Company Behind Fermented Meat Alternative Impossible Burger Becomes $2 Billion Company
Fermentation-based Impossible Foods — which makes a meat alternative with its own heme from yeast fermentation — is now a $2 billion company. The company behind the Impossible Burger raised an additional $300 million in funding, reflecting investor demand for meat alternatives. The meat-free burger cooks and tastes like meat — many consumers say they can’t tell the difference between Impossible Burger and ground beef. Impossible Foods partnered with Burger Kind earlier this year for the launch of the Impossible Whopper, a meatless burger that received rave reviews.
Read more (Vox)
- Published in Businesss, New Products
9 Emerging Food Trends from Expo West
We’re at Natural Products Expo West this week, checking out the innovations in the natural food industry and learning about the future of food. Here are nine trends from Expo West:
1. Sugar Vilified. Natural products are axing white sugar, using low- or no-calorie sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.
2. Healthy Fats. The fat-free era is gone; today’s products include full-fat ingredients, like ghee and avocado oil.
3. Eat More Plants. Natural brands ate using more plant-based products with fruits and vegetables instead of meat.
4. Healthy Microbiome. Gut health is big, and natural products are focusing on probiotics and prebiotics.
5. Endocannabinoid System. Brands are experimenting with CBD, hemp and the encocannabinoid system.
6. Nutrition Meets Convenience. Products are adding extra nutritional value – and focusing on grab-and-go convenience.
7. Responsible Sourcing. Transparency is vital to consumers, and brands are sourcing quality ingredients and trade relationships.
8. Responsible Packaging. Single-use plastic packaging is out; products today are put in reusable and compostable packaging.
9. Updating Stale Categories. The pantry is getting an overhaul with better ingredients for classic items.
Read more (New Hope Network)
- Published in Consumer, New Products, News
America Facing Pickle Shortage; “This is the No. 1 Threat to the Pickle Industry”
America could be facing a pickle shortage. Since the mid-2000s, a mildew has been destroying cucumber crops. Fewer farmers are growing cucumbers now because of the high amount of failed harvests. USDA records show pickling cucumber acreage has declined 25 percent between 2004 and 2015. Lina Quesada-Ocampo, vegetable pathologist at North Carolina State University told NPR: “This is the number one threat to the pickle industry.” Thankfully, vegetable breeder Michael Mazourek, a professor at Cornell University, is developing a cucumber variety resistant to mildew.
Read more (NPR)
- Published in New Products, News, Science
New Brewery Invention Could Detect Wild Yeast Contaminant
Two scientists have a patent pending on a brewery invention that detects the wild yeast contaminant Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus. The wild yeast causes secondary fermentation in beer production, fermenting unfermentable sugars and overcarbonating brews. A contamination costs brewers millions in recalled product, lost sales and decreased market share. The patent is by a University of Sciences director and his 20-year-old undergrad researcher. The microbiological medium would be marketed for professional and home brewers.
Read more (Philadelphia Business Journal)
- Published in New Products, News, Science
Kombucha Entrepreneur Makes Major Deal on “Shark Tank
A kombucha entrepreneur made a major deal on the latest episode of “Shark Tank.” All the investor “sharks” wanted in on Kate Field’s at-home kombucha brewing kit. Two sharks offered Field $350,000 in exchange for 10 percent of her business, The Kombucha Shop. The kit sells for $45 and includes a reusable brew jar, a temperature gauge, test strips, brewing instructions and ingredients. (Inc.) (Photo from: The Kombucha Shop) https://goo.gl/4GjJhq .
- Published in Businesss, Consumer, New Products, News
Kimchi: The Condiment’s Rising Fame
“Dealing with fame” – an ABC Life story about kimchi. The condiment is consumed at every meal by 63 percent of Koreans. And today the salty fermented cabbage is served at restaurants all over the world, from breakfast diners to burger joints. Australian chef Peter Jo: “Kimchi isn’t a dish, it’s a technique.”
Read more (ABC Life)
- Published in New Products
Microbiologists Develop Healthy Kefir Formula
Microbiologists in Canada developed a formula that makes commercial kefir healthier. Traditional, old-world kefir is packed with health benefits, decreasing weight gain by 40% and cholesterol levels by 50%. Commercial kefir, though, does not contain bacteria-loving yeast used in traditional kefir. That variation in the fermentation process means commercial kefir is not as healthy. The Canadian microbiologist’s formula can be added to milk in commercial vats and is currently in the patent process.
Read more (Folio)
- Published in New Products
Food & Drink Products Key to Success: Stand Out and Build a Brand, Not a Product
Fermented food and drink products are the next big thing in the food industry. How does your product stand out in the marketplace? The Fermentation Association (TFA), getting more people to enjoy fermented products. Join us at fermentationassociation.org
- Published in Businesss, New Products
Because of Regulatory Issues, Fewer Products Labeling as Containing Probiotics
Though more consumers want probiotics only 2 percent of new food and drinks launched in the last 12 months were marketed as containing probiotics. A study found its because of regulatory issues. Companies (especially in the dairy category) are uncertain whether or not they can legally label a product as containing probiotics. Labeling the food as fermented instead could aid a product’s natural and healthy image, the study concludes, since more consumers are viewing fermentation as an authentic natural food and beverage choice.
Read more (Nutritional Outlook)
- Published in Businesss, Legal & Regulatory, New Products
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