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.  

Independent evaluator Keybridge LLC released its annual report on progress toward a nationwide goal, set by the beverage industry and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to reduce the calories and sugar Americans get from beverages. The report noted that 2019 saw the largest single-year reduction in calorie consumption and the third consecutive year of declines since the launch of the initiative.

Harris Woolf Almonds provides manufacturers and formulators with exceptional value by bringing to market two products: a GMO-free roasted almond protein powder that packs flavor, and an unrefined almond oil made from 100% food-grade almonds, traceable right back to the grower.

Conagra Brands announced new products featuring bowls made from plant-based fibers for Healthy Choice Power Bowls, new Hungry-Man Double Meat Bowls and P.F. Chang's Ramen single-serve meals. By using plant-based fibers instead of plastic, the carbon footprint of manufacturing the bowls is reduced by 50 to 70% across select product lines.

MGP Ingredients, Inc. has named Yvette Hirang its new culinary chef, an integral role as the company addresses the plant-based foods trend with its recently launched ProTerra® textured wheat and pea proteins. She joins the R&D team at MGP’s technical center in Atchison.

lil’gourmets, announced a partnership with the fresh food innovation in Target’s newly-created Fresh Kids Snacking Destination. Target shoppers will now have access to lil’gourmets veggie meals in the chilled Produce aisle of select Target stores across seven Midwest states, as well as Target.com.

Much has changed in consumers’ buying behaviors regarding foods, but their attention to the fats and oils in the packaged foods they purchase remains consistent, according to Cargill’s most recent FATitudes™ survey, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Native Forest® Organic Curry Coconut Milk was previously only available at Whole Foods Market, but will now be sold at numerous other retailers and online as well. In addition, Native Forest® introduced a companion product – Guar gum-free USDA Certified Unsweetened Organic Turmeric Coconut Milk.

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S and the EQT IX fund announced that EQT has agreed to acquire the Natural Colors Division, a subsidiary of Chr. Hansen, the global bioscience leader and developer of natural solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. The purchase price amounts to EUR 800 million.

Looking to promote positive, long-lasting change, Ibraheem Basir, Founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, started Project Potluck as a first-of-its-kind organization to help BIPOC thrive in the CPG industry by tackling the inherent bias in hiring, networking gaps, lack of access to capital for diverse founders and more.