Less than 10% of chocolate, tea and coffee products in Mexico and Brazil claim to be ethical or sustainable compared to 57% in France, according to recent research. How can manufacturers increase consumer engagement in these markets?
Dairy-free start-up Zahini wants to grow Mexico's domestic free-from sector, starting with its range of coconut yogurt alternatives fermented with live cultures.
Peruvian supermarket chain Tottus is selling compostable, non-plastic shopping bags made from corn starch to help fight plastic waste as Peru ramps up its nationwide plastic bag tax.
Acai's popularity is well established in Brazil but watch out for cocoa-like cupuaçu, says Frutos da Amazonia, which uses native ingredients from the Amazon in its range of premium products.
Danone Mexico and Mexico-based fruit processor Grupo Altex have formed a joint venture to support small-scale strawberries farmers in Mexico with training and agricultural resources. Through the program, Danone is seeking to become its own major supplier...
Newly formed, non-profit ProMaíz Nativo will promote Mexico’s native corn biodiversity with a front-of-pack logo to help consumers choose sustainably-grown, heirloom varieties.
Brazil is expecting produce and harvest 100 million of tons of corn this year, a record for the country, which until the 1980s struggled to reach 60 million tons per year, according to Embrapa, a state-owned research corporation affiliated with the Brazilian...
The Costa Rican Institute of Technical Standards (INTECO) has developed a technical standard and logo for companies wanting to communicate its product’s carbon and water footprint.
How can you get kids to eat their veggies and whole grains without a battle? According to researchers, clearly communicating a food's nutrition benefits to children through affirming statements will help kids make healthy food decisions on their...
Jellyfish are nutrient-rich, boast a similar taste and texture profile to oysters, and if approved as a novel food, could help ease the burden of over-exploited fisheries, according to EU-backed research.
The Honduran palm oil industry and government have committed to a deforestation-free palm oil supply chain that NGO Solidaridad has called "very positive".
Brazilian juice giant Citrosuco will commercialize a novel process that uses non-GM enzymes to cut the sugar in orange juice, achieving up to 80% reductions.
Mexico's Health Commission has approved a draft proposal to bring in front-of-pack nutrition warning labels and mandatory fortification in a bid to tackle obesity and malnutrition in the country.
Fortified chocolate and artisan vodka distilled from native varieties of potato are just two products to hit the market with the support of Peruvian investment program Innóvate Peru.
US company C16 Biosciences has developed a way to 'brew' palm oil through microbial fermentation, producing sustainable, deforestation-free palm oil. But what will the impact on smallholder farmers be - and will consumers accept it?
From probiotic cheeses in Brazil to mamey sapote-flavored drinking yogurt in Mexico, we take a look at some products tapping into Latin America's top dairy trends, according to market research firm Zenith Global
Argentinian start-up Carnes Validades is creating a Blockchain-based service to tighten traceability in the meat supply chain. "Consumers can see the Curriculum Vitae of the meat they eat: what, who, where and how it was produced," says its...
Brazilian chocolate maker Casa Lasevicius has launched four new bean-to-bar chocolates in partnership with NGO Solidaridad using almonds from Tuerê, one of the largest settlements of family farmers located in the Amazon region of Brazil.
Latin American government officials met in Mexico City this week to develop a regional road map to remove trans fats from food. We round up some of the region's regulatory action.
Developing new food products in Brazil, a country of continental proportions, can be a daunting task. We caught up with Brazilian NPD consultant, Cristina Leonhardt, known as Mrs Innovative, to find out where to start.
Six manufacturers that marketed blends of artificial sweeteners and stevia as 'stevia' only are misleading and must change their packaging, said Paraguayan regulatory authority, INAN.
Nestlé Brazil has launched an own-brand supermarket, Empório, at its new headquarters to give consumers a brand experience with tastings, new products and home delivery options.
Costa Rican insect protein supplier CRIC will kickstart its sales next month by exporting half a metric ton of its whole, protein-rich cricket flour to Mexico.
'Margarita', a social project launched by Danone in 2010 to support and develop Mexico's network of small milk producers, has received US$1.3m in funding from a collaboration agreement with IDB Lab (Laboratorio de Innovación del Banco Interamericano...
Efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition across Latin America and the Caribbean have stagnated in recent years and need renewed political will to reignite progress, say FAO executives.
ACORBANEC – the Ecuadorian banana association – has signed an agreement with It’s Fresh to use the UK company’s technology to help increase green life of Ecuadorian bananas.
Chile’s Chamber of Deputies is requesting an evaluation of the nation’s nutrition labeling law to assess if the law is meeting its objectives and if dietary habits are changing.
Between 65 and 80% of packaged food and beverage products in Colombia would meet criteria to receive front-of-package warning labels, says a new study.
Ingredients distributor Univar Solutions has entered into an agreement to sell Seaweed & Co. ingredients in Europe. The ‘exciting new portfolio’ of ‘innovative seaweed ingredients’ will help meet consumer demands around health, taste and sustainability,...
Costa Rican food manufacturers are meeting national voluntary salt reduction targets for processed food, according to a survey carried for the Ministry of Health.
Latin America has increased its agricultural output in the past 20 years thanks to increased investment in research and development (R&D), according to a report by the FAO and OECD.
Despite Venezuela's spiraling economic and political crisis, Givaudan says it remains committed to its tonka beans sourcing partnership with non-profit Conservation International.
Mexico’s sugar tax is hitting poor people, increasing inequality and failing to tackle obesity, says the country’s soft drink group ANPRAC – but a recent academic paper suggests even regressive sugar taxes are still “socially desirable”.
Argentinian supplier DPAustral has developed an additive that prevents melanosis in prawns and other crustaceans, allowing manufacturers to tap into the global trend for sulfite-free products, it says.
Creating fusion foods, such as quinoa or amaranth gnocchi, is a good way to add value to native and nutritious Andean ingredients, according to Argentinian scientists.
PepsiCo Latin America is launching its 'Recycling with Purpose' program by rolling out Ecoins in Peru, a virtual currency that offers consumers discounts for recyclable waste.
Mexican food design agency Foodlosofia has worked with industry giants such as PepsiCo and Heineken to develop new products, retail concepts and eating experiences. We caught up with its CEO and creative designer to find out more.
Slow-fermented chickpea miso is full of natural umami notes, making it a great way to enhance flavor, reduce salt and add beneficial bacteria to food, says Brazilian company Missô Origem.
Latin American and Caribbean countries are the biggest consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juices in the world, according to a recent study.
As of today (June 17), all processed food and drink products sold in Peru must carry a 'stop sign' warning label if they are high in salt, sugar and saturated fat, or contain trans fat.
Benni Alimentos has launched a soluble cashew nut milk powder that has a two-year shelf life, making plant-based milk alternatives more practical, it says.
Everyone has heard of French mustard, Japanese wasabi, and Mexican hot sauce - but what about Brazil? SoulBrasil Cuisine is on a mission to create condiments that reflect Brazil's biodiversity and culinary heritage.
BioZen, which claims to be the first company to make kombucha in Brazil, is launching fruit kefir. We talked to its co-founder about low-sugar drinks, gut health and reaching male consumers.
