Lukas Southard

Last week, ingredient company Sweegen received GRAS status for its new Ultratia line of brazzein sweeteners that claim to be 500 to 2000 times sweeter than regular sugar, marking another step forward in the race to create the next generation of better-for-you sugar alternatives.

Target announced its Takeoff Food and Beverage Accelerator program class of 2023. The mentorship program will help 10 emerging food and beverage brands successfully improve branding and marketing strategies.

Omsom is taking its unique branding approach to the quick-ready meal category with a 4-SKU line of Saucy Noodles, marking the brand’s first major line extension since the company hit the market in May 2020.

The Good Food Institute’s yearly report on the fermentation-based food industry showed a growing market share in new protein alternatives but a lack of funding and production capacity hampers widespread adoption.

Mighty Yum is attempting to disrupt the kids’ lunch kit category with a plant-based alternative to Lunchables that is healthier and appeals to picky eaters.

Los Angeles-based wellness brand Bloom Nutrition is branching out from powdered supplements with a four-SKU line of protein bars marking the influencer-driven company’s first foray into snack foods.

Happy Moose Juice has acquired Growers’ Refrigeration in a deal that both solved its own refrigerated storage issues and those of cold-chain CPG brands in the region where capacity has historically been hard to find.

In this week’s roundup: Bedrock Analytics unveils its ChatGPT integration; SOUND Bar brings military snacks to everyday consumers; Kellogg drops Incogmeato burger from its MorningStar Farms portfolio and more.

The Coca-Cola Company has licensed its Simply and Minute Maid brands to distribute fresh grapes and citrus fruit marking the first time the beverage maker has partnered with a fresh produce company.

Gourmend Foods is suing the USDA and FDA over the use of proven, low-FODMAP labeling claims on beef bone broth packages saying “the government does not get to decide which facts consumers are allowed to learn.”