The company stays ahead of emerging trends to analyze the latest in what consumers are looking for in packaged foods, beverages and even foodservice menus—and shares these findings with the industry with “Flavor Flash” reports.

Q: What do you foresee as the biggest flavor trends coming to the forefront in 2024?
Soumya Nair: Flavor trends are deeply rooted in the changing consumer priorities and in the coming year consumers’ priority in wanting conscious, empowered and comforting foods will gain significance.

Made by Sleep Walk Chocolate in collaboration with Chef Rick Bayless, each bar boasts a unique flavor profile, but are all made of imported organic cacao from Tabasco, Mexico.

In addition to its original slow-simmered bone broth, the Nona Lim lineup now includes soups, fresh noodles, stir-fry kits and the latest Instant Noodle Bowls and Heat & Serve Meat Entrees.

The trend toward global culinary exploration is driven by younger generations. Among those participating in our annual surveys, Millennials and Generation Z globally are somewhat more likely to express interest in more unusual, adventurous and exotic flavors.

The new manufacturing facility will produce Asian-style foods, primarily for Schwan's #1 Korean food brand bibigo, using state-of-the-art automated production lines. 

SignalTech, a new brand of audible and visual industrial signaling products, is a price-competitive product offering for general signaling safe area markets.

The Cable and Push-Button E-Stop emergency stop device features a unique cam operation for faster positive stopping of metal working machines, yet it is immune to nuisance tripping because of vibrations.

The MDL15 Combustible Dust Air-Vac features the exclusive Venturi power unit, which offers the lowest compressed-air consumption on the market today.

Boot Saver Disposable Covers provide temporary, 100 percent liquid-proof protection and contamination prevention for boots and shoes.

The PitMaster II Under-leveler Seal provides a seal at the “fourth side” of the loading dock. It keeps pests and contaminants – as well as dirt and debris – out.

Advanced is a proven telematics system to help fleet owners manage access to equipment via radio-frequency identification or a personal identification number. Only trained operators can log in to the equipment. Once logged in, a safety checklist is presented and must be completed to use the equipment.

These custom configured elevating work platforms provide workers with a safe, stable platform that can be positioned at heights of just a few inches to several feet. They are also well suited for picking items from the multiple levels of a horizontal carousel.

This personal protective equipment vending machine can hold 810-1,080 different products. A multilingual touchscreen display features product descriptions and pictures to help ensure workers select the proper PPE.

As Mars looks to double its Snacking business in the next decade, the new facility will give Mars' 300 R&D Associates in Chicago runway to create and refine new products for the company's multi-billion-dollar snacking portfolio before they are scaled at large around the globe.

With a sustained growth of over 70% (3-Yr CAGR), adding 18,000 new points of sale, and sustainability investments to its integrated structure, Solely has broken barriers in the healthy snacking landscape in 2023 and proved its journey is just getting started.

Prepared Foods speaks with Susan Guerin, CEO of World Finer Foods, Inc. and Cutting Vedge, Inc., makers of burgers, meatballs, crumbles, and sausage replacers from artichokes.

“Cultivating the next generation of culinary innovators is both a privilege and a passion. Working on the competition with the students at IIT, sponsored by the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, has been a rewarding journey,” said Zal Taleyarkhan, Corporate Research Chef, Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations.

Prepared Foods talks clean label snack trends and technology with Simon Sacal, CEO of Solely Inc. Since 2018-2019, this La Jolla, Calif., company has converted upcycled fruits and vegetables into a growing line of snacks (bars, jerky, dried fruit), confections (gummies) and even meal/side dish offerings (pastas).

Bob Evans introduced Farmhouse Favorites vegetable sides, now available in select Kroger locations. Made with real vegetables, Farmhouse Favorites make it easy to add veggies to dinners in under five minutes.

Keeping food safe (70%) and the use of pesticides (60%) are top concerns when considering how food is grown. Nutritional content, use of agricultural technology, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and farm workers welfare were other listed concerns consumers factor into their purchase decisions.  

Bolthouse Fresh Foods will carry on the century-old legacy of Bolthouse Farms as a leading supplier of fresh carrots to retailers across North America, with nearly 700 million pounds of carrots sold annually. 

Almonds are a key ingredient that can help broaden dietary options in snack products through their wide variety of forms that help introduce new flavor experiences and offer many health benefits.

The company has a broad and ambitious approach to expanding regenerative agriculture, working with partners spanning the value chain, connecting farmers to end customers, technology providers and technical experts.

This collection presents mouthwatering seasoning blends ideal for proteins, soup, appetizers and sides. These items also are the starting point for food manufacturers to develop their own rich signature product offerings, with Fuchs’ culinary specialists at their side.

Soup Explorers soups are crafted in partnership with some of Chicago’s most beloved restaurants.

Prepared Foods talks about clean label formulating with Campbell's Foodservice executive chef Gerald Drummond and Alan Slesinski, director of R&D.

Stock is defined as a cooking liquid that is flavored by simmering animal bones and/or meat, fish, in water or wine with vegetables typically comprised of onion, celery, and carrots (also known as mirepoix) and sometimes other vegetables (or vegetables alone) until a desired flavor is achieved. T

Gardein, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. debuted five new Gardein Soups, the first-ever line-up of soups featuring plant-based meat alternatives.

Data suggest restaurant menus can showcase new regional and global takes on chicken soup. This will give consumers new ways to enjoy an old favorite. As plant-based options continue to take off, soup provides both easy and innovative ways to incorporate more vegetables and meat alternatives.

All 100% plant-based, no-sugar, oil-free, and low in sodium, these shelf-stable products are offer healthy plant-based convenience and taste, and can help consumers have a fast, healthy meal on the table in minutes.

Campbell Soup Company announced the appointment of Stewart Lindsay as vice president, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, effective Dec. 6, 2021. He joins Campbell from The Nature Conservancy.

Developing comfort foods that are easy-to-prepare, taste great and convenient is not always simple. These are items people expect to have certain qualities, and standards may be higher compared to when consumers try a food that is new or less commonly consumed.

Implementing this change across its entire beef hot dog portfolio is expected to contribute to the regeneration of six million acres of grasslands, which could increase the current regenerative acreage of Applegate suppliers by more than 2,200%.

The breakthrough will enable the company to produce cultivated meat significantly faster and at lower costs than industry norms, and is therefore an important step towards the commercialization of Meatable’s technology and large-scale production of cultivated meat products more broadly.

Elementar Americas is partnering with Protein Production Technology International to host a free panel discussion and webinar on “Accelerating Alternative Protein Innovation in the Lab.” It will air on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 11:00am EDT/8:00am PDT.

From its integration into traditional dishes like Budae Jjigae (army stew) to unique gifts during Korea’s Chuseok celebrations, the SPAM® brand’s taste of comfort and symbol of resilience has made it a piece of Korean heritage.

The lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida, argues that Florida’s ban violates the Constitution’s provisions that prohibit protectionist measures designed to favor in-state businesses at the expense of out-of-state competitors. 

Daily’s Premium Meats is committed to producing premium bacon products using raw materials from the Seaboard Foods connected food system. 

Tajín is one of the hottest flavor trends across the country. This marks the first time Tajín is officially available in a beef jerky.

Inspired by the popular Korean condiment, this flavor combines spicy, sweet, smoky and umami, making it an addition to many occasions.

All the Wenzel's Farm Venison Snack Sticks are made with grass-fed venison, and are gluten free, making them a high protein snack for the individual who is needing a grab and go snack.

Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has published its application for a distinct use of Deerland’s signature strain DE111® of the probiotic species, Bacillus subtilis DE111® based on compelling human clinicals performed on DE111®.

The new Activia+ Multi-Benefit Probiotic Yogurt Drinks4 are packed with billions of live and active probiotics that help support your gut health, plus are an excellent source (20% DV) of Vitamins C, D and Zinc to support your immune system.

The company will exhibit 35+ products across 15+ brands in one Nestlé USA booth (#527) – in addition to separate booths for Nestlé Health Science brands Solgar® (#3739), Vital Proteins® (#3215), Garden of Life® (#4031), Orgain® (#2037) and Nuun® (#715), and pet food brand Castor & Pollux® (#1017) – to highlight innovation across the plant-based and nutrition, health and wellness categories that remain an integral part of its business strategy.

A swap for alcohol or soda, Health-Ade Kombucha's living probiotics help keep the gut in balance while enjoying the season's festivities and indulging

CULT blends 100% natural ingredients and then slow-steep for a fresh and crisp taste in a hydrating drink with zero sugar and zero caffeine.

Beverages that blur category lines are leading drink product launches as consumers continue to expect more functionality from the products they buy. Botanical ingredients are a key focus for consumers fulfilling this expectation.

Kerry Hughes, MSc, principal for EthnoPharm shares five botanical ingredients food and beverage developers should be paying close attention to.

Lemon Lavender joins the brand's portfolio as part of its aggressive growth strategy to stay ahead of the curve in the beverage space by keeping consumers engaged with fresh additions.