Preservatives and acidulants

FDA grants more time for Phase II sodium reduction feedback – but is it enough?

05-Nov-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA is giving the food and beverage industry an additional two months to respond to its request that they slash sodium in their products over the next three years to help Americans reduce their risk of diseases associated with overconsumption of the nutrient...

FDA pushes for progress in sodium reduction target, aims to cut average intake to 2,750 mg/day

11-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The FDA's phase two draft guidance on sodium reduction, released on August 15, sets new voluntary targets for food manufacturers to reduce average consumption to 2,750 milligrams per day by 2024, as nearly three-quarters of Americans' sodium...

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?

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?

Sweets & Snacks Expo

More than protein: How meat snacks are redefining convenience and nutrition

21-May-2024 By Deniz Ataman

With more than 40 meat snack brands exhibiting during the Sweets & Snacks Expo, the protein-packed and portable food category is surging in popularity due to its alignment with consumers seeking convenient, satiating snacks to replace meals on-the-go.

‘I’ve heard of ultra-processed food, but can’t explain it’: Demystifying UPF confusion

30-Apr-2024 By Flora Southey

What ‘ultra-processed food’ means to one consumer may not be what it means to another.

Assessing safety of food additives from state to the national levels

28-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The recent passage of the California Food Safety Act, which bans several food additives in the state, created a template for other states to introduce similar legislation, warn food toxicologists Craig Llewellyn and James Coughlin during a recent webinar...

Not all ultra-processed foods impact health the same way, research suggests

04-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Intensifying criticism of ultra-processed foods without nuanced consideration of their nutrition could unfairly tar some plant-based meats and milks that “compare well with their animal-based counterparts,” which may be viewed more favorably because they...

[Video] Processing tech can boost food, but can transparency close the trust gap?

21-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

A recent white paper published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) on the sustainable production of nutritious foods through processing technology highlights how various processing techniques can improve food and nutrition security. Yet the challenge...

Scentian Bio synthesizes insect biosensors to improve quality control processes for food and beverage

13-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Insects can offer the food and beverage industry more than a rich protein source – their heightened scent and taste capabilities can also help manage quality control, according to Jonathan Good, CEO of Scentian Bio, which has digitized their smell receptors...

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Consumer Brands Association urges DGAC to develop more research on ultra-processed foods

13-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The Consumer Brands Association is pushing back against the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s intention to explore the health impact and future role of ultra-processed foods in the American diet, noting at a meeting hosted by HHS and USDA yesterday...

FDA could permit salt substitutes for standardized foods as part of sodium reduction effort

07-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The proposal is intended to provide more flexibility for foods with standards of identity where salt is a required or optional ingredient, and “facilitate industry innovation to reduce sodium in standardized foods,” the agency stated.

Pickle wars: Grillo’s accuses Wahlburgers of ‘duping consumers and retailers’ with ‘no preservatives’ and ‘all-natural’ claims in false ad lawsuit

04-Jan-2023 By Elaine Watson

Fresh pickle maker Grillo’s Pickles has accused rival Wahlburgers of falsely advertising its pickles as ‘fresh,’ ‘all-natural’ and containing ‘no preservatives,’ when tests allegedly show the products contain “considerable amounts of benzoic acid,” which...

STARTUP NATION PART TWO: Israeli food startups to watch, from antimicrobial proteins for food protection to upcycled yeast protein

08-Dec-2022 By Elaine Watson

In part two of our gallery of highlights from FoodNavigator-USA's recent trip to Israel, we profile startups exploring everything from upcycled yeast proteins and carob to antimicrobial proteins. Best viewed on a laptop!

What is ‘healthy’? FDA proposes new definition as added sugar, not fat, becomes nutritional bogeyman

28-Sep-2022 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has issued a proposed rule updating the criteria for the ‘healthy’ nutrient content claim on food labels that for the first time restricts the amount of added sugar firms can include in products bearing the claim.

SPECIAL REPORT: Bioengineered food labeling: ‘They kind of shot in the middle and missed every constituency’

23-Sep-2022 By Elaine Watson

Advocates arguing for greater transparency about the use of GMOs in food scored a minor victory this month after a district court told USDA to re-work the digital disclosure portions of the bioengineered food labeling law, which came into effect in January....

When does it make sense to make natural ingredients in a fermentation tank vs a field? Kalsec teams up with Infinome Biosciences

30-Aug-2022 By Elaine Watson

Kalsec - a global producer of spice and herb extracts – has just teamed up with Infinome Biosciences to develop multiple ingredients via precision fermentation. FoodNavigator-USA caught up with Kalsec EVP of global R&D and chief innovation officer...

Study finds link between ultra-processed foods and mental health

29-Aug-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

A study exploring the connection between ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption and reported adverse mental health symptoms found that participants who had a diet high in UPF were more likely to report instances of 'mentally unhealthy' and...

Vetting suppliers becomes ever more crucial as US-China tensions rise

18-Aug-2022 By Hank Schultz

Heightened US-China tensions have caused planners in all industrial sectors to reevaluate their sourcing arrangements. Stakeholders in the dietary supplement industry say having firm relationships with well-vetted suppliers is the best way to manage...

Natural preservatives: Kerry accuses Florida Food Products of infringing cultured celery juice patent; FFP says patent 'should never have been issued'

15-Aug-2022 By Elaine Watson

A row is brewing in the multimillion-dollar natural preservatives arena as Kerry Group and Florida Food Products square off in the courts over label-friendly alternatives to synthetic nitrites for use in cured meats, with Kerry accusing FFP of infringing...

IFT First

Layn blazes digital trail with easily searchable online ingredient library for ‘synergistic’ exploration, product development

26-Jul-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Well-known for sugar alternatives, including stevia and monk fruit, Layn Natural Ingredients has steadily expanded its portfolio with a full line of functional botanicals that can now easily be explored through a just-launched online ingredient library...

Review looks at variety of sodium reduction strategies available to the food industry

07-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

US adults are advised to consume no more than 2,300mg of salt per day (the equivalent of 1 teaspoon), according to 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines, an amount that is easy to surpass thanks to the high levels of sodium in many processed and packaged food,...

SpoonfulONE enters Walgreens stores nationwide expanding access to early allergen introduction

12-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

SpoonfulONE, a line of nutritional products that introduces babies to 16 food allergens at the beginning of their feeding journey, has expanded distribution to nearly 5,000 Walgreens stores nationwide helping make early allergen introduction a common...

Vaess develops biotech solution for nitrite-free bacon

22-Apr-2022 By Katy Askew

Dutch food engineers at Vaess have developed an innovative biotech solution that can replace the controversial use of nitrites in meat products like bacon, while maintaining a stable pink appearance.

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.

Next Gen Foods debuts plant-based chicken TiNDLE in US following $100m fundraise

15-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Today’s anticipated US debut of Singapore-based startup Next Gen Foods’ TiNDLE, made possible by a record-breaking $100m series A fundraise, brings American chefs on both coasts access to a versatile plant-based chicken alternative that goes beyond ridged...

Provectus Algae secures $11.4m to scale sustainable synthetic biology biomanufacturing platform

14-Dec-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

With an infusion of $11.4 million in pre-series A funding announced today, Australian startup Provectus Algae is ready to rapidly scale the commercial production capacity of its sustainable and “complementary” biomanufacturing platform that leverages...

‘There is still a lot of unresponsiveness or vague statements…’ Supply chain woes add to compliance challenge with bioengineered food disclosure standard

09-Dec-2021 By Elaine Watson

With the Jan. 1, 2022 deadline for compliance with the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) fast approaching, many companies are still struggling with compliance, even at this incredibly late stage, say industry sources.

Kemin breaks ground on $40m clean label meat and poultry ingredients facility

12-Nov-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Global ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries has begun construction on a new $40m facility in Verona, Missouri, to produce clean-label ingredients for animal protein applications.

FDA issues long-awaited voluntary short-term sodium reduction targets, but stops short of finalizing tougher 10-year targets

13-Oct-2021 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has issued long-awaited final guidance for the food industry outlining voluntary, short-term (2.5 year) sodium reduction targets for 163 categories of packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods.

Tate & Lyle spins off industrial sweeteners, starches division to focus on specialty food and beverage solutions

12-Jul-2021 By Elaine Watson

Tate & Lyle has struck a $1.3bn deal to sell a controlling stake in its 'Primary Products' industrial sweeteners and starches business in the Americas to private equity firm KPS Capital Partners, as it focuses on specialty sweeteners, fibers,...

‘If we can control the light, we can control the DNA…’ Provectus Algae unlocks algae’s potential as an industrial platform for high-value ingredients

06-Jul-2021 By Elaine Watson

Algae is potentially a hugely exciting food source. But with a couple of notable exceptions, it has yet to set the food industry on fire, says Provectus Algae, a startup developing an automated growing platform it claims can unlock algae’s potential as...

Peapod founders launch online shopping tool Sifter: 'We are a dietitian in your pocket'

06-Jul-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Online personalized shopping platform, Sifter, is hoping to make label reading a thing of the past with a tool that instantly tells consumers which products fit their dietary needs and lifestyle.

FDA aims to publish voluntary sodium reduction goals, draft guidance on labeling of plant-based milk alternatives by mid-2022

30-Jun-2021 By Elaine Watson

The FDA is aiming to release long-awaited voluntary sodium reduction goals and draft guidance on the labeling of plant-based milk alternatives in the next 12 months.

Should processed meat be added to Prop 65 list? Court orders state of California to answer petition

09-Jun-2021 By Elaine Watson

The Superior Court of California has ordered the state of California to answer a petition brought by a nonprofit calling for it to add processed meat to the Proposition 65 list of substances known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.

Next gen cell-free biomanufacturing could unlock opportunities to biosynthesize far wider set of natural ingredients, claims startup

23-Mar-2021 By Elaine Watson

Armies of microscopic single-celled microbial food factories (yeast, bacteria, fungi, algae) are now routinely deployed to produce high-value food ingredients more efficiently than plants or animals. But next-generation ‘cell-free’ biomanufacturing processes...

FDA ‘working diligently on final guidance for industry with voluntary short-term targets for sodium’

24-Feb-2021 By Elaine Watson

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine urged the FDA to tackle sodium in processed foods. In 2016, the FDA proposed voluntary guidelines, setting two-year and 10-year goals for 158 food categories… but they were never finalized. So is 2021 – with a new administration...

Knowde launches food & nutrition online marketplace: ‘This is a massive market that is ripe for change’

10-Feb-2021 By Elaine Watson

San Jose-based Knowde – a b2b online marketplace for chemicals, ingredients and polymers - is moving into the food and nutrition industry, enabling R&D and procurement professionals to research and compare products, connect with suppliers, request...

FDA to permit potassium salt as alternate name for potassium chloride on food labels

17-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

Four years after receiving a petition urging it to permit a more consumer-friendly name, the FDA has issued final guidance allowing companies to use ‘potassium salt’ as alternate name for ‘potassium chloride’ on ingredient labels.

Campbell Soup benefits from enduring appeal of pantry staples: ‘Our condensed soups were the highlight of the quarter’

10-Dec-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Campbell Soup Company is experiencing continued demand for its pantry brands, most notably its soup products, which have increased household penetration with consumers and are gaining deeper traction with millennials, said CEO Mark Clouse during the company’s...

What's the difference between plant-based and vegan? Foodchain ID unveils new certification schemes

07-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

While the terms 'plant-based' and 'vegan' might appear to be interchangeable (they both exclude animal products), consumers do not view them in quite the same way, claims Foodchain ID, which has just launched separate 'vegan,'...

Introducing the FOOD FOR KIDS 2020 virtual summit: From kids and the plant-based trend to dietary guidelines for infants and toddlers

29-Sep-2020 By Elaine Watson

School closures – and tentative re-openings – have compounded stress levels for families, while COVID-19-induced economic anxiety is also straining household budgets. So how can food and beverage brands come up with enticing – but affordable – recipes,...

Food & beverage entrepreneurs! Want to take center stage at the 2020 FOOD FOR KIDS virtual summit?

17-Aug-2020 By Elaine Watson

Want to get feedback on your new child-focused food or beverage launch, brand, or business, from our expert panel at FoodNavigator-USA's virtual FOOD FOR KIDS summit in the fall?

60-second interview: Kemin talks clean label mold inhibitors, beta-glucans for immune health, at SHIFT20

13-Aug-2020 By Elaine Watson

What’s new in the world of food preservation? FoodNavigator-USA (FNU) caught up with Courtney Schwartz (CS), marketing director for Kemin Food Technologies, Americas, at the SHIFT20 virtual IFT show to fund out.

Americans need to more than halve their consumption of added sugars, says Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

15-Jul-2020 By Elaine Watson

Americans need to more than halve their consumption of added sugars, reducing average consumption from 13% of daily energy intake to just 6%, the equivalent of 30g for someone on a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet, according to the expert committee advising the...

Trending topics at SHIFT20, the virtual IFT show, from plant-based protein trends to sustainable packaging

29-Jun-2020 By Elaine Watson

From plant-based protein trends to sustainable packaging, managing food waste, using artificial intelligence to track consumer sentiment, and the latest developments in cell-cultured meat and keto diet trends, here are some of the education sessions that...

SHIFT20: How the virtual IFT show will work…

29-Jun-2020 By Elaine Watson

Confused about navigating the virtual IFT show (Institute of Food Technologists' annual meeting and expo) next month (July 13-15)? FoodNavigator-USA caught up with Corrine Calice, senior director, knowledge and learning experiences; and Susan Young,...

FDA moves to keep coronavirus fears from interrupting ingredients trade

25-Jun-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration says it will move actively to prevent the worldwide trade in dietary ingredients, food ingredients and whole foods from being restricted because of misplaced coronavirus infection concerns.

Online marketplace Fieldcraft modernizes discovery & democratizes access for suppliers of all sizes

19-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The coronavirus pandemic may have brought to a standstill the large tradeshows where industry players traditionally came together, but thanks to new digital platforms – including Austin-based Fieldcraft – stakeholders not only can still meet, explore...

FDA grants temporary labeling flexibility for non-allergen minor ingredients

22-May-2020 By Elaine Watson

With many food manufacturers experiencing difficulties in sourcing some ingredients during the pandemic, the FDA is allowing temporary flexibility in food labeling requirements enabling them to make minor formulation changes without updating labels, provided...