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

According to Mintel’s 2023 US Energy Drinks report, total energy drink and energy shot sales increased by 14% from 2021 to 2022.

Botanical ingredients— especially herbs, spices, and rhizomes (ginger, turmeric, galangal) — can help play a big part in helping product developers create new foods and beverages that help the body protect itself against disease and dysfunction.

With the recent surge in attention to immunity, American consumers are now thinking of preventive health less in terms of reaching for “immune boosting” supplements and more about “immune resilience.” Incorporating botanicals into food products can aid significantly in maintaining the many and complex facets of immunity.

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.

With only a couple of exceptions, lower-and zero-calorie sugar alternatives have failed to live up to the multifaceted functionality and flavor of sucrose and its components, glucose and fructose. In fact, great taste remains one of the primary obstacles to overcome with the range of sugar alternatives cropping up in the marketplace. A close second, of course, is performance in a formulation.

Nutraland USA, Inc., will use its SupplySide West booth, #6951, to introduce Somato™, a whole-food derived melatonin sourced exclusively from tomatoes. This innovative ingredient is poised to revolutionize the natural products industry, offering an eco-friendly, natural alternative to synthetic melatonin for use in functional foods and dietary supplements.

Watch or listen to a Prepared Foods interview with ethnobotanist and contributing editor Kerry Hughes discussing the trending foods, beverages, and ingredients using botanicals featured at 2024 Natural Products Expo West.

While natural and botanical methods of preservation have been in use for centuries, the modern food processing system has relied heavily on synthetic food preservatives, such as nitrates, benzoates, sulfites, sorbates, and others. 

Available in three varieties — Into the Woods, Best Zest and Night Flight — each can of Fable contains a 5mg micro dose of Delta-9 THC and 3mg CBD.

EVOLVE plant-based protein reformulated its portfolio of ready-to-drink protein shakes and announced its continued commitment to the National Park Foundation (NPF). EVOLVE aims to connect people to the outdoors through access and inspiration, and this partnership helps bring shared missions to life in service of helping to protect the outdoors for everyone.

Collagen’s star is rising fast—but is it just a passing trend? Not according to industry experts, who say that the protein is set to become a major force in the health ingredients category.

Univar Solutions Inc. and Novozymes announced a new agreement to expand the partnership into the United States and Canadian food ingredients markets. The new food ingredients agreement takes effect May 1, 2021, one month after the companies announced an exclusive agreement expanding the partnership into the United States and Canadian beverage production, homecare, and industrial cleaning markets.

Prepared Foods showcases new functional beverages and superfood gummies.

Prepared Foods profiles new protein beverages for retail.

Premier Protein expanded its innovative line of ready-to-drink Protein Shakes with Oats with the launch of Chocolate Hazelnut for stepping up breakfast games. The new flavor, which launched online last month, is starting to hit store shelves over the next few months.

Prinova, a worldwide provider of functional ingredients and manufacturer of nutrient premixes, creates an innovative online experience with the launch of its new website. 

Prepared Foods profiles new functional foods, drinks and supplements.

The protein trend has promised to continue at a steady pace, with interest in, and consumption of, plant proteins increasing at record levels. This is due in large part to the rapid expansion in consumer demand for meat, dairy, and seafood analogs. But alongside the growth in protein as a whole ingredient, the various parts that make up a protein molecule are not being ignored. 

GELITA used this year’s virtual IFT21 event to host educational session titled, “Hot! Hot! Hot! Food Formulator’s Must-Have Ingredient: Collagen Protein.” Attendees could see connect with GELITA Food Scientist Ginger Waller and discuss original formulations with collagen proteins.

Rritual Superfoods Inc. announced that the company's product innovation and research team has completed testing on the first of its new superfood mushroom latte blend formulations, incorporating plant-based collagen enhancers as a key market differentiator.

Innophos introduces Textur-Melt® LM89 and DKP (Dipotassium Phosphate), which help stabilize and improve the performance, functionality and quality of drinks that contain protein from sources including whey, collagen, and plant-based sources.

In an environment where “anti-aging” has become the norm, Great Lakes Wellness is championing a unique viewpoint on getting older by embracing all the positives that come with it.

Obvi teamed up with Entenmann's®, a quintessential brand in baked goods, to bring consumers a collagen-boosting solution inspired by a classic treat. Obvi and Entenmann's® launched a collaborative flavor of Obvi's cult-favorite collagen protein powder, Entenmann's® x Obvi Super Collagen Protein Powder | Chocolate Chip Cookie.

In spite of the many strides made in women’s health and nutrition, one of the key issues facing women is a very basic one: insufficient protein intake. Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, occurs far more frequently, and at a younger age (beginning around age 35), in women than in men. It is the primary factor leading to weakness and frailty in women as they age.

Ascent announced a new line of organic plant-based protein powders, created to support muscle health and athletic performance. Ascent's Plant Protein helps to expand their line of products that support "clean-eating, hard-working athletes dedicated to their nutritional goals."

Designer Protein, a source for nutrient-filled protein powders, introduced Designer Collagen, an easy-to-digest and regenerative wellness supplement available. Designer Collagen is available in three flavors: French Vanilla, Toffee Swirl and Beautifully Unflavored.

Kyäni Origin features a premium plant-based protein blend made from fava beans, peas, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds to support strong muscles, help fuel metabolism, help maintain a healthy weight, and support healthy blood sugar levels. 

Today’s consumers are rarely satisfied with just a thirst-quenching drink when they crave a beverage. They’re seeking healthful extras that target everything from immunity to mood issues, from energy to meal replacement. And of course, they want plenty of flavor with few calories.

MONAT Vegan Protein is a smooth blend of plant proteins and superfoods, delivering 20g of  protein in each serving with 0g of sugar and 100 calories.

New global research from Kerry indicates that most protein consumers are motivated by health and wellness, with 50% of respondents associating protein with “healthy diet” and 46% with “healthy lifestyle.” 

New options in 100% Whey Protein include Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookie with real chocolate chip inclusions, as well as Cocoa Mint with real marshmallow inclusions. 

Altering the wellness space with products that not only taste good but offer functional, healthy benefits, the new flavor joins NuTrail’s lineup of high quality, low-carb and low-sugar products. 

Each 1.6oz CHICKEN STICK contains 20g of protein, zero sugar, 175mg of choline and more than 35 additional naturally occurring nutrients that support whole body health.

Atlas Bar®, a protein bar developed to support both physical and mental wellness, added three plant-based flavors to its offering of zero-added-sugar, keto-friendly protein bars made of clean, high-quality real-food ingredients.

Rowdy, known for its premium bars and collagen protein powders that are made with superfood prebiotic Yacon Root, announced its new flavors of collagen + prebiotic protein powders, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate.

Like all ZENB Pasta, ZENB Ramen features a single-ingredient noodle made from 100% whole yellow peas that maintains a chewy and springy texture which is key to an elevated, restaurant-quality ramen experience.

Featuring enhanced flavor and a meatier texture, the new Beyond Sausage has been reformulated to advance taste and nutrition as part of Beyond Meat’s ongoing mission to deliver plant-based proteins that offer nutritional and environmental benefits.

Deviled WunderEggs come in a tray of hard-boiled WunderEggs made of the "egg" white only, and a sachet of pre-made deviled egg filling, made in collaboration with Fabalish Classic Vegan Mayo.

"We want to provide plant-forward options that appeal to all the various reasons why diners are eating more plants. This includes plant-based alternatives such as Molly’s Kitchen Plant-Based Smashed Patty," said Stacey Kinkaid, vice president of product development & innovation, US Foods. "This also includes chef-inspired, vegan options such as our Chef’s Line Tempura Brussels Sprouts and vegetarian options such as Molly’s Kitchen Mexican-Style Cheese Stuffed Cigars."

The updates include a completely refined recipe and a modern packaging design for all its items including Veggiecraft Cauliflower Rotini, Veggiecraft Zucchini Penne, and Veggiecraft Sweet Potato Spaghetti. 

A look at new plant based meat alternatives and snacks continuing to drive growth in the plant based space.

Since its inception, Armored Fresh has been committed to breaking the stereotype that plant-based cheese is a bland, unsatisfactory solution made only for vegans. 

CSE’s canned Clear Protein is light and juicy with a fruity-fresh twist, while containing 20g of lactose-free whey isolate protein per can.   

Traditionally, proteins such as glutenin and gliadin have been favored in baking for their role in dough texture and structure. However, as consumer awareness of health, nutrition, and sustainability has grown, the focus has shifted to incorporating a broader range of protein sources into baking.

Prepared Foods discusses plant protein ingredients and formulation strategies with Charlie Baggs, president, founder and executive chef at Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations, Chicago.

Whisps Protein Snackers are an on-the-go option that doesn't require refrigeration for snackers looking for something quick, convenient and satisfying.

Sweet proteins are plant proteins that taste up to 5,000 times sweeter than sugar and can replace 70-90% of sugar in most food and beverage products. 

The center will engage partners from academia and industry to research, create, and commercialize new technologies, provide training for the emerging industry workforce, and gauge consumers' protein preferences.

The powder blends smoothly into coffee or tea to give a nutritional and energy boost from a proprietary mix of pea, hemp and pumpkin seed protein.