Carbohydrates and fibers (sugar, starches)

New Product Development from Toblerone to Hotel Chocolat

13-Nov-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Staying up to date with the newest confectionery products, trends and flavour combinations on the market is key to keeping on top of the fast-paced and competitive sweet sector.

Kellanova shareholders approve $35.9bn Mars merger amid shifting snack industry trends

05-Nov-2024 By Gill Hyslop

The transformative takeover by Mars Inc. has been overwhelmingly approved, marking a pivotal moment in the snack industry. What does this mean for the future of snacking?

Can plant-based overcome UPF links to avoid future trust issues?

31-Oct-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Plant-based diets remain popular, but associations with UPF and low-quality ingredients has shaken consumer trust in alt meat, fish and dairy brands. So, what can the sector do to restore public opinion?

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

How would eliminating ultra-processed foods and products high in sugar, fat impact diet, health?

25-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Diets that exclude foods high in added sugar and saturated fat, like sugary drinks, snacks and processed meat, still provide sufficient levels of essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and fiber, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

DGAC recommends more repeated exposure to healthy foods for kids

23-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommended introducing a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains at appropriate ages does not adversely impact growth or increase obesity risk in young children.

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.

Standard serving size levels the playing field, NAD finds in tortilla advertising case

22-Oct-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Size matters – at least when it comes to crafting nutrient content and health claims for food based on servings, according to a recent BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division decision for a challenge brought by Olé Mexican Foods against competitor...

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...

The power of co-creation: Is consumer input shaping the future of snacks?

08-Oct-2024 By Gill Hyslop

Colorado-based Myna Snack’s latest launch is a prime example of how consumer input can drive successful product innovation. But just how effective is giving consumers a voice in NPD in staying competitive?

Launch Pad

The holiday rush inspires innovations for Halloween through New Year

01-Oct-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

New pumpkin spice products continue to hit store shelves as other food and beverage product launches in September usher in the holiday season from Halloween to Rosh Hashanah to Christmas.

W.K. Kellogg’s under fire for chemicals in US cereals: Key takeaways for other producers

27-Sep-2024 By Gill Hyslop

Following Bakery&Snacks’ report on the backlash against Kellogg’s over chemicals in its US cereals, the pressure is still mounting. What lessons can bakery and snack producers take from this?

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.

Startup Spotlight

Ayo Foods’ expansion reflects a growing ‘cultural movement’ among consumers and retail

12-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

West African frozen meal and sauce brand Ayo Foods’ expanded from 200 retail doors to more than 20 retailers nationwide through a combination of cold calling and working with brokers to land shelf space.

ADM on the farm: Building regenerative agriculture builds business opportunities

12-Sep-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Regenerative agriculture is emerging as a powerful marketing concept with recent research by ingredient supplier ADM revealing most consumers familiar with the tenets are more likely to trust and buy from brands that support the practice.

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...

The call of the USA: why Europe’s bakers are going American

27-Aug-2024 By Nicholas Robinson

Largescale European bakeries are transporting their businesses to the USA as home markets reach saturation point and opportunities for growth increase Stateside, with many facilities there for sale.

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...

Unlocking the breadbasket: How ancient wheat hybridization has shaped agriculture and bead production

16-Aug-2024 By Gill Hyslop

A major international study has revealed the role bread has played in shaping global civilization: more specifically, the secret that made bread wheat one of the most successful crops on the planet, when others have disappeared or remained in obscurity.

Do film tie-ins boost sales?

16-Aug-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Many film studios use tie-ins with food and beverage brands to market their motion pictures. But does this drive sales for the food and beverage products themselves?

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...

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...

IFT FIRST 2024

Innophos’ Levair Select answers rising calls for clean-label, aluminum-free leavening agents without compromising performance across applications

08-Aug-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

US consumer and retailer demand to remove aluminum-based leavening agents from baked goods due to health concerns are rising even though FDA considers them GRAS, but efforts to replicate the speed and degree of lift of sodium aluminum phosphate (SALP)...

From volleyball courts to retail shelves: How Act Bar’s founder is growing her upcycled snack brand

07-Aug-2024 By Ryan Daily

Act Bar is on a mission to reduce food waste and nutrition insecurity with its line of snack bars, which were created with the help of ingredient and product development company Upcycled Foods, brand Founder Amelia Allen told FoodNavigator-USA.

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...

IFT FIRST 2024

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Trends at IFT’s Startup Pavilion include upcycled ingredients, clean label preservatives, novel proteins and more

29-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The Startup Pavilion at the Institute of Food Technologists’ annual Food Improved by Research Science and Technology (IFT FIRST) in Chicago earlier this month featured cutting-edge solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the food system,...

Are sweeteners good or bad for the planet?

18-Jul-2024 By Flora Southey

Research suggests some could be more harmful to the environment than others.

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...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Bread is back: Better-for-you, artisanal and take-and-bake options coax consumers to back to the bakery

11-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Bread is back after being demonized for years as high in calories and carbs and low in nutrition, innovative bakers are bringing to market bagels, buns and brioches that are high in fiber, protein, healthy fat and, of course, flavor.

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?

IFT FIRST

Startup Pavilion at IFT FIRST showcases sustainable, better-for-you solutions

09-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The Startup Pavilion at the Institute of Food Technologists’ annual Food Improved by Research Science and Technology (IFT FIRST) conference in Chicago this month will feature 100 food and tech businesses ranging from pre-seed to growth stage featuring...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Cooking up diverse flavors and textures in the pasta category

09-Jul-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Pasta is evolving to fit consumer preferences for convenient and accessible cooking at home, while creating improved taste, texture and packaging, according to category players showcasing at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City last month.

Future Food Tech Alternatives Proteins

Startup Uncracked is unlocking seaweeds’ clean-label potential with proprietary SeaStack technology

28-Jun-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers seeking clean labels historically have given a pass to plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, even though they have long lists of unfamiliar or difficult to pronounce ingredients, but that may be changing as the category’s health halo dims...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Consumers want cleaner-label, better tasting gluten-free options in more categories

27-Jun-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Gluten free may not be as trendy as it once was, but the call-out continues to resonate with consumers as the quality, quantity and variety of products making the claim continue to improve – as showcased by brands across categories at the Summer Fancy...

Startup Spotlight

Crunchy Hydration finds sweet success by skipping sugar and its low-, no-calorie counterparts, underscoring consumer demand for flavorful but not sweet options

27-Jun-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The early retail success of functional beverage startup Crunchy Hydration shows sugar – or its low- and no-calorie counterparts – are not a necessary ingredient for success in a category that is laden with sweeteners used to mask the sometimes bitter...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Startup CPG offers entrepreneurs essential tools for building a packaged food business

25-Jun-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Building a packaged food or beverage business from scratch can be expensive and overwhelming for entrepreneurs, but Startup CPG is making it a little easier with a suite of free tools, extensive networking opportunities and a safe space for founders to...

Study supports Sunfiber’s lower dose prebiotic benefits

14-Jun-2024 By Stephen Daniells

The prebiotic activity of Sunfiber, a partially hydrolyzed guar gum, may be observed at doses as low as 3 g per day, says a new study from the University of Minnesota.

From Shark Tank to social media: How a puffcorn disruptor has gone from startup to a $10m brand in just four years

12-Jun-2024 By Gill Hyslop

While homegrown startups frequently use ABC’s investment reality series to springboard their brand, Like Air Snacks already had a solid retail presence and was pulling in more than $5m in sales. So, what did its appearance on Shark Tank really achieve?...

Do vegetable crisps deserve their health halo?

06-Jun-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Colourful and classy vegetable crisps are often sought after as a ‘better-for-you’ alternative to ordinary crisps. But how accurate is this perception?

Schwan’s Company invests in manufacturing facility to expand Asian food category

05-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

U.S.–based Schwan’s Company and CJ Foods, its South Korea-based subsidiary, purchased a 142-acre site in Sioux Falls, S.D., for its 700,000 square-foot production facility to support its Korean food brand, bibigo, using modernized automated production...

CVS’s expanded, rebranded private label snack line blends functional, fun & flavor

30-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

CVS is putting the ‘fun’ in functional food with the launch of more than 40 snacks, beverages and grocery items with trendy flavors and ingredients consumers want, including probiotics, fiber, protein and superfoods like turmeric and goji berries under...

Plant-Based 3.0 webinar: Tune in May 29 to discover what consumers want from meat alternatives, how to deliver on their taste, texture, appearance & nutrition demands

28-May-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are willing to swap meat for plant-based alternatives, and more than half have tried an alternative protein – but of those that have tried, nearly a quarter have not done so a second time, according to research cited by...

Sweets & Snacks Expo

How can brands become more than a trending flavor?

24-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Confectionery and snack brands can stay head of the curve by offering layered flavors and textures inspired from other food and beverage categories, tapping into nostalgic tastes and international cuisines that consumers gravitate towards, Alice Mintz,...

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Sweets and snacks defend sales as interest in GLP-1 medications rise by expanding better-for-you indulgent products

20-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Rivalz’s stuffed, vegan snacks could deliver the satiety effects of GLP-1 medications and meets USDA guidelines for healthy snacks distributed in schools thanks to patented extrusion technology that creates vegan fillings packed with protein and fiber,...

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

Blommer Chocolate Company and Incredo target Canada with less sugar options

15-May-2024 By Anthony Myers

Blommer Chocolate Company, the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America, has announced it is extending its partnership with sugar reduction company Incredo.

Mondelēz is hungry for snacks innovation: What’s its VC arm looking for?

06-May-2024 By Flora Southey

When Mondelēz International searches externally for savoury snack and confectionery innovation, what kinds of start-ups is it looking for?

Supergut rolls out nationwide in GNC stores as part of GLP-1 nutritional support section

30-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Supergut is expanding nationwide as part of GNC’s new section dedicated to GLP-1 nutritional support, as the brand has quadrupled its sales in the last two quarters due to consumer interest in gut health and products to alleviate symptoms from drugs like...

Natural Products Expo West

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Functional beverages trends from gut health to energy to low-sugar & high-protein

22-Apr-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers increasingly are weary of “drinking empty calories,” and are instead looking for less sugar and more functional benefits from their beverages – be it enhanced hydration, gut-health support, mood and mental health management or permissible indulgence...

Soup-to-Nuts Podcast: What will it take to reinvigorate innovation in packaged food?

15-Apr-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Meaningful innovation in the consumer packaged goods industry has ground nearly to a halt post-pandemic for all but an “elite 20%” of companies, according to the Boston Consulting Group’s latest Build for the Future Survey, which analyzes insights from...

Cup Noodles doubles down on breakfast flavors, releases Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese LTO

09-Apr-2024 By Ryan Daily

Following in the footsteps of last year’s Breakfast flavor, Cup Noodles is turning to another morning-time classic releasing an Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese flavor for its iconic microwavable ramen, as the company continues to promote its newer...