Despite that they comprise just 26% of the population, Americans who spend more than 40% of their food and beverage budgets on health and wellness-related products account for 61% of total spending for the sector, or more than $161 billion annually, according...
Interview with Zego allergy-friendly nutrition bar founders Colleen Kavanagh and Jonathan Shambroom
The manufacturers of a soy-, nut-, dairy- and gluten-free protein bar are hoping to make allergy-friendly products more accessible for on-the-go consumers with national distribution on Amazon.com and a strong community of backers who helped the bar launch...
Despite that they account for a relatively small percentage of perishable dollar sales at most retailers, in-store bakeries are thriving, according to recent data from Packaged Facts.
On the heels of several lawsuits as well as proposed legislation on the marketing of energy drinks and shots, the category has faced an onslaught of negative media attention over the past several months, leading many consumers to question the health and...
A supplier of drum dried organic ancient grain powders has launched a standalone quinoa powder with applications ranging from supplements to RTD and RTM beverages, baked products and even soups. FutureCeuticals hopes quinoa's broad food industry...
Consumers are demanding more nutritional information than ever, and yet obesity rates continue to climb, with some dietitians worrying that Americans are becoming complacent in their unhealthy weights. Kale, chia and wheat-free will stay hot in 2014,...
Low-calorie products such as sugar-free chocolates will be the driving force behind modest growth in the US chocolate market in the next five years, according to market analysts Lucintel.
The struggle over GMO labeling will push the growth of certified organic products in the US in 2014, according to market research firm Organic Monitor. And at least one major discount grocery retailer is looking to cash in with the launch of a new organic...
General Mills says original Cheerios will now be made without genetically modified ingredients, citing consumers' growing preference for non-GMO food products. The change doesn’t apply to the other 11 varieties of Cheerios.
Solid growth for the US organic food market is expected to continue until 2018, according to a new report that puts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% on the sector.
Both private label and national brands’ shares of sales remained unchanged during the past year, with private label share of dollar sales inching up slightly, due in large part to above-average price inflation within the private label sector.
PureCircle has received a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) letter from the US Food and Drug Administration for its high-purity Rebaudioside M sweetener (also known as Reb M or Reb X), clearing the way for PureCircle to use the sweetener in soft drinks...
From sourcing non-GMO ingredients to super grains, the latest snack trends, healthy beverages, gluten-free, and plant-based proteins, FoodNavigator-USA’s 2014 editorial calendar of special editions will have you covered in all the latest in food product...
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents some of the largest food and beverage manufacturers, is seeking approval to label foods containing GMO ingredients “natural”, according to a Dec. 5 letter the GMA sent to the US Food and Drug Administration.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest defended the news media’s "First Amendment rights" in a statement issued Wednesday urging a circuit judge to dismiss the defamation lawsuit Beef Products Inc. filed against ABC News over its coverage...
A recent Museum of Food and Drink round table debated the merits and shortfalls of the large soda ban.
Earlier this month, New York City’s Museum of Food and Drink hosted a panel discussion at New York City’s CUNY School of Public Health examining New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed cap on super-size sodas, which was rejected by the state...
Whole Foods said Wednesday it plans to dump Chobani as a yogurt supplier at the beginning of 2014, citing a number of reasons—primarily that it has become more selective in shelf allocation with the recent explosion of Greek yogurt brands.
A looming water crisis in California has led more than 50 California lawmakers to request the declaration of a state drought emergency. The dire water situation for the upcoming crop year could send ripples through US agricultural supply says the California...
The debate rages on over whether government should have a say in what consumers eat and drink, as the high-profile proposed cap on soda sizes brought the issue into the limelight in 2013. For the trade associations representing the beverage and snack...
Archer Daniels Midland Co. has selected Chicago as the location for its global headquarters and customer center, though the agriculture giant was unable to secure the tax incentives it sought from Illinois legislators.
The growing consumer desire for sophisticated, nuanced and personalized flavor experiences—with the enticing added benefit of health and wellness claims is what will dominate flavor trends in the coming year, according to global flavor and fragrance supplier...
Israel-based flavor and food ingredient firm Frutarom Industries has acquired US-based Hagelin Flavor Technologies for $52.4 million, the company announced Friday. Hagelin has corporate offices in New Jersey. In addition, the company has offices in the...
Red Bull is planning to roll out its best-selling energy drink in China after gaining the necessary permissions, and is building an office in Shanghai, a spokesperson told FoodNavigator-USA. The news was initially reported in Austrian newspaper Kronen...
When 100-year-old food and beverage manufacturer Bolthouse Farms decided to launch its first ever consumer advertising campaign focused on beverages this year, the brand harnessed the visual power of Instagram after realizing the app’s potential among...
From declining interest in soft drinks to the ongoing war on caffeine and the explosion of raw juices and functional beverages, 2013 has certainly been an eventful one for the beverage category. Count on another strong year for premium juices, coconut...
What will 2014 bring on the regulatory front for the food and beverage industry? From the stagnant farm bill to the ongoing debate on biotech to consumer confusion on the various forms of sweeteners, trade associations representing the sugar, HFCS and...
Fiery flavors, popped chips and retail-ready pack designs were some of the biggest trends for snack makers this year, according to trade heads in Europe and the US.
NutraClick, a Boston, MA-based nutritional products company, has found success building its business model on a targeted online advertising strategy. The company was so successful, in fact, that a major chain came to them to request they place their products...
A broad and mixed range of healthy and traditional snacks is important as snacking becomes a way of life for Americans, the CEO of the Snack Food Association (SFA) says.
At what point are consumers prepared to purchase fortified or functional foods and drinks? That’d be 0.84 according to the fortified/functional (FF) curve. Say what?...Euromonitor International analyst Diana Cowland explains why traditional markets remain...
US analyst Bonnie Herzog predicts that diet soda sales declines could fuel a 15-20% drop in overall US carbonated soft drink sales by 2020 but believes Coke is best-positioned to ride out the storm.
Changes in marketing direction and a quiet year with lawsuits have seen three big players in the energy category bounce back in the eyes of consumers, but what does 2014 hold for the brands?
Corn oil may have significantly greater effects on blood cholesterol levels than extra virgin olive oil, due in part to the natural cholesterol-blocking ability of plant sterols, according to new research from Biofortis, the clinical research arm of Merieux-NutriSciences.
Consumer packaged food and beverage firm WhiteWave Foods has acquired organic food brand Earthbound Farm from its existing shareholders led by Kainos Capital and founders Drew and Myra Goodman, for approximately $600 million in cash.
Consumer packaged goods companies are underestimating the growth potential of online sales and still lack clear e-commerce strategies, according to a new study from consulting firm Deloitte LLP.
Amid mounting false advertising lawsuits and increased pressure from consumer advocacy groups, the future of the historically vague marketing term "natural" is in question.
UK retailers like Morrisons’, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are backing an international ‘responsible’ fish oil certification earned by 100 processing factories in 9 countries and representing 40% of global fish oil and fishmeal outputs.
Packaged food companies continue to see mid-range market share stolen from an increasingly sophisticated store brand segment. So they’ll look to stay relevant with continued focus on convenience and popular messaging like high protein.
Americans’ eating habits deteriorated in 2013, as fewer adults report eating healthy all day “yesterday” in every month so far this year compared with the same months in 2012, according to the latest Gallup/Healthways poll. Moreover, healthy eating in...
Yixiang Xu, PhD, food processing/engineering assistant professor in Virginia State University's Agricultural Research Station, has been awarded a two-year $29,186 specialty crop block grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer...
The flavors of India and Central and South America will have a big impact in 2014, as will consumers’ growing fascination with chiles, according to McCormick & Co. Inc.’s 2014 Flavor Forecast.
In March 2012, Robert Mock left the world of financial derivatives behind with an idea for a healthier chip that incorporates seaweed. Nine months later, he and three fellow cofounders have launched Burlingame, CA natural foods product company New Frontier,...
More than a third of new products launched in the US yogurt market in the year to September 2013 featured protein claims, according to new data from Innova Market Insights.
A controversial new report alleging that genetically engineered foods could be an environmental trigger for gluten sensitivity and celiac disease has been challenged by the Celiac Disease Foundation and a leading plant geneticist.
Ever found yourself unable to shake off the stress of the day even while enjoying your evening bowl of ice cream? Bebida Beverage Co. (BeBevCo), the manufacturer of Koma Unwind relaxation drink, hopes to address the roughly 100 million consumers who either...
US consumers have voted for their favorite confectionery brands in five categories: chocolate, premium chocolate, gum, candy and cookies. Find out the results here.