased 100% of the shares of natural flavors supplier FONA International for $710m, a deal which will accelerate McCormick’s global flavor growth and “the strategic migration” of its portfolio towards more value-added, health-focused...
Between the pandemic, wildfires, economic losses and a contentious presidential election, 2020 was a year for the books – and as tempting as it may be to turn the page with the new year and not look back, one marketing expert and applied anthropologist...
Indoor farming? Cell-cultured meat? The rise of DTC e-commerce? FoodNavigator-USA quizzed food & beverage business leaders to find out what trends they are monitoring, and what is keeping them awake at night as we approach 2021...
From ‘futureproof’ foods claiming to support immune health or manage stress, to the ‘ketotarian’ diet: a plant-based spin on keto, Kroger has released seven food trends it believes will gain traction in 2021, which it predicts will be a "breakout...
Whole Earth Brands (parent company to Equal and Pure Via sweetener brands) has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Wholesome Sweeteners, the No. 1 organic sweetener brand by share in the organic and natural channel.
There are now more than 100 R&D projects in countries all over the world featuring chickpea protein concentrates from Israeli startup InnovoPro, which has just opened a US subsidiary and is currently recruiting account managers in North America as...
The emotional and physical strains caused by events in 2020 have shined a light on the need for and accelerated development of foods and beverages that not only nourish consumers’ physical bodies, but their mental health as well, according to Rabobank...
As eager as many people are to shut the door on 2020, concerns about the coronavirus will follow us into the new year and continue to influence food and beverage preferences, predict trend spotters with Symrise, who forecast an increase in demand for...
Pandemic-fueled consumer demand for food that is healthier, more sustainable, ethically produced and easier to access has fueled a “burst of investment” in food-tech in 2020 that Finistere Ventures predicts will have a lasting impact on the industry long...
Chobani has moved further into the functional foods arena with the launch of probiotic yogurts and shakes, which follow hot on the heels of its plant-based probiotic beverage and protein- and fiber-packed Chobani Complete range, which hit shelves in the...
Orlando-based Kalera has expanded operations of its indoor vertically-grown hydroponic lettuce and microgreens to the Pacific Northwest with construction of a facility in Seattle, a significant milestone in the company's journey of making locally-grown...
Without the physical constraints of brick and mortar stores, e-commerce offers retailers an opportunity to appeal to more than just mainstream shoppers by diversifying their assortment to attract niche consumers who often will spend more for specialized...
Toronto-based Mother Raw, a fast-growing brand of fresh, plant-based dressings, condiments, and quesos, has closed a US$6.1m Series A financing round to accelerate distribution across the US while expanding marketing and innovation initiatives, said CEO...
CHUM Fruit Snacks founder Benjamin Bartley says parents "want cleaner ingredient lists, a sustainable story, breakthrough benefits not yet seen and above all, originality."
The plant-based meat category is becoming increasingly competitive, with legacy brands vying for shelf space with multinationals, well-funded foodtech players, and a host of enterprising startups, says No Evil Foods co-founder Sadrah Schadel. But independent...
For the estimated one in seven people sensitive to short chain carbohydrates, following the low-FODMAP diet can provide immense digestive relief, but discovering, understanding and complying with the diet can be difficult given the prevalence of common...
From keto mug cakes and lower-sugar kids' lemonade to pickled lupini beans, plant-based cheese crackers and instant miso soups, check out 15 emerging brands who took part in the second pitch event from Startup CPG, a new organization that promotes...
Cincinnati-based Graeter’s Ice Cream, a 150-year-old family-owned company, and Perfect Day, a San Francisco-based startup producing animal-free milk proteins via microbial fermentation, have partnered to launch “Perfect Indulgence”, a line of frozen desserts...
Children’s dietary patterns are mostly set by the time they turn 2 years old, which doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for indulging picky eaters if caregivers want their kids to grow up eating – and liking – a wide variety of healthy, nutrient-dense...
While snacking was on the rise long before the coronavirus outbreak, new research from Mondelēz International shows the pandemic has turbo-charged the trend – spurring more people to snack more often, but for entirely different reasons than they did before...
From 'smartbars' for kids and chickpea pizza to West African soups, keto puffs, more beverages touting immunity benefits and turmeric-laced oatmeal cups, check out FoodNavigator-USA's latest gallery of new products hitting the market this...
When the pandemic prompted some retailers to delay category resets or close their doors temporarily to new brands, the emerging wellness shot brand So Good So You didn’t dwell on delayed distribution opportunities – rather it doubled down support for...
Food styling is a key marketing tool to make products, dishes, and meals look more appealing and appetizing, but does “pretty” food also impact its perceived healthiness? Preliminary research suggests there may be a link.
Protein-fueled organic snack brand IWON Organics has raised $500k in a new funding round and is gearing up to launch a new product in 2021 that will take it into new territory, says founder and CEO Mark Samuel, who has just picked up some new distribution...
Rabobank has announced the 15 finalists – food and ag entrepreneurs spanning everything from edible spoons to plant-based eggs - who will compete in its livestreamed FoodBytes! Pitch competition on December 2.
If you’re looking for a mature – and kind of dull - part of the grocery store, checkout the bouillon cubes category. According to Nielsen data* supplied to FoodNavigator-USA, US retail sales edged up 0.6% in the year to Oct 27, 2018 and a modest 2.8%...
Amy’s Kitchen – maker of frozen organic foods and shelf-stable soups – is on course to generate revenues approaching $600m in 2020, a double-digit increase vs 2019 for the family-owned vegan and vegetarian food brand, which will open a new pizza production...
In a world where raging wildfires, battering hurricanes and unexpected derechos dominate the headlines, sustainability is becoming a top concern for consumers – and one that the independent research company HowGood can help food and beverage brands meet...
The light shined by the pandemic on the toll the food system is taking on the environment and the people who grow, process and deliver food is turbo-charging already mounting consumer demand for products that are organic, responsibly sourced, clean label...
Benson Hill has closed a $150m Series D funding round led by Wheatshef Group and GV (formerly Google Ventures) to expand and commercialize its proprietary CropOS platform, the technology responsible for breeding highly-productive and more nutrient-dense...
After scooping up Lightlife and Field Roast in recent acquisitions, Maple Leaf Foods should have been well-positioned to capitalize on the rising demand for plant-based meat and dairy during the pandemic, but instead COVID-19 related supply chain struggles...
Despite less frequent trips to the grocery store and a history of general consumer unease with purchasing fresh food online, sales of fresh food continue to climb driving new growth to the category, reveals Deloitte's The Future of Fresh: Patterns...
DouxMatok, the Israeli firm behind patented technology that makes sugar taste sweeter, has struck a deal with Canadian sugar refiner Rogers Sugar, parent of Lantic, to manufacture commercial quantities of its ‘enhanced’ sugar, with the first products...
Do children like oatmilk and Beyond Burgers? Research* shows that US families with children over-index for plant-based milk and yogurt sales and that parents of children under 18 are more likely to think that plant-based proteins are healthier than animal-based...
Influenced by feelings of stress and anxiety, shifting priorities caused by the ongoing pandemic, and changes in social connectivity, consumers are taking a more holistic and proactive approach to health and wellness, according to a new report from ADM....
A year since launching its Chiber natural preservative made from chitosan, a biopolymer extracted from mushrooms which prevents spoilage in a variety of products including plant-based dairy alternatives, Chinova Bioworks has solved another issue facing...
Albertsons Companies saw total revenue grow 11.2% to $15.8bn during Q2 2020 (12 weeks ended Sept. 12, 2020) driven by strong digital sales growth (+243%) and a growing base of loyal consumers who are gravitating towards the retailer's private label...
Cacao currently may be most prized by manufacturers and mainstream consumers for its beans to make chocolate, cocoa and cocoa butter, but the fruit and shell surrounding the bean also are packed with nutrients and potential, which famed chocolatier Oded...
Heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Whole Foods Market has unveiled its top 10 food trends for 2021, which include revitalized “epic” breakfast meals and culinary-inspired baby food, to growing consumer adoption of fringe cooking oils and food...
Impossible Foods is gearing up for market entry in Europe, China and Brazil; Beyond Meat is looking at “any and all plant-based protein sources” as it expands its ingredient toolbox; Meati Foods is preparing to launch fungi-based steaks, and Planterra...
While all the key brands in plant-based meat are exploring new protein sources, most still use soy or pea as the primary protein source. Oats, rapidly emerging as star players in the plant-based milk category, have not, however, made any real impact in...
Tweens... aged between nine and 12, they're not young kids anymore, but they're not teens either, so how food and beverage brands reach them (and their parents/guardians), and what's the best way to engage with this age cohort via influencers...
How are parents coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in their households when it comes to feeding their kids? Has the extra time spent at home given families more opportunity to cook and experiment with new recipes, or has the anxiety left parents scrambling...
With a recent national rollout at 500 Target stores, fresh baby and toddler food brand Little Dish is addressing the gap in the US market for nutritionally-balanced, just-like-homemade meals aimed specifically at the under-served toddler age group, says...
From bubbly probiotic water for kids to chickpea butter, ketchup with extra veggies, and goat's milk toddler formula, entrants to our 2020 FOOD FOR KIDS Trailblazers Challenge showcased innovative new products, brands, and routes to market for healthier...
We had a record number of entries for this year's FOOD FOR KIDS Trailblazers Challenge, spanning everything from chickpea butter and lentil-based meat crumbles to bubbly probiotic water and veggie-infused ketchup. Here are some of the innovations...
Frustrated that many of the underlying health conditions that increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 disproportionately impact black, indigenous and people of color, the founder of Uplifting Results Lab wants to help close the race-related health disparity...
From a flurry of plant-based meat launches and keto snacks, to beverages promoting immunity, checkout FoodNavigator-USA's latest gallery of new products hitting the market this fall/winter.
Startups selected to participate in Rabobank’s virtual FoodBytes! Pitch competition this fall provide a neat snapshot into trending topics in food and agriculture, from alternative proteins and upcycled ingredients, to edible cutlery, relaxation beverages,...
