“Navigating Consumer Demands: The Challenge of Clean Labels in the U.S. Food Industry”

Americans have high expectations when it comes to food. They desire meals that are not only delicious and nutritious but also portable, filling, and free from dubious ingredients. This, as noted by Roger Clemens, poses a significant challenge for food and beverage manufacturers. Clemens, who serves as the associate director of the regulatory sciences program … Read more

“Navigating the Clean Label Trend: Challenges and Innovations in the Food Industry”

As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, there has been a significant shift in the food industry driven by a strong preference for recognizable, natural ingredients and a widespread rejection of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors. This trend presents a challenge for manufacturers: adapt to these changes or risk being overshadowed by newer, healthier alternatives. However, navigating … Read more

“Clean Label: A New Standard in the Food Industry”

Clean label is now a standard rather than a trend. Numerous emerging food companies are entering the market with inherent clean label credentials, while established brands face pressure to adapt, which can be a challenging and costly process. Until recently, it was primarily the responsibility of consumers to examine ingredient lists. However, as chains like … Read more

“McCormick Strengthens Flavor Portfolio with $4.2 Billion Acquisition of Reckitt Benckiser’s Food Division”

With the acquisition of Reckitt Benckiser’s food division, McCormick is enhancing its portfolio of spice and seasoning brands, further solidifying its status as a premier destination for flavoring various dishes. While major food manufacturers face challenges as consumers increasingly prefer fresh and nutritious options over packaged foods, this acquisition enables McCormick to meet the public’s … Read more

“Navigating Consumer Trends: CPG Brands Shift Focus Towards Health and Experience in Retail”

As an increasing number of consumers shift their focus from ferrous gluconate on empty stomachs in the center aisles of grocery stores to the periphery, consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands are seizing various opportunities to capture consumer interest. In recent years, the growth of CPG has decelerated due to factors such as deflation, the expansion … Read more

“Addressing Lead Contamination in Imported Spices: The Need for Enhanced Food Safety Measures and Consumer Awareness”

Lead contamination remains a persistent issue for spices imported into the U.S. Last year, excessive lead levels were detected in Indian turmeric imported by Spices USA, and similar problems have been reported with spices like fenugreek, cardamom, and chili powder. Since the end of April 2017, importers have been required to vet their suppliers through … Read more

“Unlocking Gut Health: The Promising Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Wellness”

Ocean Spray provided the purified xyloglucans and partially funded the research. Utilizing cranberry skin as a prebiotic could prove to be a profitable application for the cranberry juice producer, provided that its health benefits are established. The compound’s potential role in synbiotics—combinations of probiotics and prebiotics—may be particularly noteworthy. Researchers proposed that formulations could merge … Read more

“Spice Innovation: Flavor Houses Lead the Charge for Bold Tastes in the U.S. Snack Market”

Flavor houses are consistently ahead of the curve when it comes to identifying new tastes and spices for the U.S. market. With millennials seeking bolder and more adventurous flavors, snack manufacturers are already innovating in the realm of heat, spice, and exotic ingredients. Last year, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division launched a range of international flavors for … Read more

“Exploring the Expanding U.S. Hot Sauce Market: A Fusion of Flavor, Heat, and Health”

The hot sauce market in the U.S. has expanded significantly and become more varied, with companies exploring a wide range of chili peppers from around the globe—such as habanero, ghost pepper, and chipotle—while also incorporating diverse fruity flavors. Furthermore, a niche market has developed for those adventurous consumers who enjoy extremely hot peppers. Hot sauces … Read more