Proteins

Study that alleges many protein powders contain heavy metals gets big pushback, including threatened legal action

02-Mar-2018 By Hank Schultz

A study of the 134 best-selling protein powders released Wednesday by a group called the Clean Label Project found that many of the plant-based proteins tested poorly with higher levels of heavy metals and other toxins. The brands themselves and industry...

'The shoulders of the Kite Hill brand can hold many product platforms'

Kite Hill hires Rob Leibowitz as its new CEO: 'I’m not interested in joining an octane war pitting plant-based versus dairy'

02-Mar-2018 By Elaine Watson

Almondmilk-fueled brand Kite Hill could potentially play in multiple categories in the ambient, chilled and frozen aisles of the store, says new CEO Rob Leibowitz , who plans to sit down with co-founder Tal Ronnen in the weeks ahead to explore opportunities...

Testing experts say study's null result on diet/gene interplay just another step in road to understanding how DNA affects nutrition

01-Mar-2018 By Hank Schultz

A recent study that cast doubt on the associations between genetic markers and diet performance is a bump in the road toward personalized nutrition. But developers of testing platforms that incorporate DNA info, rather than being discouraged, say it’s...

Muuna continues to disrupt the cottage category with new flavors

01-Mar-2018 By Stephen Daniells

After launching in August 2016 in the northeast with six single-serve products, Muuna has added new flavors and is taking its protein-packed cottage cheese southerly and westerly.

Meat-enriched ice cream? Scientists explore unexpected formats for older consumers

28-Feb-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Deconstructing meat and presenting it in unexpected formats like ice cream, chocolate, and yogurt may help older consumers consume adequate levels of protein and other nutrients, says a new study.

Perfect Day raises $24.7m in Series A round to commercialize animal-free dairy ingredients

27-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Cellular agriculture start-up Perfect Day – which is creating ‘vegan’ dairy proteins without cows – has raised $24.7m in a Series A funding round led by Singapore state-owned investment company Temasek.

ICVN 2018: ‘Not all plant-based diets are created equal… We need to probe more into what a healthy vegetarian diet looks like’

27-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

People on a primarily plant-based diet are consistently slimmer and healthier than meat eaters, with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and type 2 diabetes, according to research unveiled at the 7th International Congress on Vegetarian...

‘Sarcopenia is the new osteoporosis’: Abbott continues to explore solutions to counter muscle loss

27-Feb-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Awareness and concern around age-related muscle loss is rapidly increasing, but many older consumers are in need of better education around what their protein needs are, and how best to get there, says Abbott.

Health conscious consumers a ‘huge opportunity’ for insect protein

26-Feb-2018 By Katy Askew

Products made from insect protein have been hailed as both sustainable and healthy. For this reason, direct sales to health conscious gym bunnies are a “huge opportunity”, according to the founder of high-growth insect processor Eat Grub.

News in Brief

Kyowa Hakko positions Setria glutathione for food applications with GRAS affirmation

23-Feb-2018 By Hank Schultz

Kyowa Hakko USA has announced self-affirmed GRAS status on its Setria ingredient, which is a branded form of glutathione.

Good Food Institute: Outdated rules for child nutrition programs exclude nutritious plant-based foods

23-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Rules governing which foods and beverages are credited under child nutrition programs* need updating to reflect changing eating habits and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, says the Good Food Institute (GFI), which wants schools to have the option...

With new products, Califia Farms aims to do for drinkable yogurt what it did for almond milk

21-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

With today’s launch of a new line of dairy-free, probiotic yogurt drinks, Califia Farms hopes to repeat the success it had when it entered the nut-milk category, and at the same time increase the transparency of marketing probiotics.

Study suggests milk with A2 β-casein causes less gastrointestinal discomfort

20-Feb-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumption of milk containing only A2 β-casein may reduce acute gastrointestinal symptoms compared to conventional milk (containing A1 and A2 β-casein protein types) among those with self-reported lactose intolerance, according to a new study.

Where are the growth opportunities in the beverage aisle? Last chance to register for our FREE trendwatching event

20-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

What's the difference between a great brand, and beautiful packaging design? Will PepsiCo's Drinkfinity concept be a hit in the US? And could sprinkling 'fairy dust' amounts of on-trend functional ingredients in your beverage - and...

Un-brie-lievable! Canadian vegan cheese brand Nuts for Cheese ‘inundated’ by requests from US retailers

19-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

“At the beginning I thought our audience would be mostly vegans, but what I’ve realized is that a lot of people are just looking to try new things, especially high-quality alternative, premium, or gourmet food products,” says the chef behind dairy-free...

Protes unveils protein popcorn: 'We’re the first ones to bring function to the category'

19-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

The ready-to-eat popcorn category has been pretty lively in recent years, but all the innovation has all been driven by branding and flavor, rather than functionality, claims Brooklyn-based brand Protes, which is looking to bring incremental growth to...

Lenny & Larry’s: We didn’t set out to create a category, but that’s what happened

16-Feb-2018 By Stephen Daniells

With its distinctive brand and commitment to high protein, Lenny & Larry’s has carved out a loyal following and success across multiple retail channels, so what’s next for the company?

Soup-To-Nuts podcast: 5 lessons for succeeding for the long-haul from the founder of Bob’s Red Mill

16-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Love and passion, not a bottomless bank account and fierce competitive spirit, are the cornerstones for Bob’s Red Mill’s longevity and success, according to founder Bob Moore, who recently celebrated his 89th birthday and has overseen operations at the...

Tapping on the functional food trend, Muscle Mac stands out in the protein crowd

15-Feb-2018 By Adi Menayang

There’s a plethora of protein powders, protein shakes, protein bars, and even protein water. Protein is obviously popular among consumers, so how do you stand out in the crowd? For Pennsylvania-based Quality Pasta Company, the answer was protein pasta.

Cricket One: If edible insects are to take off, they have to be more affordable

15-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

While the hype over edible insects has died down somewhat over the past couple of years, the demand for so-called ‘alternative’ proteins has not, and if suppliers can develop more efficient farming techniques, the potential market for protein-packed bugs...

GoMacro highlights dietary versatility of its protein bars with new packages that callout clean, raw

13-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Responding to consumers’ increasingly fragmented dietary preferences, GoMacro revamps the packaging for its low-sugar Thrive bars to better communicate “how accommodating” the protein bars are for a variety of restrictions and needs, according to the...

Novozymes notches up 9% organic sales growth in food and beverage segment in 2017

09-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

While most consumers remain blissfully ignorant of their role in food production, enzymes – nature’s microscopic biological catalysts - are helping firms improve product quality, clean up labels, reduce costs and lower their environmental impact, helping...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Going beyond ‘sustainable’ with regenerative farming

09-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sustainable often pops up in marketing to describe how products are made or packaged, and while consumers increasingly buy these products at a premium, some in the natural products industry fear the concept is becoming greenwashed while others say the...

Hain Celestial CEO: ‘Any company, any retailer that is not moving to online or click and pick is going to fail…’

08-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Natural and organic products specialist Hain Celestial is expecting to “double or even triple” ecommerce sales over the next two to three years as it dedicates more resources to boosting online sales.

Significant percentage of consumers buy plant-based dairy alternatives because they think they are healthier, reveals Comax study

Why do consumers buy plant-based dairy alternatives? And what do they think formulators need to work on?

08-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

While flavor is still the most important attribute, consumer research from Comax Flavors reveals that a significant percentage of shoppers (36%) regularly consuming plant-based dairy alternatives cite health benefits as a key purchase driver, results...

New multifunctional chickpea flour billed as game changer for gluten-free formulation

08-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

A highly functional, neutral-tasting chickpea flour that mimics the functionality of wheat flour but also “behaves like modified starch in some applications” could significantly improve the organoleptic and nutritional profile of gluten-free pastas, baked...

Grass Fed Coffee taps into rising interest in the keto diet to market ready-to-drink butter coffee

07-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Grass Fed Coffee, a ready-to-drink version of butter coffee, is finally ready to hit select store shelves at the end of the month – nearly two years and several “hiccups” after the brand successfully raised more than $86,000 on Kickstarter to perfect...

Launching first via ecommerce & relying heavily on social media helped Real Good Food expand fast

06-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

With consumption of animal protein projected by USDA to reach record levels in 2018, and consumer demand for high-fat, low carb options on the rise, The Real Good Food Company is liberating meat from its traditional place on top of pizzas or inside enchiladas...

First peanut milk... next protein shakes and ice cream? 'The sky is really the limit...'

Peanut milk delivers higher protein and a cleaner label in plant-based milk segment, says Elmhurst Milked

05-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Elmhurst Milked peanut milk - which has the protein content and creamy mouthfeel of dairy milk without the thickeners, emulsifiers and stabilizers deployed in most plant-based beverages - could form a base ingredient in protein shakes, yogurts and frozen...

Register now for our FREE-to-attend online beverage innovation summit Feb 21

What are the key beverage trends - and companies - to watch in 2018?

05-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Could cold brew tea be as big as cold brew coffee? Is there a legal definition of kombucha… and a ‘correct’ way to manufacture it? Are consumers paying attention to the debate over the nutritional merits of plant-based versus dairy milks?

Big Geyser deal will give Soylent access to thousands of doors in the New York metro area

Soylent CEO: People always ask me: Who is Soylent for? So I ask them: Do you ever skip a meal?

05-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Meal replacement brand Soylent – which built a sizeable business on its own website and is now one of the fastest-growing brands on Amazon - has struck a deal with distributor Big Geyser that will give it access to thousands of stores and offices in the...

No scientifically valid test to detect food intolerance – HPRA

05-Feb-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

There is no scientifically valid test to detect food intolerance, according to an Irish authority that regulates medical devices.

Season Savories give sardines a new look & flavor profile in bid to go after tuna-eaters

05-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

The Season Brand wants to expand the currently limited appeal of sardines in the US by launching a new line of on-the-go snack kits that will directly target tuna-lovers with a healthier alternative, while also appealing to existing sardine-lovers who...

Ripple Foods raises $64m in series C round taking total investment to $110m

Ripple Foods co-founder: ‘I’ll go head to head with any dairy product from a nutrition standpoint’

03-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

The co-founder of Ripple Foods – which ruffled feathers in the plant-based community last year* after branding almond milk a ‘sham’ – says his pea protein-fueled products can “go head to head with any dairy product from a nutrition standpoint, and we...

VIDEO WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW

HIPPEAS founder: ‘Brand was everything for us, especially in the beginning…’

02-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

On paper, organic extruded chickpea puffs might sound like niche natural products, but the meteoric ascent of HIPPEAS proves that edgy natural brands can hit the mainstream in record time if they have a compelling product and a brand that punches above...

Researchers say soy offers ‘most balanced nutritional profile’ compared to other dairy alternatives

01-Feb-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

A new study from McGill University in Canada compared four of the most commonly consumed dairy alternative beverages (almond, soy, rice, and coconut) and determined that soy was the most comparable substitute to cow’s milk in terms of nutrition.

VIDEO WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW

How defensible is the SMASHMALLOW brand?

31-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

The proposition is deceptively simple. Take marshmallows - a product Americans can typically find in large clear bags in the baking ingredients category – add some gourmet flavors and a cleaner label, put them in a re-sealable pack and create a new usage...

Tribe seeks to fill void in hummus category with a “clean” reformulation & new branding

30-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

The current rollout of national hummus brand Tribe’s new packaging featuring more white space, simplistic designs and fewer claims reflects the manufacturer’s recent commitment to clean label, including a reformulation to remove artificial ingredients,...

Tyson spreads its protein bets with minority stake in cultured meat start-up Memphis Meats

29-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

If some commentators are predicting a pitched battle between plant-based, animal-based, and cellular agriculture, Tyson Foods - the largest meat-packer in the US is clearly more agnostic about its protein sources – with its venture arm taking a minority...

Bobo’s reaps rewards from retailers as it defies downward pricing pressure in nutrition bar category

29-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite downward price pressure in the nutrition bar category, Bobo’s continues to sell its organic oat bars for nearly three times as much as its competitors – helping it curry favor with retailers and earn prime in-store positioning that further boosts...

VIDEO: WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2018

Arctic Zero CEO: People aren’t really eating ice cream to get their protein

27-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

The success of high-protein, low cal brands Halo Top and Enlightened notwithstanding, most Americans don't head to the ice cream aisle for a protein fix, argues the CEO of Arctic Zero, who says his new light ice cream can compete with these brands...

VIDEO: WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2018

nutpods CEO: 'We've done our homework online... now we're making our big push into retail'

27-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

The plant-based creamer category has grown considerably more competitive since nutpods launched in early 2015 with its coconut-and-almond-based wares, but revenues surged 500% in 2017 for the Bellevue, WA-based brand, which has just completed a series...

Soup-to-Nuts Podcast: What does it take to meet rising demand for sustainably sourced seafood?

26-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Until recently, Americans only ate about one-third of the recommended amount of seafood per week, but industry insiders say this is changing and they note shoppers aren’t reaching for just any seafood – they want sustainably sourced seafood that is not...

‘The meal replacement category is on fire,’ says founder of ketogenic beverage brand Bear Squeeze

25-Jan-2018 By Adi Menayang

Packed with MCT oil, kale, pumpkin seed protein and probiotics, start-up Bear Squeeze wants to be known as a “higher-end, cleaner Soylent,” said co-founder and president Max Baumann.

What are the key beverage trends - and companies - to watch in 2018?

Soylent CEO Bryan Crowley joins lineup at FoodNavigator-USA, BeverageDaily online beverage innovation event

23-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

One of the most exciting players in the fast-growing meal replacement space, Soylent built its business – and a highly engaged community – online, first on its own website, and later on Amazon, but has recently ventured into the bricks and mortar space...

Raised Real helps parents prepare homemade baby food with kits delivered to their doors

22-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Busy parents who don’t have time to chop & puree food for their babies and who distrust premade food in jars, pouches or HPP tubs, now have another option that meets them half way: Raised Real offers subscription flash frozen meal kits for children...

Arctic Zero debuts light ice cream with milk and cream at the Winter Fancy Food Show

21-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Arctic Zero is seeking to address an unmet need in the frozen dessert aisle with the launch of what it claims is the first light ice cream (made with cream and milk, but containing only 280-360 calories a pint) that doesn’t contain sugar alcohols or high...

Quark: High in protein, low in sugar, less tart than Greek yogurt

How do you talk about quark? Misha rebrands as Wünder Creamery to promote ‘nutrient-rich superdairy’

19-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

On paper, quark ticks every box. A spoonable cultured dairy product popular in Europe and Central Asia, it’s high in protein, low in sugar, and creamier and milder than Greek yogurt. The challenge in the US, says New York based entrepreneur Kamilya Abilova,...

Sneakz Organic unveils vegan protein powders for kids

19-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

‘Stealth nutrition’ brand Sneakz Organic – best known for its veggie puree-infused milkshakes - is entering a new category with the launch of vegan protein powders for kids, which will be followed by a dairy-free ready-to-drink shake, and new products...

General Mills 301 INC leads $17m financing round in plant-based fresh food brand Urban Remedy

17-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Urban Remedy, a plant-based food company specializing in organic ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and cold pressed juices, has closed a $17m series B fundraising round with lead investment from 301 INC, General Mills’ venture arm, and attracted natural products...