With global demand for avocados set to rise by 15% annually until 2024, the boom is benefitting Latin American countries through job and wealth creation, according to the World Avocado Organization (WAO).
FoodNavigator-LATAM caught up with the president of the Round Table on Sustainable Soy to discuss Latin American supply, demand and how farmers can save money by switching to sustainable soy.
Chile's strict food regulations are helping mothers - and even children - make healthier food choices for the family, according to a study. The findings are “overwhelmingly positive”, say the researchers.
Mexican social enterprise SmartFish is driving both supply and demand for sustainable fish and seafood by teaching local fishermen to use artisanal methods and selling their produce. “We are creating a market for sustainable fish in Mexico,” it says.
People, seeds and soil are the fundamentals of agriculture and, when combined, are a tool to fight climate change, say researchers working with Mayan farmers in Southern Belize.
Young Argentinians' and Ecuadorians' perception of ultra-processed food is closely aligned with the original definition, recent research suggests, and the results can help manufacturers with successful new product development.
Most packaged food products in Latin America are meeting regional salt reduction targets, according to a first-of-its-kind survey - but this is probably because the targets were set too high, researchers say.
The Social Gastronomy Movement, a network of farm-to-fork actors offering solutions to issues such as food waste and poor nutrition, is being rolled out around the world with pilot hubs in Chile and Brazil.
The high starch content of sweet potato, oca and arracacha makes them suitable for producing biobased foam trays to replace polystyrene, Peruvian researchers have found.
Barbados' tax on sugary drinks has been effective in reducing sales of sugar-sweetened beverages - however the ad valorum tax may also encourage shoppers to switch to cheaper - and possibly more sugary - brands, researchers have suggested.
Food security and nutrition experts from around the world gathered in Costa Rica this week for the Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) conference. FoodNavigator-LATAM brings you the highlights.
Chile's Gelymar is developing a "completely new" range of apple fiber products and making seaweed sourcing more sustainable. "Natural, unique and sustainable are the three pillars that will dominate the future hydrocolloid industry,"...
Neogrid's cloud-based supply chain management tools allow manufacturers to react to consumer demand in real-time, meaning fewer product shortages or excesses. "We allow companies to put the right product in the right place and in the right quantity,"...
Latin American manufacturers are interested in cleaning up food labels but the region's lack of harmonization is limiting uptake, says Chr. Hansen’s LATAM vice president.
Brazilian start-up Plasticor's patent-pending, biodegradable plastic changes color when food begins to perish, reducing food waste without compromising food safety, it says.
Reformulating to remove warning labels by cutting salt and fat makes a product seem healthier than creating a health halo by adding fiber or vitamins, Chilean researchers have found.
There is a high level of public support for front-of-pack nutrition warning labels among the Uruguayan public, according to a 1,400-strong survey. “In the Latin American context, the Chilean scheme seems particularly appropriate," write the researchers.
The caramel and fruity notes of sapote make it ideal for both creamy dairy and acidic beverage applications, and can help manufacturers appeal to Latin American consumers, says supplier Aromatech.
Producing sugarcane according to Bonsucro sustainability standards can halve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and boost crop yields, according to recent research. "A clear case" for seeking certification for this "very thirsty crop",...
Unified standards and regulations on the production and sales of beverages across Latin America and the Caribbean should happen within five years, says the International Council of Beverage Associations' (ICBA) regional group.
From jabuticaba-flavored yogurt to guacamole mayonnaise, processed food firms are catering to Latin Americans demand for natural, healthy, and authentic foods, according to a survey by ingredient supplier Kerry.
By commercializing the Amazon's precious food resources through responsible supply chains, rainforest-to-table movement Cumari hopes to protect the rainforest. "We’ll only conserve what we value," it says.
Israeli ag-tech firm Taranis says its precision agriculture tools can boost yields and cut costs - and is already doing so for millions of hectares of farmland in Latin America. “This is a one-of-a-kind patented technology," says its CEO.
In addition to being 'on-trend', sprouted quinoa flour can improve the taste, texture and nutritional quality of gluten-free baked goods, according to Argentinean researchers.
An extract derived from natural fruit and vegetable compounds can extend the shelf-life of fruit by up to 250%, drastically cutting food waste, says the Peruvian start-up behind it.
Many critics of the NOVA food classification are biased due to close ties to the food industry, according to Brazilian researchers - but are the lines between criticism of NOVA and support of food processing becoming blurred?
Online product cataloger Tiendeo wants to drive presence and revenues in Latin America and says consumer hunger for deals and a boom in smartphone use should enable it to do so.
Appearing in Mexican street food, Argentinian coffee shops and Brazilian chocolate, hibiscus flavors are conquering the Latin American continent in categories as diverse as beverages, confectionery and dairy. We spoke to supplier Firmenich to find out...
Food trendspotting is a round-the-clock practice for Campbell’s executive chef, Maria Gamble and her culinary team, who are tasked with finding ways to incorporate new flavors, textures, and ingredients into the company’s product portfolio that will spark...
Nestlé has developed non-dairy coffee creamers with improved mouthfeel using a blend of red seaweed extracts and high oleic vegetable oils that have an extended shelf life of up to six months.
From the continued growth of the organic category in the US to Roquette's optimism around plant-based milk for pea protein and regulatory developments to watch in APAC, a lot has happened over the past seven days. Here’s a round-up of the top seven...
Latin America and the Caribbean face many social, economic and environmental issues, all of which must be addressed collectively by regional stakeholders, including food and beverage manufacturers, says the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United...
Becoming Latin America's most valuable brand – like Corona achieved in 2018 – is no easy feat, but there are five consumer-driven attributes that are key to such success, says Kantar Consulting.
Grupo Bimbo will invest in technologies, circular economy best-practices and recycling programs to reduce plastic use and ensure all packaging is compostable or made from recycled materials by 2025.
Consumers across Latin America care greatly about environmental issues and a high percentage expect corporate engagement and will forfeit non-environmentally friendly brands, particularly in Colombia, finds Nielsen.
Ingredient giant Ingredion has partnered with Matsutani Chemical Industry Co. to bring the rare sugar allulose to the Americas and aid sugar reduction efforts for food and beverage manufacturers.
Pitaya or 'dragonfruit' is an increasingly popular flavor in Latin America and holds great promise for use in sports nutrition products like pre-workout beverages and protein waters, says Synergy Flavors.
Researchers have developed biodegradable active food packaging and suggest native Mexican plant extracts, traditionally used medicinally, could be incorporated as alternative antimicrobial agents.
Global hydrocolloids giant CP Kelco has announced it is building capabilities and expanding production capacity for specialty Biogums products in response to the strong global demand.
Market researchers Mintel are predicting that Evergreen Consumption, Through the Ages, Elevated Convenience will be three big food and drink innovation trends for 2019 and beyond.
Scientists from Italy, Brazil, and Spain have identified ursolic acid as the bioactive in guayusa and maté that may offer anti-diabetes and anti-metabolic syndrome benefits of the botanicals.
PepsiCo Latin America is 'dead serious' about its drive to reduce sodium, saturated fat and added sugars and is on track to achieve its 2025 global nutrition goals, the VP of Nutrition in LATAM says.
Grupo Bimbo has reported strong net sales and profits for its third-quarter but performance in Latin America was dragged down by 'political and market turmoil' in Brazil and Argentina, its CEO says.
Dairy giant FrieslandCampina Ingredients is aiming to capitalize more effectively on the growing demand for high-quality ingredients in Latin America with its new new sales office in São Paulo, Brazil.
After establishing itself in the US, yerba mate brand Guayakí is aiming to expand its availability to Latin America, senior executives tell FoodNavigator-LATAM.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is coordinating with partners including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Grupo Bimbo, Dow Chemical, the FEMSA Foundation, IBM, and Oxxo to fight food waste across Latin America and the Caribbean.
