From pea protein substitutes to whole cut meat alternatives and pet food, the versatility of mycelium is helping to attract a growing number of start-ups to the space. How are entrepreneurs innovating to bring this sustainable ‘root-like’ structure to...
Italian researchers are urging front-of-pack labelling systems to take into account processing methods as well as nutritional composition after their work linked ultra-processed food with an increased mortality risk.
Allulose, a novel rare sugar, is currently making its way through the Novel Foods process to gain regulatory approval in Europe. Does it have the characteristics that European shoppers are looking for in sweeteners?
Scientists have identified the key chemicals found in vanilla bean extract and combined this with sensory data to understand what consumers want from vanilla flavours.
Supporting gut bacteria and bowel health may not be the most appealing claims to market on-pack, but ingredients experts say consumer perceptions can be changed – if they haven't already.
Most of us know that dietary fibre is good for us – and still the majority of people don’t eat enough. What implications does this have for our microbiomes? And how does this relate to issues like cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders and colon...
German start-up Bioweg claims its bio-based hydrocolloid made from bacterial cellulose can improve taste, texture, and appearance of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.
Safe Food Advocacy Europe has long been campaigning for an official definition of the term ‘natural’. Yet not all industry players are on board, we are told. How could a legal definition benefit both consumers and the planet?
Growth in the plant-based space has been fuelled by the development of products that mimic meat with increasing accuracy. But formulation challenges remain as the industry works to develop high quality analogues that are also clean label. Could a synergistic...
The ‘clean label’ trend does not remain stagnant. Mintel’s Emma Schofield, Associate Director, Global Food Science, reveals how the trend is evolving in the face of changing regulation, interest is degrees of processing, and environmentally friendly consumers.
British start-up Clean Food Group is developing a bio-equivalent cultivated alternative to palm oil. FoodNavigator hears from CEO Alex Neves to find out how.
Ice cream maker NORTHERN BL°C is growing rapidly as its plant-based treats resonate with UK consumers. With things on the up-and-up, we ask how the brand differentiates itself in an increasingly crowded category.
Israeli start-up Gavan Technologies has developed a novel continuous extraction method that utilises the entire plant. FoodNavigator caught up with CEO Itai Cohen to learn more.
Cambridge University spin-out Impossible Materials has developed a cellulose-based, white pigment to replace titanium dioxide in food applications. FoodNavigator catches up with CEO Lukas Schertel to find out how.
Children are more likely to prefer food they perceive as ‘natural’ over processed or lab-made alternatives, a new study from scientists in Scotland and the US has found.
Swiss plant-based food maker Eatplanted has entered into a partnership with food writer and TV chef Gizzi Erskine to challenge perceptions about the plant-based segment.
Aliga Microalgae is a Danish food tech company that has developed a white Chlorella ingredient that, it says, packs the nutritional punch of algae with a neutral taste and white colour. FoodNavigator hears more.
The clean label ingredients market is witnessing continued growth, with evidence suggesting clean labels increase consumer willingness to pay a higher price point and build loyalty. FoodNavigator digs down into the trend to profile what categories and...
CSM Ingredients has unveiled a 'novel' approach to sustainability in its ‘Thrive for Impact’ plan. The overall aim is to be what CEO Aldo Uva describes as ‘net positive’. But what does this mean? We caught up with the chief executive to ask...
Ohly, the yeast-based extracts and flavours business owned by ABF Ingredients, is launching its first carbon-neutral ingredients alongside a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. FoodNavigator hears more.
Israeli tech firm Phytolon, which is biosynthesizing alternatives to synthetic food colors, has raised $14.5m in a series A funding round* led by DSM Venturing as it gears up to commercialize betalain pigments produced via fermentation of genetically...
Sustainable nutrition is key to the future of people and the planet. Providing it is an important opportunity for the food and beverage sector to engage with shoppers who are ever more focused on conscientious consumption, FoodNavigator hears.
Forget plant-based vs dairy. The two categories are not mutually exclusive, with growth in the plant-based dairy sector being fuelled by consumers who are buying both alternatives and real dairy products, reveals Givaudan.
AAK Foodservice has acquired ForA:Butter, a plant-based butter using aquafaba – the viscous liquid left over from cooking chickpeas – as an emulsifier to create what it claims is “the only plant-based butter with the performance skilled bakers expect."
Ambitious UK vertical farmer Jones Food Company claims its new research centre will help the country end its reliance on the import of soft fruits, herbs and cut flowers within the next decade.
Firmenich and DSM have revealed plans to merge the two companies in a move that they believe will create an ‘unparalleled’ leader in nutrition, beauty and wellbeing.
In this week's gallery of new product launches, we learn about shelf-stable smoothies leveraging aseptic processing technology, Mars' plant-powered NPD, and the 'I Love' campaign to support British pork farmers who are struggling under...
Functional ingredient supplier BENEO has acquired Meatless, a Dutch innovator in plant-based texturizing solutions for meat and fish alternatives. FoodNavigator hears more about how the deal will accelerate growth at the businesses.
With the plant-based boom showing no signs of slowing, FoodNavigator profiles the technology, ingredients and culinary science powering innovation in meat and dairy alternatives.
Challenger cereal brand Crispy Fantasy hits all the right buzz words. It is high protein, plant based, clean label and gluten-free. But does it have what it takes to disrupt the European breakfast category? Founders Andrea Rodrik and Raphael Nahoum tell...
Givaudan has developed a patent-pending ‘synergistic combination’ of plant-based ingredients and natural flavourings that it says can be used as a nitrite replacement in meat.
Taste and nutrition company Kerry officially opened what it bills as ‘the largest and most advanced’ taste manufacturing facility on the African continent this week. FoodNavigator hears from Paul Hewitt, Vice President of Sub Saharan Africa, to learn...
Tate & Lyle is expanding in the plant-based protein arena with a deal to acquire chickpea protein and flour supplier Nutriati. The global ingredients company best known for sweeteners and texturisers tells FoodNavigator the deal will boost its portfolio...
IFF has launched SEAFLOUR, a hydrocolloid from red seaweed with particular potential in higher-protein plant-based milks made with pea or soy, enabling formulators to offer cleaner labels and shorten their ingredients lists.
An Israeli food tech company has developed a proprietary process leveraging spirulina to mimic ‘virtually any type of fish and animal tissue’. It’s first product: a ‘single-ingredient’ smoked salmon analogue. FoodNavigator catches up with co-founder and...
The ingredients supplier is investing €50m in the new facility to make protein concentrate, starch rich flour and hulls from faba beans – a crops that comes with ‘convincing sustainable credentials’, Beneo’s Christoph Boettger tells FoodNavigator.
Dutch food engineers at Vaess have developed an innovative biotech solution that can replace the controversial use of nitrites in meat products like bacon, while maintaining a stable pink appearance.
The Naturist is leveraging hemp to create what it describes as the ‘ultimate formula’ for its sustainable, protein-rich ‘vegan meat’, Crump. FoodNavigator caught up with innovators at the Estonian start-up to learn more about the benefits this ‘underrated...
Frozen food giant Nomad Foods has launched an Open Innovation Portal, inviting academics and SMEs to share ideas that could be scaled to ‘shape the future of food’.
France-based Umiami tells FoodNavigator its proprietary high moisture extrusion process surpasses other commercially available technologies by producing thicker, whole cuts of substitute meat.
The US-based company has built a proprietary fermentation platform which makes functional ingredients using mycelium, the fibrous root structure of mushrooms.
Spanish ingredient supplier Nektium is expanding its botanic ingredient portfolio into the food and beverage sector for the first time. FoodNavigator caught up with R&D experts at the company to learn more about the ‘exciting opportunity’ for botanicals...
Griffith Foods is focusing its product development might on the core pillars of nutrition and plant-based product development, with efforts informed by the ‘guiding star’ of sustainability. European President Wim van Roekel weighs in on the massive potential...
