Meat juggernaut JBS launches new plant-based company
The world’s biggest meat company is launching a ‘new leader in European plant-based food’
Clean label
From regenerative to organic: How eco-friendly claims fuel growth
Natural food and drink products with sustainable label claims are flying off the shelves in the US: here’s why
Tomato leaves: The next miracle protein?
They’re protein dense, but could tomato leaves translate into a functional ingredient?
Plant-based colours fuel food innovation across APAC markets
Plant-based colours now drive innovation in the APAC food sector, offering clean-label appeal, functional benefits, and emotional impact
USDA approves first state SNAP waiver to ban ‘junk food’ – dozens could follow despite industry warnings of ‘disruptions’ and unintended consequences
It begins: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins yesterday signed the first of what could be several state waivers restricting the use of government funds by low-income residents to buy select “junk” foods and beverages, such as soda and candy
PepsiCo readies for food dye and SNAP changes, amid Q1 2025 slowdown
PepsiCo is removing artificial food dyes from its products ahead of an HHS and FDA 2026 deadline, while trade tensions drag volumes down further for its North American snack and beverage
Clean label claims in the crosshairs: Rising litigation trends zero in on claims about ‘real fruit,’ natural flavors, heavy metals, PFAs and more
Class action lawsuits filed against food and beverage companies surged last year – reversing a multi-year downward trend but still falling significantly short of the 10-plus year high in 2021, according to analysis by the law firm Perkins Coie presented...
Danone’s Super Bowl commercial masterstroke in a GLP-1 world
We look at why the dairy major tracked GLP-1-related conversations on social media - and how its Super Bowl commercial spoke to the masses
Podcast
From premium to vegan, why Luker Chocolate is made for the plant-based trend – LISTEN
With Veganuary in full swing and more popular than ever, Paul Morris, Luker Chocolate’s UK sales manager, chats to ConfectioneryNews about the 123-year-old family run company and its single origin Cacao Fino de Aroma.
Custom-designed yeast can make food healthier, says biotech start-up
A Brazilian biotech start-up is custom-designing novel, natural yeast strains that can be used to make plant proteins, replace artificial additives and boost the bioavailability of minerals.
Brazil's Fazenda Futuro launches plant-based sausages
Brazilian plant-based startup Fazenda Futuro, recently valued at US$100 million, will launch vegan sausages made with a seaweed skin for crispiness next month. “We came to revolutionize this outdated, animal meat market," says its founder.
'Eat fruit, not chemicals': Chile's PolyNatural on its fruit-extract coating for fresh produce
Made with vegetable extracts, a natural coating for fresh produce means people can eat just fruit, not synthetic chemical waxes, says the Chilean start-up behind the product, PolyNatural.
Multi-functional cassava fiber shortens ingredient lists, says Fibervita
Using a patented technology, Brazil's Fibervita transforms co-streams from the cassava processing industry into a multi-functional ingredient that can clean up processed products' ingredient lists, it says.
'Emotional well-being' fuels healthy food purchases in Brazil: Mintel
Demand for food products that are beneficial to emotional health and well-being is strong among Brazilian consumers even across different socio-economic categories, according to Mintel.
Socati targets hot beverages market with new CBD product launches
Less than a month after launching its private label line offering customers custom ratios of CBD and other minor cannabinoids, Socati is targeting the hot beverage market with a line of CBD-infused coffee additive products.
Marfrig hits record-high revenue and earnings in Q4 2019
Marfrig Global Foods finished 2019 with record returns, posting R$14.2 billion in fourth quarter revenue, a 23.5% increase year-on-year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was R$1.6 billion, up 70.2% from the same period last year.
Nano-scale quillaja extract can replicate fat for plant-based juiciness
Scientists are using Chilean quillaja extract to create nano-scale oleogels in plant-based proteins, mimicking the taste and texture of fat in meat and creating a 'juicy' product that, until now, has been "a real challenge", says the Good Food Istitute.
Tomorrow Foods on its protein isolates: 'We're helping customers join the plant-based revolution'
Tomorrow Foods says its turnkey protein isolates made from sustainably sourced pea, rice, mung and chickpea can help Latin American food manufacturers “join the plant-based revolution” without having to invest in R&D.
Argentinian start-up develops 'novel compound' food colors from fungi
Operating in both Silicon Valley and Argentina, Michroma uses CRISPR-engineered filamentous fungi to create novel, natural food colors, and is already attracting interest from multinational food manufacturers.
Functional fiber from upcycled mango seeds makes processed food healthier, says Mexico's Genius Foods
Made from mango seeds and peel that normally go to waste, Manguifer is an insoluble fiber that can partly replace fat and sugar, making processed foods healthier and cheaper, says Genius Foods.
The factors driving Brazil's healthy eating trend
From Brazil's food guidelines - and its advice to avoid 'ultra-processed' foods - to the influence of social media, a number of factors are converging to help make the country's food healthier and nutrition-based, says one expert.
NoMoo's 'molecular milk' allows it to ferment cashew nuts for plant-based cheese
Brazilian company NoMoo says it tricks bacteria to feed on the sugar molecules in cashew milk instead of dairy lactose - "a game-changing find" that has allowed it to create an entire portfolio of plant-based, fermented products.
To reformulate or not? Kua Foods on preparing its portfolio for Mexico's nutrition label
Mexican food manufacturer Kua Foods, which has a mixed portfolio ranging from healthy smoothie mixes to candy, is following Mexico's nutrition label developments carefully. "We’re not worried, just waiting to see," says its business manager.
Brazilians' need to disconnect is driving premium beverage growth, says Euromonitor
Brazilian consumers are embracing JOMO - the joy of missing out – and this is helping premium beverage brands find their mojo. "Consumers want to disconnect... and this is impacting the brands they consume," says one analyst.
From Mexico with love: Nopal cactus seen as a healthy, functional food in Latin America
Brazilian consumers are interested in buying products made with nopal cactus, seen as a healthy functional food, according to a recent study. But how much export potential does the cactus really have in Latin America?
Mondelēz patents soluble corn fiber for reduced sugar chocolate
Soluble corn fiber can reduce the sugar content in chocolate by up to 50% while retaining similar levels of sweetness and leaving no aftertaste, according to a recently published patent by Mondelēz International.
Korin: Carrefour listing will bring healthy, sustainable meat to the masses
Leading organic brand Korin is supplying GMO-free chicken to Carrefour Brazil, which will help it bring healthy, certified sustainable meat to a large number of people, its managing director says.
‘A new fat’: Cargill Brazil develops ingredient to cut saturated fat in dairy
Developed by Cargill Brazil, Lévia+c is “a new fat” that can reduce the saturated fat content in ice cream, cream and dairy drinks by up to 30%.
Ready-meal delivery start-up Simpleat ready for LATAM expansion
Simpleat delivers healthy, home-made meals to consumers' doors and is gearing up to launch in Chile and beyond. "We validated our business model in Argentina; it’s time to take it to the rest of Latin America,” says its co-founder.
Our natural fruit syrups are a healthier alternative to soda, says Siröpa
Fruit-based syrups, enriched with inulin fiber and diluted with water, are an ideal way to get Chileans to drink less sugary soda, says French-Chilean start-up Siröpa that wants to create a new category in the country.
Tapping into Brazil's niche but growing low-carb and keto market
With a rise in ketotogenic-friendly product launches to a recently launched low-carb front-of-pack logo, Brazil's keto market may be small but it interest is growing.
'Demand has skyrocketed': Mexicans are willing to pay a premium for blue corn
Demand for blue corn products in Mexico is booming and consumers are willing to pay a premium price of up to 33%, according to recent research by CIMMYT.
‘A new phase for South America’: Brazil’s R&S Blumos invests $5.5m in plant protein
Brazilian firm R&S Blumos is investing US$5.5 million to supply wet extruded pea protein that it says is best for mimicking the texture of fresh meat and fish analogs.
WATCH
Make way for maqui: Could Patagonia’s native berry be South America’s next superfruit?
Native to Patagonia, maqui berries are packed with polyphenols, have a ‘rounded’ flavour and definite superfruit potential, says freeze-dry specialist SouthAm.
Oatly developers ready for repeat success with patented quinoa milk: ‘We can do it again with Quiny’
The business developer behind Oatly and a team of Bolivian scientists have developed Quiny, a patent-protected and naturally sweet quinoa powder for plant-based milks, and are gearing up for a Latin American launch.
Tate & Lyle in multi-million LATAM investment
Tate & Lyle has opened an application center in Sao Paolo - one of its largest in the world - to serve all Latin American countries as it enjoys double-digit growth in the region.
On-the go snacks and gourmet salmon pieces can boost Latinos' low seafood intake, says Chilean producer
Pesquera Lacks is making it easy and convenient to eat fish and seafood with its healthy on-the-go snacks and gourmet smoked salmon pieces that are colored with natural vegetable extracts.
‘We are going where consumers are going’: PepsiCo nutrition chief on natural ingredients and nutrition labels
From creating amaranth and cactus snacks to supporting nutrition labels in Latin America, PepsiCo is listening to consumer demands for healthy products and clear nutrition information, according to Ricardo Pimenta, vice president of nutrition at PepsiCo...
Brazil: Study points to high prevalence of 'ultra-processed' foods consumption among infants
New research shows many infants (between 6 and 12 months) who are transitioning off of breast milk are regularly receiving "ultra-processed" foods as some of their first introduction to solid foods.
WATCH
Soy tacos, pea burgers and jackfruit burritos: How Mexican demand for vegetarian is evolving
Mexican food is traditionally very meat-based but this means there are many dishes where plant-based proteins can be added. We spoke to market analysts and ingredient suppliers to find out more about the market potential.
Freeze-drying is the solution for healthy food on-the-go, says Brazilian snack start-up
Freeze-dried fruit and vegetables are light, nutrient-packed and tasty meaning healthy eating is more accessible than ever, says Brazil's QPod.
Euromonitor: Where next for Brazil's organic food market?
The organic food and beverage market in Brazil is growing but not without its growing pains, including ingredient supply chain constraints to consumer distrust over large multinational companies launching organic products in the region, notes Euromonitor...
The race for reformulation: Making Latin America's food healthier at Food Tech Summit
From sugar reduction to fiber fortification, LATAM manufacturers are increasingly under pressure to make their products healthier. We caught up with some suppliers at this year's Food Tech Summit in Mexico City to find out more.
'This is chia 2.0': LiveKuna on giving native superfoods mass market appeal
LiveKuna is blending native superfoods, such as chia seeds and quinoa, with probiotics and adding them into convenient formats in order to expand their reach.
There is Argentinian appetite for non-GMO foods, says study
Argentina is a powerhouse producer of genetically modified (GM) crops - but there is a potential market for non-GM foods with some consumers willing to pay a 50% premium, according to recent research.
Latinos want 'meaningful' plant protein blends for maximized nutrients
Blends of several plant-based proteins will become popular among Latin American consumers as they demand “meaningful combinations” from a nutritional perspective, according to DuPont.
Babassu oil can rival coconut for taste, nutrition and functionality
Toasted babassu oil is a perfect substitute for coconut oil thanks to its delicate flavor profile, lower price, and similar nutritional and functional qualities, says Concepta Ingredients.
Organic for Chile, cassava for Mexico: Lorenz on its tailored export strategy for LATAM
The Latin American market is so diverse that every country needs a different product and approach, says Brazilian starch supplier Lorenz.
Chilean start-up blends ancestral science with modern tech for 'minimally processed' plant-based foods
The problem with most plant-based products is they use synthetic additives, highly processed ingredients and plastic packaging, says Chilean start-up Live Green Co, which aims to make low-impact, everyday products the norm.
BRF Ingredients launches natural meat flavor
A natural meat extract, made from chicken or pork broth, can bring an umami flavor to soups, broths, and noodles, says BRF Ingredients.