The impact of yogurt, probiotics and the gut microbiome has exceeded expectations and been tied to brain, digestive and immune function. 

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

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.

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.

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

The fitfactor Weight Management System™ includes protein shakes, bars, and weight management supplements, combined with online nutrition coaching and community.

North America was the second top region for energy drinks launches during a recent one-year period, with Europe as the leading region. Approximately one-fifth of global energy drink launches are released in North America. However, price differences between North America and other regions lead to a larger and dominant North American share for energy drinks sales value.

A candy lover's dream come true, the C4 x Hershey collaboration will infuse the flavors of some of Hershey's well-known products including Jolly Rancher Candy, Bubble Yum Bubble Gum, Reese's Peanut Butter, and Hershey's Milk Chocolate into a C4 product lineup formulated to fuel fitness performance. 

Discover why the natural sweetener allulose is finding increasing favor among food and beverage makers to meet consumer demands for sucrose-like flavor and performance but with less of a caloric impact.

It is estimated that about 90 million of the 142 million Americans above age 40 are experiencing vision problems, and this population could double by 2050. “For far too long, eye health has received inadequate public health attention, despite good vision being essential to most people’s overall health and well-being,” says Steven Teutsch, former chief science officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Ingredients that affect gut health are characterized as prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and newly defined “postbiotics.” Ongoing research is elucidating the mechanisms by which these ingredients confer health benefits, demonstrating how trending ingredients such as fiber affect the gut microbiome on a molecular level, by interaction with microorganisms either directly or within intestinal cells. 

Americans still are not meeting the recommended intake levels for dietary fiber, a nutritional failure that can lead to the development of a number of health issues down the road. The shortfall is so critical that the new “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025” has designated dietary fiber as “a dietary component of public health concern.”

Mounting research into causes of dementia and cognitive decline have produced the recognition that two of the potentially modifiable risk factors into these conditions are diet and exercise. In a recent study at King’s College, London 418 adults age 65 and up were tested every two to three years over a 12-year period. Results revealed that cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease were linked to levels of neural stem cell death. Importantly, underlying which was low levels of vitamin D, carotenoids, and lipids

“Whether it’s walking the factory floor, taking a stroll outside during a break or getting from one meeting to another, we’re on our feet at least part of the day,” the National Safety Council says. “With all of that foot traffic, there’s always the potential for a fall.”

In 2021, 62 U.S. construction workers died after falling through a surface or an existing opening such as a skylight, according to data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

In this special 2023 National Safety Month episode, the S+H team examines the four weekly themes for this year’s NSM – emergency preparedness; slips, trips and falls; heat-related illness; and hazard recognition – with special guest David Consider, a senior safety consultant at the National Safety Council.

In a randomized, controlled trial, researchers found that eating walnuts daily as part of a healthy diet was associated with increases in certain bacteria that can help promote health. Additionally, those changes in gut bacteria were associated with improvements in some risk factors for heart disease.  

Looking at the position fibers and gums are playing in everyday foods and beverages reveals product developers paying closer attention to these key ingredients for their dual functions as both texturants and nutraceuticals. This has become especially evident where those two functions merge—in plant-based products designed to mimic meat and dairy.

Moonstone Nutrition, a Pittsburgh-based startup that has developed products to prevent kidney stone formation and promote overall kidney health, announced receipt of an investment from the Accelerator Fund II, LLC., an organization sponsored and managed by the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse that makes early stage investments in life sciences companies located in western Pennsylvania and outside the region.  

In response to a petition submitted by food and beverage leader Danone North America, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first-ever qualified health claim for yogurt, recognizing a potential link between its regular consumption and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and giving consumers another compelling reason to shop the yogurt aisle.

Each serving of SALTHEAD contains 1,000mg of 100% Pink Himalayan Salt, which circumvents the potentially harmful effects of microplastics that may be found in some of the other forms of salt in circulation.

Learn how mushrooms and mushroom-derived ingredients are boosting flavor, texture, and health in an expanded range of products.

Consumers have long shown a reluctance to purchase food containing artificial preservatives, with research finding that 57% globally prefer products that are free from additives and 62% are concerned about ingredients that sound chemical.  

The expansion into prebiotic fiber ingredients had expanded fiber use from its traditional home within grain foods to a broader range of categories, including soft drinks and confectionery. Innova Market Insights actively monitors a broad range of trends—including global macro trends, lifestyle forces, consumer insights, ingredient trends, and new food and beverage product launches—that all show the impact of fiber use on various levels.

The ONE, Nutrition Just for You was created to address some of the major healthcare concerns of African Americans, specifically cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The unifying factor at the root of these conditions is metabolic health—a healthy metabolism promotes a healthy immune system.

Each 4.23oz, multi-serve pouch is packed with flavor and contains 2g of fiber and only 130 calories per serving. They are also vegan, certified USDA organic, OU Kosher and paleo-friendly. 

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.

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.

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 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. 

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

Alani Protein Bars are offered in three nostalgic flavors including Peanut Butter & Jelly, Rocky Road and Caramel Crunch. Each protein bar is packed with up to 17g of protein with 220 calories or less.

"Our new chewable line represents our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and aligning with the desires of today's fitness enthusiasts and athletes," said Jad Khairallah, Universal’s senior vice president of marketing. “We understand that convenience, speed, and customization are essential to their success, and our delicious chewable energy and recovery offerings embody these principles."

The chips are not fried and are free from artificial ingredients, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and trans fat.

PROBAR® offers a robust line of plant-based performance foods, including Meal On-the-Go, Protein (formerly Base), Bite, Bolt Energy Chews, Nut Butters and live Probiotic Bars.

Some foods and ingredients that can help improve both sleep and brain function. Think favorites from the simple— tart cherries, seeds (especially pumpkin seeds), nuts (almonds and walnuts), and kiwi fruit—to the more exotic, like schisandra, turmeric, and saffron.

Anthony & Sons Bakery,a New Jersey bread company, launched its latest brand, The Avocado Bread Company. The bakery created the unique line of plant-based bread products which use fresh avocados, a trending, clean ingredient packed with nutrients. 

With the increasing populations of aging individuals and persons glued to a screen all day, there is an equally increasing need for ingredients and products that address eye health. That need is even more critical considering research revealing that, since the eyes are a direct link to the central nervous system in the brain, eye health actually contributes to overall cognitive and emotional health.

One of the best foods for a baby’s healthy brain development is already in most refrigerators: eggs. In an historic first, the newly released 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans include recommendations for birth to 24 months old and specifically recommend eggs as an important first food for infants and toddlers, as well as for pregnant women and lactating moms.

Premixes range from the mandated vitamins and minerals for addressing nutrient shortfalls to trendy ingredients like turmeric, ginger, activated charcoal, collagen, and botanical bioactives that consumers believe are healthier for them.

In the Summer of 2023, the company brought its newest manufacturing capabilities online with considerably increased capacity and new technology including a heavy suspension skid, enabling market-leading loads of active ingredients within a gummy, and increased capacity for their unique honey gummies.

GELITA will show how its highly functional Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP®), along with the other natural, allergen-free, and clean-label ingredients in its portfolio, can hold the key to on-trend product development. CONFIXXTM next-generation gelatin for fortified gummies, specific BCP® for improved mobility, and pharmaceutical gelatins for targeted fill release will be just three of the innovative solutions on show.

The two-day event brought more than 200 food and beverage industry attendees together on a unique discovery journey themed, “A Canvas for Creation.” It featured new concepts, flavors and ingredients designed to help them grow their product portfolios and craft solutions for the future.

Did you know that the flavors we perceive are in a constant state of flux? It's a captivating dance between our genes, environment, and life experiences—a symphony of factors that shape our ever-changing palates.

Chef Chris Koetke speaks from 43 years of experience as a chef, culinary program instructor and culinary business owner.

The hotter and spicier foods get, the hotter their popularity. Prepared Foods’ David Feder interviews Frito Lay’s Jody Denton for an expert look behind the hot and spicy trend.

This 28,000sq-ft expansion represents an $8.5 million investment to scale up Flavorman’s state-of-the-art “Beverage Campus” and facilitate its rapid growth in the beverage industry.

Umami, kokumi, and how they could change the culinary landscape of the future.

The innovative packaging allows rice and noodles to cook separately from the protein, sauce and vegetables, ensuring each meal maintains authentic taste and texture and provides consumers a takeout-style experience with the ease of the microwave.

"We are excited to introduce our newest innovation that responds to the changing needs of consumers," said Angie Madigan, vice president of marketing at Mars Food & Nutrition North America. "With Ben's Original Street Food, we are offering delicious meals that suit their fast-paced lifestyles. This innovation puts Ben's Original at the heart of the plate, not just the side.”