Z Natural Foods, a provider of natural and organic foods, announced the launch of its latest innovation: Vitality Blend, a vanilla-flavored natural coffee creamer.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit whose mission is to preserve marine ecosystems and stop overfishing. Founded in 1997, the MSC sets globally recognized, science-based standards for sustainable fishing and the seafood supply chain. It contributes directly to the UN’S sustainable development objectives.

With SOLUFORM®, these beloved snacks are easy to realize as it facilitates the development of gummy recipes with less sugar and added protein, all while preserving the unique gelatin texture and rich flavor release.

Experience a new era in softgel manufacturing: EASYSEAL® is a pharmaceutical grade gelatin that improves softgel seams and significantly reduces leaking capsules.

Each month, California-based flavor manufacturer T. Hasegawa USA publishes a report detailing emerging consumer trends in CPG food / beverage and foodservice menus.

Did you know that the flavors we perceive are in a constant state of flux? It's a captivating dance between our genes, environment, and life experiences—a symphony of factors that shape our ever-changing palates.

This 28,000sq-ft expansion represents an $8.5 million investment to scale up Flavorman’s state-of-the-art “Beverage Campus” and facilitate its rapid growth in the beverage industry.

 Knorr Liquid Seasoning Chili combines the classic Knorr Liquid Seasoning with a spicy kick crafted from chili peppers and soy sauce for a balanced, robust flavor profile. 

Mealogic manages the complexities of food delivery, from user-friendly ordering to meal preparation and customer support. These capabilities allow partners to focus on their core strengths while expanding into meal delivery, leveraging their already-developed audiences to create a new revenue stream. 

Bush's new flavor adds a white chicken chili to its portfolio, offering an easy way for chili lovers to make homemade chili in under 30 minutes with just three simple steps.  

This month, pizza lovers will be able to find PORTA Roman-Style pizzas Nationally at Whole Foods, Sprouts and select natural retailers.

Featuring Little Leaf Farms' fan-favorite Baby Crispy Green Leaf lettuce, the new Sesame Ginger Salad Kit includes Thai seasoned wonton strips, sliced almonds, toasted quinoa and sesame ginger dressing, delivering a convenient, fresh, flavor-packed meal ready to be enjoyed anytime.

Neuro+ was specifically created to support changing lifestyles as families are introducing solids to young children earlier and the rates of exclusive and extended breastfeeding are down (US Breastfeeding Committee). 

"We are excited to introduce our newest innovation that responds to the changing needs of consumers," said Angie Madigan, vice president of marketing at Mars Food & Nutrition North America. "With Ben's Original Street Food, we are offering delicious meals that suit their fast-paced lifestyles. This innovation puts Ben's Original at the heart of the plate, not just the side.”

Mama’s Creations—company on the grow targets consumers on the go.

The US Congress recently passed bipartisan legislation that ensures organic standards evolve and improve, while holding the federal government accountable for remaining familiar with the needs and expectations in the organic marketplace.

The new barista blends and creamer address the needs of consumers seeking plant-based, café-quality beverages at home for a fraction of the price.

With an impressive leadership track record and a deep understanding of the food and beverage market, Maria Stipp is poised to drive Suja Life to transformative new heights as the company continues to build its strong portfolio of consumer brands. 

Two pioneers in global sustainability certification, FoodChain ID and ReSeed, announced the launch of a new industry-leading ReSeed Soil Carbon Methodology for carbon market initiatives. The Soil Carbon Methodology rewards farmers not only for maintaining existing soil organic carbon built through sustainable farming practices, but also for the removal and storage of additional carbon dioxide emissions by soils. The Soil Carbon Methodology is the first program on the market to offer these two key benefits, while also making voluntary carbon markets accessible for vulnerable and small farmers to scale agriculture climate initiatives worldwide.

The new creamy condiment features Tajín Clásico seasoning, a blend of chili peppers, lime, and sea salt – offering mild heat and a hint of zesty lime.

HIPPEAS® Chickpea Puffs are made from chickpeas. With 4g of protein and 3g of fiber per 1oz serving, the new fiesta-flavored Chickpea Puffs pack a punch of plant power with flavor.

"We're so excited to bring a flavor that is loved by so many to our Blue Diamond snack portfolio," said Maya Erwin, vice president, Marketing & Innovation, Blue Diamond Growers. "We’re always looking for new ways to incorporate trending flavors into our products, and with Ranch, we hope our customers feel inspired to take their taste buds to a new level of deliciousness.”

Churro Chocolate Caliente Palomitaz Popcorn swirls together the Mexican flavor pairing of hot chocolate and churros into one recipe.

Prepared Foods surveys natural sweetener ingredients for use in food and beverage product development.

If 2020 was the year of supply chain uncertainty due to COVID-19, 2021 may well be the year that transparency in food labeling takes center stage, particularly for gluten-free products.

To better help its readers with initial new product evaluation and development Prepared Foods asked Nancy Jo Seaton, owner and president of Seaton Food Consultants, to create a thought leadership series.

By expanding its capabilities to address the growing consumer interest in functional beverages, the company is poised to offer partners and customers the opportunity to meet consumer needs and expectations while embracing current food and beverage trends and advancements in the market.

Silicon Valley-based cellular agriculture company Mission Barns announced a $24M Series A to scale up its cultivated fat technology and build a pilot manufacturing plant in the Bay Area.

Although there may be a pandemic-related slowdown, there’s no stopping new product development. To better help readers with corporate innovation strategy, Prepared Foods turned to leaders at the Eureka! Ranch and the Innovation Engineering Institute, Cincinnati. Founded in 1986, Eureka! Ranch has become a global think tank and innovation training company. 

Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., announced the opening of its new North American corporate headquarters at 250 East Devon Avenue in Itasca, Ill. The new space is designed to accelerate Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition's commitment to delivering high-quality ingredient solutions that drive value for customers.

“Last September, an operator approached us to help alleviate some labor challenges they were experiencing,” notes Elise Carlson, CFS, King & Prince senior research and development manager. “They were taking frozen, cellophane-wrapped cod, thawing it and then cutting it into pieces. Kitchen staff then cut the cod by hand so not all pieces were exactly the same, which is a desirable attribute."

COVID-19 has certainly brought an ever changing "new normal" to the food industry but one thing that will be a sure constant in 2022 is that food safety and quality testing will continue to be important for the integrity of the global food chain.

In conjunction with its February profile of new sports foods and drinks, Prepared Foods interviewed Scott Peters, director of product development at 3i Solutions, Wooster, Ohio. 

Stellex’s partnership with J. Skinner will support investment into production capacity expansion, increased automation, and new product development. 

Food and beverage manufacturers will be able to see the difference natural colors make for themselves in a wide variety of applications in the Beverage, Candies & Confections, Snacks & Bakery Goods, Meat Alternatives, and Nutraceutical categories. Colors are available in liquid, concentrate, and California Natural Color’s proprietary crystal color technology.

The Apple Cinnamon Donut Sticks feature a soft yet substantial texture, topped with an apple cinnamon-flavored glaze, creating a satisfying balance of texture and flavor.

Combining Claussen’s tangy flavor with Baked by Melissa’s famous handcrafted cupcakes, these bite-sized delights feature a dill pickle-infused cake and pickle buttercream icing complete with festive red and white sprinkles on top.

Founded in 1917, Legacy Bakehouse is a 100+-year-old, Wisconsin-based company in developing and manufacturing a range of baked snack components, including rye chips, garlic chips, bread sticks, pita chips, and more. 

Formulated with healthy ingredients, including 180mg of natural caffeine from coffee bean extract, prebiotic fiber and functional ingredients, like lychee extract, apple cider vinegar, l-theanine and B vitamins, each can of Bloom Sparkling Energy delivers on taste  and clean energy, with just 10 calories and zero grams of sugar.

With 88 calories per 12oz serving, the new Lime, Cranberry, and Pineapple flavors are made up of real fruit, and premium spirits with ultra-purified water at an ABV (alcohol by volume) of just 4.5%.

his collaboration will drive advancements in bioreactor technology, perfusion systems, and media rejuvenation while reducing environmental impact through optimized water usage, power consumption, and circular economy initiatives like waste stream utilization.

The new facility is located adjacent to The Mart Group’s headquarters, bringing the company’s total employment in Rupert to more than 230 people. The new Mart Frozen Foods facility will directly create 80 full-time jobs, and have an estimated annual economic impact of $11.15 million.  

Bush, a graduate of Manchester Business School and INSEAD, is an experienced international CEO with nearly 40 years of experience, working across grocery retail. 

The blending and finishing facility is strategically positioned with nearby access to railroads and interstates for efficient truck and rail delivery across the United States. Construction is set to begin immediately.

The 75th annual report surveyed food retailers’ and suppliers’ 2023 developments and expectations for the year ahead, finding that while the industry made key strides in addressing longstanding labor and transportation capacity issues, inflation and other financial hurdles caused industry profit margins to fall to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

The ambiguity continues as half of Americans also do not know how much sodium they consume each day. When asked about their personal daily sodium consumption, 48% of Americans say they simply “don’t know,” while estimates vary widely for the other 52%.

Walmart promoted a 50% discount on its Walmart+ membership in mid-July that lowered the annual fee from $98 to $49 after offering the same deal in May. Meanwhile, Instacart promoted an 80% discount on its annual membership. Both offers are contributing to growth in Delivery users and order frequency.

The report, “Tapping Into the Global Consumer Well-Being Opportunity,” reveals the complexity of personal well-being, with consumers turning to solutions as varied as physical activity, social media, food, pet ownership, beauty, and books, among many other products and services, to harmonize their physical, mental, and social well-being.

Gen Z consumers are just starting to learn their way around a kitchen and will want to advance their cooking skills but also balance quick dinner meals. 

Parents care about health and wellness for their children, and their purchasing patterns drive innovation toward healthier children’s food and beverage products. We see growth in numerous categories in children’s products that are positioned as healthy and better-for-you, including dairy alternatives as well as new items in the sweet and savory bakery, and confectionery categories.