Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

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.

In this week’s roundup: The EVERY Co. and Alpha Foods team up to develop “next-gen” alt-meat; Oatly hits a home run with MiLB; Tennessee announces new regulations for hemp-derived cannabinoids; and Mondelēz announces its 2023 CoLab class.

CPG recruitment firm ForceBrands is aiming to accelerate growth for celebrity-backed brands with the launch of CreatorForce, a division designed to help place executives in these companies, match creators with existing brands and assist with capital raises.

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Immi celebrates AAPI month with its first new flavor launch in two years, DaRosario spices up its line of truffle honeys and Bubbies kicks off summer early with a new mochi variety.

Better-for-you gummy candy maker Better Sour will make its retail debut across California Erewhon stores this month; the products will be available exclusively at all nine locations until July before expanding into other retail accounts.

On this week’s show the team discusses mayo preferences in dating, an olive oil brand controversy and Whole Foods’ new regional map. Then, Ithaca Hummus chats about how they strategized growing from regional to national distribution.

On an earnings call today, Blue Apron executives said the company is “actively pursuing all options” to bring in much-needed capital as it continues to suffer significant quarterly losses.

Meati grows its retail footprint by entering 260 Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin, while Walmart secures shelf-space for Bachan’s, Harvest Snaps and Eva’s Helado Artesanal.

The low-FODMAP food category is still fairly niche, but the diet could propel businesses in the space to the forefront of the next popular diet trend. However, in the space brands aren’t planning to be just a part of another fad.

On its earnings call this week, Sprouts Farmers Market credited its Q1 sales growth as a “direct result” of its customer engagement efforts, which have helped grow both basket size and as well as increase trip count among its loyal shoppers.

Nestle-owned Blue Bottle Coffee is partnering with multi-Grammy award winner The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) and his record label, XO, to create a new line of premium Ethiopian coffees that honor the “Starboy” singer’s family roots.

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.

Bakery brand Hero Bread announced today it has closed $15 million in funding to help the brand meet consumer demand and fuel future product innovation. The capital raise comes as the San Francisco-based brand shifts its focus to physical retail.

Vertically-integrated ingredient supplier, agriculture company and CPG producer Above Foods will go public via a reverse merger with blank check company Bite Acquisition Corp. The deal values Above at roughly $319 million