From sweet pastry fillings to savory almond-and-rice mixes, food scientists should be aware of all the unique processed versions of fruits and nuts and the applications that they work best in. Handling these often delicate ingredients with care will ensure optimal presentation as well as safety and flavor quality for the duration of that application’s shelf life.

Listen in as Amanda Young, VP-R&D, US Zone, Kraft-Heinz, talks about leading one of the nation’s largest innovation teams in the midst of a challenging marketplace and ever-evolving consumer eating habits.

Digestive health has been linked to myriad facets of well-being — immunity, cardiovascular health, bone and skin health, mental health, mitigation of symptoms of diabetes and asthma, and even dental health.

In the past three years, Del Monte Foods has tripled its number of innovation initiatives. In 2019 alone it launched 31 products launched and earned three Product of the Year awards. 

StarKist Co. announced its newest innovation, StarKist Creations Microwavables, a  microwave-safe pouch featuring seasoned, wild caught tuna with vegetables and hearty grains like quinoa, barley, and brown rice.

Trolli launched Crunchy Crawlers, a crunchy, candy-coated gummi worm. The newest addition to the Trolli portfolio has everything gummi fans love in a poppable shape, offering a sensory twist.

Prepared Foods showcases new meat, poultry & seafood products hitting restaurant and foodservice channels in July 2020.

Spirulina, a microalgae containing a naturally occurring blue pigment called phycocyanin, is currently the only clean-label blue colorant approved for confectionery applications.

In partnership with Boardwalk Frozen Treats, LLC, fairlife is extending its dairy nutrition credentials to the $14B ice cream category, the company's first venture away from beverage-related products and into frozen desserts. fairlife® Light Ice Cream will be available at select retail stores.

The current tracker data shows consumer purchase motivators are shifting to satisfy psychological mood lifters and sensorial cravings as the coronavirus pandemic continues. While functional health and safety were found to be important during early stages of the pandemic, those motivators have decreased in importance as consumers report seeking out experiences to change their mood.