Innovation

While hummus is an inherent part of the brand’s identity, Ithaca Hummus founder and CEO Chris Kirby doesn’t believe its first line extension – Fire Roasted Salsa – will be the source of too much consumer confusion.

Cell-cultivated protein companies appear to be locked in a race to build commercial-scale production plants, even as the industry awaits full regulatory approval from both the FDA and the USDA, reflecting the long and complex road towards widespread commercialization and price-parity with conventional meat and seafood.

Less than a year after it bought out its former investment partner, the company is rapidly scaling operations, introducing fresh innovation and entering new channels as it projects to grow sales 5x this year.

The NOSH team discuss cereal and the wave of successful Asian-American Pacific Island CPG food products. Later, a panel of experts talk about some of the big conversations happening throughout the cell-cultivated protein industry.

A new generation of AAPI owned and operated startup brands have launched online and in-store recently, sporting premium and better-for-you versions of products that look to reclaim the heritage of and rebuke stereotypes about Asian cultures and Asian foods. With vibrant, modern branding and messaging and an emphasis on authentic flavor, brands have emerged to sell new takes on classics.

In this week’s roundup: Albertsons launches emerging brand competition; Post Holdings sues LA-based rock band OK Go; Whole Foods aims to increase store expansions three-fold; Campbell’s consolidates snack offices and SPAM gets stylish.

From plant-based sushi to salsa starter pouches to fish jerky crunch snacks, there was something for every consumer type at this week’s Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. The show also saw Bobo’s making its first foray into the protein bar set, Savannah Bee Company and Runamok jumping on the hot honey trend and Wonder Monday launching a single-serve, better-for-you iteration of a classic dessert.

Baby food maker Cerebelly received the first U.S. patent for food composition that benefits optimal infant neurodevelopment. The recipe includes 16 key nutrients supporting brain health and is in all the brand’s squeezable pouches.

The NOSH Team considers what food products should truly be called food technology. Later, Lukas interviews Elohi Strategic Advisors founder Stephanie Lind to discuss the successes and failures of plant-based brands in foodservice.

JPG Resources has acquired RodeoCPG’s Brooklyn-based R&D team allowing JPG to better serve brands in the Big Apple, while Rodeo pivots toward becoming a targeted, tech-forward sales management platform.