In the formulation of reduced sugar food and beverage products, ingredient trends are shifting towards clean label, natural alternatives that provide sweetness without compromising taste or texture.

More than half of all participants in a recent survey report actively reducing their sugar consumption. US consumers also try to limit or reduce purchases of high sugar ingredients. Interestingly, consumers are unwilling to give up indulgences and they also look for healthier versions of indulgent foods.

As we look toward 2025, the focus on sugar reduction will only intensify. Consumer demand for healthier, lower-sugar options is driving innovation at an unprecedented pace, and ingredient suppliers are responding with increasingly sophisticated solutions. From new plant-based sweeteners to advanced blended systems, the future of sugar reduction is bright—and product developers have more tools than ever to meet these evolving needs.

Konscious Foods™, a plant-based seafood brand, announced its plan to expand its foodservice offerings across North America in 2024. The brand is now officially entering the US foodservice market, while appointing Affinity Group Canada as broker for the Canadian market.

Food and beverage intelligence company Datassential enhanced its limited-time offer (LTO) and item launches solution, allowing users to seamlessly track new menu items and LTOs at nearly 300 top chains through an easy-to-use user interface (UI), enhanced analytics, and ability to overlay consumer ratings.

Smashburger, the better-burger fast casual restaurant with 235 corporate and franchise locations, partnered with jack and annie's to launch a new plant-based burger made from jackfruit in all locations across the US.

Generation Z, known for their substantial spending on dining out and for regularly making dining choices based on social media content2, are influencing dining experiences around the world. The report highlights a demand from this generation for 'flavor Shock', characterized by unexpected flavor combinations and twists on classic dishes such as incorporating Mexican sauces to create modern pastas.

At NRA, Cuisine Solutions will feature an ever-changing menu, with options ranging from breakfast offerings like the company’s industry-shifting Sous Vide Egg Bites, as well as Chia Pudding Parfait with Berry Coulis and Fresh Berries, produced by the company’s chefs in Thailand. 

The product line pairs hearty portions of classic flavors with various doughs, from flaky pastry to buttermilk biscuits, which offers home-style taste and on-the-go convenience.

The company had a new product on hand, which was a large slab of plant-based meat; and a cubed product specifically geared toward fast-casual restaurants. 

The Future Menus North America Trends 2024 report identifies top menu trends predicted to influence the restaurant industry in the coming years.

In a few weeks, we will begin publishing predictions for 2025. Prior to sharing our outlook for the year ahead, we wanted to review the predictions we made for 2024 to determine what we got right and what might not have fully taken shape.

Receiving a FABI Award places recipients in the spotlight at the industry’s premier event—the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, May 17-20, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Attendees will experience these standout products firsthand, positioning awardees in front of thousands of industry leaders and decision-makers eager to discover the next big trend.

A dedicated warehouse management system can not only manage recalls, but it can also manage a fully automated warehouse automation system.

Both X-ray and metal detection machines can prevent a lot of headaches. But if this is your first time purchasing a system, determining which is right for your operations can be confusing.

Every step of the production process and the supply chain is under scrutiny. Filling equipment is not exempt.

Motors and drives run the food and packaging production lines that processors rely on, and they are a major consideration of any automation strategy.

A wide variety of machines can help ensure that foreign matter doesn't slip into your product.

A leader in the tomato processing industry, The Morning Star Company is looking at new AI agriculture technologies in extensive field settings that can help to achieve this goal.

This year’s contest theme aligns with checkoff-led insights that show consumers are seeking dairy products that deliver health-related benefits.

“Given the success of our Matcha Almond Latte, we’ve expanded our line of tea beverages with Chai Almond Latte based on the growing popularity of chai tea lattes and consumer demand for easy solutions for café favorites at home,” said Suzanne Ginestro, Califia’s chief marketing officer.

"I would like to thank the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association for hosting the World Dairy Expo competition platform. Winning 65 awards is a great honor, and not only did we top last year's number of WDE awards, but we also retained our place as the competition's most-awarded dairy," said Matt McClelland, Prairie Farms CEO/EVP. 

The Choco Choco Chip Oat Shake, provides a new way for consumers to choose their chill based on their lifestyle and taste preferences, while still enjoying the indulgent chocolate flavors they crave. 

Discover the latest trends reshaping the food and beverage landscape in 2024 and into 2025, where health-conscious choices meet adventurous flavors. We delve into how consumer behaviors are driving innovative snack and beverage options, while sauces and dressings bring excitement to mealtimes. Uncover the key insights and product opportunities that can inspire your next creation in the ever-evolving market.

The prestigious recognition stands as a testament to GTLF's commitment to zero waste practices and sustainable operations, a commitment that resulted in the company securing a TRUE award-winning waste diversion rate. 

From electrolyte-packed drinks to sustainable hydration solutions, brands introduce innovative products designed to keep consumers refreshed and replenished.

Prior to sharing our outlook for 2025, we wanted to review the predictions we made for 2024 to determine what we got right and what might not have fully taken shape. Here, we've collected capsule information for each section of our 2024 Predictions, in areas such as sustainability, foodservice and global flavors. Within each capsule, you will find our 2024 predictions and assessments of their accuracy.

Columnist Kyle Hedin explains how a task list helps to process problems and find solutions.

Introducing a new super brand dedicated to all things flooring: FLOOR Trends & Installation.

Scott Carothers, academic director for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, explains when to use grout, caulking or sealants for your tile installations. 

Many tile manufacturers place installation tips and techniques on the cardboard box, and many are based on the industry standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and industry recognized best practices.

Proper water management can help avoid failure with the installation of tile or natural stone on an exterior roof deck or balcony.

Floor Trends & installation Associate Publisher and Editor Tanja Kern shares her experience with The World Floor Covering Seeking Excellence As Leaders (SEAL) Leadership Development and Certification Program.

Scott Carothers, academic director for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, highlights how shoddy tile work around a bathroom drain in a restaurant could have been avoided if the tile installers had referenced ANSI Standards, industry best practices—and a little common sense. 

In a new column, International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) Advisory Board Chair Rod Von Busch shares the journey that CFI is on to embrace change and diversity, the challenges it faces, what potential members can expect and how its current members are setting it apart. 

Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, walks us through the industry standards that are in place to help you achieve a successful cementitious backer unit installation under tile. 

What's happening in the residential and commercial flooring markets? While the flooring and interiors market remained challenged in the first half of 2024, there are modest signs of an impending recovery. 

The industry is preparing for 2025 with a focus on improving installation processes and attracting new talent. Initiatives include Mohawk's CFI certification for product development teams, IFC's partnership with FCEF for workforce development, and various educational programs. 

Harnessing the power of Iceland's natural environment, ÖRLÖ uses patented Energy to Food (E2F) technology to produce carbon-negative algae-based supplements. These supplements offer nutrition with a minimal environmental footprint.

After the pandemic years, it became clear that the foodservice supply chain and ecosystem are interconnected, with manufacturers, operators, and distribution partners needing each other to address critical challenges. 

The challenge is hosted by IFT and funded and initiated by the Seeding The Future Foundation. In its first three years, it has attracted over 2,400 submissions from teams of scientists, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and multidisciplinary teams across non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profits, social enterprises, universities, research institutions as well as small and emerging for-profit enterprises.

Comprising 20 experts from diverse segments of the culinary world, the SFA Trendspotters track emerging specialty food and beverage products in their own work and at the bi-annual SFA Fancy Food Shows, thereby getting an early look at the flavors, formats, and ideas that will hit mainstream retailers and restaurants sooner than later.

The Mycelium Collection features SRP TPU flooring technology, which transforms waste plastic bottles into circular flooring. 

Villa will manage Chilewich Contract and design solutions, which includes installed flooring products, rugs, wall textiles, upholstery fabric, and window coverings for applications ranging from healthcare and corporate to hospitality and multifamily.

With this sponsorship, Shaw Floors’ Pet Perfect innovations and branding will be featured throughout the “Pet Perfect Puppies at the Playoff” activation within Playoff Fan Central. 

Regupol, a manufacturer of recycled rubber surfaces for sports and fitness and acoustic insulation, introduced Regupol Upscale. It is a collection of recycled rubber tiles and planks for commercial installations.

Designed from customer feedback and tailored specifically for light strength and conditioning workouts, Performance Motivate Plus complements Ecore’s Performance Beast flooring, which excels in handling heavier weights.

Milchwerke Schwaben’s presence in the dairy industry starts as early as 1922, dairy farmers in Ulm, Germany joined together to form a cooperative that would make it possible to produce dairy products with greater efficiency. This merger resulted in a company whose products meet the needs of consumers throughout Germany and abroad.

When COVID-19 began spreading across America, the Food Bank of Alaska in Anchorage quickly became overwhelmed. The organization had been making the best of outdated equipment in a remote location for many years, often dealing with breakdowns that led to significant losses of perishable food items. But, as the pandemic brought many longstanding issues to a head, it became clear that a permanent solution needed to be found.

The company successfully completed a build-out with employee-centered construction for Crown Bakeries.