Can Microalgae ‘Ghost Proteins’ Resurrect Alt-Meat?
Food tech startups are developing new techniques to transform microalgae into “ghost protein,” a powerful alternative protein source with an undetectable, completely neutral flavor.
Focus Archive > Page 34
Top 5 Sources of Prebiotics for Gut Health
As we continue to discover how gut health impacts our overall well-being, scientists are exploring the value of consuming prebiotics to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Protein Bars Proliferate, Yet they Confuse Consumers
Amid the health and wellness movement, protein bars are flying off grocery shelves. Yet, it’s debatable how healthy many of these protein snacks actually are in 2023. The protein bar market has become massive. According …
Column: Why Google’s New RT-2 Robot Could Transform the F&B Industry
Innovation is the driving force that shapes the landscape of the food and beverage industry, and as the Innovation Advisor at The Food Institute, I’m committed to exploring the latest advancements in this dynamic field. …
What’s Up with Watermelon? Prices, for Starters
While food inflation seems to be cooling in the aggregate, watermelon prices remain red hot. That’s according to Mintec, a market intelligence company, which recently reported prices had surged 49% in mid-July when compared to …
The Grimace Effect – How Marketing & Memes Drive Sales
Audacious, sublime, organic – these are the hallmarks of profit for brands wise enough to be confident in their values and lucky enough to thread the needle between quality-controlled seriousness and edge-of-the-internet frivolity.
Nona Lim Announces Acquisition by Hong Kong-based DDC Enterprise Limited
The Latin American Flavor Takeover: How Latam is Revolutionizing U.S. F&B
As the Hispanic Heritage Month approaches this September, the spotlight shines on the vibrant and ever-growing influence of Latin American cuisine on mainstream culinary trends in the U.S. The Food Institute’s upcoming Latam Food Week …
Cleaner Labels Could Renew Interest in Alt-Meat as Sales are Dropping
The meat alternative market is slowing down after years of explosive growth: dollar sales fell 18.5% to $370.2 million for the 52 weeks ended June 18, according to data from Circana. Without the perception of …
Emergent Functional Foods Are Flooding the Market
Cereal, by most conventions, is a breakfast food. Yes, cereal can also make a great snack, and has been snackified for decades as a familiar and kids-friendly alternative to vegetables and other foods with more …
Why Is America Nuts For Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter—it’s the ingredient with top-billing in the iconic PB&J sandwich, an American classic, and a $2 billion industry.
Precision Fermentation Steals the Show at IFT FIRST
Animal-free proteins made through precision fermentation and cell-cultures were seemingly everywhere at the recent IFT FIRST event in Chicago.
The Future of Liquid Packaging: Harnessing Automation in the Manufacturing Sector
The fast-paced evolution of technology has continuously redefined multiple sectors and the food manufacturing industry is no exception. One of the areas of innovation is in the liquid packaging processes. Liquid food products, whether sauces, …
Why Mixed Reality Could be a Business Game-Changer
When Apple unveiled its Vision Pro headset in June, tech experts reacted with hyperbole. Optimists claimed the mixed reality device is likely to replace smartphones someday. Cynics, on the other hand, scoffed at the product’s …
The Summer of Butter
Every dairy category has seen positive growth, from milk, natural cheese, and eggs to yogurt, cream cheese, dairy processed cheese, and whipped toppings, all helping power the #SummerOfButter.
3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2023
CHICAGO – Product developers and food scientists from over 70 countries learned about the latest in food ingredients and technologies recently at the IFT FIRST 2023: Annual Event and Conference. The Institute of Food Technologists …
SKU News: Firsts From Maxwell House, Yough!, & Philadelphia
New product launches from Maxwell House, Yough!, and Philadelphia signal important firsts for each of the brands. Designed to be convenient, better-for-you, and plant-based, these new offerings are indicative of the trends defining the food industry right now.
3 Future Food Trends: Well-Being, Bitter Flavors, and Air-based Protein
For 16 harrowing months at the height of the Covid pandemic, Dr. Morgaine Gaye lost her sense of taste and smell. The experience, she said, “was mind-blowing.” Turns out, you talk an awful lot about …
Locally Sourced Produce Can Boost Summer Sales
Summer offers the perfect opportunity for grocers to offer locally grown produce to differentiate themselves from the competition. Shoppers are looking for fresh foods for all occasions, from morning meals to barbecues, and positioning the …
Back-to-School Season Crunches Budgets
The average family back-to-school spend is $890.07, driven largely by the cost of electronics.
How Soon Will Cultured Meat Impact Plant-Based Sales?
As the gate to cell-cultured meat sales swings open in the U.S., what’s in store for the alt-meat sector? The Food Institute checked in with Jennifer Bartashus at Bloomberg Intelligence to discuss potential market implications in the months ahead.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing M&A Quarterly Report: Q2 2023
Easing Grocery Prices Pose Threat to Restaurants
To cook or not to cook, that is the question. But with grocery prices slowing their increase and restaurant prices rising at a faster pace, the question becomes whether consumers will opt to hone their …
What Does Wellness Mean to Consumers?
Although the terms “health” and “wellness” are often lumped together or used interchangeably, there is an important distinction between the two. Understanding this difference is essential to understanding the modern consumer.
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Sugarflation Frustration
The term “sugarflation” could soon become part of the global lexicon. Everything from candy and soft drinks to baked goods are likely to become more expensive in the second half of 2023 – sugar prices …
Regionality Sparks Sizzling Summer Food Trends
Summer travel in 2023 is more localized as attendance at recreational venues is up significantly across the country, from stadiums and amusement parks to local fairs and movie theaters. The elevated foot traffic is also boosting food sales and driving innovation in the space.
Analysis: Has Aspartame Gotten an Unfair Rap?
By now, you’ve likely seen the ominous headlines about aspartame being deemed carcinogenic. The news about the sweetener – which is commonly used in sodas – was met with alarm by many consumers. But what …
Restaurant Rankings Illustrate Popularity of Latin American Cuisine
It appears we’re in the middle of a Latin American food renaissance. Twelve Latin American restaurants are among the fifty best restaurants in the world according to a recent ranking – and three Latin establishments …
High-Protein Products as Popular as Ever
If online conversations are any indication, consumer interest in high-protein products is soaring. According to a recent report by Brandwatch, online search interest for the term “high protein” reached a five-year high in early 2023 …
How Grocers Can Sway Cash-Strapped Consumers
Low-income shoppers are more cautious than ever when choosing a grocer—companies that can meet their needs have an opportunity to develop relationships that last a lifetime.
Six Steps to Appealing to Gen Z Consumers
As a consumer group, Gen Z has very specific preferences and expectations – and the cohort’s young members aren’t afraid to let businesses know exactly how they feel. This tech-savvy and socially conscious generation has …
WATCH: Frozen Food Category Making Moves
Since 2019, frozen food sales have increased 23%, and major players like Nestle and Unilever continue to seize upon the segment’s popularity.
Top 4 Cereal Trends Redefining the Category
The cereal aisle isn’t what it used to be. Instead, brands are innovating, collaborating, and developing healthier options to reimagine what cereal means to the modern consumer, for breakfast and beyond. These are the top …
FI Exclusive: UPSIDE Foods COO Sees Meat’s Future as Cultivated
Amy Chen, CEO for UPSIDE Foods, feels the company’s process for cultivating meat could have not only a major impact on food production, but also on the environment.
Consumers Scoop Up Classic Ice Cream Flavors, Pails
Almost 95% of shoppers are purchasing ice cream in stores this summer according to retail data science company and Kroger insights partner, 84.51°. Here are some ice cream trends for the 2023 summer season…and beyond. …
Why McDonald’s is in the Midst of a McCafé Makeover
Though McDonald’s McCafé Bakery concept worked to an extent, it didn’t translate to more snack and coffee sales between mealtimes.