Proteins

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What's hot, what's not, what's next? Introducing the FoodNavigator-USA & BeverageDaily Beverage Innovation Summit

23-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Diet soda is in a funk, while 'real sugar' is back in vogue. Energy is hot, but caffeine is still controversial. Maple water is bang-on-trend, but will it really become the next coconut water? 

Reaching beyond athletes will drive sales of protein drinks

22-Dec-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumer interest in health and wellness and on-the-go food continue to fuel growth in the nutritional drink category, but manufacturers could take sales even higher by targeting older and non-athletic consumers, according to Synergy Flavors and market...

Breaking News

Unilever drops 'Just Mayo' lawsuit: 'We share a vision with Hampton Creek Foods of a more sustainable world'

19-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Unilever has withdrawn its false advertising lawsuit against plant-based foods pioneer Hampton Creek Foods and issued a statement applauding its commitment to innovation and noting that it shares the company's "vision of a more sustainable world".

Hampton Creek Foods raises $90m to support ‘massive’ growth: ‘Just Mayo has gone from zero to 15,000 locations in a little over a year’

18-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

A high-profile lawsuit* filed by Unilever accusing Hampton Creek Foods of falsely advertising its flagship product ‘Just Mayo’ has not, it seems, dented Silicon Valley’s enthusiasm for the plant-based foods pioneer, which has just raised another $90m...

2014 in food M&A... Unilever says bye to SlimFast, hello to Talenti; Annie’s joins General Mills; Monster walks down the aisle with Coke

17-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Natural & organic food brands are doing better than their ‘legacy brand’ counterparts and big food manufacturers want a slice of the action, which has stimulated some high profile mergers & acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2014. FoodNavigator-USA...

Nutroganics signs letter of intent to acquire soy yogurt maker WholeSoy

15-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

UPDATED: Nutroganics - which is building a portfolio of businesses in the health & wellness space - has signed a letter of intent to acquire certain assets of organic soy yogurt maker WholeSoy & Co. 

Cornell Food Systems Global Summit

Wegmans teams with local businesses to provide more organic options

15-Dec-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Wegmans Food Markets is partnering with local farmers and businesses based in the New York state region to meet consumers’ growing demand for more fresh, organic options, according to a top executive. 

Innovation in action

Caramel, coffee and dulce de leche emerging as new flavors for protein drinks

12-Dec-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

New flavors created for a wider variety of protein sources, made possible by advancements in masking research, is expanding the consumer base for and driving sales of high protein products, such as sports nutrition drinks, according to Synergy Flavors...

Gen Z, culinary cannabis, and tea: Top 10 trends for 2015 in specialty foods

09-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The Specialty Food Association has released its Top 10 trends for 2015, with some eyebrow raising predictions on the list. 

Monsanto exec: GMOs are not the Holy Grail. What they are is an important tool if used properly

08-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Genetically engineered crops are not a magic bullet and some weeds have become resistant to the herbicide glyphosate (RoundUp) used with selected GM crops, said Monsanto’s chief technology officer Dr Robert Fraley in a debate on Wednesday. But that doesn’t...

Whole Foods sued over disputed Non-GMO Project logos on almond milk; but is this a one-off or a fertile new source of class action lawsuits?

05-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

A class action lawsuit filed in California accuses Whole Foods Market of misleading consumers by advertising and selling Almond Breeze products with non-GMO Project verified labels before they had officially achieved Non-GMO Project verified status.

Mediterra’s savory nutrition bars carve out space in crowded category

04-Dec-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Mediterra Nutrition’s recently launched savory bars seek to tap into one of the increasingly rare white spaces remaining in the crowded nutritional bar category, which is laden with sweets. 

Dairy free frozen desserts bright spot in category

Who is winning in the US retail frozen desserts market?

04-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

While frozen yogurt franchises might be appearing on every street corner, US retail sales of frozen yogurt/tofu have slumped over the past year, with multi-outlet* data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI revealing an 8.23% drop in dollar sales...

Rabobank: Agri commodity prices expected to trend lower or remain stable in 2015

01-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Agri commodity process will trend lower or remain stable in 2015, predicts Rabobank, which says favorable growing season conditions through 2014 coupled with moderate consumption growth have improved stocks of crops including soybeans, corn and cocoa.

US dairy-free frozen desserts market could double or triple in five years, predicts ‘Godfather of ice cream’

26-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

The US dairy-free frozen desserts category could “double or triple” in the next five years as more consumers explore almond, coconut and other alternatives, predicts ice cream guru Malcolm Stogo, who is now bidding for a slice of the non-dairy action...

‘Robust’ evidence for GM crop benefits, says meta-analysis

21-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Genetically modified crops offer ‘large and significant’ benefits in both developed and developing countries, according to a new meta-analysis.

Does the high-protein craze make sense from a nutritional perspective?

21-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

Protein is hot - and big brands are piling more of it into everything from breakfast cereal to ice cream. Yet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans say “inadequate protein intake in the US is rare”. So does this trend make sense from a nutritional perspective?

The gluten-free category still has room to grow in entrees & decadent desserts, Elevation Brands CEO says

20-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even though Ian’s Natural Foods specializes in gluten-free foods, the CEO of Elevation Brands is not worried about a negative impact on the firm if the gluten-free fad ever fades because he says the Framingham, Mass., firm’s products hold broad consumer...

Ignorance leads some supplement, food manufacturers to incorrectly report protein values, consultant says

19-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Protein fortification is a red hot trend in the market, but one formulation expert questions whether all of the information on the protein portions of those product labels is being reported correctly.

General Mills settles ‘100% natural’ Nature Valley lawsuit; does not admit liability

19-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

General Mills has agreed that it will not use the term ‘100% natural’ to describe Nature Valley bars that contain certain ‘artificially produced’ ingredients in order to settle a long-running false advertising lawsuit*.

Innovation and quality help Pinnacle Foods’ Hungry-Man and Birds Eye brands in Q3

17-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Innovation and dedication to quality, rather than aggressive promotions, are helping Pinnacle Foods gain distribution and hold sales steady in the frozen foods and bakery categories at a time when consumers increasingly are favoring fresh foods, according...

Pinnacle Foods to buy Garden Protein (Gardein): 'Plant-based protein is at the tipping point of becoming mainstream'

14-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

Pinnacle Foods has struck a deal to acquire Canadian plant-based food specialist Garden Protein International (Gardein) for C$175m ($154m) from founder Yves Potvin and private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners.

'Hampton Creek is up against a well-financed plaintiff'

Unilever vs Hampton Creek case will hinge upon what a ‘reasonable consumer’ thinks Just Mayo is, say attorneys

12-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

While Unilever’s lawsuit against Hampton Creek Foods has generated a lively debate about corporate bullying, industrialized egg production, and whether the standard of identity for ‘mayonnaise’ is outdated, legal experts say it will hinge upon what consumers...

Hain Celestial execs predict organic, natural products will continue to grow 3 to 5 more years

10-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Mainstream retailers that have been slow to take up the natural and organic product mantle now are realizing the trend is not a flash-in-the-pan and are scrambling to stock more healthy options, which is good news for Hain Celestial, company executives...

Attorney: Unilever needs to prove 'Just Mayo' misleads reasonable consumer

Unilever sues Hampton Creek Foods for false advertising: Just Mayo is masquerading as a mayonnaise and stealing market share from Hellmann’s

09-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

UPDATED: Unilever has filed a lawsuit against Hampton Creek Foods accusing it of falsely advertising its egg-free Just Mayo spread and causing “irreparable harm” to Unilever's Hellmann’s mayonnaise brand and the category as a whole.

First wave of products containing Solazyme's microalgae-based food ingredients hits shelves

07-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

Solazyme’s AlgaVia whole algal flour is now being used in eight commercially available products in the US from non-dairy creamers and powdered beverages to gluten-free baked goods, while the company is also in “late stage commercial tests with major national...

Not the only culprit? Celiacs react to non-gluten wheat proteins

07-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Past celiac research has focused on gluten wheat proteins as the cause of reactions, but researchers say there may be other non-gluten proteins in wheat also to blame.

The Good Bean brings “fun” to healthy snacks, see growth opportunity through convenience stores

05-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers want to eat healthier, but when it comes to snacking a desire for decadent and indulgent usually wins out over virtuous, which is why Berkeley, Calif.-based The Good Bean wants to “reclaim fun for the better-for-you-chip space” with the launch...

Consumers confused about whether sufficient protein can be obtained from meat-free diet

05-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumer interest in meat alternatives as a source for protein is growing – especially among younger consumers with less money and time to spend buying and preparing meat – but lingering confusion about whether sufficient protein can be obtained from...

First sustainability report provides benchmark for Omega Protein's message that it is a "responsible company"

04-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Joining a host of other companies seeking to highlight their green bona fides, Omega Protein Corporation has released its first corporate sustainability report.  It’s not just about fishing; the report looks at the company’s energy and water usage and...

Insects could feed growing global appetite for protein, says Euromonitor

03-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Euromonitor International is the latest organisation to back the potential of insects to help meet growing global demand for protein.

Kraft’s earnings drop as it juggles price increases, higher commodity costs and revitalizing brands

31-Oct-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite innovations to revitalize iconic brands and tap into emerging consumer desires, Kraft’s turnaround “remains a work in progress” as increased pricing to offset higher commodity costs slowed sales and dragged down earnings 11% in the third quarter,...

Simply 7 Snacks: If you’re making a quinoa chip, consumers expect quinoa to be the first ingredient

28-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

While Beanitos probably has a higher profile, fellow Texan chip maker Simply7 snacks has quietly carved out an equally impressive niche in the better-for-you snacks aisle over the past four years with hummus, lentil, quinoa and pink pomegranate chips...

Breakfast-skippers may over-eat to compensate for low dopamine levels: Study

27-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Eating protein-rich breakfasts may increase levels of dopamine in the brain, which may reduce food cravings and overeating later in the day, says a new study from the University of Missouri.

Exo cricket bar founder: ‘It’s been a constant game of not running out of product’

27-Oct-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Food technology startup Exo has closed a $1.2 million seed funding round, which will help the cricket-fueled protein bar maker expand its product line and dramatically boost production to keep up with the “surprising” level of demand, its co-CEO says.

Dispatches: AACCI annual meeting 2014

Kellogg NPD scientist: Protein has plenty of challenges

27-Oct-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Cereal and plant proteins hold huge potential for breakfast cereal and snack bar fortification but taste and texture remain challenging, say Kellogg’s lead product development scientist.

60-second interview, Megan DeStefano, DuPont Nutrition & Health

DuPont: Snacking accounts for up to a quarter of American kids’ daily calories, so we need to make them count

27-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

The percentage of energy derived from snacks in the American diet has increased from 12% in the late 1970s to 24% in 2009/10, according to analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) data. 

US egg consumption highest it's been in 7 years: ‘Protein is where there is a big opportunity right now.’

24-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Egg prices have risen steadily in the past three years, and firms touting plant-based proteins as an alternative have attracted a huge amount of media attention. But new data suggests that this has not dampened demand for eggs, with per capita consumption...

With vegetarian forms at a 'crossroads,' A&B Ingredients launches new Pisane pea protein for baking applications

22-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

A&B Ingredients has introduced a new pea protein isolate to the US market to meet the demands for vegetarian forms with greater functionality, the company said. The new variety, called Pisane B9, is optimized for baked goods applications.

Beanitos: People aren’t against calories, they are against empty calories

22-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

Not so long ago, beans were something you’d more likely find in a dip than a chip. Today, in no small part because of the explosive growth of Beanitos, they are all over the snacks aisle as formulators look to boost fiber and protein, and marketers tap...

90% of Americans don't get enough choline. So why isn't it higher up the food policy agenda?

17-Oct-2014 By Elaine Watson

As the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are developed, there has been a lot of heated debate about saturated fat (not the nutritional bogeyman we always thought?) and protein (it’s a hot trend, but do we really need more?). But what about choline?

Hummus on fire: Sabra Dipping Co names new CEO, doubles hummus production capacity

30-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

Buoyed by the surging popularity of hummus in the US, Sabra Dipping Co has unveiled plans to expand its hummus manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia, doubling its production capacity and creating 70 new jobs.

Edible insects: Create consumer demand – even where there is none

30-Sep-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Successful development of insect-containing foods will not be led by consumer demand – it will create it, according to an industry expert.

WhiteWave Foods to buy SO Delicious Dairy Free in $195m deal to expand its plant-based foods empire

18-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

UPDATED: WhiteWave Foods has struck a deal to buy SO Delicious Dairy Free for $195m in cash in a bid to expand its presence in the fast-growing plant-based foods category. 

High-protein diet may lower blood pressure

17-Sep-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Despite that people in the West typically get more than enough protein in their daily diets, new research may further validate our collective protein obsession. 

Age is just a number: Huge potential for protein in aging market, says DuPont

16-Sep-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The rising aging population in the US presents an underexploited opportunity for food and beverage marketers—particularly in the already massive protein market, as older consumers are just as desperate for sustained energy as their younger counterparts.

Beyond Meat products are now in 5,000+ stores

It’s a burger Jim, but not as we know it… Beyond Meat prepares to unleash The Beast

10-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

Beyond Meat - the California-based firm that claims to have unlocked the secret to making ‘near-perfect’ replicas of meat from plants - is preparing to launch its latest innovation: The Beast, a pea-protein-based burger for meat-lovers.

NYC snacking entrepreneurs take high-protein craze to the chips aisle with ProTings

10-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

While entrepreneurial start-ups touting healthier snacks have been entering - and leaving - the category with startling speed in the past couple of years, the 20-something entrepreneurs behind Brooklyn-based ProFormance Foods are quietly confident that...

More ‘all-natural’ blues for Kashi as Florida judge allows GMO/all-natural class action to proceed

09-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

Just months after Kashi agreed to settle a California class action lawsuit accusing it of deceptively advertising its wares as ‘all-natural’, a judge has allowed most claims in a similar class action brought in Florida to proceed.

Eggs are just the beginning; we're also looking at food dyes, trans fats, and even sugar

From Google Maps to Dropbox: Hampton Creek taps another Silicon Valley superstar in bid to ‘use plants to make food better’

04-Sep-2014 By Elaine Watson

Plant-based foods trail-blazer Hampton Creek Foods has hired one of its Silicon Valley-based investors - Ali Partovi (founder of LinkExchange and Code.org, and early advisor at Facebook & Dropbox), as its new chief strategy officer, just weeks after...