Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

‘Memories of carefree summer days’: Coca-Cola launches Orange Vanilla Coke

11-Feb-2019 By Rachel Arthur

Coca-Cola is launching its first new Coca-Cola trademark flavor innovations in a decade in the US this month: with Orange Vanilla Coke and Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar.

Oreo’s new ‘Stay Playful’ campaign taps Wiz Khalifa and his son to show no one is too old for fun

07-Feb-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

For decades, Oreo has encouraged consumers to play with their food by twisting, licking and dunking its iconic cookies, but the brand takes the idea to the next level in its new “Stay Playful” campaigning featuring musician Wiz Khalifa and his son Sebastian....

Bart Silvestro takes the helm at ROAR Organic: It’s like ‘Lululemon in a bottle’

29-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

Former Chef’s Cut Jerky CEO Bart Silvestro has joined clean label sports drink brand ROAR Organic as president and COO, allowing founder Roly Nesi to focus on building the brand – rather than running day-to-day operations.

MycoTechnology raises $30m, discovers novel application area for ClearTaste in salt reduction

29-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

MycoTechnology – which is building a functional ingredients platform utilizing mycelium, the filament-like roots of mushrooms - has raised $30m in a series C financing round from a flurry of high profile investors* from Tyson Ventures to Kellogg’s Eighteen94...

Sparkling Ice overhaul with natural colors, flavors & new look reflects evolution of better-for-you

28-Jan-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

After three years of research, development and sensory testing with more than 8,000 consumers, Sparkling Ice is relaunching its entire portfolio of carbonated water with natural colors and flavors and an updated look that it predicts will give it a competitive...

48% of consumers buy plant-based and dairy milks, reveals IPSOS survey

24-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

Almost half (48%) of Americans have purchased both dairy- and plant-based milks over the past six months, according to an IPSOS survey of 2,006 adults commissioned by Dairy Management Inc.

Soom Foods sees bright future for date syrup in the US market

18-Jan-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Soom Foods spent over five years educating American consumers on the versatility of tahini (sesame paste) that can be used in anything from milkshakes and smoothies to a popcorn topping and as a salad dressing. The company’s next conquest is silan, a...

Study: What kind of impact does food labeling have on consumption?

14-Jan-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

To what extent do food labels encourage healthier eating? A study led by researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University assessed the effectiveness of different types of food labels on consumers’ eating behaviors....

Fiber-packed Olipop meets demand for fun, sparkling, low sugar beverages with functional benefits, claim founders

11-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

Olipop – a sparkling soda featuring 9g fiber per 12oz can – is targeting consumers seeking low sugar beverages with functional benefits and a more accessible flavor profile (and price tag) than kombucha, say the founders, who recently raised $2.5m to...

Update: General Mills responds to findings that toddler preference for breakfast cereals is influenced by TV ads

10-Jan-2019 By Gill Hyslop

The cereal giant has expressed confusion regarding a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that suggests preschoolers (3-5 years) who watch televisions advertisements for breakfast cereals consume more of the product.

NuNaturals expands consumer appeal for stevia & monkfruit with new ‘youthful’ products, marketing

08-Jan-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

A pioneer in the premium natural sweetener segment, NuNaturals is moving in a “more youthful direction” with new products and positioning that appeal to a broader consumer base than the company historically courted following a leadership transition from...

PBFA members to FDA: Banning use of dairy terms on plant-based foods is a ‘solution in search of a problem’

03-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

Enacting new labeling rules for plant-based ‘milks’ “would create unnecessary, confusing, and costly label changes that likely violate the First Amendment and would be struck down in court,” members of the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) have told...

Soylent unveils Bridge: ‘the inbetween meal’

02-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

Soylent – a meal replacement brand that gained a cult following among Silicon Valley programmers after its 2014 launch, but has since broadened its portfolio and its appeal – is launching Bridge, a new ready-to-drink beverage with 180 calories and 15g...

Final GMO labeling rule does not require labeling of highly refined ingredients from GM crops, if no modified genetic material is detectable

20-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

In its final GMO labeling rule - released this morning - the USDA says it will not mandate the labeling of highly refined ingredients from GM crops if no ‘modified genetic material’ is detectable, but it will allow manufacturers to make voluntary disclosures...

D’vash date nectar reaches 4,000 stores: ‘We like people to conjure up images of Moses putting it in his tea!’

18-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

As the rise of Icelandic skyr, oatmilk, and hummus demonstrates, some of the most successful food products to hit the US market in recent years have already proved themselves in other markets, but are new to American consumers, says the co-founder of...

Coombs Family Farms wants to ‘pull the maple industry into the modern era’ with new Maple Stream

16-Dec-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

With the launch of the first no-mess, spray can of organic grade A amber maple syrup, the owners of the seven-generation Coombs Family Farms hope to “pull the maple industry into the modern era,” according to company marketer and sales executive.

IQ BAR offers 'brain fuel' to mid-afternoon snackers: 'Keto is the most rapidly growing consumer base for us'

12-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

If you could invent a nutrition bar for your brain, what would it look like? If you included clinically significant doses of every ingredient associated with cognitive health, it would probably look pretty expensive, concedes the founder of IQ BAR. But...

Pillars Yogurt prepares to launch whole milk kids’ yogurt range

11-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of Greek yogurt have been declining over the past two years after a meteoric growth spurt, but there are still pockets of opportunity, particularly in drinkable formats and kids’ products, claims drinkable yogurt brand Pillars, which is...

No added sugar: HP Hood gears up for national launch of ‘naturally sweet’ Planet Oat oatmilk

08-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

It’s good practice to fortify plant-based milks, but consumers don’t expect precise organoleptic or nutritional equivalency with dairy milk, says HP Hood, which is gearing up for a national launch of "full bodied, naturally sweet" oatmilk with...

Not just a sweetener: PureCircle to launch stevia protein, fiber, antioxidant ingredients

06-Dec-2018 By Adi Menayang

Stevia specialist PureCircle announced that it will launch a line of stevia-derived proteins, soluble fibers, and antioxidants in the second half of 2019.

Beverage trendwatching at BevNET Live winter 2018... from sesamemilk and fizzy juice to tea infused with hops

05-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

From carbonated cold-pressed juice and sesamemilk to ice tea infused with hops, new beverage concepts are hitting the market every week. But which emerging trends have real staying power? FoodNavigator-USA headed to BevNET Live Winter 2018 in Santa Monica...

Amyris bids for 30% slice of stevia market by 2022 with new Reb M sweetener: ‘On a quality basis, it’s a superior product. It simply tastes better’

03-Dec-2018 By Elaine Watson

Synthetic biology specialist Amyris has embarked on a mission to capture 30% of the global stevia sweeteners market by 2022 with a Reb M sweetener produced from cane sugar by a modified yeast strain, that it claims gives it a clear competitive advantage...

NEW PRODUCTS GALLERY: From Oikos Oh! and Two Good to Gimmies. The yogurt aisle is heating up

30-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

Check out FoodNavigator-USA’s latest gallery of new products hitting US shelves, where healthy fats, high protein claims and pre- and probiotics feature heavily as we head into 2019…

'We’re not marketing Gimmies based on parental claims, we’re marketing it based on what kids want'

Chobani unveils Gimmies kids’ yogurt brand: ‘We tested the characters with the kids as much as we tested the food’

29-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

Chobani is hoping to unlock an incremental growth opportunity in the sluggish yogurt category with the launch of Gimmies, a dedicated brand supported by a new set of characters designed to appeal to kids aged five to nine, who it says are not well-served...

10 key snack trends to watch

26-Nov-2018 By Gill Hyslop

There is no doubt that healthy snacking is trending, with emphasis on clean label, protein and vegan launches. According to Innova Market Insights, as snacks become healthier, more wholesome and satisfying, they are increasingly fulfilling the role of...

FOOD FOR KIDS trailblazers, 2018: 'Parents are looking for zero sugar, and added health benefits,' says KidsLuv

21-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

While the kids’ beverages market is dominated by some industry heavyweights, from Capri Sun to Minute Maid, there is room in the category for a new wave of brands that resonate with Millennial Moms, says Ashi Jelinek, founder and CEO at KidsLuv, one of...

FOOD FOR KIDS: Summit highlights, from a healthier Happy Meal to unlocking the secrets of baby poo (and the infant microbiome)

20-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

If you didn't make it to Chicago last week for the FoodNavigator-USA FOOD FOR KIDS summit, you missed a truly awesome ensemble of academics, industry experts, health advocates, and our first parents’ panel, covering everything from the infant gut...

Nonprofit public health group requests FTC to investigate alleged deceptive advertising of sucralose

20-Nov-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Non-profit consumer group, U.S. Right to Know (USRTK) has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether claims that the artificial sweetener sucralose neither metabolizes nor bioaccumulates in the body are deceptive.

FOOD FOR KIDS: Insights from our parents panel, from label fatigue to sugar worries

20-Nov-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

The opening night of FoodNavigator-USA's inaugural FOOD FOR KIDS summit opened with a consumer panel, as parents shared what foods and beverages they give their kids, what they look for on food labels, and where they eat out with their children.

From ‘Phat fats’ and shelf-stable probiotics to faux meat snacks … Whole Foods unveils top 10 food trends for 2019

16-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

Pacific Rim flavors, shelf-stable probiotics and faux meat snacks will all gain traction in 2019 according to buyers, product developers, category managers and chefs at Whole Foods Market, which has just unveiled its annual list of 10 trends to watch...

Keto-friendly cookie start-up Fat Snax breaks into bricks-and-mortar with Vitamin Shoppe

14-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

The high fat, low carb cookies by Brooklyn-based Fat Snax make their first foray into retail stores after a successful year online.

Atkins pushes regulators to reconsider the potential benefits of a low-carb diet for some Americans

09-Nov-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

As FDA considers a formal definition for the term ‘healthy’ as well as who should serve on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines advisory committees, Atkins Nutritionals asks the agency to reconsider its formal stance on low-carbohydrate diets.

'A match made in heaven': Cargill and DSM team up to bring fermentation-based sweeteners to market

08-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

Cargill and DSM – who have both independently developed steviol glycosides via microbial fermentation – are now teaming up in a bid to accelerate their development under the Eversweet brand.

Market trends

Latest US chocolate and candy trends according to Mintel: Bite size, functional ingredients and premium

01-Nov-2018 By Douglas Yu

Mintel has estimated the total US chocolate confectionery sales will have grown 15% since 2012 to reach $18.5bn in 2018, with trends like bite size, functional ingredients and premium driving the overall category growth.

Retail sales of French-style yogurt Oui have topped $100m, says General Mills

31-Oct-2018 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of yogurt have tailed off in the past two years as Greek has lost its luster. But this is just a temporary blip, predicts the president of General Mills’ US yogurt business, who is confident the overall category will return to growth.

Industry insight into US bakery market

31-Oct-2018 By Gill Hyslop

As consumers increasingly opt to follow a healthy lifestyle, they are demanding more gluten-free, low-carb, whole grain, organic and paleo diet products. However, there will always be a way to find an excuse to give in to indulgence, especially when it...

Full fat and Icelandic pockets of growth in lackluster US yogurt market; while flavored milk and lactose-free help offset declines in fluid milk

29-Oct-2018 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of yogurt have continued to fall over the past year, although there have been pockets of growth in Icelandic style and full fat products, according to data from Nielsen and SPINS.

Trendspotting at FNCE: From plant-based to protein-packed to products tailored for specialty diets

25-Oct-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

At the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Washington, DC, manufacturers showcased a variety of new and recently launched products tailored for different diets ranging from plant-based and allergen-friendly to low-sugar and high-protein.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges FDA to look at deceptive ‘made with real fruit’ claims

24-Oct-2018 By Elaine Watson

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) has urged the FDA to review ‘made with real fruit’ claims, “the use of misleading images of whole fruits and vegetables when only minuscule amounts are in a serving” and terms such as ‘veggie sticks’ and ‘fruit...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Unilever launches mission-based Culture Republick probiotic ice cream

17-Oct-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Unilever has introduced a premium, light, probiotic ice cream brand called Culture Republick containing three billion live cultures per pint from the patented strain GanedenBC30.

Layn expands Lovia and SteviUp sweetener platforms for sugar reduction efforts in Mexico

16-Oct-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Ingredient supplier Layn is helping food and beverage manufacturers in Mexico and Central America take the guesswork out of sugar reduction by expanding in the region two new plant-based sweetener platforms that are optimized for different categories.

Food Tech Summit & Expo in Mexico

High consumer awareness and interest in gut health in Mexico creates opportunities for prebiotics

10-Oct-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Mexico’s market is primed for products offering prebiotic benefits as consumer research shows that consumers in the region are more knowledgeable and interested in digestive health than those in North America and Europe, according to ingredient supplier...

Food Tech Summit & Expo in Mexico

Fiber can help manufacturers meet growing cross-generational demand for functional ingredients

09-Oct-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

As the desire to attain a healthier, longer life through diet expands beyond niche groups focused on wellness into the mainstream population, consumers increasingly are looking for functional ingredients they recognize across categories – including in...

NEWS IN BRIEF

PureCircle to increase Starleaf stevia acreage following first commercial-scale harvest in US

01-Oct-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Global stevia supplier PureCircle will soon harvest the first commercial-scale crop of its proprietary Starleaf stevia after completing successful trial plots in 2017 with plans to significantly increase acreage of the proprietary sweetener over the next...

News in brief

US retail sales of stevia sweeteners rose 11.9% in the past year as sales of artificial sweeteners continue to slide

01-Oct-2018 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of stevia sweeteners grew 11.9% in the 52 weeks to August 11, 2018, while sucralose sweetener sales were down 6%, aspartame sweetener sales were down 8% and saccharin sweetener sales were down 5.9%, according to new data from Nielsen (xAOC),...

Retail insights

Mars Wrigley Confectionery releases merchandizing guidelines to drive c-store sales

01-Oct-2018 By Douglas Yu

Mars Wrigley Confectionery has released its latest merchandizing guidelines based on the most recent shopper behavior data to help c-stores drive sales.

Opertech Bio to team up with Tate & Lyle on a novel approach to sugar reduction via TERRA accelerator

25-Sep-2018 By Elaine Watson

Opertech Bio – the Philadelphia-based firm behind an automated high throughput system for rapid characterization of taste sensory properties – will team up with Tate & Lyle to apply its technology to sugar reduction after winning a place on the TERRA...

Health Warrior’s Mug Muffin & protein powder help shoppers start the day with healthier options

24-Sep-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

The line between breakfast and dessert can be a bit blurry with options such as coffeecake on the menu, but superfood snack company Health Warrior wants to place muffins squarely on the side of better-for-you morning meals with the launch of its Protein...

Plant-based and dairy drive growth in yogurt side-by-side, Danone exec says

21-Sep-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

While still growing at a healthy clip, the yogurt category is slowing slightly – but Danone North America still sees significant potential for the segment, especially related to options that are plant-based, lower in sugar, packed with science-back probiotic...

Where next for Sparkling ICE? New CEO talks national launch of Sparkling Ice + Caffeine and brand building

19-Sep-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Talking Rain Beverage Company, maker of Sparkling ICE, wrapped up a record summer sales season for the brand with 15 million cases shipped to retailers across the US over a three-month period, and has entered the energy drink category with the launch...