Physically active consumers want convenient, protein-packed options to fit into their on-the-go routine. “Plant-powered” ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-mix (RTM) protein beverages are emerging as a perfect solution to fill this niche nutrition category and grow into the mainstream market.

“We were so honored to be invited to the Fancy Food Show this year. It is a great way for our students to see how broad the food industry is and understand the impact of the work we do at the lab,” said Drexel Food Lab Associate Director Chef Rachel Sherman. “I find it encouraging to see what products and trends jump out to them."

Joan Driggs, Circana’s vice president for content and thought leadership, sits down with Prepared Foods to break down trends fueling success for Circana’s top New Product Pacesetters at both the retail and convenience store channels.

We’ve pinpointed four flavors for 2025, each representing opportunity for differentiation while aligning with larger, sustaining trends. As we see them take shape on restaurant menus, each also promises opportunity in the retail space, offering a parallel path for consumer exploration and adoption. 

“Consumers are looking for wellness across every aspect of their lives, and food and beverages are playing a critical role in this transformation,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor at Circana. 

The Whole Foods Market Trends Council – a collective of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts – develop these trend predictions each year through a combination of deep industry experience, keen observation of consumer preferences, and collaborative sessions with emerging and established brands.

Parents care about health and wellness for their children, and their purchasing patterns drive innovation toward healthier children’s food and beverage products. We see growth in numerous categories in children’s products that are positioned as healthy and better-for-you, including dairy alternatives as well as new items in the sweet and savory bakery, and confectionery categories.  

Whether only needing a few cupcakes for a friend or a full pan of brownies for a group, Krusteaz Batters meet any occasion and stay fresh for up to seven days in the refrigerator after opening, ready for whenever the baking mood strikes.

BEAM be amazing®, a health and wellness brand, unveiled Greens On The Go™. This patent pending ready-to-drink greens product, crafted over nearly two years, aims to set a new standard in convenience, nutrition, and flavor.

The company’s products, which include its new Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster (an unflavored prebiotic fiber mix that can be added to any food or beverage), award-winning snack bars, and meal-replacement shakes, were available exclusively online until the company launched in bricks-and-mortar stores early 2024.

As the season shifts, consumer preferences evolve, creating a valuable opportunity for food and beverage product developers to tap into fall-themed flavors. Whether your target market prefers to savor the last hints of summer or eagerly anticipates fall, now is the time to introduce innovative, seasonal products that align with both consumer health trends and seasonal nostalgia.

According to the survey, conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation and the American Heart Association, almost all Americans (95%) report that they always or sometimes look for healthy options when food shopping.

Technomic released its Beverage Global Menu Category Report, which explores foodservice category sizing by country, outlook and expectations, consumer patronage and preferences, menu trends, global and local chains, and brands to watch.

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) reports several CPU hardware implementations are vulnerable to side-channel attacks, being referred to as Meltdown and Spectre (also KAISER and KPTI).

Three companies are using interesting methods to keep refrigerated and frozen foods at just the right temperature.

Temperature is that one measurement that’s dictated by governmental regulations to prove that you have a kill step in your process. Beyond that, there are rules for keeping fresh food under a certain temperature to keep it safe both in transit and storage, and—just as important—maintain its quality so you don’t have to throw it out prematurely.

What qualities to look for in an industrial Ethernet switch that can provide long-term reliability in an F&B plant.

Created for the on-the-go coffee enthusiast, the new line upholds Explorer’s commitment to quality, sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. 

Following the completion of the transactions, the US and Canadian businesses will operate independently, with Lactalis acquiring the US business and Sodiaal acquiring the Canadian business. 

“Given the success of our Matcha Almond Latte, we’ve expanded our line of tea beverages with Chai Almond Latte based on the growing popularity of chai tea lattes and consumer demand for easy solutions for café favorites at home,” said Suzanne Ginestro, Califia’s chief marketing officer.

Discover the latest trends reshaping the food and beverage landscape in 2024 and into 2025, where health-conscious choices meet adventurous flavors. We delve into how consumer behaviors are driving innovative snack and beverage options, while sauces and dressings bring excitement to mealtimes. Uncover the key insights and product opportunities that can inspire your next creation in the ever-evolving market.

From electrolyte-packed drinks to sustainable hydration solutions, brands introduce innovative products designed to keep consumers refreshed and replenished.

Prior to sharing our outlook for 2025, we wanted to review the predictions we made for 2024 to determine what we got right and what might not have fully taken shape. Here, we've collected capsule information for each section of our 2024 Predictions, in areas such as sustainability, foodservice and global flavors. Within each capsule, you will find our 2024 predictions and assessments of their accuracy.

Everyone in the tile industry needs to push the quality bar to the next level and beyond.

Floor flatness is imperative to the success of a tile installation. Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, gives an example of a tile installation that does not adhere to the industry standard required for flatness and how that can impact the installer and the customer. 

Known for its indulgent, low-sugar, high-protein refrigerated donut offerings, Drumroll® has gained a dedicated following among health-conscious consumers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings without compromising on taste or nutrition.

Whole Moon is a brand that uses a unique process that blends whole-roasted almonds, oats, pistachios and soybeans, resulting in a rich, nutty flavor and a full-bodied texture.

To help patients successfully complete their treatment and live better lives, it's important for providers to specify an ergonomic, patient-friendly flooring solution that strikes a balance between force reduction and energy restitution.

Co-manufacturer Cascade Coffee adds automation to its secondary packaging operations by adding six cobot palletizing units.

Changing consumer preferences and regulations have introduced additional complexity to supply chains, necessitating that food and beverage retailers invest in robust traceability solutions.

For soda manufacturers seeking to fine-tune their syrup filtration processes, backflushable stacked disc cartridges can play a key role in ensuring consistent soft drink quality.

Smartlift's SL 609 Outdoor series is designed for mounting glass, marble, granite, and steel. 

After losing family members to gun violence, Charity Adeoti discovered her passion for making a difference. Learn how this graduate of the Floor Covering Education Foundation 10-week installation program aims to inspire youth to get off the streets to pursue careers—and successful futures—in flooring.

Mattoni 1873, a distributor of soft drinks in Central Europe, has invested more than €40 million ($43.66 million) in technology for its various plants in the last three years.

Food Engineering's 41st annual Plant Construction Survey reveals that the ratio of the number of plant renovations and expansions versus new, greenfield projects has again risen from last year, indicating several owners and operators are trying to stay put.

The company will focus exclusively on non-alcoholic adult beverages and aims to build a portfolio of products across beverage categories, both through internal development and acquisition.

Researchers produced pulp from recycled food and beverage cartons, which it then transformed into moulded products using two commonly used techniques.

Food and beverage manufacturers are focusing on reducing energy and materials by leveraging automation, capturing more data, sourcing modern processing equipment, and concentrating on quick “digital wins.”

The project, which is being funded by the California Energy Commission, kicks off in September 2024 and is expected to span a two and a half year period.

These partnerships aim to encourage wheat, corn and rice farmers in select regions of North America to implement regenerative agriculture practices, contributing to scope 3 carbon reductions.

The Dixie Group said it continues to focus on new product launches and cost-saving initiatives to navigate the challenging housing and home remodeling market. 

Industry veteran Paul Dominie has launched a new brand, Onn Surfaces, which provides timeless hard surfaces, including engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank, and glue-down luxury vinyl flooring.

Learn how Don Finkell, Emily Finkell, Carr Newton, and Jesse Xia launched East Paragon Flooring to bring the best in design, performance and value to the North American market. 

After the mad dash to end one year, January seems like a chance to get your feet back under you as you start the next.

The coronavirus pandemic we’re dealing with has created a situation that is beyond anyone’s control. That means we adapt, adjust and make the best of it.

We've all had our lives turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that's going to continue for at least a little while longer.

There are many different foreign materials that could and actually have ended up in foods. The most insidious of these and the one most feared is glass.

Sherwin-Williams High-Performance Flooring seamless flooring systems offers up durable, chemical resistant systems that cover a range of commercial applications, ranging from moderate to heavy use.

The collections are renowned for their aesthetic and chromatic matching possibilities in a series of expressive color palettes where sizes and surfaces combine for a total look solution.

Treatment systems must demonstrate robust performance while handling both varying volumes and changing wastewater compositions.