The Food Dye Dilemma: Manufacturers Navigate New Regulations

Are the days of artificial red coloring numbered? Perhaps, judging by recent regulations and subsequent moves by major food manufacturers.

Bird Flu Approaching Danger Point

The USDA is ramping up efforts to stem H5N1 avian influenza as the virus has spread to a third worker, and cattle in at least nine states,

Can Limited Ingredients Boost Plant-Based Snack Sales?

Consumer demand for clean labels, convenience, and health continues to rise, and many plant-forward snack brands are tapping into this trifecta. Can limited ingredients boost plant-based snack sales?

The Age of Discontent: Gen Z is Frustrated At Work

Gen Z workers reported being less engaged with their jobs than all workers (81% versus 88%) and continue to drive the “quiet quitting” trend according to new research.

BellRing, Simply Good Brands Illustrate Boundless Opportunities Within ‘Active Nutrition’ Category

Active nutrition brands BellRing and Simply Good Foods are thriving after acquisitions, providing a roadmap to success for other brands, too.

Tapping Out: 2024 is Mocktail Time for Gen Z

“Gen Z is tapped in, and they see the negative impact alcohol can have on their lives,” said Michelle Houston, founder of the To Be Honest Beverage Company.

COLUMN: Is There a New Vanguard of Plant-Based Companies?

It’s no secret that the plant-based sector has seen its fair share of turbulence the past few years, but some products on display at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show may buck these current trends.

Ask an Athlete: Building Strength with Plant-Based Protein

Olympic cyclist Dotsie Bausch wants to set the record straight: Building strength with plant-based protein is a very accessible goal. Consuming plenty of vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains is sufficient — the key is eating enough to fuel the body.

Sweetgreen Positions New Steak Offering as Sustainable, Rooted in Regenerative Grazing Practices

Sweetgreen is leveraging regenerative agriculture to position its new grass-fed steak offering as climate-friendly. Can expanding these agricultural practices offset beef’s massive carbon footprint?

Gen Z’s ‘Little Treat Culture’ Especially Apparent in Coffee Category

Young adults are turning to drinks like cold brews and ube lattes as they seek self-care while partaking in “little treat culture.”

Momentum Building for Grass-Fed Beef

Per the 2024 Power of Meat report, 83% of consumers seek a “better-for-you” option when they purchase protein, such as grass-fed beef, and many brands are eager to accommodate.

KEY: The Startup with Zero Sugar and $4 Million in Funding

Could a zero-sugar energy drink be the future of the heavily saturated beverage market? Possibly. KEY, an energy drink start-up, recently emerged with $4 million in funding, according to an article by AFN. The start-up, …

How Much Does Sustainability Influence Consumer Shopping Habits?

Consumers in the U.S. and Canada say that they are willing to pay more for products that practice eco-friendly sustainability and ethics in their development, packaging, and sale of products, particularly around animal cruelty and ocean pollution.

HPAI in the Dairy Industry and Implications for Human Health

Recent updates from the FDA indicate that ongoing national testing of retail dairy products demonstrates the efficacy of the pasteurization process in inactivating the HPAI virus.

Kombucha: An Ancient Elixir Finds Modern Appeal

The origins of kombucha are shrouded in legend, and the drink’s murky beginnings remained in relative obscurity—at least to western palates—until its rediscovery in the 20th century in something of a cultural phenomenon.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Increasing Sharply Among Women

“Was it the six-pack of wine called ‘Mommy’s Little Helper?’ Or ‘Mommy’s Time Out’ wine? Was it the funny phrase, ‘The most expensive part of having kids is all the wine you have to drink?’ The clothes and other goodies branded with, ‘Who is moderation?’ or ‘This is how you adult?’ Our society thinks it’s funny when women drink heavily,” Pengov said.

The New Era of Nutrition: Balance in Every Bite

In assessing what we consume and how we feel, there’s a growing need to balance nutrition, indulgence, and sustenance.

Peeling Apart the Complex History (and Future) of the Banana

A regular feature in shopping carts from coast to coast, the humble banana has long been a reliable source of nutrition, convenience, and affordability. Yet beneath its cheerful exterior lies a complex tale of botanical intrigue, economic uncertainty, and environmental peril.

The Supplement Market is Booming

From GLP-1 injectables to mushroom-based coffee alternatives, the booming supplement market is making nutrition easier to manipulate.

On-the-Go Gourmet: Rapid Pace of Life Fuels Demand for Convenient Foods

Today’s consumers seek snacks that not only satisfy but also nourish, blending convenience with balanced nutrition and illustrated by the emergence of breakfast bars and protein snack boxes.

The Recipe for Success for Kodiak Cakes

Through its unique product offerings and strategic influencer partnerships, Kodiak Cakes has differentiated itself and created a strong brand persona that resonates deeply with modern consumers. 

From Niche to Necessity: Gluten-Free Products Continue to Experience Surge

The global gluten-free products market continues to show noteworthy growth. with brands such as Mightylicious cracked the code.

An Evolution Explained: Mondelēz Report Reveals Changing Consumption Habits

Other noteworthy shifts include the emergence of Gen Z and Gen Alpha as influential consumer groups. These young consumers are influencing market trends such as the push for labeling transparency and ethical production.

Premium, Ethical, and On-Demand: The New Age of Snacking Unwrapped

For starters, the global demographic landscape is undergoing a noteworthy transformation, with “second lifers” – those embarking on new chapters post-retirement – emerging as a powerful group of consumers. By 2050, the over-60 demographic is expected to double. This shift is pushing the market towards balanced nutrition.

$85 Million to the Clearance Bin – Is Magic Spoon Done?

Magic Spoon cereal is twice as expensive as most other name brands. Many regard its flavor as questionable and its better-for-you status isn’t as rock solid as consumers would like to believe.

Can Fine Dining Survive Without Weekends? Canlis Will Find Out

The restaurant is an outlier in another way: no tipping. Instead, staff are paid what Canlis said is a high hourly wage. The change in schedules will not affect salaries.

Debate Surrounding California’s Food Additive Ban Heats Up

Debate surrounding California’s impending food additive ban is heating up as state-level copycat proposals rise across the U.S. Last month, the National Confectioners Association spoke out against the ban, calling it “an emotionally-driven campaign that lacks scientific backing.”

Clean Label Takes Center Stage as Ultra-Processed Stigma Grows

Clean-label initiatives continue to rise within the plant-based category and beyond as concerns surrounding ultra-processed foods intensify and more consumers prioritize what’s NOT in their products.

Fueling the Future: Functional Foods Gain Momentum

There’s a growing feeling among many consumers that what we put into our bodies can perhaps solve myriad health issues. That presents a major opportunity for CPG brands regarding functional food products. 

Heartbroken over Data: Why the AHA is Wrong about Intermittent Fasting

The AHA is wrong about fasting: what religions have preached for millennia is been embraced by the scientific community as well.

From Panic to Plate: How Xolair is Changing the Menu for Allergy Sufferers

The treatment represents an impressive scientific achievement, however, borne from human perseverance to solve major quality-of-life issues. Xolair transcends mere new medical knowledge—it’s a step towards allowing food allergy sufferers to live more freely.

3 Key Takeaways from Expo West 2024

With consumers as focused as ever on improving their health and wellness, clean diets including foods like whole fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins have gained momentum. The show floor at Expo West illustrated that movement.

Candy Crush: Confectionery Producing Record Sales  

“Consumers seek out chocolate and candy to help enhance holiday seasons, family celebrations, and those important ‘treat yourself’ moments,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, in a statement.

IFMA COEX 2024: Key Themes and Industry Trends

Josh Linkner issued the opening keynote for the COEX 2024 and noted that creativity and innovation was critical for continued growth and success. He also noted that research had found all humans are naturally drawn to creativity, but that it manifested in different ways.

As Aquaculture Gains Global Momentum, American Segment Snagged

“There’s no question that aquaculture needs to grow, and I think it’s just a matter of time before it takes off in the U.S.,” Austin Caperton, the CEO of Appalachian Salmon in West Virginia, told FI.

‘Sugar Elimination’ Technology Has Arrived

Startups are leveraging human digestion and technology to bring sugar elimination innovations to market — from enzymes that convert sugar into fiber to sugar “sponges” that activate after they are consumed. The zero-sugar food and …