Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

In age of sugar reduction and 'clean label,' sweetener manufacturers adapt

28-Mar-2017 By Adi Menayang

“When consumers are asked an open-ended question, ‘What are you trying to avoid,’ the top three out of four answers are related to a sweetener,” Andy Ohmes, global director of high intensity sweeteners at Cargill, told FoodNavigator-USA.

ADM teams up with GLG Lifetech to add stevia and monk fruit to its portfolio

24-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

ADM is bringing two sweetener brands, SweetRight stevia and VerySweet monk fruit, to market following a tie up with Canadian high potency sweeteners specialist GLG Lifetech.

FDA issues GRAS no objection letter for Sweegen's Bestevia Reb-M - which starts with the leaf, then undergoes 'enzymatic conversion'

24-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

California-based SweeGen has received a GRAS no objections letter from the FDA for the use of its Bestevia branded Reb-M - manufactured from stevia leaf extracts converted to Reb M using enzymes – for use as a general purpose sweetener for food and beverage...

New kid on the block explores novel business model for stevia production

24-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

California-based B’BOX Group claims to have developed a proprietary technique for producing clean-tasting, high-purity stevia extracts that is so fast and cost-efficient that it says leading CPG manufacturers are considering buying the technology and...

Big Tree Farms unveils golden coconut sugar to compete with refined white sugar: 'This is going to be a truly disruptive sweetener’

24-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

Big Tree Farms has developed a paler, finer ‘golden’ organic Fair trade coconut sugar that can replace refined white sugar in applications where coarser, darker coconut sugars aren’t ideal, says the company, which has been selling coconut sweeteners for...

Success of allulose in Mexico shows what’s possible in the US if added sugar labeling rules change, says Tate & Lyle

Allulose could change the sugar reduction game... if labeling rules are changed, says Tate & Lyle

21-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

Allulose – an ultra low-calorie sugar found naturally in jackfruit and figs that Tate & Lyle is making in commercial quantities from corn using enzymes – has got some high profile advocates including Quest Nutrition, but would gain significantly more...

Tate & Lyle teams up with Sweet Green Fields to widen stevia's reach

20-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Tate & Lyle and stevia supplier Sweet Green Fields have signed an exclusive partnership to develop and distribute new stevia ingredients globally.

Consumers want stevia from the leaf, says PureCircle: ‘They want naturally-sourced plant-based ingredients’

20-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

As the technology around producing steviol glycosides continues to evolve, transparency in labeling will be critical if consumer trust in ‘natural’ sweeteners is to be retained, says PureCircle, which claims to be the “clear market leader in terms of...

Synbio ingredients have vast market penetration, new list shows

17-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

Synthetic biology, or GMO 2.0 as some are calling it, has vastly more penetration in the marketplace than was previously believed. That’s the takeaway from the assembly of the first list of such ingredients.

Natural Products Expo West

KIND Snacks wants to ‘change the script’ in the fruit snacks segment with new Fruit Bites

13-Mar-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

KIND Snacks expands into the children’s food segment for the first time with a riff on fruit snacks that directly tackles many parents’ complaints about the category. 

Industry lauds accomplishments of late stevia pioneer James May

08-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

Herbal industry experts were quick to laud the accomplishments of stevia pioneer Jim May, founder of Wisdom Natural Brands, who died this week at the age of 80.

Hershey may kiss older international plants goodbye with roughly 2,700 job cuts

03-Mar-2017 By Oliver Nieburg

Hershey plans to reduce its global workforce by 15%, mainly outside of the US, under a new supply chain efficiency program.

'siratose has demonstrated potency and overall taste quality superior to existing monk fruit sweeteners'

Senomyx unveils 'natural' sweetener breakthrough, plans GRAS notification by end of 2019

03-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

Senomyx has identified a new zero-calorie, high-potency sweetening compound found in trace levels in monk fruit, which it plans to produce on a commercial scale via fermentation.  

BOBO's raises $8m, expects revenues to double in 2017

02-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

Baked oat bar brand BOBO’s could double revenues in 2017 (vs 2016) if it continues on its current growth trajectory, says the CEO of the Boulder-based brand, which has just raised $8m in a Series A funding round led by Boulder Investment Group Reprise...

Where next for stevia? From designer glycoside blends to fermentation and enzyme modification

01-Mar-2017 By Elaine Watson

If high purity Reb A used to be the only game in town when it comes to stevia, the game has become a lot more sophisticated in the past couple of years as suppliers compete to provide the best-tasting combinations of steviol glycosides, and products become...

Sonoma Brands hails 'explosive' growth trajectory at SmashMallow

28-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

It’s early days, but SmashMallow snackable marshmallows – launched by food & beverage brand incubator Sonoma Brands in August 2016 – are already in 2,000 stores and growing at an “explosive” pace, claims founder Jon Sebastiani.  

Experts weigh in on what the next ‘it’ beverage will be as sales for the once all supreme soda slow

28-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

For years, carbonated soft drinks were the go-to choice for Americans to quench their thirst and boost their energy, but in recent years the category has begun to falter – creating an opening for a bevy of innovative beverage brands to emerge, according...

State bills call for warnings about risks associated with synthetic dyes & sugar-sweetened beverages

21-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Two California state senate bills would mandate controversial warnings on some foods and beverages, and if enacted could start a domino effect among other like-minded states, potentially creating a patchwork of laws and compliance headache for national...

Ag Committee weighs whether SNAP should pay for sugary drinks

20-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Prohibiting the purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages and other “unhealthy” foods and beverages with SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, likely would not discourage their consumption, but would be costly and difficult for retailers to implement,...

Snacking Innovation Summit trend-watching: Mini-meals, tapas-style eating, and hero SKUs

17-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

The trend towards continuous grazing throughout the day will create new ‘multi-temperature’ snacking opportunities for manufacturers as a ‘tapas-style’ approach to eating gains momentum, predicted panelists at the FoodNavigator-USA/BakeryandSnacks snacking...

Ripple ‘Not Milk?’ campaign brands almond milk a ‘sham’ and tackles dairy over sat fat, sugar and sustainability

16-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

Pea protein-fueled brand Ripple has weighed into plant-based ‘milk’ debate with a provocative new media campaign that challenges the nutritional and environmental credentials of dairy milk, but also brands almond milk a ‘sham,’ and argues that when it...

Kevin Klock: ‘Now we have created a real brand identity’

Sparkling ICE unveils $37m ad campaign, queries soda tax inconsistencies: 'It's a mess'

15-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

Talking Rain Beverage Co has unveiled a $37m national ad campaign that president Kevin Klock says will give Sparkling ICE a stronger brand identity – something it has historically lacked, despite its meteoric growth (estimated retail sales have surged...

Sugar-reduction efforts pick up steam ahead of update to Nutrition Facts panel

08-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food and beverage brands of all sizes and across categories are scrambling to reduce sugar in their products before FDA regulations mandating they indicate added and total sugar on the Nutrition Facts panel goes into effect in July 2018, according to...

Drinking vinegar could be the next kombucha if it can overcome four major hurdles

07-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

While most Americans remain unfamiliar with drinking vinegar, the category is gaining traction and could be the next kombucha if manufacturers work together to promote its many benefits and uses, according to one segment player. 

The FoodNavigator-USA Snacking Innovation Summit: Have you registered yet?

07-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

If 50% of eating occasions are now snacks,* do we have to rethink what a snack is? An occasional treat or an everyday healthy indulgence? A fresh mini-meal? A quick energy boost? And when it comes to snacks, what new formats, flavors, label claims and...

Q4 and full-year results

Hershey bets on multi-textural snacking and Chinese e-commerce for growth

06-Feb-2017 By Douglas Yu

Reese’s and Cookie Layer Crunch will be major investment focuses when Hershey’s next CEO Michele Buck takes office in March, 2017, according to the company’s Q4 earnings conference call.

Mars invests $900m in US supply chain with sustainability its priority

02-Feb-2017 By Douglas Yu

M&Ms maker Mars has announced it will invest $900m in its US supply chain in addition to the recent $1bn investment aimed at boosting its domestic manufacturing capabilities. 

CAUGHT ON CAMERA AT THE 2017 WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW

That’s It CEO: Our veggie bars could be just as big, if not bigger, than our fruit bars

02-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

That’s It fruit bars were an immediate hit, but will the brand’s new veggie bars – which combine black beans with veggies such as peas, carrots, kale, and corn – be a tougher sell? 

Should foods high in added sugar be disqualified from making nutrient content and health claims?

01-Feb-2017 By Elaine Watson

High levels of added sugar should disqualify foods from being able to make health claims, or nutrient content claims such as ‘healthy’ or ‘high fiber,’ argues a citizen’s petition filed last week by the nonprofit advocacy group the Union of Concerned...

Atkins’s new campaign breathes life into low-carb diet by linking it to current sugar demonization

25-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Atkins Nutritionals Inc. might be best known for making low-carb foods and beverages for weight management, but a new marketing campaign that explains how carbs can lead to weight gain could breathe new life into the diet – and product sales – by connecting...

Chocolate’s ‘plight does not look set to improve’ in the US, says Euromonitor

23-Jan-2017 By Oliver Nieburg

The US chocolate confectionery market is set for a 1% volume decline between 2016 and 2021 as Americans’ GDP per capita is set to fall while the category is caught in an “anti-sugar crossfire”.

Sonny Perdue must 'expand market opportunities for all types of agriculture,' says NFU

19-Jan-2017 By Elaine Watson

It’s been a long time coming, but President elect Trump has chosen his agriculture secretary - former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue – pleasing some food and farming associations, but alarming Friends of the Earth.

‘Striking’ rise in consumption of no- and low-calorie sweeteners stokes debate about their health impact

16-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

A “striking” increase in the consumption of no- and low-calorie sweeteners over 13 years combined with conflicting data on their connection to obesity, diabetes and other health issues escalates the need for more research on their chronic health effects,...

Relief for PureCircle as Chinese stevia held at US border released

10-Jan-2017 By Elaine Watson

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released shipments of refined stevia from PureCircle coming in from China that had been held at the border based on allegations that they contained stevia produced using forced labor. 

EverSweet fermented stevia to launch in 2018… if we can reach the right deal with Cargill, says Evolva

10-Jan-2017 By Elaine Watson

Partners Evolva and Cargill have made “solid progress” on EverSweet - their hotly-anticipated ‘next-generation’ Reb D and Reb M sweetener – but it will not launch until 2018, two years later than originally anticipated, Evolva revealed this morning. 

Confused about added sugar? FDA issues draft guidance on Nutrition Facts changes

05-Jan-2017 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has attempted to clear up some of the confusion over defining and calculating added sugar, in new draft guidance designed to help firms get to grips with the key changes it is making to the Nutrition Facts panel.

SoBakeable blends subscription- and meal-kit marketing model for sustained engagement

04-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

By blurring the line between subscription boxes and home delivery meal kits, industry newcomer SoBakeable  takes the best parts of each category to create a unique business model that promises sustained consumer engagement – an essential component that...

What were the 10 fastest growing categories in grocery in 2016?

04-Jan-2017 By Elaine Watson

New data from Nielsen outlining the fastest-growing categories in grocery in 2016 reveals rapid growth in deli items and meal solutions, pre-prepared fruits and veggies, and ready-to-drink tea and coffee.

How estate-produced Crown Maple grew from selling from a small cart to becoming a national brand

03-Jan-2017 By Adi Menayang

Maple syrup has long been a staple in American pantries, but increased demand for clean label products means consumers today are much more discriminating when it comes to choosing which brand they’d welcome in their households.

Cacao pulp sweetens Suavva’s smoothies without added sugar, packs nutritional punch

14-Dec-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Cacao is best known for its antioxidant-rich nut that is used to make chocolate, but the fruit has more to offer -- including a sweet white pulp that helps set Suavva Cacao Smoothies apart from other RTD juices and shakes.

Perfect Bar CEO: The refrigerated snacking category is on fire

12-Dec-2016 By Elaine Watson

Getting retailers to give up valuable space in the chiller for nutrition bars was a tough sell when Bill Keith first started knocking on doors in 2006. Today, Perfect Bars are the third best-selling snack bar in the natural channel, and their success...

FOOD VISION USA 2016... THE TRAILBLAZERS: Shaka Tea puts māmaki on the map, 'We're building an authentically Hawaiian brand'

09-Dec-2016 By Elaine Watson

Launching a new brand in the ready-to-drink tea market is not for the faint-hearted, but Shaka Tea - one of three winners in this year's trailblazers challenge at Food Vision USA - has unique attributes that set it apart from the competition, says...

R&D

Nestlé develops natural method to cut sugar in chocolate by 40%

01-Dec-2016 By Oliver Nieburg

Nestlé plans to introduce a faster-dissolving sugar across some of its confectionery range from 2018.

Consumers seek ‘low-sugar’ claims, but remain confused & distrustful of nutrition labeling

23-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Too much sugar remains a top consumer concern, but confusion about how to read product labels and general distrust of their accuracy means many Americans are at a loss as to how to reduce sugar, a new Healthline survey reveals.

Bai Brands & KeVita snapped up as Dr Pepper & PepsiCo expand low-cal, functional beverage platforms

22-Nov-2016 By Elaine Watson

As widely rumored, two major players in the functional beverages space are to change hands, with PepsiCo to acquire KeVita for an undisclosed sum and Dr Pepper Snapple Group to acquire Bai Brands – in which it already has a small stake – for $1.7bn. And...

PureCircle launches new stevia ingredient Sigma-Beverage

22-Nov-2016 By Adi Menayang

Global stevia company PureCircle says it has refined the sweetener specifically for clear beverage use with a new release called Sigma-Beverage.

News in brief

Coca-Cola Life launches in the United Arab Emirates

15-Nov-2016 By Rachel Arthur

Coca-Cola has launched its stevia-sweetened Coca-Cola Life in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Dr Marion Nestle: Food safety, sustainability, nutrition not high on Trump's priority list

Four US cities vote for soda taxes: 'This is an astonishing repudiation of Big Soda'

09-Nov-2016 By Adi Menayang and Elaine Watson

Voters in the Bay Area cities of Albany, Oakland, and San Francisco, as well as Boulder, CO, have voted to levy a tax on soda and sugary drinks, while four out of five states passed or likely passed measures to legalize recreational cannabis (California,...

Baby and toddler snacks often fall short on nutrition while marketing misleads parents, review reveals

09-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food manufacturers should voluntarily expand the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative for improving food advertising to children to include marketing of baby and toddler food and drinks, the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity recommends...

Sugar is sneaking up on preservatives & chemicals as most troublesome ingredient, CivicScience finds

31-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers appear to becoming more sophisticated and specific about which ingredients or characteristics they find most troublesome in packaged foods and beverages, new research from CivicScience suggests.