Ultra-Processed Foods: Harmful vs. Helpful

Americans get over half their calories from ultra-processed foods. New research, guidelines, and expert advice offer a roadmap for healthier eating habits.

The Plant-Based Playbook: Pro Athletes Invest in Vegan Brands

Multiple pro athletes have either invested in plant-based foodservice and food retail brands or launched their own brands in recent years, including John Salley, Tom Brady, Chris Paul, Ed McCaffrey, and Mike Tyson. Let’s take a look at a few of these business ventures – and the motivators behind them.

Protein: An Essential but Overhyped Macronutrient

While protein remains a top nutrition trend, health experts argue it’s often overhyped. Many Americans already get enough, and whole food sources may be healthier than processed protein products.

Meat-ish, Dairy-ish: Is There a Market for Hybrid Plant-Based?

Recently, the F&B industry has seen an uptick in hybrid plant-based products, which blend standard meat and dairy with meatless and dairy-free versions. But will consumers embrace them?

Senate Approves Bill Expanding Students’ Access to Plant-Based Milk

A new bipartisan bill approved by the Senate Ag Committee aims to expand access to plant-based milk in schools, offering relief to millions of lactose-intolerant students. If passed, it would require schools to provide non-dairy alternatives to students when requested by a parent, no doctor’s note needed.

Want to Boost Your Cognitive and Oral Health? Eat Blueberries.

Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and ward off chronic disease, but they barely scratch the surface of what blueberries have to offer. Here’s why dentists, doctors, and dietitians want consumers to eat more of them.

Cream of the Crop: The Latest Heavy Cream Alternatives

Plant-based heavy cream alternatives are on the rise as food scientists develop more realistic, whip-ready options using oats, legumes, and oils. Chef Jason Wrobel of Switch4Good shared his take regarding the latest innovations and the science behind replicating the taste and texture of traditional heavy whipping cream.

Mushrooms, Mycelium, and Bites: Plant-Based Trends From NRA 2025

At the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, plant-based innovation moved beyond burgers and nuggets. Mushrooms, mycelium, and globally inspired bites took center stage, offering foodservice operators bold, flexitarian-friendly options.

BMO 2025: Plant-Based Folds into Macro Environment

At the recent 2025 BMO Farm to Market Conference, consumer interest in personal wellness created plant-based tailwinds. Kroger, SunOpta, and Remedy Organics were among businesses weighing in on the future of the sector.

Global Plant-Based Sales Reach $28.6 Billion

In 2024, global plant-based retail sales reached $28.6 billion thanks to accelerated interest in meat analogs in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. Domestically, although sales stagnated in 2024, there are many indicators that it will soon rebound.

The State of Cultivated Meat: Nebraska, Indiana Approve Bans

On May 6, the state of Ind. approved a two-year ban of both the sale and manufacture of lab-grown meat products, and on May 14, a bill banning the distribution and sale of cultivated meat products in Neb. was signed into law. These measures align with similar laws passed in other states in recent years.

All Juice, No Sugar Crash: Raw Generation Debuts Little Sippers Line for Kids

By prioritizing both taste and nutrition, brands like Raw Generation are aiming to solve the age-old challenge of getting children to consume vegetables and setting the stage for nutrient-rich innovations.

Are American Consumers Ready for Alt-Seafood?

The alt-seafood sector has been rife with innovations – from alt-calamari to black cod. However, a wave of recent bankruptcies within the category suggests that consumer adoption rates haven’t quite kept up.

4 Evolving Nutrition Trends Transforming Health

The latest “What’s Trending in Nutrition Survey” reveals that consumers in 2025 are prioritizing gut health, with fermented foods and superfoods like berries and leafy greens gaining popularity.

Study Shows Vegan Grocery Costs Vary Widely by State

A recent study by CashNetUSA analyzed the average cost of a basket of vegan groceries purchased at Walmart stores across the U.S. Its findings revealed significant discrepancies in both the affordability and accessibility of plant-based groceries among states.

Open Sesame: Tahini Latte Searches Surge 900% on Yelp

After the Maman Salted Tahini Honeycomb Latte and Edith’s Tahini Frozen Cold Brew went viral on social media, Yelp searches for tahini coffee drinks soared. While the plant-based sesame seed paste has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries, lately tahini has been carving out a space for itself within the coffee category.

For Oatly, Execution Has Been the Biggest Problem

Once valued at over $15 billion, Oatly’s market capitalization has plummeted by 98% due to poor execution in expanding production and mounting financial losses. Its sluggish growth in plant-based products makes Oatly’s future murky, according to FI’s resident stock expert.

Alt-Meat Brands Address Pain Points Through Tech Integration

Innovative brands in the alt-protein space are combining multiple technologies to create better products. By integrating methods like precision fermentation and enzymatic cross-linking, these companies are solving major pain points in taste, texture, and affordability.

Violife’s Plant-Based Marketing and Influencer Playbook

Dairy-free cheese maker Violife debuted a line of lentil-based coffee creamers, Violife Supreme Coffee Creamers. To spread the word, the brand launched Creamy Confessions, a nationwide ad campaign featuring a series of reality TV stars, social media influencers, and online content creators.

Plant-Based Braves the Sales Slump

The plant-based food industry may have found a way through its stagnation. A recent report found consumers increased their plant-based purchases throughout 2024, a signal of a healthy year ahead. Nutpods CMO Patrick Coyle recommended brands in the sector strike the right balance between “value” and “values.”

Butter vs. Oil: Nutrition Experts Weigh in

New research suggests that those who consistently replace animal-based fats with plant-based oils may have a lower rate of total mortality, as well as lower mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease. After accounting for control variables, researchers found that the group with the highest butter intake had a 15% higher total mortality risk than the group with the lowest intake.

Winning Recipe: A Former NFL Star’s Quest for the Perfect Plant-Based Snack

As a retired NFL star with a family full of athletes, Ed McCaffrey understands the ins and outs of sports nutrition firsthand. He’s been on a quest to develop the perfect plant-based, gluten-free snack for athletes for several years and launched McCaffrey Protein Bites this month.

Beyond Meat Fights for Survival

Beyond Meat is struggling financially, with significant losses, leading to a high likelihood of bankruptcy by 2027 due to $1 billion in convertible bonds coming due. Despite this, the stock retains some value due to the slim hope of a turnaround or debt restructuring.

From Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia to Cha-Ching! The Evolution of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds were the most popular functional ingredient on U.S. restaurant menus during Q4 of 2024, according to MenuData, accounting for 38.9% of menu share. A staple in ancient diets for their utility and nutrition, today, the ingredient is gaining momentum with health-conscious consumers.

Mike Tyson Unleashes Plant-Based Ice Cream at ‘Vegan McDonald’s’

Boxer-turned-entrepreneur Mike Tyson recently launched Mr. Fluff-Head at Mr. Charlie’s. The new dessert features a potato-based soft serve topped with a Mike’s Bites vegan chocolate ear and organic strawberry drizzle, celebrating Tyson’s investment in the plant-based QSR chain.

Solein: The Complete Protein Made from Thin Air

Last year, the Finnish food-tech company Solar Foods debuted Solein, a novel type of protein requiring only renewable energy, airborne materials, and a small amount of minerals to produce. Since it can be made in any weather and without resources like land or water, Solein is highly sustainable – and equally nutritious.

Healthy by Association: How Alt-Meat Brands Are Earning Trust

Alt-meat brands like Beyond and Impossible are launching new and reformulated products to earn the trust of health-conscious consumers and national health organizations. These innovations have enabled the meat alternatives to quality for the nutrition initiatives of both the American Heart and American Diabetes Associations.

Plant-Based Assessment: Headwinds Harrowing, Future Begets Optimism

The plant-based food industry is at an inflection point: recent data suggests that interest in the lifestyle decreased somewhat in 2024 from the year before. Innovations in the space, however, have given the sector the tools to cater to consumer pain points.

Why Meati CEO Carries Confidence into 2025

Meati CEO Phil Graves feels optimistic about the brand’s future as it continues to expand across the U.S. and shrink its ingredients list. Meati has been increasingly incorporating functional ingredients like mycelium, a root-like structure of fungus, into products such as its Classic Cutlet.

Premiumization, Wellness Steal Spotlight at Winter Fancy Food Show

The 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show highlighted the rapid evolution of specialty food. From protein-packed innovations and gut-friendly fermented snacks to cacao alternatives, the show underscored how brands are redefining indulgence and health.

Why ‘Open Omnivore’ Flexitarians Could be Plant-Based’s Future

The future of alt-meat could very well be driven not by vegetarians but by adventurous flexitarians – omnivores eager to explore alternatives. Minimally processed plant-based options will be key, said Indy Kauer, leader of the Plant Futures Collective.

Shelling Out Growth: Pea Protein Gains Momentum

Pea protein is gaining traction as a sustainable, allergen-free alternative. Due to its improved taste and texture, the ingredient has been showing up in everything from dairy-free yogurt to functional drinks.

2025 Trends and Opportunities for Plant-Based Brands

Despite recent challenges, the plant-based sector is primed for growth in some respects, with opportunities to innovate through functional ingredients, whole-food formulations, and clean-label transparency.

Duckweed: A Plant Protein That Doubles in Mass Every 48 Hours

Amid extreme weather, water scarcity, and economic instability, duckweed is emerging as a low-cost, eco-friendly protein source that grows year-round. The fast-growing aquatic plant also contains all nine essential amino acids, setting it apart from other plant-based protein sources like soy.

Chef Notes Plant-Based Trends Restaurants Can’t Afford to Ignore

The plant-based category may have plateaued, but one corporate chef sees opportunities in hybridized, plant-forward dishes that feature vegetables like roasted cauliflower and cleaner options driven by sustainability and rising beef prices.

Starbucks Launches New Menu Laced With Global Flavors, Vegan Options

Starbucks’ revamped winter menu reflects growing consumer interest in global flavors, with items like customizable matcha lattes. These innovations also highlight the coffee giant’s focus on personalized experiences.