Proteins

Americans’ demand for protein is evolving towards plant-based options, Packaged Facts finds

03-Mar-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

American’s demand for protein shows no sign of slowing in 2016, but it is evolving to focus more on plant-based options, according to a new report from Packaged Facts. 

Sports nutrition position paper backs off on big protein doses, boosts use of some supplement ingredients

02-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

A new position paper on sports nutrition takes no sides in the debate about which carbs are best but does take a step toward more focused recommendations for protein amounts and timed delivery. The paper also highlights five supplement ingredient categories...

LaLoo’s Goat Milk Ice Cream wants consumers to “move their hooves” & be more social

29-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

LaLoo’s Goat Milk Ice Cream may be healthier for people and planet than more traditional cow milk varieties, but it is still an indulgence, which is why the brand’s new marketing campaign encourages consumers “to get out and move their hooves,” the company’s...

“The future of snacking is portion control,” says Think Jerky founder

26-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Think Jerky is bringing the 100-calorie pack to the hugely popular jerky category as a way to make the snack even more portable and to help consumers better reflect on what and how much they eat. 

Dieting is out – find out what is “in” at our Weight Management forum March 16

25-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Normally about this time of year the airwaves and social media begin to buzz with messages about getting ready for bikini season or offers to help consumers shed the last few stubborn holiday pounds with special diet foods – but increasingly these types...

There continues to be growth for convenience meats, NAMI report says

25-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

A survey on the habits of Americans when shopping for meat reveals continued growth in the segment across all sectors.

Weight Management 2020

Is the shift away from calorie-counting to eating more nutritious food doing more harm than good?

24-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

The current shift away from dieting and calorie-counting towards eating more whole, nutrient dense foods is a double-edged sword when it comes to fighting the obesity epidemic in America, according to an internationally recognized nutritionist. 

Top pizza trends place pepperoni on top, thin crust on the bottom and a beer on the side

24-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Vegetarian diets may be gaining traction in general in the US, but when it comes to pizza meat toppings still reign supreme, according to a Harris Poll released Feb. 23.

Weight Management 2020

Teff shines in new skinnypasta products as high-protein, low-carb alternative to traditional noodles

23-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Between the rise of low- and no-carb diets in the early 2000s and the more recent explosive growth of the gluten-free movement, pasta-lovers and sales have suffered in the last two decades.But Gabriella’s Kitchen hopes to save both with the expansion...

A new era of sports drinks: health-conscious consumers, functional beverages & entrepreneurial brands

23-Feb-2016 By Rachel Arthur

While functional sports drinks have been used by athletes for decades, a wider range of consumers are now turning to the beverages, according to a report from MyDrink Beverages. 

Highlights from the 2016 Beverage Innovation Summit: Suja's 'dog years', soda in a funk, and high pH water on fire

22-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Want to know the size of the cold brew coffee prize, when Suja finally broke even, and what all the fuss is about over alkaline water? Check out the highlights of our 2016 Beverage Innovation summit, which aired live on Feb 18, and is now available on...

Consumers more likely to trust iconic brands, but are open to innovative startups, survey shows

19-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers are more likely to trust iconic brands from large corporations with long track records of consistent performance, but younger, smaller companies can edge out Big Food with meaningful innovation and positive, direct consumer engagement online,...

Chapul cricket protein bars should be in 3-4,000 stores by end of year, predicts founder

19-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Cricket bar pioneer Chapul is poised for significant growth in 2016 after securing national distribution agreements with UNFI and Nature’s Best (KeHE) that will see it boost its footprint from 500 stores today to 3-4,000 stores by the year end, CEO Pat...

Abbott’s new snack brand Curate takes “sophisticated approach” to crowded bar category

17-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

With cutting edge flavors, trendy ingredients and vibrant, fresh packaging, Abbott Laboratories’ new line of six snack bars promises a level of category disruption typical of startups, but with the financial backing and industry connections of a well-established...

Move over chia, tiger nuts are the next superfood, says Organic Gemini

17-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

If you’ve tried horchata in the US, it’s most likely inspired by Mexican recipes, which typically use rice milk as a base, coupled with cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar – and sometimes some almond or dairy milk. Tasty? Yes. Nutritional dynamite? Not really. 

Probiotics can offer something most functional foods don’t, says GoodBelly: Instant gratification

16-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Unlike many functional food brands, GoodBelly does not ask consumers to wait 40 years for a return on their investment, says Alan Murray, CEO of brand owner NextFoods. Most customers, he says, claim to feel a benefit within 12 days, which is about as...

Summer feeding program for school children could become permanent if Obama gets his way

11-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Recognizing the detrimental impact – and long-term costs to the US – of hunger on children’s health and education, President Obama proposes expanding and streamlining existing programs that help feed Americans in-need. 

Long-term trends at foundation of accelerator AccelFoods’ latest investments

10-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Based on the latest additions to AccelFoods ’portfolio, the packaged food and beverage accelerator is betting that cold brew coffee, ethnic flavors, gluten-free and the one-two punch of protein and fiber are long-term trends that will continue to influence...

Tyson Foods “Core 9” & improved consumer spending environment boost profits in Q1

09-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tyson Foods ongoing efforts to boost sales of its “Core 9” packaged foods brands are paying off – helping the firm achieve record earnings, operating income, margins and cash flow in the first quarter of its fiscal 2016. 

Ben & Jerry’s vegan frozen desserts could pave the way for more mainstream plant-based alternatives

08-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Ben & Jerry’s new line of vegan frozen desserts could accelerate the already fast consumer adoption of plant-based alternatives to conventional products and inspire more mainstream product manufacturers to follow suit, advocates say. 

Jerky category still has room to grow by type, location and target demographic, exec says

05-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

New entrants are quickly saturating the fast-growing jerky category, but there is still white space for pork, chicken and premium products aimed at consumers in the “middle of the road,” according to one category player. 

2016 Beverage Innovation summit: Have you registered yet?

Diet soda sales plummet further, but what's taking their place?

05-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Bottled water, sparkling flavored water, energy and sports drinks, and ready-to-drink coffee have all made strong gains in the New Year as shoppers have continued to spurn carbonated soft drinks – particularly the diet variety - according to Nielsen data...

Kuli Kuli expands portfolio, mission with energy shot launch

04-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Moringa superfood product manufacturer Kuli Kuli expands it portfolio and the reach of its social mission with the launch of three energy shots, thanks to an infusion of $1 million from a mix of investors and fundraising tactics. 

Hampton Creek’s revenues surged 350% in 2015, says CEO: We’re about more than Just Mayo

04-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Revenues at plant-based foods maker Hampton Creek surged 350% in 2015 as the company expanded its product range and strengthened partnerships in retail and foodservice, said CEO Josh Tetrick, who also grew the headcount at the San Francisco-based company...

ADM to buy controlling stake in Harvest Innovations: 'Consumers are looking for non-GMO, organic, and minimally processed foods'

03-Feb-2016 By Elaine WATSON

ADM has boosted its presence in the market for organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and 'minimally processed' foods and ingredients after striking a deal to buy a controlling stake in Iowa-based Harvest Innovations.

Gen Mills challenges Cheerios Protein lawsuit: Plaintiffs ‘completely misunderstand’ federal regs

03-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

General Mills has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging it misled shoppers by presenting Cheerios Protein as a “high protein, healthful alternative to Cheerios”, and insists the product complies with all relevant food labeling regulations.

FDA declines petition, sticks with soy protein’s heart health claim

02-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

The FDA will not revoke soy protein's health claims, as requested by a citizen petition. But the agency also admits that there will still be ongoing review on the ingredient.

Unilever unveils egg-free spread under Hellmann's brand (but it's not calling it 'mayo')

02-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Unilever has unveiled a new Hellmann’s egg-free spread, and an organic mayonnaise range using 100% cage-free eggs, in a move described by one animal welfare group as "a clear indicator that the market is heading towards increased plant-based options...

Coconut smoothie maker Genius Juice finalizing new round of seed capital, moves to 12oz bottle

01-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Genius Juice – which is on a mission bring something fresh and different to the functional beverage set with its organic coconut smoothies – is finalizing a new round of seed capital, has streamlined its SKU count and switched to a smaller, 12oz bottle...

Wild Zora adds novel twist to savory bar set with meat & veggie snacks

29-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

The premium meat snacks category is on fire, and scores of entrepreneurial brands have recently entered the market hoping to cash in. But there is still room for new players with truly differentiated products, says Colorado-based meat & veggie bar...

IN PICTURES: Snacks trendwatching at the 2016 Winter Fancy Food Show

22-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

From seaweed snacks to toasted hemp seeds, beet chips and bars, onion chips (that are actually made out of onions), grass-fed jerky, and fruit bars with a hint of spice, snacking is getting a lot more sophisticated, FoodNavigator-USA discovered at the...

Health & Wellness 2020

Health & wellness concerns color consumers’ view of meat and poultry, Packaged Facts finds

21-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of meat and poultry in the US are shifting, but still growing as consumers’ changing views of health and wellness color their opinions of the category and their purchase decisions, according to new research from Packaged Facts. 

EPIC Provisions co-founder: Why not start your day with bone broth instead of coffee?

21-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Does bone broth have mass market appeal, and if so, what’s the best format to package it in, and where is the best place to put it in store? FoodNavigator-USA caught up with EPIC Provisions co-founder Taylor Collins to get his take on this emerging category...

IN PICTURES: Beverage trendspotting at the 2016 Winter Fancy Food Show

21-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

From bone broth, birch water and yaupon tea to macadamia milk, the Winter Fancy Food Show is a great place to go beverage trendspotting. FoodNavigator-USA hit the showfloor at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where we also spotted a lot of chai spice...

6 trends to watch in 2016: From hard soda and drinkable food to sour flavors and fat

19-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Small Town Brewery’s Not Your Father’s Root Beer may have stolen early mover advantage in the hard soda renaissance, but it can expect significant competition from heavy hitters in 2016, predicts a market trends analyst.

Diet meals step-up with more premium, gourmet offerings, test reveals

19-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Diet delivery meal services are raising the bar to create more gourmet appearing and tasty meals in a bid to attract more consumers who traditionally have shied away from frozen entrees, suggests the results of a recent consumer taste test.

The money diet: Spend more on food to be healthier, says 2000-strong study

18-Jan-2016 By Eliot Beer

People who increased the amount they spent on food made healthier choices, ate less energy-dense food and lost weight, which has implications for food taxes and consumer subsidies, say the authors of the long-term Spanish study.

health and wellness 2020

7 trends influencing the evolution of health, wellness and consumers' views of food

15-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Americans’ evolving definition of health and wellness from treatment to prevention is dramatically impacting how they view food – with many people looking to the ancient past for guidance on how and what to eat in the future.

Bone Broths Co: The bone broth market is wide open

15-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Bone broth is not new, exactly, but most consumers are still not sure what it is, acknowledges the founder of San Francisco-based Bone Broths Co, although that could change in 2016 as high-profile brands such as EPIC enter the market and more celebrities...

2016 Super Bowl marketing campaigns heavily feature online components

14-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

As football teams across America vie for a coveted spot in the upcoming Super Bowl 50, so too are food and beverage makers for a spot on viewers’ big game day party menus. 

Rhythm Superfoods closes $3m financing round led by Gen Mills' 301 INC arm and CircleUp; plans new beet chip launch

13-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Snackfood firm Rhythm Superfoods has closed a $3m Series C financing round filled through the CircleUp platform, with 301 INC - General Mills' new business development and venturing unit - as the lead investor. 

Is fresh chicken with added solution “natural”? TLC says no

11-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

USDA should prohibit the use of “natural” on fresh chicken with added saltwater or seaweed extract given recent research that reveals most consumers do not expect added solutions in chicken making this claim, the Truthful Labeling Coalition argues. 

What are the key beverage trends - and companies - to watch in 2016?

11-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

What distinguishes the winners from the losers in the ultra-competitive beverages market?

2015 Dietary Guidelines create marketing opportunity for manufacturers, trade groups

08-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines released Jan. 7 create a marketing opportunity for savvy manufacturers and industry stakeholders to promote their products through educational materials that help consumers better understand how to meet the report’s recommendations. 

'The huge disparity between what the guidelines advocate and what Americans actually eat is beyond alarming'

Dietitians respond to 2015 Dietary Guidelines: ‘The American public needs more forceful messages.’

07-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

What do registered dietitians and nutritionists think of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and how much do they ultimately matter, since the gulf between what Americans are told to eat – and what they actually eat - remains huge?

Global food prices plunged by nearly 20% in 2015

07-Jan-2016 By Niamh Michail

In 2015 prices of the world’s major commodities fell for the fourth year in a row, averaging nearly one fifth (19.1%) lower than in 2014, says the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Sakara Life secures $4.8 million to expand nationwide meal delivery service that feeds body, mind

07-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Most players in the increasingly crowded subscription food delivery category focus on providing high quality nutrition and hard-to-find or novel ingredients, but Sakara Life sets itself apart from the pack by going one step farther and also promising...

The US egg market is recovering well, but will avian flu have a longer-term impact on industrial egg use?

07-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

While the US egg supply is rebounding well after last year’s devastating avian flu outbreak, it is too early to say whether manufacturers that reformulated products to reduce or replace eggs will revert to using the same amount of eggs they were using...

Seeds, avocados and clean-eating will gain traction in 2016, RDNs predict

04-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nutrient-dense and protein-packed seeds will steal the show in 2016, predict 450 registered dietitian nutritionists surveyed by Pollock Communications and Today’s Dietitian.

Race to use only cage-free eggs could create supply challenge, predicts exec from the happy egg co.

23-Dec-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

As the race for manufacturers and restaurants to switch to 100% cage-free eggs in the US gains momentum, the speed of the transition could create short-term supply challenges for manufacturers and long-term opportunities for existing specialty egg providers,...