Lukas Southard

Industry leaders and investors warned CPG entrepreneurs that brands need to plan for a tighter investment market if they hope to survive in the rapidly changing economic climate at a Wednesday panel discussion hosted by the Naturally Network.

At the Good Food Institute’s “The Business of Alt Protein” webinar on Tuesday, panelists discussed how alternative protein founders can find new investment during a possible economic downturn and the best ways to strategize a food tech startup.

Bioscience company Brightseed has spent years trying to identify bioactive compounds in plants proven to improve human health. Now, the company is ready to monetize its research by investing in a new ingredient manufacturing plant and bringing products to market later this year.

For about three years, the Los Angeles-based Uplifting Results Labs’ consumer brand Muniq has consisted of just a single product: a meal-replacement protein shake. But in a signal the company’s success and growth strategy, Muniq has launched two new products in the last month – Empowerfull Prebiotic Fiber Blend sticks and Muniq Bars – in hopes of reshaping how consumers understand the role of the gut’s microbiome and healthy eating.

There was concern among U.S. egg and poultry producers in January as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) began to report cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the eastern half of the country. In 2015, an outbreak of H1N5 strain of bird flu ravaged the industry killing about 43 million egg-laying hens and pullet chickens, according to the agency.

Despite missing earnings by $38.4 million, Blue Apron is confident that a significant investment in brand awareness will expand its reach to new customers. During its first-ever Investor Day presentation on Tuesday, the meal kit company laid out its marketing strategy that will tap consumers interested at-home dining options.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late April announced draft guidance for the Accredited Third-Party Certification, a voluntary program within the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The guidance aims to encourage more organizations to participate in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (also referred to as the Third-Party Program or TPP) which would expedite regulatory approval of foreign food and beverage into the U.S.

Over two years into the pandemic, demand for CPG products has changed to reflect consumers’ need for convenience, while high inflation has fueled increased demand for self-care and wellness products, according to an IRI webinar earlier this week. Analysts from IR predicted that pandemic buying trends in CPG will continue into the next year as… Read more »