Industry News

Holiday spending is shaping up quite differently this year, following months of COVID-19 vaccines and gradual restaurant recovery. Not only are people shopping earlier this season — with stats from NPD Group showing that 51% of consumers plan to start holiday shopping before Thanksgiving — but they’re spending more and on new products.

Parties, family dinners, and other gatherings where food is served are all part of the holiday cheer. But the merriment can change to misery if food makes you or others ill. Typical symptoms of foodborne illness are vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms, which can start anywhere from hours to days after contaminated food or drinks are consumed. Read more of these tips to find out how to be safe for the holidays.

Following a year of supply chain issues and inflation, Thanksgiving dinner could look a little different—and more expensive—this year. Consumer Reports found that turkey prices could go up anywhere from 10 to 15% this holiday season, while The New York Times wrote that this year’s Thanksgiving feast could be the “most expensive meal in the history of the holiday.” And price isn’t the only change.

Shannon Falconer explains why animal-based pet foods are a problem, and looks at the future of alternatives for our furry friends.

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa, a brand of Chicago-based Conagra Brands Inc., announced its limited-edition ultimate “ugly” sweater. The festive sweater is designed with an insulated pocket and zipper to keep a thermos of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa warm and toasty all night long, the company says.

People care about climate change and animal welfare — so it’s no wonder the demand for plant-based products has exploded in the last couple of years. The alternative dairy market is expected to triple over the next decade, reaching a whopping $32 billion USD by 2031. My team at TNW works with industry-leading companies and governments all over the globe looking to partner with or support small innovative businesses in expanding their reach. Two of our most interesting recent projects involved scouting plant-based dairy startups for industry leaders in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

Whole Foods Market is sharing the predictions of the top trends that will be popping up in grocery aisles in 2022. The council that unveils these details is made up of more than 50 Whole Foods team members. They base their predictions on product sourcing and studying consumer preferences.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of spices/spice active principles on physical, biochemical, and molecular targets of bioaccessibility/bioavailability. Carotenoids-rich micellar fraction obtained through simulated digestion of green leafy vegetables (GLV) with individual or two/three combinations were correlated to their influence on bioaccessibility, cellular uptake, and basolateral secretion of carotenoids in Caco-2 cells.

Consumers are increasingly interested in nutraceuticals, with global product sales projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2020 through 2027, according to Grand View Research. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a nutraceutical as “any substance that is a food or a part of a food and can induce medical and health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease.”

There continues to be sweet snacking options on the market which have reduced saturated fat and sugar. In terms of flavor trends, “niche fruits” including guava, lime, peach and yuzu are appealing to a wider audience. Meanwhile, cheese flavors in ice cream are marrying sweet and salty for elevated decadence.