Consumers have been trying foods, ingredients, and substances that help them build immunity, prevent inflammation, aid their digestive health, and relieve stress and anxiety, according to NPD’s Health Aspirations and Behavioral Tracking Service, which continually tracks consumption habits linked to wellness goals and identifies long-term, mainstream trends. 

Royal DSM, a global science-based company in nutrition, health and sustainable living, launched Hologram Sciences, a consumer-facing company that will create brands targeting various health conditions. By combining health diagnostics, digital coaching and personalized nutrition, Hologram Sciences brands will provide consumers with more holistic solutions to manage health. The mission-driven company combines top Silicon Valley talent, formerly of Uber, Fitbit and Facebook.  

Sir Kensington's, best known for making premium condiments and dressings, has revamped its polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. The new packaging not only gives the brand an iconic shape within the condiments landscape, but it also pushes the brand closer to its sustainable packaging and sourcing goals.

Pegasus Tech Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based global venture capital firm which supports innovation for global corporations, announced a business collaboration with Japan’s food giant Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

Flavor is the single most important choice factor and purchase driver for ice cream shoppers. However, there are other trends in ice cream development that help to build further competitive edge. These include non-dairy formulations, low sugar recipes, cleaner labels and ethical ingredients.

Although there may be a pandemic-related slowdown, there’s no stopping new product development targeted at the commercial and non-commercial foodservice sectors. To help readers with new product development strategy, Prepared Foods asked Jeff Miller, founder and CEO of Cutting Edge Innovation, to create a thought leadership series connecting R&D strategy to foodservice sales. Cutting Edge Innovation advises on foodservice strategy, sales, business development, and innovation. Miller also created an online course, “Turbocharge Your Foodservice Sales.” 

As the coronavirus pandemic caused lockdowns and a number of office workers relocated to working at home full-time in 2020, many consumers began to spend most of their time at home and looked for more home-based activities. Baking activity took off, and subsequently, sales of baking-related products soared by 24% last year to reach to $26.5 billion, reports market research firm Packaged Facts in the new report Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a disaster for so many industries, but snack food products actually prospered during the chaos that defined 2020.

Tate & Lyle, a global provider of food and beverage solutions and ingredients, introduced the “Collaborate at Home Kitchen”, a digital engagement hub where food and beverage manufacturers can explore trends, science and solutions that power modern consumer choices. The hub also provides users with access to Tate & Lyle’s experts, as well as additional resources to help them find solutions to their formulation challenges.