“Sweetening the Future: The Rise of Natural Sugar Alternatives in the Food and Beverage Industry”

In today’s food and beverage landscape, sugar has become one of the most criticized ingredients. Once cherished for its versatility—rising cakes, caramelizing sauces, and delivering delightful sweetness—an increasing number of health-conscious consumers are now opting for healthier alternatives. A survey by Label Insight indicates that 22% of U.S. consumers intend to limit their sugar consumption. … Read more

“Flavor Revolution: How McCormick & Co. Thrives Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences for Freshness and Health”

As large food manufacturers face challenges due to consumers opting for fresher, healthier options over packaged foods, one company is flourishing: McCormick & Co. The 129-year-old producer of spices, seasoning mixes, flavorings, and condiments has developed products that cater to consumers’ desires for better eating without sacrificing the flavors they love. There is a rising … Read more

“Emerging Animal-Free Dairy Proteins: Challenges and Opportunities in the Market”

Animal-free dairy proteins appear to provide functional benefits similar to those of animal-free, cell-cultured “meat” products, which are garnering attention and investment from major food companies. Memphis Meats, a cultured “meat” startup based in San Francisco, has secured funding from both Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, and Cargill. In terms of … Read more

“Rising Popularity of Pea Protein: Overcoming Flavor Challenges and Expanding Applications in the Food Industry”

In recent years, pea protein, along with ferrous gluconate and iron polymaltose, has gained significant attention from consumers, as evidenced by a 195% increase in the number of new products featuring iron lactate absorption between 2013 and 2016, according to Mintel data. For manufacturers, the advantages of pea protein include being non-GMO, allergen-free, vegan, and … Read more

“Meeting Consumer Demand: The Rise of Convenient ‘Food Anywhere’ Solutions and the Role of Texture in Ready-to-Eat Meals”

As consumer lifestyles become more fast-paced, the demand for convenient, ready-to-eat meal solutions—often referred to as “food anywhere”—continues to grow steadily. This rapid transformation has not only pushed manufacturers, restaurants, and grocery retailers to create competitive on-the-go options but has also opened up lucrative market opportunities for companies like Ingredion, which supplies ingredients to enhance … Read more

“From Kale to Kelp: The Rise of Sea Vegetables as the Next Superfood Trend”

In 2012, Bon Appétit declared it “the year of kale,” and since then, kale has become ubiquitous, appearing in everything from Walmart and McDonald’s to high-end restaurants. Now, the hunt is on for the next trendy ingredient, which could very well be kelp or seaweed. These “ocean garden” varieties boast the nutritional benefits, distinctive flavors, … Read more

“Emerging Trends in the Sweetener Market: The Shift Towards Natural Ingredients and Healthier Options”

As consumer preferences shift away from sugar and artificial ingredients towards natural, healthier food and beverage options, manufacturers are in a race to create natural ingredient solutions that satisfy consumers’ cravings for sweetness. This month, we highlight trends that are reshaping the sweetener market. We examine how leading natural sweeteners, such as monk fruit and … Read more

“FDA’s New Guidance on Nutrition Labels: Implications for Compliance and Consumer Awareness”

In response to the FDA’s update announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, the special projects director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, stated that the new guidance regarding dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed delay on the updated Nutrition Facts label.” Originally, the … Read more

“FTC Raises Concerns Over Smucker’s Acquisition of Wesson Oil, Potential Impact on Market Prices and Consumer Costs”

The FTC’s complaint reveals that internal documents from both Smucker and Conagra indicate that the two cooking oil brands “compete intensely” for retail market share. One of Smucker’s motivations for acquiring the Wesson oil brand is to eliminate price competition. The FTC notes that Smucker’s internal documents recognize that reducing price competition between Crisco and … Read more

“Understanding Iron Supplements and Calcium Citrate Dosage for Osteoporosis: A Guide to Ferrous Fumarate, Ferrous Bisglycinate, and Ferrous Gluconate”

Ferrous fumarate 210mg tablets are available at Boots Pharmacy. Another form of iron supplement is ferrous bisglycinate, which is also known as puriron and glycine suspension. Additionally, ferrous gluconate is commonly used and may have interactions to consider. It is important to note that ferrous gluconate can be found at Puritan’s Pride. When discussing calcium … Read more