For a long time, Tate & Lyle had the sucralose market to itself. It discovered it, patented it to the hilt, and perfected the process of producing it on an industrial scale, generating operating profit margins of almost 50%. But you can only have...
Sharp increases in imported organic soy beans and corn to the U.S. in 2014 to feed the expanding organic dairy, poultry and livestock sectors is a “‘help wanted’ message for American farmers,” according to Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association.
Tate & Lyle has announced a restructuring that will see it make changes to its struggling Splenda sucralose business and exit most of its European Bulk Ingredients business.
Water is likely to be sufficient for food production in 2050 – but increased competition means two-thirds of the world will be affected by water scarcity, according to a joint report from the FAO and the World Water Council.
Millennials have a general distrust of big companies and a different set of priorities than baby boomers
While working at sexy new food & beverage companies such as Hampton Creek or Suja Juice sounds like a pretty exciting way to earn a living, the most talented people coming out of business school today are still more likely to pick technology or investment...
Organic is outgrowing its moniker as a specialty category thanks to a double digit increase in sales last year by consumers nationwide of all political leanings and ethnic backgrounds, according to data from the Organic Trade Association.
Once considered purely technical ingredients (thickeners, stabilizers, gelling agents), hydrocolloids are “going through a transformation from purely functional to nutritional ingredient status”, say the organizers of a conference dedicated to the $7bn...
It’s no secret that smaller, emerging brands are winning the battle for consumers’ hearts, minds and wallets from larger, established players in the US food and beverage industry, but which ‘challenger’ brands really stand out in the crowd? And what are...
There are plenty of billion-dollar brands in the CPG market, but just 8% of 213 ‘legacy’ US food and beverage brands analyzed by market researcher Hartman Group are outpacing inflation and category growth rates.
Americans are falling out of love with many big legacy ‘processed food’ brands and the “financial markets have closely observed what is happening in our industry and acted quickly and decisively”, according to the chairman of the world’s biggest food...
Several well-established manufacturers are stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding into new categories or updating iconic brands to meet consumers’ ostensibly insatiable desire for protein-packed snacks.
Around 3,800 Walmart stores now carry at least 30 Wild Oats organic products, while 2,200 stores carry more than 70 items, says the retailer, which says customers are saving up to 25% compared with national brand organic products.
While Trader Joe’s gets plenty of plaudits, its German parent company ALDI – which operates nearly 1,400 stores in 32 US states - is probably “the most underestimated grocery retailer” in the nation, according to a new report from market researcher Hartman...
Through partnerships with small farmers, non-governmental organizations and other industry stakeholders, General Mills reports it is making progress towards its goal of sustainably sourcing 100% of its top 10 ingredients by 2020.
New York based International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has struck a deal to acquire privately-held flavor firm Henry H. Ottens Manufacturing Co in Philadelphia, PA, for an undisclosed sum.
US sales of specialty foods blasted through the $100bn barrier in 2014, with retail ($85.5bn) and foodservice sales ($24bn) combined hitting $109.5bn, up 10.3% on 2013 sales of $99.3bn, according to a new report from the Specialty Food Association using...
Rice Bran Technologies (RIBT) is close to market with a new rice protein offering that will benefit from a ‘made in USA’ clean sourcing message. The protein’s debut awaited modifications to the company’s Montana production facility, work that was completed...
Big CPG firms are not nimble enough to innovate and align with changing consumer tastes, says TABS Group founder
The impending marriage of Heinz and Kraft Foods Group will create a $29bn consumer packaged goods powerhouse. But is bigger always better, or are megadeals like this more about making money for lawyers and shareholders than delighting consumers and driving...
Choice in the modern food system is something of a two edged sword. More options are available now than ever, but this abundance can also create more stress for consumers or manufacturers seeking a particular type of product. A new data service called...
The face of the organic shopper is changing slowly to reflect more accurately the American population thanks in part to increased distribution, according to a new study by the Organic Trade Association.
Improving the quality, assortment, display and accessibility of fresh food is “critical” to Walmart’s “plan of attack” to grow sales and market share, the firm’s new U.S. CEO told analysts April 1.
Yogurt maker Dannon’s partnership with cold pressed juice giant Evolution Fresh creates a powerhouse that could bring renewed energy to the Greek yogurt category, which has been slowing recently.
Yogurt manufacturers are rolling out a wide variety of new products to drive consumer interest in and consumption of the dairy product in an attempt to boost sales, which have slowed in recent years after experiencing astronomical growth for several years...
Getting children to eat vegetables is often a daily battle – but a love of healthy food can be fostered by introducing new flavours as early as possible.
Demand for organic in the U.S. is soaring with more than 80% of families buying some organic products, pushing sales up to an expected $40 billion last year, according to the Organic Trade Association.
Ginger, turmeric and sprouted grains are hot, while kale and Greek yogurt are cooling off, according to trend watchers at Rabobank International who walked the floor at the 2015 Natural Products Expo West show in Anaheim earlier this month.
The beauty-from-within market is one of those that is perennially not quite ready for prime time, at least in North America. But officials at Taiyo International believe that’s about to change, and the company stands ready to benefit with a green tea...
As consumers’ understanding of food as a health management tool expands, retailers nationwide are changing how they stock and promote products to better drive sales and be considered a wellness destination, a recent survey reveals.
A whopping nine out of 10 consumers prefer to eat at home, but the size and make-up of those households are changing and so are consumers’ needs from food and beverage companies, according to research firm Acosta Sales & Marketing.
Digestive issues after drinking milk are often attributed to milk protein allergy (which can be severe) or intolerance to lactose (milk sugars). But what if both of these have been ruled out and you are still experiencing mild digestive discomfort?
Worldwide demand for aloe means acreage for this important botanical continues to expand in Mexico, one of the main sources of the ingredient. And that demand has been driven largely by products sold through network marketing companies, an expert says.
While ‘legacy’ food and beverage brands are laser focused on price, promotion and placement, no amount of financial clout or merchandising wizardry can mask the fact that smaller, sexier, more disruptive, brands are outpacing them. But are CPG’s biggest...
The food industry has criticised the WHO’s recommendation to reduce the intake of added sugar for being backed by ‘moderate’ and ‘very low quality’ evidence.
The Food and Drug Administration has reiterated its confidence in the safety of the US milk supply, after veterinary drug residues were found in just 0.78% of tested samples.
Insights from the 13th Global Food Technology & Innovation Summit
Food and beverage manufacturers must focus research and development activities on creating more nutritious and sustainable food solutions, says Nestlé’s head of global R&D.
Vegan, paleo, grass-fed, pasture-raised, ancient grains, and allergen friendly claims are gaining
According to Chicago-based market research firm SPINS, US retail (dollar) sales of foods & beverages rose 1.7% in 2014, while unit sales declined by 0.4%. By contrast, sales of natural and organic brands grew nearly 12%. But where are the opportunities...
A retired chemistry professor from Iowa has developed a multi-flavored milk that changes flavor with every sip, and now hopes to license out the concept.
'We lack a clear positioning; the shopping experience hasn’t matched what our guests expect'
Some details about Target's food 'reinvention' plan emerged during its Q4 earnings call last week, but more flesh was put on the bones this week as bosses outlined plans to completely "redesign" their food strategy.
EU member states have voted to allow national governments to ban or restrict cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops even when approved at EU level, meaning the new rules will be written into law.
We recognize we have to change the in-store experience
Target will double the size of its 'Made to Matter' range of natural, organic, and sustainable products this year as part of a plan to "reinvent" its grocery offering and "deliver more organic, natural, gluten-free items" to...
Banana flour is gluten-free, grain-free and rich in potassium and resistant starch
Banana flour –dried unripe banana milled into powder – is still a novel concept for American consumers, but the Utah-based entrepreneur behind WEDO (which claims to be the only banana flour company in the US) reckons 2015 could be the year it hits the...
Microalgae specialist Solazyme says it has secured a “clear and complete victory” over its former French business partner Roquette in a legal dispute over intellectual property rights following the 2013 collapse of their joint venture Solazyme Roquette...
