Precision fermentation is transforming dairy, creating lactose-free milk made without cows. Strive Nutrition’s FREEMILK uses real dairy proteins – identical to those in cow’s milk but produced sustainably through fermentation – to offer the taste and nutrition of milk with fewer emissions and less sugar.
Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have fused star power with beverage innovation, launching coffee-beer crossovers that tap into Gen Z’s desire for a booze-less buzz. Their authentic friendship fuels a savvy play in functional, premium CPG.
The U.S. mushroom supplement market hit $1.1 billion in 2023, growing at double-digit rates as functional foods move from niche to mainstream. Lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps mushrooms are now showing up in products ranging from chocolate to coffee.
As consumers continue to take their health and wellness goals seriously, GLP-1 drug usage will continue to grow. With as much as 20% of U.S. adults taking or considering the medication, the food and beverage industry must adapt to these consumer need states.
Millennials and Gen Z are often ditching traditional pill bottles, instead opting for functional foods that blend wellness with daily routines. Brands that deliver science-backed, snackable nutrition are winning over younger consumers.
From prebiotic sodas to clean-label meat sticks, 2025’s fastest-growing F&B brands are rewriting the rules of consumer engagement. Authenticity, health-forward innovation, and bold storytelling are fueling the brands’ momentum.
As more consumers turn to GLP-1 medications, the demand for products high in fiber and protein is booming, but many traditional formulations contain allergens like gluten and dairy, making it difficult for some to find options. However, that’s changing.
Energy drinks are thriving as price-conscious consumers pivot from costly coffee to functional, flavorful alternatives. With wellness claims and nostalgic flavors, the category is stealing share from traditional caffeine formats.
Despite its ghoulish aesthetics, Liquid Death’s community is surprisingly wide: “people drink things and they like to laugh,” adroitly summarized Liquid Death creative VP Andy Pearson in an interview with The Food Institute. This has …
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are fueling demand for high-protein drinks, but digestive side effects and long-term health concerns loom. Meanwhile, food giants like Danone are racing to serve this booming market.
PepsiCo’s launch of Pepsi Prebiotic and its acquisition of Poppi reveal a defensive strategy to plug volume leaks in its aging beverage portfolio. Gut health is the latest attribute leveraged to stabilize declining legacy brands.
Michelob Ultra is winning over wellness-minded drinkers by positioning beer as a lifestyle choice, not just a weekend indulgence. Its low-cal, fitness-friendly appeal offers a playbook for beer brands attempting to stay relevant.
Today’s consumers are seeking more nuanced, complex spice experiences – and brands are delivering them. For example, Arkay Beverages leverages capsaicin in its non-alcoholic spirits to replicate the kick of standard liquor, adding sensory thrills and functional perks to zero-proof cocktails in the process.
At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show (SFFS) in NYC, protein candy, international convenience, and beverage innovations were among key trends. Learn about the cutting-edge brands supporting the future of food.
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.
A recent report from NCS Solutions shows that nearly 50% of Americans are trying to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2025, with Gen Z leading the movement. Bill Shufelt, CEO of Athletic Brewing Company, highlighted the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic sector, driven by health-conscious trends, at the recent UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference.
New to the scene, Kiid Coffee is a better-for-you children’s nutrition brand that packs vitamins into a coffee beverage. Its founders will appear on Shark Tank on March 7.
The global health and wellness food market was $940 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a 5% CAGR, hitting $1.47 trillion in 2027.
The boundless, expansive (and often expensive) world of beverages, both bottled and not, shows no signs of slowing down. It used to be easy to go to a grocery store, a C-store, or a retailer …
The non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverage category appears poised for significant growth. Consider: in 2023 the revenue in the non-alcoholic drinks market amounts to $53.1 billion dollars. Beliv, a fast-growing, better-for-you beverage brand, is eager to seize …
While functional fungi are now a well-established ingredient in coffees, powders, and shots, their use in the ready-to-drink (RTD) energy category is just starting to gain momentum.
There’s a reason Zane Adams’ brand dove all-in on nutrient-dense drinks: functional beverages are gathering steam in 2023.
Better-for-you beverages are booming, but major foodservice players have been slow to diversify their fountain offerings. Can consumer demand for healthier alternatives turn the tides?
These days, an increasing share of consumers are looking for drinks that not only taste good, but also serve a beneficial function. These functional beverages contain ingredients that, theoretically, can help build and maintain health, …
The latest Food Institute news podcast examines the recent growth in functional, better-for-you beverages.
CHICAGO – At Coffee Fest Chicago recently, business owners and various industry reps gathered to take note of new products, as well as learn how to increase sales. As much as anything, the event suggested …
In 2022, consumers have a growing thirst for functional beverages. The global functional beverage market size was estimated at nearly $120 billion (USD) in 2021 and, according to researchandmarket.com, is projected to grow at a …
Editor’s note: This article is a free, one-time preview of The Food Institute’s new Premium articles, which will be available to members. To join FI, click here. Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, a New York Times best-selling …
The carbonated beverage category continues to evolve as low – or no-sugar attributes resonate with consumers and manufacturers pivot their traditional soft drink presentation accordingly. “The narrative is changing from ‘diet’ beverages to ‘no sugar,’” …
Fungi fever is sweeping the food industry, and the increased supply of mushrooms in packaged food and drinks is only the first wave of the phenomenon. Both Whole Foods Market and Kroger named mushrooms as …
Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled its seventh annual top 10 anticipated food trends for 2022. “Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time …
