In the first of a two-part discussion Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks behind the scenes strategy with Doug Munk, Senior Director for Nestlé New Business Ventures

Kemin Food Technologies has enhanced its North American website with a new interactive guide titled, “Baking a difference today and tomorrow.” The guide for bakery and snack producers helps users learn more about clean label solutions to ensure products stay fresher, longer and succeed in the dynamic and competitive marketplace.

Kemin Industries was scheduled to present a session during the 2022 Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 17-19.

Kemin Industries will showcase its complete line of clean label ingredient solutions for foods during the Institute of Food Technologists 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition (IFT22) in Chicago, IL, July 11-13. Attendees are invited to visit booth #S0421 and discuss opportunities to reduce food waste, improve yield and extend product shelf life, while maintaining a clean label.

Visitors to booth #BC9419 can sample several prototypes, including a delicious hot dog bite that features FFP’s performance and protection ingredient solutions, showcasing how easily they can achieve a fully clean label with maximum protection, and better texture and flavor.

The ingredient was developed using a patented fermentation process on grape derivatives and allows food manufacturers to reduce sugar and sodium while enhancing flavor and increasing shelf-life across many different food and beverage applications.

Layn has a long, respected reputation as the globally leading direct manufacturer and innovator of monk fruit and stevia extracts, and over the past three decades has consistently expanded its ingredient portfolio to include a full range of botanical extract ingredients with broad consumer and application appeal.

Kemin Food Technologies – North America offers a complete suite of tortilla solutions, including dough conditioners and softeners; enzyme blends and batch packs; and mold inhibitors. 

FFP’s new clean label antimicrobial ingredient, VegStable® Secure, helps brands naturally protect a variety of foods from pathogens and spoilage—with no compromise to functionality or taste.

Kemin’s IFT FIRST Booth #S2410 is a must-visit where expo attendees can learn more about the latest clean label ingredient technologies to assist the food industry with keeping production costs down and food waste at a minimum.

IFT23 attendees are invited to visit booth #S0400 and “Taste the trend”™ with a sampling menu that includes various clean label concepts created for the show. FFP is committed to providing innovative clean label solutions and offers a portfolio of solutions that naturally provide exceptional food protection, flavor, color, and texture for a variety of applications.

CytoGUARD® OX-WST natural antioxidants are part of the company’s portfolio of natural preservation solutions, which include ingredients providing food safety and shelf life extension. 

Kemin Industries highlights food safety solutions for hot dog applications. Its BactoCEASE® line of food safety ingredients offers protection from the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and extends the product shelf life for hot dogs. Additionally, Proteus® functional proteins provide manufacturers with a clean label yield and quality enhancement solution.

LEVAIR® solutions help commercial bakers improve profitability, reduce waste, and reach key sustainability goals –all while they address evolving consumer trends.

Kerry introduced Biobake™ Fresh Rich, an innovative enzyme solution for sweet baked goods that delivers longer-lasting softness, freshness, and moistness perception over shelf life, while supporting food waste reduction.

Kemin Industries will showcase its extensive portfolio of clean label ingredient solutions during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) held in Atlanta, January 30-February 1. Attendees are invited to visit booth #C26155 where they can learn more about Kemin solutions for color, freshness, safety and quality for meat and poultry products.

Inline Plastics has expanded its Safe-T-Fresh® portfolio to include three new 7-inch rounds with a smooth wall. By popular demand, the new products will include 24oz, 32oz, and a four 6oz compartment option, with more items to follow soon.

Gokila Thangavel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Kemin Food Technologies – North America, discussed “Uses of Liquid Preservatives for Clean Label Tortillas.” Thangavel highlighted microbial spoilage in tortilla and bread products, the economic impact food waste has on the food chain, and the mode of action of various preservatives and clean label alternatives, to help manufacturers delay oxidation and keep products fresher for longer.

Prepared Foods discusses clean label shelf life preservation strategies and ingredient options with Zal Taleyarkhan, Director of Innovation and Corporate Research Chef at Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations, Chicago.

Riviana Foods Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of InHarvest, Inc. which specializes in the production, marketing and sale of premium specialty rice, quinoa and grains.

Ardent Mills, a premier flour-milling and ingredient company, announced that Manoj Rana has joined the company as its vice president of corporate and business development. In this newly created role, Rana will partner with leaders across the industry to identify future business ventures that support Ardent Mills’ long-term growth strategy.   

Ardent Mills, a premier flour-milling and ingredient company, announced the opening of its brand-new state-of-the-art Port Redwing Mill in Gibsonton, Fla. The mill builds upon Ardent Mills' strategic growth plan by strengthening supply chain agility, increasing efficiency and product consistency, and expanding the ability to meet customer needs.

The new production site further strengthens the company’s plant-based protein portfolio and enables BENEO to meet the growing demand for plant-based food and feed ingredients.

Themed “Rooted in Nature – the Power of Plants,” visitors to BENEO’s booth #S2410, will learn how faba bean ingredients are providing food manufacturers with innovative opportunities for texture improvement in meat and dairy alternatives as well as protein enrichment in a vast array of foods.

"We hear from parents they want more plant-based protein options that align with their food and climate values," said Gerber President and CEO Tarun Malkani. "Gerber Plant-tastic offers stage-based nutrition across milestones starting with organic toddler pouches, snacks and meals."

American Key Food Products (AKFP) is expanding its gluten-free cassava flour line. Cassava is a root vegetable that is naturally gluten-free and native to tropical climates in South America and Asia. It is milled into bakery-quality flour by AKFP’s partner companies through sophisticated processes. 

Flour + Water Foods offers four boxed dried pastas developed by co-chefs Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow to bring the craftsmanship of Flour + Water’s cuisine to the home table. 

Scoular, a global supply chain company, today launched a new name for its food ingredient business. The new name – Scoular Food Innovation – reflects the company's food industry expertise and experience supplying on-trend ingredients to meet growing consumer demand.

Van Drunen Farms welcomes NatExpo West attendees to Booth 4082 to discover its latest on-trend fruit, vegetable, and grain ingredients. The company also will exhibit at Booth F79 in the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace.

QUINN announced its participation in the Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI). Since 2020, QUINN has worked with Nebraska sorghum grower Steve Tucker, an SCI farmer partner, as he transitions to regenerative practices. Sorghum, a nutrient-dense and inherently sustainable crop, has been a crucial ingredient for Quinn’s supply chain since the company debuted whole-grain, gluten-free pretzels in 2016.

Ardent Mills introduces two new ingredients—Egg Replace™ and Ancient Grains Plus™ Baking Flour Blend—to help customers capitalize on new market growth, meet evolving consumer preferences for quality ingredients and great taste, and help alleviate supply chain challenges.

Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks protein with Dr. Baljit Ghotra, co-CEO and co-founder of EQUII Foods, a San Francisco Bay-area start-up whose Equii retail and foodservice breads and bread mixes boast two times more protein, 30% fewer carbs, and 50% less sugar compared to other leading brands.

Solely says it used its signature, patented cold-pressing process to transform dried green bananas into a traditional fusilli shape and texture. The dark-colored Organic Green Banana Fusilli Pasta cooks to an al-dente texture in just four minutes and is ready to be topped with a sauce or other ingredients.

A successful product formula needs just the right ingredients in the right proportions. The same axiom applies to a great company and/or a disruptive innovation. It requires just the right combination of people, process, product and consumer appeal—which in this case, involves protein, an essential dietary macronutrient.

Seeds of Change™, a part of Mars, introduced its new innovation called Super Grains. This latest line-up makes eating wholesome, organic meals accessible through three cuisine-based flavor varieties.

Fonio Rising Double Pilsner (6.4% ABV) is a golden lager that exudes a robust and crisp profile, featuring vibrant tropical fruit notes. 

Ronzoni is relaunching with a refreshed brand identity and integrated marketing campaign, paying homage to its 108-year heritage while adapting to today’s dynamic shopper needs. 

Italy’s MILLBO has established a North America presence with the opening of Millbio North America, Rochelle Park, NJ. With this east coast location, the company has expanded its sales and customer support teams for continued growth and business development in the Americas.

The Illinois Wheat Initiative will bring together faculty to collaborate on research related to wheat cultivation in Illinois. The hope is that other entities throughout the wheat value chain — including growers, millers, and food companies — will invest in the Illinois Wheat Initiative to advance the industry. 

White River Soy Processing, LLC (White River), a developer and operator of oilseed processing plants in the US, announced that it purchased Benson Hill Ingredients, LLC, which operates an established food grade soybean processing facility in Creston, Iowa, from Benson Hill, Inc.

Pasta is always consumer favorite, but when it comes to including it in formulations, product developers must really use their noodle.

The first phase consisted of renovating approximately 20,000sq-ft of the plant to double its current capacity to produce Minute® ready-to-serve rice cups.

Based on these findings, the report further outlines opportunities to spark innovation in flour and grain-based foods across a wide range of industry sectors.

Ardent Mills is conducting both an internal and external search, and the board seeks to announce a new CEO in the near future. 

The investment will enable Lotus Foods to further scale its business by deepening investments along its value chain, from sourcing new global rice cultivation communities to growing and diversifying its customer base.

EQUII created a complete protein flour using fermentation, with the launch of its flagship Bread products last year. EQUII’s goal is to disrupt age-old fermentation methods with modern day innovation, combined with culinary art to make animal-free products that deliver great taste and complete protein.

Made with less sugar than most chocolate bars with a similar taste, Oobli chocolate bars are gut- and diabetic-friendly.

Surthrival launched Black Walnut Protein Powder, a sustainable, wild-crafted protein powder sourced from black walnuts collected by foragers in the American Midwest. 

Each new bar is packed with 15g of protein from peanuts or almonds, pea protein and other wholesome ingredients that deliver a satisfying protein boost. 

This cereal provides an excellent source of vitamin E to help protect nervous systems, and incudes curated vitamins and minerals like Zinc, Folic Acid and B vitamins to support natural melatonin production.