The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated consumer shopping trends. But which ones are going to stick? FoodNavigator hears from chief executive of Co-op Food UK, Jo Whitfield, to find out.
The latest round-up of innovation from around Europe spotlights a new line of 'fresh frozen' pasta in what the manufacturer claims is a UK first and details Mars' efforts to develop recyclable packaging in France with the launch of its...
UK retailer Asda has opened a new ‘sustainability trial store’ that leverages refill stations as part of its plastic reduction strategy. What does this latest move away from single-use packaging mean for branded manufacturers?
Kombucha offers drinkers more complexity than your average alcohol-free alternative, writes Emma Thackray, co-founder of Booch & Brew, in this guest article.
A new study out of Belgium has sought to determine the effectiveness of the front-of-pack labelling scheme by asking two key questions: How does Nutri-Score impact the perceived healthiness of a product? And what is its effect on consumer purchase intentions?
The demand for nutraceuticals and functional foods is expected to witness an upward surge driven by immunity-boosting supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the current times exposing need for technology to address immediate global needs with...
This week's gallery features a dairy-free, plant-based version of the famous French cheese spread, and an ethical chocolate brand going green for Christmas.
While the US is the most developed market for kombucha, the category is growing in Europe with the drink’s natural and functional positioning ready to tap into health and wellness trends. But the evolution of the French, German and UK markets shows the...
Fusion beverages are making a splash as an emerging category of functional food. The demand is spurred by consumers who prefer beverages that go beyond quenching their thirst and offer nutritional benefits.
Food manufacturers, supermarket retailers, and foodservice operators continue to step up their plant-based offerings. UK branch of animal welfare charity PETA highlights some of the most ‘exciting’ and ‘new’ vegan products in its 2020 Vegan Food Awards....
The interest in probiotics for immunity has passed its peak but a 24-month rise in internet searches for prebiotics and skin health is more than a passing trend, according to new insights from Lumina Intelligence.
Innovative snack brands say they are seeing a shift in the snack category as consumers seek out products that deliver positive nutrition in response to COVID-19. But ‘cutting the nasties’ isn’t enough - brands also need to remember that taste remains...
What does the future hold for Europe’s savoury snacks category? FoodNavigator asks ESA Director General Sebastian Emig if wellness ingredients are here to stay, whether CBD will hit the mainstream, and what kinds of opportunities 2021 presents to snacks...
The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 has been awarded to the World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger. FoodNavigator catches up with WFP supply chain expert John Crisci to find out what the prize means to the UN agency.
An Israeli start-up has launched its AI-powered food intelligence platform in the UK. The company – called Tastewise – says it can offer real-time industry insights on how consumers order, cook, and eat, to help brands with product innovation.
In a plausible scenario for the future of dairy, food majors worldwide source dairy ingredients from fermentation factories, say researchers from Lund University.
Rabobank recently unveiled the start-ups that will take part in its virtual FoodBytes! Pitch 2020 competition. Those selected provide an interesting window into trending topics in food and agriculture. FoodNavigator speaks to Anne Greven, Global Head...
A Tetra Pak-funded research project, undertaken by Lund University, has detailed four plausible scenarios for the future of dairy. These include a ‘policy-driven food system change’ in the Green Dairy scenario and a business-as-usual approach in Dairy...
French consumer watchdog Consommation Logement Cadre de Vie (CLCV) has put the nutritional composition of 95 vegetarian and vegan products on French shelves to the test. The result? ‘More water than vegetable protein’, the consumer group said.
This week’s NPD round-up sees Nestlé preparing for the festive season with a new line of Starbucks at-home offerings. A range of savoury crackers made with cricket flour are also preparing to hit shelves, as is Meatless Farm’s first entry into frozen...
A new plant-based meat report has highlighted the sector’s health merits over conventional processed meats, but stressed they should not replace whole foods such as legumes, vegetables or moderate amounts of meat as staples for a balanced diet.
Ketone drinks have been embraced by professional athletes looking to boost their performance. But these ‘magic potions’ have the potential for mass appeal, believes the scientist who helped develop them, although taste and price remain huge barriers in...
Bord Bia has rolled out a new Grass Fed Standard for Beef, allowing it to track and verify the percentage of grass consumed in the diet of Irish beef herds.
Ulrick & Short has extended its egg replacement range with a functional ingredient that it claims will vastly improve the quality of vegan cakes and muffins.
Alternative protein is the theme of this week's new product development round-up, with Nestlé launching a 'new and improved' plant-based burger. Meat analogue start-up This has teamed with a Michelin-starred gastro pub in London, and Moving...
Despite the nightmare that has been 2020, it has been a good year for food companies, according to the 2020 top 75 Most Valuable UK Brands report from ad giant WPP and insight firm Kantar.
Fresh research reveals substantial markets for cultured meat and plant-based meat alternatives in France and Germany, where acceptance of non-meat diets is on the rise. FoodNavigator speaks with Gourmey and ProVeg International for their take on the findings.
Sales of frozen food in the UK have continued to surge and rose by £221m in the last three months, according to the latest statistics from Kantar and the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF).
Voluntary salt reduction strategies are commonplace across EU Member States, but are they doing enough? FoodNavigator asks the European Snacks Association’s Sebastian Emig and Action on Salt’s Sonia Pombo whether it’s time mandatory measures were enforced...
Premiumisation of traditional comfort foods is a theme of this week's gallery as Joe & Seph's spots a gap in the market for opulent popcorn bars, and self-proclaimed 'people's pie' maker Pukka unveils a sharing dinner option...
What will the everyday diets of elderly people living at home in 2030 look like? Where and when will they consume their meals? And how will it reach their plates?
There has been a global shift among consumers towards clean and clearer labels that promote natural claims, and a willingness to pay a premium for products that do so, notes functional ingredient manufacturer Beneo.
Danone brand evian is introducing 100% rPET bottles to the UK this week; the latest in a series of recycled plastic commitments from PepsiCo’s Naked Smoothies, Nestlé’s Buxton bottled water, and Coca-Cola GB. We explore how the move to rPET is progressing...
The Consumer Goods Forum has launched a fresh initiative to tackle deforestation in the food chain. FoodNavigator takes a look at this new effort – and asks why the CGF’s previous zero-deforestation commitment missed the mark.
FTW Ventures, an early-stage VC, has launched a new fund to support food and agri-tech start-ups that it believes can disrupt the sector. FoodNavigator speaks to founder and entrepreneur Brian Frank about the tech and trends he believes will come to the...
A new survey investigating the preference of shoppers in the UK and US suggests that many food and drink products do not offer the clear labelling that consumers want.
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Salt reduction offers an important opportunity to improve population health. So how are food manufacturers working to cut sodium from finished food products? Could more progress be made?
To create a “perfect food system” that can feed more people with fewer resources in the next 50 years, the food industry needs to turn 180-degrees away from long-considered “best practices,” including focusing on high yield crops, concentrating production...
Coronavirus or no coronavirus, food innovation in Europe appears to be continuing apace. In this edition of FoodNavigator’s new product development round-up, we look at Nestlé’s new MilkyBar Cookies & Cream sharing block, and exciting ‘mess free’...
The functional beverage sector is expected to gain traction as more ‘lifestyle consumers’ are attracted to the category, according to Kerry Taste and Nutrition.
The desire to maximise health and wellbeing means that consumers are constantly on the lookout for the next innovation but they are dubious about the accuracy and safety of genetic testing kits, market research indicates.
How can brands encourage children to eat ‘healthier’ snacks? Nestlé’s approach is to create breakfast cereal in the shape of a bear, Cadbury is shrinking its portion sizes to cut calories, and Kellogg is personalising covers on Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies.
Sustainable Rice Platform believes its new food label is the first in the world to focus on a dedicated rice production standard. FoodNavigator hears from SRP Executive Director, Wyn Ellis, to find out more.
An academic has urged food brands to innovate with carbon footprint labelling after a study discovered a lack of understanding among the general public about the carbon footprint of foods.
In this week's new product and innovation round-up, FoodNavigator spotlights the launch of new active nutrition brand featuring insect and plant-based protein, Protein Rebel, and looks at the development of a new collagen and protein beverage brand,...
African Swine Fever has been confirmed in Germany, Europe’s largest pork producer, raising the likelihood of widespread disruption in the market and downward pressure on pork prices. FoodNavigator founds out why.
