In mid-July, the World Health Organization (WHO) flagged aspartame, an artificial sweetener frequently used in diet sodas, as a possible carcinogen. Consumers responded to the news with a resounding shrug.
Grocers are always looking for ways to encourage larger baskets and build loyalty, and one potential avenue is looking outside the usual incentives to explore the possibilities of gamification. Fun, simple activities can be more …
On Day 2 of The Food Institute’s Latam Food Week, a new generation was coined: Generation H. “Think of it as Gen Z meets Hispanic culture,” said Hunter Thurman, president of Alpha-Diver, “a high-sensory, emotion-first …
A recent confluence of headlines reporting a shift in sales and venture-backed capitalism indicate a change in consumer mindsets surrounding alt meat products and their pseudo-competitors – particularly seafood, fungi, and the versatile mushroom.
Ivonne Kinser kicked off the inaugural Latam Food Week with a rather bold statement. “When we look at the nomadic [nature of] Latin American culinary culture, there’s unlimited sources of flavors,” the food industry insider …
Despite easing inflation concerns, consumers are still preparing 85% of meals at home, which presents significant sales opportunities. In a recent webinar, Circana and FMI unpacked the three major mindsets driving today’s fresh grocery shoppers.
Generative AI burst onto the scene this year as programs like ChatGPT, Bard, and Midjourney demonstrated the vast potential of this emerging technology. Many experts predict that generative AI will soon transform how businesses operate, making right now the perfect time to get ahead of the competition.
Sometimes fans get the best of their preferred brands and flavors by creating demand for a once-unthinkable product or simply demanding the return of favorite LTOs.
During the financial crisis of 2008-09, the idea of a “bad bank” came into vogue. With financial institutions worldwide weighed down by non-performing mortgages, industry professionals argued that the proper path was to simply move …
The pandemic saw an explosion in grocery delivery and pickup options but now that things have gone back to near normal, the question is whether such services can distinguish grocery chains and satisfy consumers’ desire …
Web 3.0 could revolutionize business practices, including the food industry, but how does it differ from the versions that came before it?
What strategies can emerging companies employ to distinguish themselves in the teeming plant-based market? FI unpacked this question with Chelsie Hodge, founder and CEO of frozen functional beverage company, Blender Bites.
It’s not just the days that are getting shorter – the amount of time between glimpsing ghouls and buying roof clips for Rudolph is shrinking, too. Home Depot sold out of its first run of …
What if candy were associated more with a lifestyle and not with high-sugar, indulgence-driven snacking? That’s how the Swedes do it. In the 1970s, a Swedish dentist created a campaign suggesting children only eat candy …
The Food Institute was on the scene at the 2023 Plant Based World Expo taking in the sights, sounds, and most importantly—tastes—while chatting with exhibitors about their offerings. Here are the top trends we spotted:
When was the last time you heard “controversy” and “Coca-Cola” in the same sentence? Not in recent months. The venerable company has made a concerted effort to avoid culture wars and political stances while also …
Polarizing foods can generate criticism, curiosity, and engagement among consumers. But who are the leading offenders in this category, and can food industry operators leverage this love/hate relationship to drive engagement?
The American apple harvest could reach 250 million bushels this year, a 1.5% increase from 2022. Branded apple varieties account for 15% to 20% of apple sales.
Domestic beef prices continue to reach new highs. Retail beef prices hit another record high in August, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a price of $8.31 per lb., according to Wells Fargo analysis …
Meal-kit companies are delivering mixed results in 2023. The difference between the category’s “haves” and “have-nots” appears to be widening. “There’s a broad range of what’s considered a ‘meal kit’ today, reflective of rapidly changing …
Everything you eat affects your chemistry, and scientists have long recognized that certain foods contain healing substances. From customized nutrition to treating specific disorders, the concept of “food as medicine” is nothing new. Yet, some …
Continued economic pressure has led to growing sales at “extreme value” retailers like Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings—including in food, according to President and CEO John Swygert on a call with investors. Ollie’s strong performance in …
Packaged food stocks experienced a banner year in 2022. The five biggest manufacturers—General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Campbell Soup, Kellogg, and Conagra Brands—on average returned 22% including dividends. On the same basis, the Standard & Poor’s …
Curiosity is the number one reason consumers try plant-based foods, but what will keep them coming back for more? At the Plant Based World Expo in New York City last week, Steve Markenson, VP of Research & Insights at The Food Industry Association, addressed this essential question.
Pasta, that quick, go-to meal for hungry and cash-strapped college students and busy parents, is no longer the inexpensive choice it once was, with prices for noodles up 8% in the U.S. and 12% in …
Are you eating enough protein? Some experts argue the daily recommended 0.8 grams per kg of body weight isn’t nearly enough. “There seems to be no question that protein is needed in times of growth …
This fall, candy manufacturers are faced with a frightening reality: many shoppers are planning to ease back on Halloween-related purchases. A new Halloween Spending Trends report revealed 73% of Americans said their shopping for the …
No matter how you feel about Jimmy Buffett and “Margaritaville,” the man built a billion-dollar empire from a napkin.
Syrian cuisine dates to at least 3000 BC. Yet despite its roots in ancient cities like Damascus, Syrian food is suddenly trendier than ever.
The race to integrate AI chatbots into third-party food delivery apps is on, but major players like DoorDash and Uber Eats are holding their cards close to their chest, for now. Neither company has publicly …
Kombucha tea continues to rise in popularity among mainstream consumers. With age-old ties to immunity and gut health, the fermented drink has also become a target for medical research. The global kombucha market is expected …
While the end of the pandemic has been mostly good news for grocers, the return to in-store shopping has taken its toll on grocery e-commerce. More than half (52%) of consumers have stopped using the …
Plant-based creamer has ascended to become the third largest plant-based category – as new product releases have highlighted.
The heck is an NFT? Their precursors in the ‘90s were called pogs – often cheap and of limited variety for the average consumer, easily tradable and without much long-term staying power. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) …
Hot honey is back. The question is, did it ever leave? Helping prompt this question is Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut has been making a quiet comeback in the QSR market the last few years; it …
It’s the influencers’ world and we’re just living in it. Here’s how to avoid the next Fyre Festival with your brand.
