Evolution Fresh, a leading producer of organic, cold-pressed, premium juice products, announced that four of ist Real Fruit Soda flavours – Tropical Mango, Strawberry Vanilla, Lemon Lime, and Orange Squeeze – will now be sold in the U.S. at select Whole Foods Market locations. Each Evolution Fresh Real Fruit Soda is made with organic, freshly squeezed fruit juice, never from concentrate.
Earlier this year, Evolution Fresh disrupted the soda alternative sector by adding Real Fruit Soda to its portfolio of high-quality, cold-pressed beverages. Evolution Fresh Real Fruit Soda provides the same level of sweetness and bold taste that traditional soda has to offer, while touting a simple label.
Each product contains no added sugar and prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and antioxidant Vitamin C to help support digestive and immune health. With only 5 grams of sugar and 35 – 45 calories per can, Evolution Fresh Real Fruit Soda is also non-GMO, Gluten Free, Vegan, and Kosher.
According to data from NielsenIQ*, functional beverage sales increased to USD 9.2 billion between March 2020 and March 2024, and the category is projected to reach USD 277 billion by 2033. As the demand for better-for-you beverages steadily rises, Evolution Fresh plans to continue driving consistent growth in the premium refrigerated beverage space with innovation like its Real Fruit Soda.
The 12 oz. cans of Evolution Fresh Real Fruit Soda can be found chilling in the beverage cooler at select Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S.
*NielsenIQ Trend Report
The official survey reveals a record positive response, highlighting a rise in the quality of trade visitors and an increase in successful business at the world’s leading trade show for the fresh fruit and vegetable business.
Berlin was the place to do business last week, as more than 91,000 people from across the global fruit and vegetable trade came together for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025.
From 5 to 7 February, the world’s leading trade show for fresh produce attracted an even larger number of international trade visitors and exhibitors to its latest edition, and offered participants three days of unrivalled marketing, networking, innovations and insights. According to official survey results, this year’s exhibition achieved a new high in terms of the quality of its 67,500 trade visitors as well as an increase in successful business. Plus, it also secured record levels of satisfaction for its 23,500 exhibitor representatives. In response, the organiser Messe Berlin has immediately opened stand bookings for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026.
Growth potential as the right people connect
Innovation was at the heart of this year’s event, as shown by the ingenuity of companies competing for its industry-leading Innovation Awards, or the game-changing technologies featured during its three-day Startup World showcase. “People know that when they come to FRUIT LOGISTICA, they always see something new and meet decision-makers from all over the world,” said Alexander Stein, director of FRUIT LOGISTICA. And, thanks to the show’s official partner Fruitnet, tens of thousands had the chance to listen to hundreds of expert talks about every aspect of the business at six stages located around the halls. “The international fruit and vegetable market is a hugely challenging business to be in right now,” Stein added, “but the feedback we had from our trade visitors and exhibitors is that growth is possible, and the right people were here to make that potential a reality.”
Exhibitors and trade visitors in good spirits due to brisk business
FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025 met with a positive response from both exhibitors and trade visitors.
According to initial trends from the exhibitor survey, 9 out of 10 respondents achieved a very good to satisfactory business result at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025 and have positive expectations for follow-up business. The same number again are already planning to take part in the next event in 2026.
According to the preliminary results of the representative trade visitor survey, trade visitors are also very satisfied. 94 % of respondents reported a positive overall impression and 95 % would recommend the event to others in their business environment. 9 out of 10 of those polled are already planning to visit FRUIT LOGISTICA again next year.
The high-quality audience also contributed to the trade show’s positive results: 3 out of 4 trade visitors make purchasing or procurement decisions in their company. This results in extensive business activities: more than 80 % of those surveyed made new business contacts at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025, and over a third were able to establish new contacts at the trade show itself.
At BIOFACH 2025, around 2,300 exhibiting companies from 94 countries will present the diversity and innovative strength of the organic world.
Nuremberg is the venue today for the launch of BIOFACH, the World’s Leading Fair for Organic Food. From 11 to 14 February 2025, the sector will gather in the organic food metropolis to collectively tackle global challenges and build networks. The theme of this year’s accompanying congress is “Yes, we do! How to effect change in the organic food segment”. Some 2,300 exhibiting companies from 94 countries are set to showcase the diversity and innovative strength of the organic community. “BIOFACH 2025 will show how the sector is actively shaping change. In times of multiple crises, ecological transformation is more important than ever. With its comprehensive product display in nine exhibition halls and accompanying congress, BIOFACH sees itself as a guiding force that provides direction, dialogue, and leading-edge inspiration,” explains Dominik Dietz, Director of BIOFACH.
At BIOFACH 2025, stakeholders from the entire value chain will gain a comprehensive overview of the products and solutions available. In nine exhibition halls, they’ll discover a wide variety of products from international exhibitors who have travelled from all over the world but primarily from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and Austria. Almost half of the participating companies have organic ingredients for food and natural cosmetics as well as vegetarian and vegan options in their product ranges. This development is also reflected in the BIOFACH Trends of 2025. The Trend Jury, made up of experts from the organic and sustainability sector, has chosen this year’s industry trends: “Next-level Plant-based” and “We, Myself and I”. The former describes the dynamic development of plant-based alternatives on the market, where innovative products that combine flavour and sustainability are setting new benchmarks. “We, Myself and I” reflects the conflict between idealism and hedonism. Price and variety are at the forefront of purchasing decisions, while sustainability has taken a back seat. Nevertheless, consumers still want transparency and environmental awareness from manufacturers.
This is also happening at the product level. The product trends in 2025 range from rebellious moments of (organic) indulgence (Rebel’s Choice) and plant-based taste sensations (Vegan en Vogue) to high-quality convenience products (Culinary Ease), eco-friendly beverages for every occasion (Cheers to Every Moment), and foodstuffs with added benefits (Functional Finesse).
Highlights from the supporting programme
In 171 individual sessions, the 2025 BIOFACH Congress offers a platform for the industry’s thought leaders. Seven different forums cover topics such as market developments, trends, policy frameworks, best practice examples, and “food for thought”. The congress theme, which was devised by the BÖLW (German Federation of Organic Food Producers), the national supporting organization of BIOFACH, and BIOFACHs international patron IFOAM – Organics International, is: “Yes, we do! How to effect change in the organic food segment”. As an interactive format, the SustainableFutureLab invites participants to discuss critical issues and open new perspectives. Via the BIOFACH digital platform, numerous programme highlights will be live-streamed and will then be available for about six months after the fair as on-demand videos. The networking tools provided also facilitate discussions between industry experts.
The professional audience can look forward to a wide-ranging supporting programme with many new features and highlights. The INNOVATION STAGE and PRESENTATION STAGE provide a platform for young start-ups and organic pioneers to showcase their diverse products and creative ideas. In 2025, the PLANETARY HEALTH world of experience (formerly World of VEGAN) will also cover topics like the planetary health diet and whole foods as well as plant-based solutions. The special display area “Organic Food in OOH” has been expanded yet again. This is where interested visitors will find best practice examples and exhibitor presentations and can gain deeper insights into out-of-home and institutional catering in live cooking demonstrations and guided tours.
Anyone wanting to find out what the future of organic food could look like should make their way, for example, to the BIOFACH Novelty Stand, the International Newcomers & Start-ups area in Hall 4A, the “Young Innovators” pavilion subsidised by the BMWK (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) and the BIOFACH start-up pitches. Participants are also encouraged to vote for their favourite product either online or at the Novelty Stand to win the Best New Product Award. This accolade is awarded in 12 categories on the last day of the fair.
Almost half of UK consumers intend to spend on Valentine’s Day this year or have already started to spend on it. This is an uplift on 2024 and has been driven by those aged 25-34. With this age group more likely to have young families, consumers plan to buy for partners and significant loved ones such as children and friends. Retailers have the opportunity to utilise the popularity of this occasion among these shoppers to encourage larger basket sizes and boost average spending, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest report, “Retail Occasions: Valentine’s Day Intentions 2025,” reveals 69.3 % of UK 25–34-year-olds intend to spend on this occasion, marking a 7.8 percentage points (ppts) uplift on 2024 intentions. This age group will account for almost a quarter of Valentine’s Day shoppers in 2025, meaning this is a core target demographic for retailers.
Zoe Mills, Lead Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Intention to spend on Valentine’s Day is high, but few consumers have started to spend on this occasion so far in January, meaning retailers still have plenty of time to entice shoppers to purchase. The grocers are in the best position, with the intention to spend the highest among the food & drink and gifting categories. Romance-themed meal deals including prosecco/champagne, should be promoted at the front of stores.
“However, with the target audience likely to have children, retailers should also include Valentine’s Day-themed products that appeal to a much younger audience. Retailers should emulate Marks & Spencer’s range, including items like Love Hearts Biscuit Kits, enabling adults and children to decorate heart-themed biscuits.”
While partners are the main recipients among Valentine’s Day gift shoppers, more consumers intend to spend on their children for the event, highlighting that this occasion is not just about romantic love but also familial love, coupled with self-love and the appreciation of one’s friends.
Mills continues: “There is ample opportunity for retailers to broaden their reach with this occasion and ensuring a variety of more generic love-themed designs will enable their products to be gifted to a broad range of recipients. 11.9% of Valentine’s shoppers intend to purchase gifts for friends, up 3.2ppts on 2024. This trend is driven by Gen Z consumers, with 59% of this generation stating that Valentine’s Day is not just an occasion to treat their partner and that they like to buy gifts or cards for other loved ones. Events such as Galentine’s Day parties, celebrating friendship, may still be niche but must not be ignored by retailers.”
GlobalData expects that food & drink gifts will be the most popular among Valentine’s Day shoppers, and retailers must ensure plenty of food & drink gift sets to appeal to shoppers, focusing on confectionery and alcoholic drink gift sets.
Mills concludes: “Retailers must focus on food & drink gifts, where the intention to spend is high. The higher intention to spend on these items also implies that Valentine’s Day gifts are more of a token than an excuse to splurge on premium options such as fine jewellery, and retailers must ensure a broad pricing architecture to appeal. Flowers are also an accessible option for male Valentine’s Day shoppers, and providing a broad range to cater to different colour preferences is crucial. Red roses or red & pink bouquets should not be the only options; fun and colourful bouquets could appeal to those looking for something less traditional and more generally to those seeking these gifts for friends.”
Barentz, a leading global specialty ingredients solutions provider, announces that Derk Jan Terhorst was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2025. Derk Jan will take over from Terry Hill who served as Interim CEO since May 2024.
Derk Jan brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been with Barentz for more than three years as Group CFO. During this time, Derk Jan demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision, playing a key role in formulating Barentz strategy and driving other important initiatives. Prior to joining Barentz, Derk Jan held senior management positions in Ahold Delhaize and Tony’s Chocolonely, gaining significant expertise in international financial management, with experience spanning Europe and the USA.
A new CFO has been selected and will start on 1 May, 2025. Until then, Derk Jan will continue to assume CFO responsibilities.
The result of orange juice shipments from Brazil in the 2024/25 season already reflects the lower supply of oranges and the limited stocks of the national OJ. According to data from Comex Stat, from July to December last year, Brazil exported 448.5 thousand tons of orange juice (converted into FCOJ 66 Brix), for a decrease of 23 % compared to that observed in the same period last year and the lowest amount of the Comex Stat series, which has started in 1997. The revenue obtained with sales, in turn, rose 37 % in the same comparison, hitting the record of USD 1.96 billion.
Calculations performed to obtain the total volume exported consider the sum of the three codes available in the Comex Stat system. Specifically about the code “20091200”, which includes non-concentrate types of juice, numbers were converted into FCOJ 66 Brix. Moreover, differently from the methodology used by CitrusBR (Brazilian Association of Citrus Exporters), all ports in Brazil were taken into account, not only Santos port.
Citrus BR indicates that the volume shipped in the first six months of 2025 (the last ones of the 2024/25 season) may register a lower performance compared to the year before due to the offseason in São Paulo, which limits the availability of juice. Moreover, the international demand is low because of high OJ prices in the international market.
As for destinations of total Brazilian exports, the European Union continues as the most important, participating with 55 % of the revenue obtained with sales in the second semester of 2024. The second major destination is the United States (35 %) – data from Comex Stat.
Between July and December 2024, NFC (not from concentrate) shipments to the US accounted for 62 % of the total, against 53 % in the same period of the year before. As for the European Union, FCOJ exports accounted for circa 70 %, and NFC shipments, 30 %.
Brazil
The fourth blossoming in the citrus belt in São Paulo slightly increased the supply in late January, despite the below-expected quality of the fruits. Low stocks of orange juice have been leading some companies to purchase as many fruits as they can in the spot market in an attempt to reduce the juice deficit. Fundecitrus indicates that the good development of this last blossoming of the 2024/25 season may bring a slightly higher supply for the citrus belt.
The study looks at how the use of cannabis is impacting consumption in key food and beverage categories in key markets.
GlobalData’s new “Hot Topics” cannabis study on the claimed consumption behavior of cannabis users compared to non-users highlights that this is a large and growing consumer group, who are behaving differently to the general population, in ways that brand owners and their stakeholders may not fully realise.
Jenny Questier, Consumer Analysis Director at GlobalData, commented: “Currently, there is little research data or analysis available to help companies understand the impact of a new cohort of cannabis users in consumer packaged goods markets where the drug has been legalised. While this study’s findings are indicative, they could apply to any market where cannabis use is prevalent as they do provide some useful insights into the impact that cannabis users consumption behavior could have on product choices being made in key food and beverage categories and which demographics are important in future product development and positioning.”
The study entitled, “Hot Topics Report: Impact of cannabis use on consumption in key markets”, provides a top-line indication of how consumers who claim to use cannabis, describe their use of the drug in five key markets which have legalised the recreational use of the cannabis, namely: the US, South Africa, Canada, Mexico and Germany, and the claimed impact this may have on consumer consumption in the alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, savory snacks, and chocolate and confectionary categories in each of these markets.
The study reveals that cannabis users have a tendency to stay at home more, are more concerned about their physical and mental health, spend more time online, and perhaps as a consequence of this, order more food online, when compared to non-cannabis users. Interestingly, the known side effects of cannabis use of increasing hunger and thirst are significantly impacting on consumers’ net consumption of non-alcoholic beverages, savory snacks and chocolate and confectionary, however, the drug’s use currently seems to have a limited impact on alcohol consumption overall.
This is an important cohort for consumer packaged goods companies because the number of recreational cannabis users is already significant and is set to grow further. In the US, cannabis is legal for recreational use in 24 out of 50 states, according to the *Pew Research Centre. In the US, there were an estimated 17.7 million daily cannabis users recorded in 2022, according to research published in the journal Addiction, based on data collected by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Questier continued, “In the coming decade, the number of cannabis users is set to grow globally as more US states are likely to legalize recreational cannabis use, public support may lead more countries to do the same, and more people are likely to take up the habit as a means of relaxation, enjoyment, and for perceived health benefits. It is imperative that brands and manufacturers of food and beverages understand what this may mean for future innovation and target consumer groups.”
Here are some of the top-line indicative findings from the study for each food and beverages category surveyed in each market:
Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic Drinks
Cannabis use does not appear to have a significant impact on alcoholic drinks sales!
Claimed alcohol consumption remains largely unchanged overall as a result of cannabis use, generally holding steady at a plus or minus 1 % net change in most markets. Canada and Mexico have a small net decline in alcohol consumption with Germany’s high + 10 % net change attributed to a smaller sample size as cannabis has only recently been legalised in the country, and reported use remains relatively low.
An assumption that alcohol sales overall might suffer from the increased use of cheaper cannabis products as the stimulant effects are similar is not evident from this study. However, that’s not to say that the alcoholic drinks market isn’t changing; female cannabis users are drinking less alcohol, but males are drinking more.
Cannabis use makes you thirsty for non-alcoholic drinks!
All markets in this study saw a significant rise in the consumption of non-alcoholic drinks by cannabis users. In some markets, this rise occurred among all demographics, in other markets younger consumers dominated.
Savory Snacks and Chocolate & Confectionary
Cannabis use gives you the munchies, boosting savory snacks sales!
All markets saw a rise in savory snack consumption due to cannabis use; North American markets had particularly large rises. Unlike beverages, Gen Z do not dominate savory snack sales, instead it is older Gen Y and Gen X consumers.
Cannabis use gives you a sweet tooth, increasing chocolate & confectionery sales!
Cannabis use drives a significant rise in chocolate and confectionery consumption in most markets, although the demographic leading this varies from market to market.
Questier adds: “The top-line results from this indicative study show that cannabis users’ consumption behavior is different from other consumers. Consumption of soft drinks, savory snacks and chocolate and confectionery is significantly increased, with the balance between male and female, and young and old consumers shifting in each market. Whilst there is limited claimed impact from cannabis users on total alcohol consumption, the demographic make-up of this market is nevertheless changed by the presence of cannabis.
“With little research conducted into this area to date, the study’s indicative findings suggest that the implications of cannabis use for consumer packaged goods companies and their stakeholders could be significant for brand strategy, consumer targeting, portfolio management, innovation, sales, advertising, and marketing. Further research by brand, category, and geography could be required to ensure that these implications are understood and appropriate strategies devised to manage them.”
Free sample pages from the “Hot Topics Report: Impact of cannabis use on consumption in key markets”, are available here
Somersby, a market leader in the modern cider segment, is introducing an innovation new product to the market: Somersby Zero. This is the first alcohol-free cider with no sugar and no calories, now available in Germany.
With the Beyond Beer category continuing to thrive, this launch reflects the Carlsberg Group ability to align with key consumer trends, offering a carefree alternative for those who want to enjoy consciously – without compromising on taste.
More freedom, more enjoyment, more options
Under the motto “Zero means more”, Somersby Zero represents a new era of carefree enjoyment: more ease in social gatherings, more variety for nutrition-conscious consumers and more trend awareness. The new Zero range consists of two flavours:
Apple – The popular classic in the cider portfolio
Yuzu & Lemon – A refreshing flavour with the extraordinary taste of the Asian citrus fruit yuzu, characterised by an intense fruitiness with a slightly tart taste that combines notes of grapefruit and tangerine
Gunnar Fischer, CMO Carlsberg Germany, says: “With Somersby Zero, we are delighted to launch a product on the German market that is not only unique, but also a real game changer in the modern cider sector. Somersby embodies the joy of life, lightness and special moments of delight – exactly what Somersby Zero is all about. We are proud to be the first market within the Carlsberg Group to launch this promising product, ensuring we have the right choice for every taste in our portfolio.”
Pioneer of the Zero trend
With Somersby Zero, the brand is positioning itself as a pioneer of a growing wellbeing trend. More and more people are seeking alcohol-free, sugar-free and calorie-free alternatives that align with a modern, active lifestyle. According to a YouGov survey, 49 % of 18 to 24-year-olds have already chosen to abstain from alcohol. At the same time, demand for low-calorie and sugar-free products continues to rise. Somersby Zero is not only the first alcohol-free cider – it also sets new standards for enjoyment without compromise.
Market launch with a major media campaign
The launch of Somersby Zero will be accompanied by the brand’s most extensive marketing campaign in Germany to date. This includes a high-impact out-of-home presence at highly frequented locations in focus cities as well as targeted digital activations on platforms such as Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram. Activations at major festivals in summer and the CSDs in Hamburg and Berlin, a summer roadshow and extensive sampling campaigns put the new product directly into the hands of consumers. Additional attention will be created by eye-catching zero mix displays in stores and a free trial campaign, which will be extended through digital media.
The launch is part of a global plan to introduce Somersby Zero, starting with Germany as the lead market in 2025, followed by expansion into broader markets in 2026, beginning with Poland and Sweden.
The consumption of fresh apples is falling in Europe. We are losing consumers every single year. Revitalising the apple section and the range of apples offered is becoming essential.
And so Blue Whale® has aimed to understand consumers around the world, as well as their expectations in terms of both products and the buying experience. ‘This understanding is key to revitalising consumption’, says Christelle Bertin, Director of Marketing & Communication at Blue Whale®. ‘We are the recommended apple partner’, she adds. ‘In order to develop our knowledge of consumers and understand their expectations, we’ve been carrying out large-scale studies since 2022 in France and in several other countries around the world with MarketSense.’
Blue Whale® has taken its learnings head on — there are 3 main reasons why consumers have moved away from eating apples:
Disappointing experiences in terms of taste and texture.
The trivialisation of apples and a desire to turn to other types of fruit.
Diverse consumer profiles with different expectations that need to be met.
‘There are around a hundred varieties on the world apple market and over 70 varieties branded through clubs,’ explains Christelle Bertin. ‘Not all these varieties will be successful. However, a wide range on the shelf can strengthen the department if a consumer approach is prioritised.’
Drawing on what it has learnt and its consumer-centred approach after studying and gaining an understanding of what consumers want, Blue Whale® has reworked how it offers assortments to customers.
‘Our offer, which is relevant from a taste and organoleptic perspective, goes hand in hand with activation work both inside and outside the point of sale. It’s a winning combination for reaching the hearts of consumers!’ explains Pauline Planté, Head of Marketing France at Blue Whale®. ‘Five major consumer profiles have been updated in France with special expectations regarding apples: from diet addicts to gourmet foodies looking for sensory pleasure, as well as no-nonsense families. Cross-referencing certain consumption data from the Kantar panel has led to some truly interesting findings. For example, our all-new CANDINE is a sweet, crunchy and juicy variety, which is very well suited to the expectations of young consumers who are looking for a tasty apple that’s ideal for snacking’, she points out.
The categorical approach suggested by Blue Whale® has been test-implemented at Leclerc for two months at some of its locations. The assortment recommended by the chain has been set up according to taste, with clear and attractive shelf markings to encourage shoppers to browse the range and discover new varieties. The average department shopping basket has increased, with the most popular innovations outperforming the rest. ‘We’ve got proof it works! A 46 % jump in revenue in the apple category!’ Christelle Bertin further explains, ‘The different varieties bring additional benefits to the department and meet different consumer expectations.’
Pauline Planté adds, ‘We’ve developed APPLE management expertise and are offering a 12-month global assortment to our French medium-to-large-sized supermarket customers to get their entire departments to perform better by satisfying consumers and boosting sales. We don’t just offer our varieties to push our volumes. We’re concerned about the entire department and include our competitors’ offers in our recommendations.’
To better highlight the offer, Blue Whale® has developed and deployed POS advertising in the department to guide consumers’ buying choices. ‘We’ve updated the main consumer choice criteria: 1) taste 2) uses and expectations for apples,’ she says.
SIG announced its network partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This collaboration aims to push forward the transition towards circular packaging systems, reinforcing SIG’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.
Advancing circular packaging
The collaboration will enable SIG to tap into the expertise of the Foundation and its network, further accelerating SIG’s commitment to reduce waste, improve recyclability and increase the use of renewable materials. The partnership is an important step in SIG’s broader strategy to innovate and scale circular packaging solutions to create a zero waste, low carbon future for the packaging industry.
Collective action for systemic change
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy – one that eliminates waste and pollution, circulates products and materials, and regenerates nature – uniting its global network of businesses, policymakers, financial institutions, and experts to drive systemic change. As a network partner, SIG can exchange innovative strategies to advance business transformation.
The South African import and export logistics environment is constrained by the lack of use of rail transportation linking to road transportation, coupled to underperforming Transnet state-run container terminals. Equipment failure at the terminals has been widespread and it is very likely to persist for the time being. This dilemma is a major constraint for the exporting of citrus since 95% of exports are by way of containerization. Although significant investment has been made in cold storage capacity along the Eastern, Central and Western corridors set out to provide much needed capacity, the biggest constraint in the logistics chain lies in the challenge of delivering containers to the terminals in an acceptable timeframe. This report seeks to take a ‘snapshot look’ at the past season’s logistics and shipping and highlight some of the interesting events and also aims to hone in on some of the prevalent challenges …
With the acquisition of Trident Beverage, makers of Juice Alive, Frazil becomes one of the leading providers of frozen beverages in K-12 schools in the U.S., with thousands of schools in its growing customer base.
Frazil, one of the largest slush brands in the U.S., announces its acquisition of Trident Beverage, a trusted provider of 100 % juice slush for K-12 schools. With this acquisition, Frazil will continue to expand its presence in the K-12 channel, delivering an enhanced and innovative frozen beverage experience to schools across the country.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Trident Beverage team and their incredible legacy of providing schools with trusted products that students love and administrators rely on,” said Kyle Freebairn, CEO of Frazil. “This partnership marks an important milestone in our growth strategy, allowing us to expand our reach with K-12 schools and build on our existing success. Together, we’re combining Trident Beverage’s expertise with Frazil’s bold flavours and exceptional service to elevate the frozen beverage experience for schools across the country.”
Trident Beverage was established in 2004 to meet the growing nutritional demands of the school food service industry and has become a trusted partner for school nutrition departments and administrators across the U.S. Known for its smart snack-approved slushies made with fruit juice, Trident Beverage’s Juice Alive brand offers a healthy and profitable option for schools looking to enhance their beverage offerings.
Explore the latest global flavour trends of 2025, including mega trends and shifts in lifestyle
Innova Market Insights has been a specialist in consumer-packaged goods trends for 30 years. The company now uses an AI-enhanced platform to analyse insights and observations and generate reports like its report on global flavour trends. Innova’s 360 perspective on insights considers many facets of CPG trends, including consumers, categories, packaging, flavours, ingredients, and products. The company takes a top-down and bottom-up approach to identify trends and drivers, including flavour trends. Top-down factors include megatrends and shifts in lifestyle and attitudes. Bottom-up factors incorporate insights from global trend-spotters, as well as category trends. This comprehensive collection of intelligence can be synthesised into reports such as Innova’s Top Trends in Flavours for 2025.
Global flavour trend #1 – Sensory Therapy
Global flavour trends show that today’s world is highly uncertain, and consumers feel the stress. They look for various paths to mental and emotional wellness, including flavour experiences, that can be uplifting or calming. In fact, consumers participating in global consumer flavour trends research say that the most important feature of flavours is that they can enhance mood. Innova describes sensory therapy as leading to euphoric wellness. Flavour trends indicate that manufacturers offer flavour choices to meet consumers’ emotional needs. Flavours can be cheerful and happy, energised, healthy, or relaxed and calm. Familiar flavours and comforting flavours most impact consumer food and beverage choices, with coffee flavour and brown flavours as favourites, especially paired with products that have a creamy or smooth texture.
Global flavour trend #2 – Authentic & Rooted
Authentic & Rooted is Innova’s #2 global flavour trend for 2025. In global consumer trends research, consumers say that they look for authenticity, connection with others, and comfort through real experiences that are rooted in culture. In fact, nearly half of the consumers researched globally say that honoring food traditions with food choices that reflect their heritage is a very to extremely important factor in their diet. Participants in a global consumer trends research report want to see products on supermarket shelves that reflect old and traditional recipes. Furthermore, timeless traditional flavours are nostalgic. A world of flavours is available in all types of products, from ready meals to beverages, snacks, and coffees.
Global flavour trend #3 – Imaginative Taste Adventures
Innova’s #3 global flavour trend for 2025 – Imaginative Taste Adventures – describes consumer pursuit of experiences with flavour adventures and unique flavour combinations. Taste discoveries provide consumers with enjoyment and pleasure in food and beverages. One example of a global food trend is “swicy,” that is, sweet plus spicy. This food and beverage trend in food and beverage generates positive buzz in the form of social media mentions and sentiment trends across social media and online platforms. Taste experiences are highly important to consumers, and consumers looking for taste experiences will seek out creative flavours.
Global flavour trend #4 – Healthier Enjoyment
The #4 global flavour trend, Healthier Enjoyment, stresses the importance of combining health with flavour. By boosting the taste, texture, and healthiness of food and beverage choices, manufacturers make them more enjoyable, as well as satisfying and better for you. In a global consumer trends survey, participants noted the importance of taste and texture – after price – in food and beverage products that are nutritious. Features that improve nutrition include “light” versions that have less sugar, salt, fat, and/or calories, products that are sugar-free, and products with low or no alcohol claims. Consumers have taste expectations for sustainable products too. Consumers report that taste and texture are barriers to choosing sustainable food and beverage products, including plant-based products that they say need better taste and texture.
Global flavour trend #5 – Quality & Enrichment
Consumers globally tell Innova Market Insights that luxurious flavours feel indulgent and enhance a product’s perceived value. While price is important to consumers, the quality of a product relates to its value for money. When consumers were asked about attributes other than price that make a product a good value, premium quality was their top answer. Furthermore, consumers say that they remain brand loyal only if the products are good quality. Flavour is an important conveyor of quality, and indulgent flavours help satisfy consumer cravings.
People who use dietary supplements are significantly more likely to trust Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology than those who don’t, according to consumer research1 commissioned by Ingredient Communications – the global B2B PR agency for ingredient companies.
In the survey, conducted by SurveyGoo, 64 % of supplement users2 agreed that AI was generally positive for humanity, compared with 40 % of non-supplement users. When asked about the use of AI in the food and beverage industry, 55 % of supplement users said they felt positively about it, compared with 30 % of non-supplement users.
Supplement users in the survey were more likely to be willing to allow AI to make decisions on their behalf, with 62 % stating they would be prepared to let the technology analsze their own genetic make-up and dietary needs in order to make personalised nutrition recommendations. By contrast, only 33 % of non-supplement users said they would be willing to do so.
In a similar vein, 59 % of supplement users agreed that AI could be trusted to make decisions about their diet and nutrition that were in their best interests. Only 28 % of non-supplement users felt the same way.
However, by contrast, respondents who were supplement users were slightly more likely to want safeguards around the use of AI in food and beverage products. When asked if products made with the help of AI should declare this fact on the label, 87 % of supplement users said they wanted this, versus 79 % of non-supplement users.
Meanwhile, 68 % of supplement users agreed that a product made with the help of AI should not be described as ‘natural’, with 62 % of non-supplement users taking this position.
Richard Clarke, Managing Director of Ingredient Communications, commented: “Our survey indicates that consumers who take supplements are much more likely to embrace the application of AI in the food and beverage industry than those who do not. More research would be needed to reveal why this is the case. But we can speculate that the profile of a typical supplement user is someone who is more likely to embrace scientific and technological innovation if it enhances their wellbeing or gives them an edge in physical and mental performance.”
He continued: “At the same time, however, it’s important to note that our findings show supplement users still expect transparency around the use of AI in the food and beverage sector. Again, to speculate, this might be because they tend to be an engaged and knowledgeable consumer demographic that accepts no compromises when it comes to safety and regulation. The message from supplement users, therefore, is clear: go ahead and innovate with AI – but be sure to take us on the journey with you.”
1Online survey of 1,040 consumers in UK and USA, conducted October 2024 2Supplement user = a respondent who had used a supplement within the past three months
An in-depth look at market developments, economic challenges and climate impacts in the fruit trade – now available for free on the website.
The latest edition of the European Statistics Handbook is currently available for downloading on the website of FRUIT LOGISTICA. This annual publication is a handy collection of valuable information on Europe’s key markets and producers, as well as the main fruit and vegetable flows supporting the import/export business. The handbook contains detailed analyses and data that provide an in-depth look at the developments and challenges in this sector. The focus is on production volumes and the international trade in goods. The European Statistics Handbook helps companies in the fruit and vegetable sector make better and more informed decisions. As well as statistics, the publication contains analyses that make it easier to understand the production, supply and trade data of the various European markets.
Five key findings of the European Statistics Handbook 2025:
Difficult economic situation for consumers: Despite wage rises in 2024, the economic situation remains difficult for many consumers in Europe. Prices, in particular for fruit and vegetables, have continued to rise, making an above-average contribution to the higher cost of living. However, purchase volumes are not in decline. Sustainability, organic and local produce have as yet not been impacted by the economic situation.
Weather extremes are impacting the industry: 2024 once again saw many extreme weather events which severely impacted the production and transport of goods. Freezing nighttime temperatures, heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in Central Europe and Valencia, and the rising spread of new pests posed major challenges for farmers.
Lower operating costs, but continuing cost pressure: Following cost increases in previous years, fertiliser prices fell in 2024. At the same time however, spending on machinery, maintenance and wages increased. Labour availability remains a key problem. The price index for operating costs fell by 9 points, without any positive impact on the income situation of many farms, however.
Geo-political conflicts are influencing the sector: The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the results of the European elections in 2024 have strongly influenced the political climate. The debate surrounding bureaucratic requirements and cuts in subsidies led to protests, which at times blocked transport routes. Nevertheless, topics such as climate action and sustainability are gaining traction with EU agricultural policymakers.
Mixed results in fruit and vegetable production: While fruit production fell slightly, particularly of apples, vegetable yields remained stable and in some cases (onions and peppers) even increased. The effects of frost and flooding however highlighted the vulnerability of production to such events.
The Indian soft drinks sector is currently experiencing a notable disruption due to the price war initiated by Campa Cola. With the incumbent market leaders, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo joining the price war, it is an all-or-nothing war for a share of the consumer’s wallet in the Indian soft drinks sector, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Parthasaradhi Reddy Bokkala, Lead Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Campa Cola brand, once a common sight across India when Coca-Cola and PepsiCo did not operate in the country due to regulations, was revived in 2022 by Reliance Retail. Backed by the deep pockets of its parent, Reliance Industries, the company embarked on an aggressive pricing model to capture market share.
“With the INR10 (USD 0.12) price of a 200 ml cola bottle and INR 20 (USD 0.24) for a 500 ml bottle, Campa Cola has undercut PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and other companies’ prices by 50 %, as 200 ml bottles of colas are generally available at a price of INR20 (USD 0.24). To counter this, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo launched promotional pricing for their larger bottles. This led to a lull in the price war as Campa Cola’s distribution reach was still low.”
Francis Gabriel Godad, Consumer Business Development Manager, GlobalData India, notes: “The impact on market leaders Coca-Cola and PepsiCo’s market share was low due to the lack of distribution reach for Campa Cola. Thanks to the gradual increase in Campa Cola’s distribution reach, the situation changed in recent quarters as the aggressive prices and expanded distribution disrupted the operations of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The two companies have been forced to withdraw from the status quo and increase promotions on their products. For instance, Coca-Cola recently launched a 350 ml bottle (150 ml free) of its flagship Coca-Cola brand at INR 20 (USD 0.24).”
Godad continues: “The predatory pricing has also affected the volumes of non-cola categories and brands. For instance, PepsiCo’s Tropicana and ITC’s B Natural brands suffered volume losses due to the expanding price differential between nectars and colas.”
Reddy concludes: “The price war in the Indian soft drinks sector is a multifaceted issue driven by aggressive pricing strategies, shifting consumer preferences, economic pressures, and a growing focus on health. As companies continue to adapt to these dynamics, the competition is likely to intensify, with potential long-term implications for brand loyalty and market positioning. With all the major players having deep pockets, the market is in for a long-drawn price war, which can lead to a consolidation in the market, as smaller players may not be able to sustain in a long-drawn price war.”
As a founding member of the industry association RecyPac, Emmi is working alongside its partners to launch a nationwide circular solution for plastic packaging and beverage cartons. The solution was launched in several Swiss municipalities in January 2025, enabling the standardised collection of packaging, including Emmi branded products such as Aktifit and good day. A significant milestone has been reached in the collective efforts to achieve a circular solution in Switzerland for these high-quality recyclable materials, demonstrating the continued progress Emmi is making in achieving its sustainability goals for sustainable packaging and in supporting the circular economy.
Numerous Emmi dairy products such as Aktifit, good day and raclette are already available on the market in recyclable plastic packaging or beverage cartons. Since January 2025, consumers in the city of Bern and the municipalities of Dietikon, Greifensee, Oetwil an der Limmat and Schlieren have been the first to be able to place recyclable packaging into a standardised collection system. This marks the first major milestone in the RecyPac collection initiative’s goal to develop a comprehensive, nationwide solution for the two recyclable materials.
“The standardised collection and recycling solution for plastic packaging and beverage cartons introduces the first nationwide solution. We are continuing our pioneering work to develop a practical, everyday solution for our consumers and are committed to supporting a circular economy in line with our sustainability goals,” explains Marc Heim, Executive Vice President Division Switzerland at Emmi.
Emmi Schweiz AG is a founding member of the non-profit organisation RecyPac. This industry association focuses on the development of a recycling system that involves all stakeholders along the value chain with the aim of collecting recyclable materials nationwide and recycling them to a high standard. This will close a major gap in Switzerland’s circular economy.
SIG Group announced its inclusion in two Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the first time. This milestone confirms SIG as a best-in-class company for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
SIG’s debut in both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index (DJSI Europe) highlights its commitment to long-term shareholder value and leadership in sustainability. These indices are widely considered a benchmark for evaluating corporate ESG practices and sustainable business success, highlighting SIG’s ongoing dedication to sustainability and commitment to do more for people and the planet than it takes.
Launched in 1999, the DJSIs set a global standard for sustainability assessments, evaluating thousands of companies annually on their governance, environmental, and social practices. For 2024, over 2,500 leading companies were assessed, with only the top performers earning a coveted spot on the DJSI World and Europe lists.
SIG’s inclusion in the DJSI is testimony to its position as a trusted partner for businesses seeking sustainable packaging solutions. For customers, this recognition ensures that SIG continues to balance its groundbreaking innovations with a firm commitment to ethical practices, environmental care, and positive community impact.
As the demand for sustainable solutions in the packaging industry intensifies, SIG remains steadfast in its mission to lead by example, setting benchmarks for ESG excellence and shaping a more sustainable future for the industry.
Even with the return of rainfall in the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro from October/24 on, the scenario for the 2025/26 season continues uncertain. Flowers that opened after the rains were considered satisfactory, however, the development of the crop still depends on weather conditions during the season.
The 2024/25 crop is estimated at 223.14 million 40.8-kilo boxes of oranges, for a decrease of 27.4 % compared to the previous season (2023/24) – data from Fundecitrus.
Weather adversities have been hampering the production for five consecutive seasons, which resulted in restricted inventories of juice.
Cepea calculations indicate that Brazilian orange juice stocks may not recover during the 2024/25 crop, ending this season technically zero. Thus, a very positive 2025/26 season will be necessary to have at least a slight recovery.
Not even a decrease of exports in the 2024/25 season will be enough to compensate for the reduction in the volume of fruit processed, which will maintain the demand from the industry at high levels.
Moreover, Florida has been registering a decrease in inventories and may need to import more inputs from Brazil, which helps to sustain quotations in the domestic market. Besides this scenario of limited production and stocks in Brazil, data released on December 10 by the USDA indicate that the 2024/25 orange crop may total 12 million 40.8-kg boxes, downing 20 % (or 3 million boxes) compared to the report released in October (15 million boxes). Besides the citrus greening disease, the production drop is also related to the hurricane Milton in Florida in early October 2024.
For 2025, the conditions reported in the Brazilian citrus grove may support prices throughout the year.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Döhler North America’s new state-of- the-art facility marked a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to innovation and growth. This expansion underscores Döhler’s dedication to advancing R&D capabilities and delivering cutting-edge solutions for the Americas.
Located at One Research Way, the new Döhler North America Innovation Hub aligns with the company’s mission to advance research and drive innovation in the food and beverage industry. The facility will also serve as the new East Coast location for Ixora-Scientific, Döhler Ventures, and “The Future of Nutrition and Longevity Institute”. With over 50,000 square feet of sophisticated, modern space set on an eight-acre campus, the center is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and the latest in science-based natural food, beverage, and nutrition solutions – setting the stage for even greater achievements ahead.
Intake of chicory root fibres significantly reduces body weight, BMI, fat mass and waist circumference
A new systematic literature review with meta-analyses, conducted by Reimer et alI, demonstrates that chicory root fibre intake promotes a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference and, to a certain extent, body fat percentage. Based on this review, there is now even stronger evidence to show that supplementation with chicory root fibre can lead to clinically meaningful reductions in body weight and other weight management parameters.
Obesity is a major risk factor for diet-related non-communicable diseases. With one in eight people in the world living with obesity and 2.5 billion adults overweight,II weight management has become a global health priority. With this in mind, these findings are of key importance, as they demonstrate that chicory root fibre inulin and oligofructose are effective and should be incorporated into products that aim to deliver science-based, positive results.
Included in the systematic review with meta-analyses, considered the strongest methodology in the hierarchy of scientific evidence, were 32 randomised controlled trials and almost 1200 participants. The studies were selected based on an extensive literature search and review process that followed the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and InterventionsIII and the PRISMA standards of quality for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.IV The inclusion criteria for the studies were based on the consumption of chicory root fibre in randomised controlled trials that were designed to gauge its effect on body weight, BMI, total body fat, body fat percentage, or waist circumference in adults of all health conditions.
Body weight was the primary outcome parameter for the systematic review with meta-analyses. This was determined in 29 of the trials that involved 1184 adults, and these demonstrated that supplementation with chicory root fibre resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 2 % reduction in body weight compared with the placebo. A priori1 subgroup analysis based on chicory root fibre dose also highlighted a significant reduction in body weight at a dose of 10 g/d2. In addition, the review revealed that the effectiveness of chicory root fibre on weight loss was not reduced over time, but became even more pronounced. The researchers further reported that weight loss was achieved independent of the health status of the individual.
Alongside reduced weight, chicory root fibre was shown to support reductions in BMI, fat mass and waist circumference parameters. Also, when the supplementation lasted for at least 8 weeks3, a reduction in body fat percentage was noted.
Commenting on the findings, Prof. Dr. Raylene Reimer, University of Calgary, Canada, said: “Prebiotics have been investigated for their ability to modulate the gut microbiota and affect various aspects of metabolic health. This systematic review and meta-analyses show that inulin-type fructans, specifically those derived from chicory root, beneficially impact multiple facets of body weight management. Given the positive outcomes seen across a wide range of participants, chicory root prebiotic fibre could be an important tool to help promote improved weight management.”
BENEO’s prebiotic fibres, Orafti® Inulin and Oligofructose, are inulin-type fructans. They are natural, non-GMO, clean label prebiotic fibres that are derived from chicory root via a gentle hot water extraction method, unlike some other fibres that are artificially or chemically made. They can be used in a wide range of food and beverage applications including baby food, according to national legislations. As proven prebiotics, chicory root fibres (inulin, oligofructose) support a healthy gut microbiota and selectively promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, such as Bifidobacteria, in the gut. Being prebiotics, they also trigger a cascade of metabolic effects, resulting in the promotion of satiety, thereby helping people to naturally reduce their food intake.
1A priori is a term applied to knowledge considered to be true without being based on previous experience or observation. 2This value is derived from the median of the investigated studies. 3This value is derived from the median of the investigated studies. IReimer RA, Theis S, Zanzer YC. The effects of chicory inulin-type fructans supplementation on weight management outcomes: systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024 Sep 21:S0002- 9165(24)00751-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.09.019. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39313030. IIWorld Health Organization, Obesity and Oveweight, 1 March 2024, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight IIIHiggins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, eds. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons: Chichester (UK). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119536604#:~:text=Cochrane%20Handbook%20for%20Systematic%20Reviews%20of%20Interventions.%20Editor?msockid=19fad51910c86e391a14c18d110e6fd8 IVPage et al. (2021) The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 372:n71. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n71
All oranges 12.0 million boxes
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes, unchanged from the December forecast. If realised, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 5.00 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.00 million boxes of Valencia oranges. An 8-year regression was used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma, and the 2022-2023 season, which was affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Average fruit per tree includes both regular bloom and the first late bloom …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
The Commission has adopted a ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, due to its potentially harmful health impact. BPA is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of certain plastics and resins.
The ban means that BPA will not be allowed in products that come into contact with food or drink, such as the coating on metal cans, reusable plastic drink bottles, water distribution coolers and other kitchenware. The ban follows a positive vote by EU Member States earlier this year, and a scrutiny period by the Council and the European Parliament, and takes into account the latest scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA notably concluded that BPA had potentially harmful effects on the immune system, and the proposed ban followed both a public consultation and extensive discussions with all Member States.
BPA is already banned in the EU for infant bottles and similar products. For most products, there will be an 18-month phase out period, and very limited exceptions where no alternatives exist, to allow industry time to adapt and avoid disruption in the food chain. The ban also includes other bisphenols that are harmful to the reproductive and endocrine systems.
Oliver Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health & Animal Welfare, said: “Maintaining high food safety standards in the European Union and protecting citizens is one of the Commission’s highest priorities. Today’s ban, which is based on solid scientific advice, will protect our consumers against harmful chemicals where they can come into contact with their food and drink.”
Flottweg SE is strengthening its management team and appointing Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Lengenfelder as a new member of the Management Board. Mr Lengenfelder joined the Flottweg SE Executive Board team on 1 November 2024, assuming responsibility as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this role, he will work with Dr. Kersten Christoph Link as CEO and Klaus Huber as CFO to further develop the company and drive forward its technological and operational focus.
Jörg Lengenfelder studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University in Nuremberg, specialising in production technology. He then held various management positions in the greater Munich and Erlangen area before running his own company for several years. His focus there included the development and production of automation systems for medium-sized production companies. In recent years, Mr. Lengenfelder worked in a managerial capacity for the Netzsch Group. As a member of the Executive Board and the global management team, he was responsible for operations at the plants in Germany, Spain, Brazil, India and China, among others. In addition to strengthening the supply chain, several new construction and expansion projects were realised under his direction.
Premium fruit and vegetable ingredients supplier SVZ sets out its predictions of the essential trends that will shape the food and beverage (F&B) industry in 2025. With an emphasis on nutritional value, and how it can be further supported by fruit and vegetable ingredients, SVZ’s three top trends reflect how consumers see F&B products as more than just fuel – but as routes to improved well-being, a greener, fairer economy and even authentic self-expression.
1. Back to basics: Fundamental nutrition
SVZ’s first top trend is consumers’ return to fundamental nutritional truths. Half a decade on from the COVID-19 outbreak, the connection between diet and health remains a central topic. Most Europeans report that they eat more healthily now than five years ago, but even so, many still worry about making the right choices amid a sea of conflicting advice.1 In France, 51 % of those surveyed by Mintel stated they felt pressure to eat and drink healthily.2 Pair this statistic with another from the same report which shows that around one in five respondents are attracted to core nutritional claims such as high fibre, vitamin or mineral content, and the ‘fundamental nutrition’ trend starts to take shape.3
“Shoppers are overwhelmed and wary of vague or complex nutritional claims,” comments Johan Cerstiaens, Commercial Director at SVZ. “Instead, they want options with clear, common-sense benefits that reflect the basics of nutrition. A great example is products which help consumers reach their recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. It’s a claim valued by more than a third of shoppers, but real fruit puree or a vegetable juice is also a great source of natural flavour and nutrition too.”
2. The ‘so-what’ consumer: Rebellion takes centre stage
Directly challenging the much-discussed ‘nutrition-above-all-else’ attitude, 2025 will be the year of the rebellious food and beverage consumer. This theme is defined by personal expression, imperfections and guilt-free consumption. While some address their dissatisfaction with diet trends by going back to basics, others are taking a more radical approach. For instance, 34 % of French shoppers believe ‘life is too short’ to worry about specific food and drink choices, while worldwide, 43 % of consumers state they want to see more indulgent and ‘crazy’ food and drink creations.4 New-year trend predictions from Mintel, FMCG Gurus5 and Innova Market Insights all reference these rebels who prioritise gratification over righteousness.
“This trend is so interesting because it presents several different routes to success,” Cerstiaens continues. “On the one hand brands can lean into the convention-bucking aspect with wild and wonderful flavour combinations, but on the other they could focus on authenticity by demonstrating how their products align with key consumer values, such as plant-based eating or ethical sourcing.”
3. Supply and demands: Food safety, security and sustainability
SVZ’s final 2025 trend relates to the impact of geopolitical and climate-related disruptions on the food and beverage segment. From major political events to increasingly volatile weather events, global supply chains are under pressure – and shoppers are taking notice. Between on-shelf shortages and the rise of ‘skimpflation’6, reports of consumer concern are unsurprising, with 77 % of Italian adults for instance believing that climate change will affect the availability of supermarket products in their lifetime.7 In fact, globally, two thirds of shoppers state that sustainability is more important to them now than it was two years ago8, suggesting this is a purchase driver that will only continue to grow in importance.
“While it may not always be the easiest of topics, at SVZ we know no discussion about the future of food and beverages is complete without addressing sustainability and security of supply,” states Cerstiaens. “Through our daily operations, we have a seen genuine determination, from farm to fridge, to build a fairer, greener and more efficient global food system. Rather than being discouraged by current challenges therefore, as a sector we should be inspired to collaborate across the supply chain, drive innovation in natural ingredients and adopt sustainable sourcing strategies that help keep the F&B industry climate-resilient.”
Orange prices hit records in 2024. Values of the 40.8 kg box were above BRL 100 in the in natura market. Increases are explained by the firm demand from part of the industry (since players have low orange juice stocks) and the restricted orange supply, because of the limited production.
The weather in the citrus belt was predominantly dry and with high temperatures during the development of the crop. Although prices allowed good profits to citrus growers, the low productivity boosted costs (which had already been high due to the citrus greening disease). Margins may be reduced in areas where the production dropped significantly, despite record prices of the fruit. As for the tahiti lime, quotations were at low levels in the first semester and increased in the second part of the year, because of the offseason period, which is a typical movement.
As a result, due to the limited orange supply and the high demand from the industry, values operated at record levels, in real terms (prices were deflated by the IGP-DI). In October, the price average paid by the industry surpassed BRL 90 per 40.8 kg box. It is worth noting that 2023/24 trades started early, in January, with quotations at around BRL 38 per box. Since inventories at the industry had been limited, the demand in the spot market increased, and prices hit records in real terms, surpassing BRL 100/box in November.
São Paulo state and Triângulo Mineiro are likely to harvest 223.14 million 40.8 kilo boxes of oranges in the 2024/25 season, for an increase of 7.36 million boxes (or + 3.4 %) compared to the last projection, released in September, but still 9.24 million boxes less (or – 4 %) in relation to the first estimate (May 2024). Therefore, the current season may be 27.4 % smaller than the previous (2023/24), when 307.22 million boxes were harvested – data from Fundecitrus.
The smaller production was already expected in 2024/25, due to unfavourable weather conditions and to the citrus greening disease.
The current scenario is: very limited orange juice stocks in Brazil. Thus, in order to guarantee the global OJ supply, the next production (2025/26) would need to increase in both Brazil and Florida.
As for the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, it can favour shipments of lime, lemon and orange juice, but can also open a direct channel to receive these fruits from Spain. Still, the agreement is very important and brings good perspectives for the mid and long-terms.
Döhler is delighted to partner with The Perfect Pureé to launch a lineup of freeze-dried fruit products under the Tastecraft brand in North America. Tastecraft, a Döhler global registered trademarked brand, represents a variety of food and beverage solutions for the foodservice industry worldwide, and this marks the entrance in the region. This partnership with The Perfect Pureé highlights Döhler’s ongoing strategic efforts to grow in the foodservice channel in North America. “Embarking on this journey with The Perfect Pureé, a trusted provider of high-quality products, provides an exciting opportunity to introduce Tastecraft, and further expand Döhler’s capabilities into new segments of the foodservice channel,” remarks Paul Graham, Döhler President of Americas. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity, and see this as the start to a successful, long-lasting partnership for years ahead.”
Tastecraft Freeze-Dried Fruit offers 7 fruit varieties to leverage as garnish, inclusions, toppings and more in a variety of food and beverage offerings. We’ve found consumers love the premium upgrade these fruit options bring when added to menu items, also resulting in an opportunity for increased menu pricing for operators,” says Katie Dornfeld, Marketing, Döhler North America. “The fruit for Tastecraft products is sourced directly from the growing regions around the world, ensuring only the highest quality raw materials are used for these products,” explained Jan Gladisch, Head of Dry Ingredients Business Unit, Döhler North America.
“This partnership enables access for restaurants of all sizes, to leverage freeze-dried fruit on their menu. These products create an easy way to execute a fruit garnish or inclusion without the risk of waste or any additional preparation,” explains Deb Tatley, Account Manager, Döhler North America.
About Perfect Pureé Headquartered in Napa, California, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, LLC overlooks the familiar statue of a grape press that officially welcomes visitors to the celebrated wine-producing region of Napa Valley. The company’s corporate office hosts visiting customers and foodservice professionals. With a vast network of foodservice distributors throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, The Perfect Purée continues to grow and enjoy status as the United States market share leader in frozen fruit purees. The company’s products are also available to home enthusiasts on its website, www.perfectpuree.com.
With a joint investment of around EUR 3 million by Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams, a new recycling plant is set to start operations in Ittervoort (The Netherlands) in the second half of 2025. The facility will handle the non-fibre component (polyAl) from used beverage cartons, boosting the recycling capacity in the European Union (EU).
Strategically located near the Belgian and German borders, the plant has the potential to process the entire volume of polyAl from beverage cartons recycled in Belgium and The Netherlands, and part of the volume from Germany. Featuring an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, this second Dutch plant complements the existing 8,000-tonne capacity at Recon Polymers’ facility in Roosendaal, marking a significant increase to the region’s recycling capacity. It also adds to the existing and well-established recycling infrastructure in the EU, where beverage cartons are recycled in 20 specialised paper mills, with polyAl currently processed by ten facilities.
Kinga Sieradzon, Vice President Collection & Recycling, Tetra Pak, comments: “We are pleased to announce this new plant, which significantly enhances the recycling capacities of used beverage cartons in the region. By collaborating with Yellow Dreams, we have the opportunity to exceed the Netherlands’ official recycling targets.1This is another milestone in our collaborative journey with all stakeholders across the value chain, to drive collection, sorting, and recycling. Our ongoing investments, up to €40 million each year globally,2 reflect our commitment to advancing beverage carton recycling and supporting sustainable practices.”
Bas Gehlen, Managing Director at Yellow Dreams, adds: “The joint endeavour of Yellow Dreams and Tetra Pak not only showcases the potential of polyAl recycling but also sets a remarkable example of the value of collaboration towards building a circular system. Through this project, we are continuing to spearhead the transformation of carton recycling, leaving a lasting impact on the environment and inspiring further the adoption of circular economy practices.”
Today, beverage cartons can be and are being recycled into valuable materials for new products wherever the collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure is in place. Therefore, expanding this infrastructure is a priority for Tetra Pak. Recycled paper fibres are used to enhance the quality of various paper products, such as e-commerce boxes and shopping bags. The protective layers of polymers and aluminium, once recycled, can replace virgin plastics or other recycled plastics in applications for injection moulding, extrusion or thermo-forming, and be used to produce a variety of goods, such as pallets, crates, outdoor furniture, flower pots and tiles.
Tetra Pak has collaborated intensively with Recon Polymers since 2019 to further develop polyAl recycling technology. The project evolved into a full-fledged commercial plant in Roosendaal, Netherlands that commenced operations in early 2021 and got an €1 million injection in 2023 in a bid to increase the capacity to 8,000 tonnes per year, therefore advancing material circularity across France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The co-investment with Yellow Dreams – which is based on the same technology, helping to transform polyAl into a range of everyday items including reusable pallets, interiors and large-format 3D printed object – represents the latest step in this journey. Once operational, the new plant will benefit several countries.
1The Netherlands’ official recycling target not only accounts for fibre recycling but also polyAl recycling. This target will evolve from 34 % in 2023 to 55 % by 2030 (source: https://www.verpact.nl/nl/drankenkartons) 2Capital and operating investments.
With the arrival of Christmas, the European project FRESH UP YOUR LIFE – TOP-QUALITY EUROPEAN FRUIT & VEG is inviting everyone to celebrate the holidays with a simple but meaningful gesture: to gift high quality fruit and vegetables, symbols of health, authenticity and love. These products, genuine expressions of European excellence, represent the ideal gift for a Christmas that combines taste and well-being.
European fruit and vegetables are important for daily well-being, as they are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Among the stars of the project are fruits that are extraordinary in quality and benefits. Kiwis, rich in vitamin C and fibre, are valuable allies for strengthening the immune system and fighting winter fatigue. Oranges, a symbol of vitality, offer an exceptional supply of vitamin C, flavonoids and potassium, bringing character and warmth to Christmas tables. Pears, sweet and juicy, stand out for their content of water, fibre and B vitamins, ideal for promoting cardiovascular health and glycaemic control. Processed tomatoes, finally, contain a treasure trove of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells and promotes general well-being, making them a versatile and healthy ingredient for festive dishes.
These foods support the immune system, promote the proper functioning of the body and help prevent numerous diseases. As a pillar of the Mediterranean diet, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, fruit and vegetables are recommended for daily consumption of at least five portions, perfect for breakfast, snacks or as main ingredients in tasty recipes. Consumed raw, these foods maximise their nutritional benefits, making every meal a moment of well-being and pleasure.
Grown in specialised areas of Italy and Europe, these products meet the strictest food safety standards thanks to a production chain that integrates innovative methods while respecting the product and the environment. The long tradition of excellence of European fruit and vegetable products is reflected in their unrivalled quality, which makes them a perfect gift for someone you love.
The three-year ‘FRESH UP YOUR LIFE’ project, co-funded by the European Union and CSO Italy, involves leading companies in the sector such as Apofruit, Cico-Mazzoni, Conserve Italia, Lagnasco Group, Oranfrizer, Origine Group and Salvi-Unacoa, with the aim of promoting knowledge and consumption of European fruit and vegetables. The campaign is active in international markets such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates, spreading the values of quality, uniqueness and taste that characterise European agriculture.
This Christmas, surprise your loved ones with a gift that speaks of health and tradition. By choosing European fruit and vegetables, you will bring to the table the authentic flavours of excellence and a message of love and care for those you love. Gifting well-being has never been so simple and delicious.
DNV, the independent assurance and risk management provider, published a new report highlighting the urgent need for the food and beverage sector to transform its supply chains to meet sustainability demands amid global challenges like climate change, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer expectations.
The report ‘The Future of Sustainable Food Supply Chains: Spotlight on Europe’s Food and Beverage Industry’ reveals that sustainability has become the number one supply chain priority for food and beverage companies, with 75 % ranking it among their top three goals, ahead of cost efficiency (63 %) and regulatory compliance (49 %).
To succeed, companies must adopt a holistic approach that integrates visibility, digital transformation, and compliance with emerging regulations. With food systems accounting for a third of global carbon emissions, the report identifies critical areas where the industry must focus to balance environmental responsibility, cost-efficiency, and compliance with increasingly stringent regulations.
The report’s key findings on critical challenges facing food and beverage supply chains include:
Digital transformation as a catalyst: The adoption of digital tools such as supply chain traceability, connected product passport as well as supply chain risk management platforms is gaining momentum, but the sector lags behind others in integrating key technologies. A focus on verifiable and trusted data, as well as ease of use across all supply chain actors is essential to enable transparency and cost-effective compliance.
Evolving regulatory landscape: New EU directives, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the Packaging Waste Directive, are driving companies to address sustainability comprehensively, from carbon footprints to human rights concerns.
Consumer and retailer influence: Today’s informed consumers demand sustainable and transparent food production practices and are willing to pay a premium for products aligned with their values. Retailers, especially those with private labels, are pushing for deeper collaboration with suppliers to meet these expectations.
“The food and beverage industry faces an era of significant transformation as sustainability within the entire supply chain becomes an urgent priority. Global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and the growing impact of climate change, have intensified existing challenges while introducing new complexities to the industry’s supply chains,” said Geir Fuglerud, CEO – Supply Chain & Product Assurance at DNV. “This report is a blueprint for companies to address the challenges ahead, leveraging digital innovation to balance cost-efficiency and environmental responsibility.”
While digital transformation is crucial for creating lean and green supply chains, the report’s findings highlight that it must be coupled with robust methodologies for data collection and verification. Technologies like AI offer immense potential to enhance visibility and traceability, but fragmented standards and siloed data systems remain key barriers.
As climate change accelerates and global populations grow, the food and beverage sector must embrace a holistic, technology-driven approach to sustainability. Collaboration across the supply chain, bolstered by strategic partnerships and adherence to rigorous standards, will be essential in shaping a more sustainable and efficient future.
With the launch of its trend prediction tool Symvision AI™, Symrise can deliver valuable and actionable insights for food and beverage manufacturers to develop successful innovations. By using AI and a unique data structure it anticipates trends for flavours, ingredients and claims. This helps identify promising market opportunities. The tool enables manufacturers to develop market-relevant food and beverage innovations by analysing multiple data sources and understanding how trends move across the globe and product categories.
In a rapidly changing world, getting ahead of consumer demands has become essential. As consumer preferences for food and beverages shift, manufacturers need to decode and anticipate market changes. This is crucial to create market-relevant food and beverage innovations that consumers love and that cater to their ever-changing wishes. Now, what kind of flavours, ingredients and claims do consumers exactly want? To answer this question, Symrise developed Symvision AI™, a trend prediction tool designed to predict the future of taste, nutrition and health.
“Consumer taste preferences change over time. Symvision AI™ allows us to anticipate these changes and predict trends for flavours, ingredients and claims. It enables us to deliver consumer-preferred taste, nutrition and health solutions for food and beverage innovations at the right time in the right place”, says Leif Jago, Global Marketing Manager Food & Beverage at Symrise.
Symvision AI™ – an AI-based multisource prediction tool
To achieve reliable and valid trend predictions, Symvision AI™ utilises a unique data structure, combining internal and external data sources, including historical data. The tool tracks reliable data at every relevant time point of a trend lifecycle. This ranges from early signals in social media to market and product launch data. Symrise continuously enriches the data sources with additional proprietary research data.
Analysing these data sources with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms enables Symvision AI™ to decode trends for flavours, ingredients and claims. It provides an understanding of how these trends move across the globe and product categories. In addition, the tool shows which consumer needs and emotional benefits specific taste tonalities address. This allows promising recommendations for specific product categories and markets.
“Several factors make our tool unique. It uses a proprietary multisource data structure that is processed by advanced AI such as machine and deep learning models. We will continuously improve and enrich our dynamic tool Symvision AI™ with more data points and more features. This will increase the benefits for our customers” adds Dr Dariah Lutsch, Research Manager, Global Sensory & Consumer Insights Food & Beverage at Symrise.
Enabling future-proof food and beverage innovations
All in all, the tool uses a unique approach to allow manufacturers to develop future-ready and consumer-preferred food and beverages with increased speed. At the same time, decoding the movement of trends across the globe and product categories enables the creation of innovations at the right time in a specific market. In addition, producers can address consumer need states as the tool connects taste tonalities with associated emotions. These benefits allow food and beverage manufacturers to innovate successfully with consumer-preferred taste, nutrition and health solutions.
“Symvision AI™ acts as a fantastic enabler for our business. It connects multiple sources of market and consumer data. It determines how this data is related over time and product categories with a focus on what consumers like and need most. Also, it provides understanding and prediction to guide new Symrise developments. Symvision AI™ provides a platform capability that will continuously grow and become stronger”, summarises Dr Conor Delahunty, VP Global Sensory & Consumer Insights at Symrise Food & Beverage.
TUM researchers develop highly effective filter material
The chemicals known as PFAS are considered a severe threat to human health. Among other things, they can cause liver damage, cancer, and hormonal disorders. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now developed a new, efficient method of filtering these substances out of drinking water. They rely on so-called metal-organic framework compounds, which work much better than the materials commonly used to date. Even extremely low concentrations of PFAS in the water can still be captured.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered “forever chemicals”; they generally do not decompose on their own even after centuries and, therefore, pose a long-term threat to humans and animals. PFAS have been used in numerous products such as textiles, fire-fighting foams, and food packaging, and have thus been released into the environment. The substances can accumulate in the body via food and drinking water, and thus cause serious health issues.
The team led by Nebojša Ilić from the TUM Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering and Prof. Soumya Mukherjee, a former Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral researcher at the TUM Chair of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry during the study period and now Assistant Professor of Materials Chemistry at the University of Limerick, identified water-stable metal-organic framework compounds made of zirconium carboxylate as particularly effective PFAS filters. The bespoke class of materials is characterized by the adaptable pore sizes and surface chemistry. The materials are water-resistant and highly electrostatically charged. By specifically designing the structures and combining them with polymers, the filter capacity has been significantly improved compared to materials already in use, such as activated carbon and special resins.
Prof. Jörg Drewes, Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, emphasizes the great social significance of the research results: “PFAS pose a constant threat to public health. For too long, the negative effects of the chemicals, which, among other things, ensure that rain jackets are waterproof and breathable, have been underestimated. The industry has now started to rethink this, but the legacy of PFAS will continue to affect us for several generations to come.”
Researchers from the TUM School of Natural Sciences worked together with colleagues from the TUM School of Engineering and Design and simulation experts from the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology to develop and research the new filters. Prof. Roland Fischer, Chair of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, emphasizes: “When solving such major challenges, experts from a wide range of disciplines have to work together. You simply can’t get anywhere on your own. I am delighted that this approach has again proved its worth here.”
However, it will be some time before this new filter material is adopted at large scale in waterworks. The newly discovered principle would have to be implemented with sustainably available, inexpensive materials that are safe in every respect. This will require considerable further research and engineering solutions.
Publication N. Ilić, K. Tan, F. Mayr, S. Hou, B. M. Aumeier, E. M. C. Morales, U. Hübner, J. Cookman, A. Schneemann, A. Gagliardi, J. E. Drewes, R. A. Fischer, S. Mukherjee, Trace Adsorptive Removal of PFAS from Water by Optimizing the UiO-66 MOF Interface, published in: Adv. Mater. 21.11.2024, 2413120. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202413120
The demand for low- and no-alcohol drinks is on the rise as consumers increasingly seek healthier alternatives and choose sobriety to better enjoy their social moments. The increase in demand for these beverages during the Christmas season is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the growing acceptance in a time when drinking is considered part of culture. Aligning with these new developments, a survey showed that 45 % of consumers sometimes or regularly drink low or no-alcohol beverages*. As such, the alcohol avoidance trend is expected to continue in the UK during the festive season, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
According to GlobalData, the “alcohol avoidance trend” is expected to drive the UK non-alcoholic beverage market over a £500 million category in 2024, representing a double-digit growth from the previous year. The no- and low-alcohol beer market in the UK is projected to grow by 15 %.
George Shaw, Beverage Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The moderation movement has led to the creation of alcohol-free alternatives and increased competition in the soft beverage market. In the UK, Almave Bianco, introduced by Lewis Hamilton’s Almave, represents a significant step in the non-alcoholic spirits market of growing demand for high-quality non-alcoholic beverages that mimic traditional spirits.
“The association with Lewis Hamilton brings aspirational branding and credibility, resonating with fans of the sport and lifestyle. This targets health-conscious consumers and those embracing the sober-curious movement, especially Gen Z and Millennials seeking alcohol-free alternatives for social occasions.”
Cornish craft brewer Firebrand introduced Little Wave, its first non-alcoholic lager, designed to deliver a smooth, clean profile while maintaining the quality and craft part of its traditional offerings. This appeals to consumers seeking alternatives for social drinking while reducing their alcohol intake, aligning with the mindful drinking trend.
Shaw adds: “According to GlobalData Q3 UK Consumer Survey*, it is evident that the demand for low and no-alcohol drinks is prominent. This indicates a significant shift in consumer preferences towards healthier options. The change is likely driven by a combination of factors, including health consciousness, the desire for more inclusive social experiences, and the availability of high-quality options in the market.”
Tesco has also reported strong performance in the no- and low-alcohol beers segment, with a 20 % year-on-year increase in sales of those drinks in multi-pack sizes and a 15 % surge in demand during the four weeks leading up to Christmas.
According to the GlobalData Q3 UK Consumer Survey, 77 % of UK consumers consider how a product or service impacts their health and well-being to be of somewhat, often, or always influence. By incorporating this insight into their marketing strategies and product development, alcohol brands can better position themselves to meet the evolving demands of consumers and capitalize on the growing market for low and no-alcohol drinks.
Shaw concludes: “The rise in demand for low and no-alcohol drinks is a significant trend that alcohol brands cannot ignore. With consumers increasingly opting for healthier alternatives and prioritizing their health and wellbeing, it is crucial for brands to adapt and provide options that cater to these changing preferences.”
*GlobalData’s UK Q3 2024 Consumer Survey was conducted with 505 participants
The prospect of a family Christmas is proving to be far from joyous for Britain’s young consumers, as the latest research from Mintel finds almost six in ten (58 %) 16-24-year-olds say spending time with their family over the festive period is stressful — considerably higher than the national average of 42 %. Stress declines rapidly with age as just 18 % of consumers aged 65 and over anticipate family time this Christmas will be stressful.
Meanwhile, the nation’s children are set to be winners this Christmas, as almost a quarter (23 %) of parents plan to spend more on toys/games this year, compared to (18 %) in 2023.
Mintel sales predictions
Mintel forecasts retail sales by value in November and December (both for in-store and online on food and non-food) to hit £ 95.4 billion. This represents an increase of 1.4 % compared to last November and December when sales reached £ 94.1 billion. Retailers face tougher comparative figures this year compared to 2023, when inflation was higher. However, we expect slightly stronger volume growth, with total sales by volume estimated to grow 1.6 % compared to a -2.0 % decline in 2023, helped by stronger spending intention from select consumer groups (particularly high earners) for the festive period.
Nick Carroll, Category Director of Mintel Retail Insights, said: “Spending time with loved ones is at the heart of festive celebrations, but the reality is that for many, extended periods with family can also create stressful situations. Brands can lean into these potentially tension-inducing family celebrations by offering escapism, especially for younger consumers. Ensuring younger shoppers can still express their individuality during party season is important, and brands can lean into the energy of 2024, as Converse and Charli XcX’s Christmas campaign clearly does. While there’s no escape for those hosting Christmas, brands can be inspired by Ninja Kitchen’s campaign featuring David Beckham, which highlights products that make hosting easier. Wellbeing-related gifting, or self-gifting, will be a key trend this year to help individuals enjoy some ‘me-time’.
“Confidence has been shaky in 2024, with the wounds of the cost of living crisis still healing for most, and the signals for short-term prospects of the UK economy and standard of living at best mixed. However, the festive period is typically when consumers look to shrug off any negativity of the preceding year and ultimately let off some steam. In 2023, the financial pressure was too much to ignore and spending suffered, but the signs are that there will be a little more scope to cut loose in 2024.
“In ‘essential’ areas such as food and drink and children’s gifting, the indications are that a broader church of shoppers will look to, as much as they can, indulge a little more. This will most directly benefit the grocers, but in gifting there will be far more opportunity for premium products and retailers.”
Just Made, a leading producer of cold-pressed juices, shots, and smoothie bowls, announced the installation of a Hiperbaric 300 high-pressure processing (HPP) system at its new Houston (USA) production facility. The company hosted an inauguration event on November 9th to celebrate the new facility, HPP equipment, and expanded capabilities.
“We have followed Just Made’s inspiring journey from inception to becoming a leader in authentic, cold-pressed beverages. Their commitment to quality and innovation perfectly aligns with our mission, and we are honored to be part of their growth story,” said Rob Peregrina, Executive Director at Hiperbaric.
Just Made was founded in 2016 with a mission to bring the vibrant flavors and nutritional benefits of tropical fruits to consumers across the United States. The company currently distributes its cold-pressed juices and other products in over 3,000 retail locations across more than 25 states.
Based in Houston, TX, the new 22,000-square-foot facility houses the Hiperbaric 300 system, two bottling lines, coolers, freezers, and other food processing equipment. The Hiperbaric 300 unit features a 300 mm (11.8 inches) diameter pressure vessel and can process up to 1,410 kg/h (3,100 lbs./h) of product. The new HPP system will help deliver significant cost savings compared to relying on third-party HPP services. The company projects a payback period of 2 to 3 years on the new equipment.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Hiperbaric as they develop new innovations that will benefit the food processing industry,” said Norka Nimocks, CEO of Just Made. “Their commitment to service and responsiveness is a key factor in our decision to partner with them.”
About Just Made Just Made was founded in 2016 with the goal of bringing the vibrant flavours and nutritional benefits of tropical fruits to consumers across the United States. The company’s portfolio of cold-pressed juices, shots and smoothie bowls are available in over 3,000 retail locations across more than 25 states. As a certified B-Corporation, they believe in using business as a force for good. For every bottle sold, they donate 5¢ to support local schools, teachers and students in rural Latin America and the Caribbean. Their team works directly with school administrators and teachers to determine the best uses for these funds.
Most consumers believe that food and beverage manufacturers should declare if a product has been made with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), new research shows.
In a survey commissioned by Ingredient Communications and conducted by SurveyGoo, 83 % of respondents agreed that companies should declare on a product’s label if it has been designed or manufactured with the help of AI technology.1 More than half of all those surveyed – 55 % – agreed with this assertion strongly and only 4 % disagreed with it altogether.
Nearly two thirds of respondents (64 %) said they believed that food and beverage products made with the help of AI technology should not be described as ‘natural’ – with 12 % disagreeing with this. There was also strong support for regulation, with 78 % of respondents agreeing that the Government should introduce laws controlling the ways food and drink companies can use AI technology to design and manufacture their products. Just 6 % disagreed with this.
A majority of respondents (52 %) agreed with the general point that AI technology is a positive development that will benefit humanity, with 21 % disagreeing. However, when asked how they felt about the use of AI specifically to design and produce food and beverage products, fewer respondents (42 %) said they felt positively about this, with 27 % saying they felt negatively.
Just under half of respondents (44 %) said they believed that a food or beverage product made with the help of AI might be less safe to consume. However, they were split on whether they would be more or less likely to buy a food or beverage product made with the help of AI. Just over a quarter (26 %) said they would be more likely to do so, with 29 % stating they would be less likely.
The survey also revealed a distinct generational split. A majority of Generation Z and Millennial respondents felt positively about the use of AI in the food industry (65 % and 57 %, respectively). The corresponding figure among Generation X and Boomers was markedly lower – 44 % and 25 %, respectively.
Richard Clarke, Managing Director of Ingredient Communications, commented: “Many food and beverage companies have rushed to embrace the benefits of AI technology but it’s important they take care to consider how consumers feel about this. We’ve seen a huge backlash against AI in the arts and entertainment business. To avoid the same fate, food and beverage manufacturers should pause to reflect on whether they are being sufficiently transparent about their use of AI.”
He continued: “As we saw 30 years ago with the furore over the safety of genetically modified crops, it’s easy for misinformation to spread and stir up fear. Food and beverage companies would be wise to implement a communications strategy to ensure the public is kept informed about the ways in which they harness the power of AI tech.”
Other takeaways from the survey included 79 % of respondents agreeing that savings made by food and beverage companies through the use of AI should be passed on to shoppers in the form of lower retail prices.
However, sentiment shifted if this came at the expense of employment, with 40 % considering it unacceptable if the use of AI technology to design and manufacture a food or beverage product meant somebody lost their job – even products were cheaper as a result. A third of respondents (33 %) considered this an acceptable outcome.
1Online survey of 1,040 consumers in UK and USA, conducted October 2024
Study found that a combination of a probiotic and prebiotic—referred to as a “synbiotic”—can significantly reduce heart muscle damage caused by diet-induced cardiac disease
In a new peer reviewed study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Basic to Translational Science, Irish researchers have discovered novel links between gut microbes, inflammation and heart disease. Additionally, the study demonstrated that giving a single probiotic combined with a soluble dietary fibre protects against heart disease. The study used Tate & Lyle’s PROMITOR® Soluble Corn Fibre as the prebiotic component.
The study shows the profound impact of the gut-heart connection on cardiac health. For the first time, a human scale model revealed the full extent of the “gut-heart axis,” showing how gut microbe imbalance and inflammation originating in the gut can contribute to heart damage. Excitingly, the study found that a combination of a probiotic and prebiotic – referred to as a “synbiotic” – can significantly reduce heart muscle damage caused by diet-induced cardiac disease.
This research, led by scientists from APC Microbiome Ireland (APC), a world-leading Research Ireland centre based at University College Cork (UCC), and Teagasc (the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority), was conducted in collaboration with Tate & Lyle, a world leader in ingredient solutions for healthier and tastier food and beverages. The findings demonstrate the potential of reducing the risk of heart disease – especially in people with poor diets and obesity, half of whom experience cardiovascular issues – by manipulating the gut microbiome with synbiotics.
“This is the first time that a bacteria residing only in the gut has successfully been used to treat heart disease associated with obesity and high blood pressure, and our synbiotic treatment equals some of the best available cardiac drugs in a human scale model. This work opens new avenues for potentially groundbreaking disease-modifying therapy in patients with obesity, high blood pressure and diet-related heart disease,” said Prof. Noel Caplice, an APC Principal Investigator, Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at UCC, and Consultant Cardiologist at Cork University Hospital.
Prof. Catherine Stanton, Senior Principal Research Officer at Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre and an APC Principal Investigator, emphasised the innovative potential of this work: “This study highlights the critical role the gut microbiome plays in our health and physiology. Our results are a testament to the power of harnessing gut microbes to protect against some chronic diseases like heart failure. It’s an exciting step forward in personalised nutrition.”
Dr Kavita Karnik, Global Head of Nutrition, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at Tate & Lyle praised the innovative work, commenting: “At Tate & Lyle, we are proud to support and partner in cutting-edge research that explores how our dietary fibres, when combined with probiotic strains, can be used to improve health outcomes. It is exciting to see the integral role played by PROMITOR® Soluble Corn Fibre in this unique symbiotic combination. This work creates new opportunities to leverage our science and ingredients to have a positive impact on significant public health challenges such as obesity and associated cardiometabolic outcomes.”
The paper, ‘Targeting the Gut-Heart Axis Improves Cardiac Remodelling in a Clinical Scale Model of Cardiometabolic Syndrome’, is available to read online here.
Drinks Ventures GmbH and Canable, a leading co-packing service provider based in Berlin, Germany, are excited to announce the launch of its new financing program aimed at helping beverage brands rapidly scale their operations. This initiative offers unlimited funding at competitive rates to qualifying companies, enabling them to meet growing demand and expand their market presence.
You’ve already proven your drink’s market potential by selling 100,000 cans? Now, imagine accelerating to 500,000 cans and beyond. Our financing program is your co-pilot in this exciting journey of scaling your beverage brand.
Eligibility criteria:
Companies must have successfully sold a minimum of 100,000 cans of their beverage product to qualify.
Applicants are required to possess a current purchase order or Letter of Intent (LOI).
“We recognise that many promising beverage brands face challenges in scaling production to meet demand, even after achieving initial market success,” said Jennifer Browarczyk, CEO of Drinks Ventures GmbH. “Our new financing program aims to bridge that gap, providing the capital needed to fulfill large orders and accelerate growth.”
The program is designed to work seamlessly with our co-packing services, offering a comprehensive solution for beverage companies looking to increase production volumes efficiently. By combining flexible financing with expert co-packing capabilities, Canable is positioned to be a valuable partner in helping innovative beverage brands reach their full potential.
Beverage companies interested in learning more about this financing opportunity and Canable’s co-packing services are encouraged to apply using this form: https://forms.gle/fmJqhS6aVn3b49AB6
About Drinks Ventures Drinks Ventures, home to Canable, is a top co-packing service provider based in Berlin, Germany. With a dynamic and flexible manufacturing process, Canable enables European beverage brands to ramp up production starting at 6000L. In collaboration with their partners, they streamline printing, canning and filling. Through the Beverage Scaleup Program, Drinks Ventures is focused on financing the growth of multiple scaleup drink companies.
20 international startups are exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025. Their business ideas focus on digitalisation of the industry and include AI and modern sensor technology.
What must my greenhouse look like to be profitable? Greenhouse Formula has the answer. The British startup’s online tool makes it quick and easy to develop a 2D or 3D model. It works for different plants and climate zones and provides investors and growers with a comparative aid. Greenhouse Formula’s founders are convinced that, in the face of climate change, protected cultivation will become increasingly important.
Greenhouse Formula is one of 20 startups exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025. In the Startup World in Hall 3.1, Messe Berlin is giving founders from ten countries the opportunity to make contact with large companies, potential partners and visitors from all over the world and build valuable business relationships. Many innovations aim to make processes more efficient and scalable through digital solutions.
AgStacked from the Netherlands, for example, uses its tool to collect data along the supply chain. Machine learning takes weather, temperature and cold chain data into account. Quality risks are minimised, due to the software proactively requiring decision-making before problems arise. This reduces waste and avoids costly rejects. Orbem’s technology has the same goal. Using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and deep learning algorithms, it assesses the quality of fruit, eggs or nuts and helps to categorise and sort products.
Agurotech shows how smart sensor technology can support growers. Data from soil sensors, weather stations and plant analyses gives them valuable real-time information on soil and plant health. Harvest Ai from Germany trains its SaaS tool with data obtained from the company’s own camera systems, among other sources, and uses it to improve efficiency in greenhouses.
Innovative plant protection
Radiare AI’s technology uses the power of light alone to keep greenhouse plants healthy. The DemeGrow system’s LEDs with their precise wavelengths have been proven to enhance the vitality of plants. Unwanted microorganisms are neutralised. NanoSci , a company established by researchers at the University of Gdansk, also works with light. It provides a filter-free air purification solution using UV light from LED diodes that remove ethylene gas and grey mould, which ensures fruit stays fresh longer.
PhenoRoot focuses on the roots as the origin of many plant diseases. The startup from Israel has developed a platform for phenotyping and analysing the roots of plants cultivated in soil. The data collected can be used to gain valuable information for revitalising plants. The multidisciplinary team is already working with various companies and universities that are successfully using this technology.
About FRUIT LOGISTICA FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade show for the globalfresh produce business and and represents the entire value added chain of the fruit and vegetable sector, from producer to the point of sale. At FRUIT LOGISTICA 2024 more than 2,770 exhibitors from 94 countries displayed their products, services and technical solutions. Some 66,000 buyers and trade visitors from 145 countries took part in the event. The next FRUIT LOGISTICA will take place from 5 to 7 February 2025 in Berlin.
Latest innovation from Britvic brings a full hydration wellbeing offer to micro kitchens, serving up to 10,000 drinks before restocking is needed.
Britvic has launched the Aqua Libra Flavour Tap Nano, the world’s first full-service integrated tap. Designed for office micro kitchens, the Flavour Tap Nano keeps employees hydrated with Aqua Libra still and sparkling naturally-flavoured, sugar-free drinks (including watermelon, mango, raspberry & peach, cucumber mint & lime, and more), as well as chilled sparkling and boiling water. It also serves functional water, with electrolytes, including zinc which helps support immunity.
The Flavour Tap Nano has a similar footprint when compared to existing integrated tap systems, making it a suitable ‘all in one’ option for offices with smaller kitchens, replacing not only multiple taps, but also soft-drinks, fridges, and kettles. With sparkling soft drinks available on tap, the Flavour Tap Nano also cuts down on cost and waste, delivering 10,000 serves through its innovative cartridge system before restocking.
The launch of the Aqua Libra Flavour Tap Nano represents a significant step for Britvic’s ‘Beyond the Bottle’ initiative, which is developing innovative ways to serve high quality drinks without the need for unnecessary single-use packaging.
Speaking about the launch, Noel Dickson, Managing Director for Aqua Libra commented “Proving a full-service hydration wellbeing offer to office workers can be a headache. There are kettles that need to be descaled regularly, fridges that need to be stocked and re-stocked, and recycling management. Then there’s the cost of running all of this.
“For the first time ever, managers can now offer all of this through the Flavour Tap Nano, which brings a full wellbeing offer to micro kitchens without the usual operational complexity. The Flavour Tap Nano is a straightforward upgrade that exceeds employee expectations without additional cost or waste”.
A leading private equity firm, already has two Flavour Tap Nano’s installed in its new London office. This has led to a complete cut in all single use packaging from drinks given to staff.
Speaking about the impact of this, its UK operations manager said, “’In our recent move to Soho, we were looking to take a leap forward in both our employee wellness and sustainability.
“The tap’s seamless integration into our experience design was a key factor in choosing the Nano. We have been able to eliminate employee usage of single use drinks packaging – and a majority of those asked said they found it easier to stay hydrated with Flavour Tap”.
Aqua Libra Flavour Tap Nano specifications:
Pure filtered still & sparkling water
Boiling water
Flavour-infused water
Water with electrolytes for taste, including zinc which helps support immunity
Single hole installation – directly replaces existing integrated tap systems
Customer portal – track usage and stock replenishment
The Flavour Tap ‘Nano’ comes with a dedicated customer care team to manage installation and staff training, which comes as standard. All Flavour Taps are remotely managed and have predictive cartridge replacement, meaning that it will automatically order replacements when it is running low.
The patented twin-tank boiler, dry-bath-technology water cooler, and five-stage purification technology also means that with purified water, there is no build up of limescale in the taps – the most common cause of breakdowns in hot water tap systems.
A harmonious blend of creamy milk and rich maple, ‘Milky Maple’ captures a global desire for warmth, indulgence and wellbeing in 2025.
dsm-firmenich, a global leader in nutrition, health, and sustainable innovation, proudly announces ‘Milky Maple’ as its Flavour of the Year for 2025. This unique creation taps into two beloved trends: the creamy softness of milk mixed with the rich, natural sweetness of maple. The blended flavour provides a sense of calm and contentment and can be incorporated into a wide range of applications.
“As food and beverage trends shift toward comfort, nature and personal wellbeing, people increasingly gravitate towards flavours that offer a taste of familiarity, balance and connection,” said Maurizio Clementi, Executive Vice President of Taste, Texture, and Health at dsm-firmenich. “’Milky Maple’ delivers on this demand – it is a soothing embrace that draws people into a world of warmth and indulgence.”
The maple movement
Maple, long cherished as a North American dietary staple, is rapidly expanding its presence worldwide. Since early 2019, dsm-firmenich’s trend analysts have observed maple transcending geographic and cultural boundaries, gaining popularity as a versatile ingredient across Europe, Asia and beyond. Maple’s adaptability is evident as it moves beyond syrup to influence an array of culinary creations, from baked goods to savory dishes.
“Maple is evolving from a regional favourite to a global flavor phenomenon,” said Jeffrey Schmoyer, VP of Human Insights at dsm-firmenich. “Its ability to offer a feeling of cosiness and its versatility have driven its momentum across diverse cultures and cuisines.”
Mapping Milky Maple’s rise to the top
Maple as a flavour traces its roots back to the sap of select maple tree species – most notably the sugar maple – that flourish in cool, northern climates. As a naturally derived ingredient, maple sap offers a unique sweetness with warm, earthy undertones, making it an attractive alternative to traditional sweeteners and an essential part of the ‘brown note’ flavour family.
“Maple is going mainstream,” said Mikel Cirkus, Senior Director, Foresight & Design at dsm-firmenich. “Candy Cap Mushroom – a natural forest product with a distinctive maple aroma – is already prized by chefs as a flavouring for baked goods, ice cream, confectionary and even beer. This mushroom, part of the Milk Cap group, mirrors the appealing ‘brown note’ qualities of maple, satisfying consumer mood for food that is deeply entrenched in nature.”
The creamy allure of milk is also enjoying a surge in popularity, especially in Asia, where its smooth taste and texture provide a perfect pairing for maple’s sweetness. This growing trend underscores milk’s timeless ability to evoke nostalgia and simplicity, further reinforcing ‘Milky Maple’ as both a flavourful and immersive sensory experience.
Crafting the ultimate Milky Maple moment
Developing the ideal ‘Milky Maple’ flavour requires a combination of sweetness, creaminess and balance, and dsm-firmenich’s capabilities can be leveraged to create a delectable milky maple base. For example, TasteGEM® 3D Essentials technology can accentuate the natural sweetness of maple. For plant-based applications, SMART MILK flavours and DYNAROME® DA innovations expertly replicate the creamy, buttery taste and rich texture of traditional milk that perfectly complements maple’s depth. Whether for dairy or plant-based innovations, dsm-firmenich’s advanced solutions can unlock the full potential of this versatile flavour.
What’s more, ‘Milky Maple’ closely aligns with the highly anticipated Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 from Pantone. The world-renowned authority on colour has named the shade ‘PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse’ as the top trending colour for 2025. With their warmth, richness and indulgent associations, both colour and flavour point to a growing tendency for consumers to enjoy small, meaningful moments over the coming year.
“‘Milky Maple’ is an invitation for people to pause and savour a moment of pure warmth and decadence” said Maurizio Clementi, Executive Vice President of Taste, Texture, and Health at dsm-firmenich. “This flavour is a journey – and a gentle reminder of the joy, comfort and connection that can be found in simple pleasures.”
European Cider Trends 2024 is a collaboration between GlobalData and the European Cider and Fruit Wine Association (AICV) in producing a guide that demonstrates the current key markets for cider (which includes perry, fruit flavoured cider and in some countries fruit wine).
Although considerably smaller than the wine, beer, or spirits industries, it is nevertheless a fact that in recent years in some EU countries cider and fruit wines have enjoyed one of the fastest growth rates of all alcoholic beverages, underlining the continuous popularity of fermented fruit drinks down the ages.
EXBERRY® colour supplier GNT has officially launched an independent investment firm to accelerate innovation and boost sustainability at every stage of the value chain.
GNT Ventures was created to invest in start-up companies that have the potential to help pioneer new and improved plant-based colouring solutions. Its focus is on four key areas: raw materials and fermentation, processing, food ingredients, and upcycling.
It is part of GNT’s long-term strategy to reshape the plant-based colour landscape with innovative new products that can drive a healthier future for the people and the planet.
GNT Ventures has already executed some investments, including the recently announced partnership with Plume Biotechnology to create new plant-based EXBERRY® colour solutions using unique fermentation technologies. The firm is now aiming to significantly step up its investment activity and is actively seeking out new collaborations with further start-ups worldwide.
Finn Rieken, Managing Director of GNT Ventures, said: “We’re looking to build mutually beneficial relationships with start-ups that dare to dream big and have the drive to shape tomorrow’s planet. We can provide financial, technical, commercial, and regulatory support, using our expertise to not only help bring bold new visions to life but successfully market them worldwide.”
GNT Ventures is seeking to collaborate with start-ups by providing them with the tools they need to bring cutting-edge ideas to life. It can provide comprehensive financial support, whether by leading the financing as a sole investor or helping to share the load as co-leads. It is primarily focused on pre-seed to series A funding, with a maximum ticket size of EUR 1 million.
GNT Ventures also has a state-of-the-art food grade pilot plant to test and optimise processes. It can offer research and development know-how as well as processing expertise to help new businesses develop their ideas more quickly and effectively.
In addition, GNT Ventures can deliver comprehensive commercial support. This includes ensuring innovations reach a wide range of customers within the food and beverage industry as well as connecting start-ups with partners across the entire value chain. It also offers guidance on regulatory compliance and IP.
Dr. Kai Reineke, Technical Lead at GNT Ventures, said: “We aim to establish synergistic partnerships with innovative start-ups that aspire to achieve significant breakthroughs. Leveraging our extensive technical expertise, we provide comprehensive support to facilitate the realisation of ambitious projects and ensure their success.”
GNT was founded in 1978 with a vision to pioneer truly natural colors from fruit, vegetables, and plants. It remains an independent, family-owned business with a commitment to creating plant-based, sustainable ingredients.
Frederik Hoeck, GNT Group’s Managing Director, said: “GNT is now firmly established as a global leader in natural colors, but we know what it’s like to be a small company and grow. We started from humble beginnings and fully understand the challenges involved and how hard it can be to overcome them. We want to help start-ups find their own successful paths so that we can reshape tomorrow’s planet together.”
Across much of the globe, one thing is clear: nearly everyone is actively reining in their sugar intake. What’s interesting are the various ways in which different cultures approach it. ADM Outside Voice℠ research surveyed 13,900 people in 15 countries across four regions about their purchase behaviours. On average, 83 % of consumers are limiting or avoiding sugars in their diets, but the products of particular concern vary widely.
In North America, 69 % of shoppers are flipping over pancake syrup bottles to review sugar content and ingredients on labels, while it doesn’t even make the list in the other regions. Sugar scrutiny in non-alcoholic beverages is a global priority, yet research shows that sweetening preferences shift considerably across markets. For example, North Americans prioritise milk alternatives, Europeans are focused on the quality of chocolates and pastries, and, in Latin America and Asia Pacific, snacks and specialised nutrition are top areas for product evaluation.
“It’s clear how significant monitoring sugar consumption is, no matter the region. That’s why we have invested in extensive research and analysis to understand attitudes towards sugar, motivations for reading labels, and unique ingredient preferences,” said Sarah Diedrich, Senior Marketing Director, Global Sweetening & Texturising Solutions, ADM. “We began this journey two years ago, and it has culminated in the launch of a new interactive insights tool that provides users with an in-depth look at the nuances of consumer behaviour across the globe.”
Capturing this comprehensive data is ADM’s new interactive tool, allowing food and beverage manufacturers a clear view of how people around the world are navigating their sugar reduction journeys, and the similarities and differences across nations.
ADM’s research reveals that a significant majority of the population is reducing their sugar intake, particularly in countries such as Mexico, Spain, Romania and Brazil, where around 90 % declare they actively limit or avoid sugars. The importance of low sugar content is so crucial that respondents place it on equal footing with satisfying taste across most of the globe; however, Asia Pacific is an outlier, prioritising quality and health benefits more substantially.
“Our research delivers valuable insights for product development. It serves as a roadmap for formulation strategies, highlighting the most important elements on nutrition labels and ingredient declarations that resonate with shoppers from one category to the next. Furthermore, we leverage this data when partnering with brands as they enter new global markets,” said Diedrich. “For example, we’ve observed that consumers are more forgiving on calories and sugar tallies in indulgent food categories like confections, ice creams and sweet bakery. However, there is a notable shift toward reviewing the quality of ingredients and sweetening choices in these segments. From this foundation, we can educate brands on the acceptability of ingredients in different regions, which allows them to appropriately balance great taste with label appeal.”
Within the map of the insights tool, country-specific highlights are also shared. For instance, consumers in Poland are more likely to have purchased nutrition bars and sports performance drinks, citing strong athletic and cardiovascular goals more than other European nations. Australians are more likely to seek out sugar-free products rather than offerings with partially reduced sugar, particularly when compared to three other Asia Pacific countries. For shoppers in Mexico, plant-based claims and alternative sweeteners like stevia and agave are sought-after ingredients; and Brazilians hold high regard for products with sustainable sourcing claims.
“These are just a few trends identified in the extensive statistics organised in our new interactive tool, designed to help navigate consumer desires for limiting sugars,” said Diedrich. “Supplying global and local insights is just the first step to our holistic approach to achieving successful sweetening solutions. Paired with formulation expertise and our vast portfolio of ingredients – all parts come together to address global nutrition goals.”
ADM is uniquely positioned to replicate full-sugar taste through its proprietary approach, Replace Rebalance Rebuild®. The method uses sweetening systems alongside flavours and enabling ingredients to replace sweetness, rebalance flavour and rebuild functionality. ADM is invested in research and dedicated to continually expand its ingredients pantry to solve formulation challenges and support manufacturers taking on sugar replacement efforts.
The festive period is the most popular time for couples to conceive according to the Office for National Statistics1
As the seasonal baby boom begins, nine out of ten women will have marginal or low levels of folate – a vital nutrient which protects the foetus2
According to the NHS, expectant mothers can need up to 10 times more folate during pregnancy than the average adult to help their baby develop normally3
Dietitian, Dr Frankie Phillips, shares three simple but effective dietary tips for expectant mothers to boost their folate levels
Research by the University of Southampton has highlighted a concerning trend: nine out of ten women will have marginal or low levels of folate and other vital nutrients around the time of conception.2
Folate, also known as vitamin B9, can be found in a range of food and drinks and is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, like spina bifida. The average adult needs 200 micrograms of folate a day, but pregnant women need at least double this dose due to the demands of pregnancy. According to the NHS, some expectant mothers can even require up to 10 times the average adult recommendation.3
This common deficiency can extend into late pregnancy, potentially impacting the health of both mother and child. According to healthcare professionals, symptoms of a folate deficiency can include fatigue, pins and needles, mouth ulcers, and a sore red tongue.2
A developing baby needs folate to make healthy new cells, and to make genetic materials (DNA and RNA). Deficiency in the early stages of pregnancy can harm the neural tube which protects the spinal cord – affecting more than 1000 pregnancies a year in the UK. More generally, the health benefits of folate include encouraging the production of red blood cells in bone marrow, which is vital during periods of growth and development such as pregnancy, infancy and adolescence.
As the winter months herald the season of festive celebrations, they also mark the beginning of the most popular time of year for conception, evidenced by September’s leading birth rates.1 Dr Frankie Phillips, a registered dietitian with over 20 years’ experience, highlights the importance of optimal nutrition during family planning and pregnancy.
Dr Frankie Phillips comments: “Folate is needed for many important processes in the body, including helping form healthy red blood cell and contributing to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.A 150ml glass of 100 % orange juice is a recognised source of folate and a convenient, affordable way to help achieve daily nutrient requirements.”
For women who think they may be suffering with low folate levels, Dr Phillips recommends a few simple but effective ways to incorporate more folate into your diet.
Three steps to incorporate folate-rich food and drinks into your diet:
Drink a daily glass of 100% Orange Juice: Whether you buy a bottle from the shop or crank up the juicer at home, pure orange juice is a great source of folate and provides essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron, according to a new Spanish study.4 Just one glass of orange juice a day is a recognised source of folate.
Include Leafy Greens: Incorporate folate-rich leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli into your diet to support foetal development and overall health. Try adding a handful of spinach to stews or curries and stir-frying broccoli stems with lean beef and soy sauce.
Add Legumes to Meals: Include peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans in your diet, as they are excellent sources of folate. For example, just one cup of cooked lentils contains 90 % of the daily recommendation. Legumes are also rich in protein, fibre and antioxidants.5
Researchers, Dr Montana Camara and Dr Laura Dominguez, who recently published a study on the vitamin and mineral content of orange juice, noted: ” Folate is an essential mineral supporting foetal development by helping to release energy from the mother’s diet, and promoting normal development of the nervous system, especially during conception and pregnancy.”
Their study found that packaged fruit juices were a good source of folate, potassium and vitamin C.
The possibility of a small orange supply was reinforced due to the decrease of the number of companies operating in São Paulo state in late November. In the last two crops, when the supply was already below the normal standard, major processing companies started to reduce the pace of activities only between January and February.
In January 2024, only six plants were operating, against tem in the same period last year. At the end of November, there were seven units in activity. Players surveyed by Cepea say that there might still be a certain volume of raw material for the industry to continue processing up to February 2025, but March is still uncertain.
To make matters worse, the low supply is being verified together with low quality. According to players surveyed by Cepea, the brix-acid ratio is unsatisfactory, concerning both producers and players from the industry, since it affects the efficiency of processing activities and the quality of the final product.
The lower juice yield is especially linked to the scarcity of rains during the development of the fruits, which reduced the amount of juice in the fruit. As a result, more oranges are necessary to produce the same amount of juice.
Informa Markets has released data that has reaffirmed Fi Europe as Europe’s unmissable ingredients event. The annual ingredients industry gathering, which took place at Frankfurt Messe from 19-21 November, attracted 23,221 attendees from 130 countries. Not only did the event see higher footfall than in recent years, it also welcomed an increased number of attendees from the key R&D, product management and procurement functions. Collectively, this data is evidence that Informa’s efforts to keep the format fresh and exciting were well received. In 2025, Fi Europe will return to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from 2-4 December.
The food industry relies on Fi Europe as a forum for sourcing new ingredients, keeping abreast of industry trends and developments and making connections. The 2024 edition did not disappoint with its bustling show floor, informative content programme and abundance of networking opportunities. The event app was further developed this year to enhance the in-person experience, allowing attendees to scan one another’s badges and manage all contacts and leads in one place, so that they can easily contact them after the show.
Fi Europe’s carefully curated in-person content programme is always a major draw and this year was no exception. The Future of Nutrition Summit kicked off the proceedings the day before Fi Europe opened its doors, with a full agenda designed to inspire and inform whilst facilitating networking and discussion. Speakers from NASA, Nuritas, NotCo, PepsiCo and Unilever shared powerful and thought-provoking insights into the issues, trends and technologies expected to shape the F&B industry in the coming years.
From Tuesday, the vibrant show floor became the focal point of the event, bringing over 1500 suppliers of ingredients and related technologies and services together with potential buyers. Thousands of ingredients were showcased at the event, reaffirming Fi Europe as the premier platform for sourcing food and beverage ingredients. For the first time, visitors were given the option of buying an early access pass. Uptake was high, and when the exhibition opened at 9am on Tuesday morning, early pass holders had exclusive access to explore the show floor.
Occupying four halls, the venue was zoned, allowing visitors to focus their efforts. Over 80 companies populated the Food Technologies & Solutions zone, which had been expanded for 2024. They were kept busy by a constant stream of visitors keen to learn about solutions for making their operations and supply chain activities safe, sustainable, efficient and resilient. The Petfood Suppliers Hub was introduced as a new zone for 2024, giving the pet food industry a dedicated forum for exchanging ideas, inspiring innovation and forging new relationships. It proved a popular addition, enabling companies to harness the synergies between the food and pet food ingredient markets.
A further first, free access to the Fi Europe Conference was included with all visitor passes. Experts addressed packed auditoriums throughout the two-day conference, which focused on four topical themes: health and wellbeing; plant-based and alternative proteins; reformulation; and tech-led ingredient innovations and solutions. Speakers from a broad cross-section of commercial, academic and research organisations, including EIT, Euromonitor, Innova, Mintel, RaboResearch and Wageningen University, made for a varied and insightful programme.
One of the highlights of day two was the Women’s Networking Breakfast, which featured engaging talks and panel discussions with some of the industry’s most respected female leaders. It was the best attended ever, and the networking was outstanding.
The entire event was designed around inspiring, enabling and celebrating innovation, through features like the Tasting Bar, where attendees had the opportunity to taste ingredients in use through samples such as goats’ milk protein bars, marine collagen water and next-gen energy drinks. The Innovation Hub hosted presentations and discussions as well as the Startup Challenge, and the prestigious Fi Europe Innovation Awards recognised outstanding contributions to the F&B ingredients industry.
Yannick Verry, Brand Director, Food ingredients Europe, at Informa Markets, says: “We recognise that it is crucial for Fi Europe not to remain static, but to evolve and change with the times, to ensure it continues to be relevant and to represent value for money for participants. For 2024 we made some changes and trialled several new features, whilst staying true to our promise of providing a platform for companies to trade, innovate and grow. We are delighted to report that the show embodied all the ingredients of a successful event, and we are already looking at how we can make the 2025 edition in Paris even better.”
At the third annual Women in Packaging (WIP) event, held at Pack Expo Chicago 2024, the event brought together a record number of women from across various fields within the packaging industry. From sales, operations, and technical specialists the diversity was inspiring, strengthening, and empowering. This diversity was highlighted by the speakers at the event.
Valentina Aureli and Tyng-Wu (Photo: AETNA GROUP Spa)
The event commenced with a keynote speech by Valentina Aureli, CEO of Aetna Group. She provided her outlook of the company’s achievements, her vision of the female role within the company, and the future she envisions for women within the industry. Highlighting the importance of key themes for the modern industry, such as flexibility of thought, openness to dialogue, and the principle of collaboration, Valentina Aureli concluded by stating, “Approaching success with value and knowing how to recognize priorities are key elements for staying dynamic and growing together, both as women and as a Group.”
The event also highlighted three very diverse guest speakers. These speakers were selected among their peers not only due to their achievements, but also because they exemplify strong women within the packaging industry. Each woman is an example of how she was inspired, how she was strengthened, and how she was empowered to become the success she is today.
Carla D, Regional Territory Manager at Paragon Films, shared her infectious energetic perspective on how knowledge is power. She emphasized the importance of becoming an expert in a specific field, passionately choosing the right product to focus on, and making the most of one’s abilities. Carla also encouraged the women to push outside of their comfort zone and to be more hands on.
Kelly Beerman, Equipment & Packaging Specialist at Midland Packaging, shared her remarkable success as the “Robot Queen,” having reached the milestone of 600 robots sold in the past years. Her keys to success are based on deeply understanding the customers’ needs, improving efficiencies through understanding workflow processes, and ensuring that the solutions provided were the most impactful. By expanding on her technical knowledge, she has been able to offer more value to her customers as well as set herself apart.
Flor Del Rio, Packaging Sales Partner at Associated Packaging, was the final speaker at the event. Flor shared how her father inspired her to become the strong woman she is today. Flor shared how she is not only a woman that sells the machine, but she shared how she is also the woman that puts the machine together. She accents the importance of not being afraid to ask questions and how collaboration amongst colleagues and suppliers is critical to success.
Tyng Wu (Robopac USA Regional Sales Manager) who inspired the WIP initiative from the beginning affirms “The conceptualisation and initiation of the WIP program is based on three key components: networking, where we inspire; mentorship, where we strengthen; and education, where we empower. The combination of these three key components makes the Robopac USA WIP program unique within the industry. This uniqueness sets us apart from other machinery manufacturers.”
The annual event not only highlighted diversity among the group, but it also brought together the three key components of the WIP program. “Our commitment is to support those who strive for excellence, fostering an environment where synergy among people is encouraged,” concluded Valentina Aureli.
WIP events and initiatives such as the WIP sales training program reaffirms, Aetna Group’s commitment to pushing women to the forefront. It’s not only a commitment to being the leader in innovation, but it’s also to being the leader in helping women make an impact within the industry. The time is now, the moment is here.
Sponsored Post – On the 11th of December the general manager of ASPIS Hellenic Fruit Juice, an international company reaching over 70 countries across the world, will share his experience dealing with microbial risks in their production lines and how to limit them.
The Alicyclobacillus is a global microbial threat to the beverage industry, while noninfectious to humans it leads to product spoilage and can bring about product returns and brand damage if not detected properly. To avoid these risks, the industry established proper testing protocol, however these standards measures can be slow and will immobilise batches of products for days or even weeks at a time.
On the 11th of December, Mario Chronis, general manager of ASPIS Hellenic Fruit Juice, is invited by Diamidex to host a webinar and share his experiences regarding this microbial risk. In this 30-minute presentation he will tackle all the Alicyclobacillus related questions from the impact this microbial risk has on the product to the solution chosen by ASPIS to fight it and improve their lab workflow, all based on a real-world case study. He will be joined by Alexandre Muller, Diamidex lead innovation manager on the Alicyclobacillus project, who will be able to present the many advantages of the solution and answer technical questions during the 15-minute Q&A session at the end of the webinar.
PROFEL, the European Association for preserved Fruit and Vegetables, and AIJN, the European Fruit Juice Association, held a breakfast event at the European Parliament, to mark the start of the new EU mandate.
Kindly hosted by MEPs Herbert Dorfmann (IT, EPP) and Christine Schneider (DE, EPP), the event allowed both sectors to present themselves and demonstrate the benefits of fruit juices, frozen and canned vegetables, canned fruit and compotes in terms of health and sustainability. Prof. Javier Gonzalez, Professor at the University of Bath, validated the important role juices and preserved fruit and vegetables play towards healthier diets. Ms Betty Chang, from EUFIC (European Food Information Council), presented findings on the state of consumer awareness of the benefits of these products. Mauro Poinelli from DG AGRI wrapped up the event, stressing the need to communicate better on the health benefits, and mentioned the role EU promotion programmes and the School Fruit scheme as important instruments.
The ability to access and afford nutritious and sustainable foods is a challenge for many consumers, particularly in the current economic climate and declining purchasing powers. Fruit juices and preserved fruit and vegetables offer valuable solutions by enabling consumers to meet their nutritional needs1 in a healthy and cost-effective way. Fruit juices and preserved fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals in a form that is quick and easy-to-consume. They retain much of their nutritional value and can be stored for long periods so can be available throughout the year.
AIJN President Javier Lorenzo and PROFEL President Jan Ingelbeen welcomed the exchange with decision makers: “We call for the recognition of the important role our sectors play in the transition towards sustainable food systems and healthier diets. The common aim has to be to increase the EU citizen’s consumption of fruit and vegetables, in all their forms.”
1Currently consumers across the EU are a long way from achieving the WHO’s minimum recommended daily level of 400 grams per day per capita. In a Eurostat study from 2019, a staggering one in three people (33 %) in the EU reported not consuming any fruit or vegetables daily, and only 12 % of the population were consuming the recommended intake.
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