Functional food company So Good So You launched its first formulation powered by adaptogenic mushrooms. Immunity Blueberry Clementine includes organic Shiitake, Maitake and Reishi mushrooms and provides 100% of an adult's recommended daily value of Vitamin D3.

The new Probiotic+ Gummies come at a time when gut and immune health are top-of-mind.

New distribution of its all-new Mini Probiotic Fruit Bar Variety Pack at Sam’s Clubs nationwide has contributed significantly to these increases, as That’s it. probiotic products are now available to millions of Sam’s Club shoppers across the country for the first time. 

Consumer interest in fermented foods, immune health and gut health has soared, alongside interest in the connection between gut health and the immune system.

LOLA Snack's current success is an endorsement as an emerging leader in the bar space, with products available nationwide in more than 3,000 doors across the natural and conventional grocery channels.

Available in Vanilla Cookie and Chocolate Brownie flavors, the new Organic Creamy Protein with Oatmilk is high in protein, has minimal net carbs and contains no added sugar, providing clean nutrition.

The new Good Culture Probiotic Milk combines the taste and nutrition of lactose-free milk with a patented probiotic shown to help support digestion and a healthy immune system.

As digestive health challenges affect over 70% of adults in the US, BelliWelli's expansion into Walmart not only showcases the brand's ability to connect with new customers, but also reinforces the brand's omnichannel strategy.

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.

DolCas Biotech, LLC has attained two Health Canada natural product licenses, one for its concentrated turmeric extract, Curcugen®, and the other for Ginfort®, a powerful ginger extract in powdered format.

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.

FruitSmart has identified rising demand for fruit juice and botanical combinations as a major new trend in the healthy beverage space, and will highlight its capability to blend them at Natural Products Expo West, March 8-10, 2023.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.” 

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.

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.

An emphasis on plant-based ingredients aligns with Pureture's commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable food production, ensuring the health and longevity of future food sources. 

Prepared Foods highlights a few examples of how the evolution in protein applications is extending across food and beverage categories.

The innovation enhances the quality and functionality of clean-label foods, while reducing production costs, making healthier food options more accessible to consumers.

Both products are powered by EVERY's revolutionary egg white protein, which provides the cleanest flavor on the market and delivers 8g of highly digestible and satiating protein per serving.

TAHA will now provide consumers with nutritional supplements that are certified Net Carbon Zero and made with clinically researched functional ingredients.

Made with a premium 100% whey protein blend with natural digestive enzymes, GHOST® WHEY x OREO® "MINT" contains 25g of protein per serving and can be used in the morning, post-workout, throughout the day or before bed.

Created with daily empowerment in mind, REBBL's 20g Protein beverages are 100% organic, non-GMO, and crafted with a triple adaptogen blend, including Maca, Ashwagandha, and Reishi.

GNT USA will use this year’s SupplySide West 2024 to demonstrate how EXBERRY® colors can fuel new product innovation with next-generation protein powder concepts. GNT invites food and beverage formulator attendees to Booth #2065 during the exhibition, Oct. 28-31, in Las Vegas.

Annie Eye Protection, the newest addition to the Girl Power at Work line, is bold pink camo eye protection featuring a choice of clear or gray scratch-resistant coated lenses.

Wiley X Inc. now manufactures and distributes a full line of advanced vision and hearing protection products bearing the Remington brand. New product offerings include Remington Platinum Grade Eye Protection with models specifically designed to deliver a comfortable fit, optimum coverage and attractive styling.

In 2014, nearly 24,000 eye injuries involving days away from work occurred, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states. Workplace-related eye injuries can have lasting and devastating consequences.