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Botanical ingredients— especially herbs, spices, and rhizomes (ginger, turmeric, galangal) — can help play a big part in helping product developers create new foods and beverages that help the body protect itself against disease and dysfunction.

Healthy aging could be defined as staying active and in good health—both physically and mentally—while getting older. Overall, three-quarters of consumers we survey report that healthy aging is “very” or “extremely important” to them. 

Prepared Foods Editor Bob Garrison talks about upcycled new foods and beverages—and the ingredients behind them—with Angie Crone, UFA’s newly appointed chief executive officer.

For a variety of reasons, consumers have expanded the scope of their demand for products featuring low or no sugar content. In response, food and beverage formulators have invested in research and development to uncover further innovative approaches to ingredient technologies. In tandem with the consumer and industry momentum in the sugar reduction category, additional market forces may contribute to future investment in sugar reduction product development. Prices of raw sugar and cocoa touched 10-year and seven-year highs respectively in April 2023, The Smart Cube reports, due to tight supply and rising demand for both commodities.

The FDA considers the term “natural” to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food.

Ready to start making your new product? If you’ve passed your initial formulation hurdles, you’re ready to think about where to sell the item, an initial volume and how the food will be safely processed and packaged. Possibilities include a home kitchen, a commercial kitchen or co-manufacturing plant, just to name a few.

Listen to the second installment of Prepared Foods' interview with refrigerated foods giant Reser's Fine Foods, Beaverton, Ore.

According to Vantage Market Research, the global protein bar market hit $4.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.8%. The firm forecasts that plant-based protein bar sales will account for more than 30% of the total by 2028.

Prepared Foods has selected six new food and beverage products introduced in May 2023. Vote to let us know which new product is your favorite!

"The team at Yerbaé is thrilled to introduce these two delicious flavors to our customers,” said CEO Todd Gibson. “Lemonade is a classic summer favorite, while Yuzu Lime brings a unique, refreshing citrus twist to our line of beverages. We are always looking for ways to innovate and bring new, exciting flavors to our customers."