The Natural Products Expo West is spotlighting new organic and clean label food innovation, with a look at the trends shaping the future of the nearly US$300 billion industry. Notable highlights at the show include new plant-based flavoring technologies, natural preservation ingredients, low sugar and salt solutions, and functional beverages for gut microbiome health.

On the showfloor in Anaheim, California, in the US, FoodIngredientsFirst caught up with representatives from key industry suppliers including Givaudan, Kerry, Cargill, Ingredion, BDF Natural Ingredients and GNT.

Also presenting at the exhibition are prominent US retail chains such as Kroger, Whole Foods, Earth Fare and Dawson’s Market.

A progressive food journey
Givaudan has set up a Health & Wellness zone, where it is presenting its Lifenol solution, a botanical extract of hops claimed to promote healthy aging and improve the quality of life in menopausal and postmenopausal women. The ingredient is presented in the snack format of oat-based Lifenol Meno “PAUSED” bites.

As part of its showcased “progressive food journey” concept, the flavor specialist is offering samples that take visitors through a “morning breakfast to a plant-based protein lunch, ending the day with a functional beverage mocktail.”

Soy-based crab bites are also on the menu, utilizing a vegan crab flavor, marine flavor booster, and GivaudanFreshness lemon flavor. Also on the table are marinated plant-based mozzarella skewers, made with buttery mozzarella, chickpea protein maskers and Givaudan’s natural emulsifier to create a creamy cheese highlighted by the refreshing tomato basil seasoning of marinated oil.

In beverages, Givaudan highlights that functional beverages have begun to incorporate a wider variety of nootropics, exemplified through its Level-Up Water concept paired with Maca and Cereboost, a patented American ginseng extract.

Meanwhile, its Green Monk Mocktail mingles the complex flavors of juniper, ginger, lemon, spice, and chartreuse with matcha tea and green tea with L-Theanine.

Functionality forward
Taste and nutrition giant Kerry is exhibiting its finished products including the Bio-K+’s Extra Cognition Drinkable, which recently won Product of the Year in the US Probiotics Category for 2022. 

In addition to this, the company is showcasing next-generation preservation solutions, which protect and perfect food. IsoAge Ca, is its newest product for bakery. It is a vinegar-based product with incredible sensory results which helps bread maintain comparable quality to that formulated with conventional preservatives or popular fermentates.

“We have a great sustainable nutrition case study where we helped a major UK breadmaker add an extra three days of shelf life to their product and quantify an indication of the waste reduction impact of these extra days.” Aisling Hussey, PR and trade media manager at Kerry, tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

Postbiotics are gaining market traction
Agri-food titan Cargill is on the showfloor exhibiting its extensive portfolio of ingredients with sugar and sodium reduction, label-friendly and non-GMO credentials. This includes stevia, erythritol, plant proteins, label-friendly starches, soluble rice flour, pectin, lecithin, plant sterols, turbinado sugar, oils and shortenings, salts and chocolate, among others.

The company’s EpiCor Postbiotic brand is showcasing its clinically-backed postbiotic solution for gut health and immunity, a whole food fermentate made using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that goes through a closely held trade secret fermentation and drying processes. 

This fermentation process makes a unique fingerprint of metabolites including proteins, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides, fiber and other nutrients.

Savory pipeline
Plant protein is a core focus at the show, reflecting the global industry consumer movement. Ingredion is at Natural Products Expo West exhibiting its prototype concepts including a plant-based coconut yogurt made with its “ultra-performance” plant protein.

The ingredients supplier is also offering samples of its reduced sugar tart cherry fruit preparation with appealing sweetness and mouthfeel provided by its portfolio of sugar reduction solutions and sweeteners. Also featured is Ingredion’s granola concept, made with a light and crispy plant-based protein boost from its structured vegetable protein.

Also at the event, clean label and functional ingredient supplier A&B Ingredients announced a collaboration with BDF Natural Ingredients, Spain. A&B Ingredients will distribute BDF’s innovative enzyme ingredients, Probind Transglutaminase Enzyme, to the North American market.

Probind offers distinguished protein binding properties and many applications in meat, fish, dairy and vegan products. Ingredients within this portfolio are allergen-free and used to bind proteins together, improve food texture or create new products.

“We are excited to form a strategic partnership with A&B Ingredients which will help us continue our global expansion. We have uncovered many technical synergies between our companies and now see A&B Ingredients as a perfect partner to support our growth in the US market,” says Maria Gorgas Ros, business director at BDF Natural Ingredients.

Drinking in functional beverages
Health-haloed drinks are a focal point of the show, with companies showcasing a plethora of low-sugar, alcohol-free and probiotic beverages.

Taste and nutrition giant Kerry is exhibiting its finished products including the Bio-K+’s Extra Cognition Drinkable, which recently won Product of the Year in the US Probiotics Category for 2022. 

Ritual Zero Proof is at the event presenting its range of spirit alternatives. After expanding its product line with the world’s first Tequila Alternative last April, Ritual is introducing the newest innovation, Ritual Rum Alternative. The alcohol-free beverage is dubbed “the rum punch that doesn’t knock you out,” boasting the warm vanilla, toasted spice and velvety decadence of dark rum, minus the alcohol or calories.

Lifeway Foods has debuted a dairy-free probiotic oat beverage, Lifeway Oat, expanding its portfolio of probiotic beverages beyond its kefir. This dairy-free, certified vegan option supports a healthy gut microbiome and immunity, with ten live and active probiotic cultures and heart-healthy beta-glucans. It was showcased alongside the company’s adaptogenic functional oat drinks made with reishi, lion’s mane and aronia berry.

Eat the shades of the rainbow
Other prominent exhibitors at the show included, natural coloring food specialist GNT, presenting its Exberry brand. 

Through a gentle manufacturing process the company transforms fruits, vegetables and edible plants into vibrant, high-performing color solutions. Its executives previously caught up with FoodIngredientsFirst on the topic of new natural coloring innovation developed in line with Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2022, Veri Peri.

GNT recently enlisted the skills of professional semioticians to delve into the many ways that color in food imparts messages on a conscious and subconscious level, as part of its “Power of Color” research.

By Benjamin Ferrer

(origin)  Food Ingredients First