NPD

Tune in for episode six of the Food Manufacture Podcast

The Food Manufacture Podcast

Episode 6: Uplifting products

By Gwen Ridler

The Food Manufacture Podcast returns with a deep dive into uplifting products and how you can build your food and drink brand with some expert advice from this month’s special guests.

We round-up the latest food and drink product launches

NPD

Wallace & Gromit pasties lead new food and drink launches

By Gwen Ridler

From Wallace & Gromit themed pasties to axolotl gummy sweets, vegan chicken alternatives in the chilled aisle to white chocolate digestive biscuits, we round-up some of the latest food and drink product launches from the past month.

Plant-based food needs to provide value for money if it wants to entice new customers

News

Drivers and innovations leading the plant-based food market

By Gwen Ridler

Environmental worries still drive plant-based sales, but consumers are becoming more concerned over the value of the products they buy and how close they are to their meat counterparts, according to a new report from Mintel.

Shoppers want products to drop the plant-based label in favour of clearer indication of their ingredients

News

Plant-based puts punters off products

By Gwen Ridler

Consumers are less likely to choose food products that have ‘plant-based’ or ‘vegan’ labels on them, according to research commissioned by dairy-free cheese brand Julienne Bruno.

The Vegetarian Butcher is one of Unilever's alternative protein brands. Credit: Unilever

Long read

How Unilever is harnessing AI to create better food

By William Dodds

Chief R&D officer at Unilever’s Nutrition Business Group Carla Hilhorst tells Food Manufacture how the brand is using AI to transform the way new products are conceived.

Left: OFI's Cascara made from coffee waste, Centre: Vegan Casein from Fooditive

Latest innovations in food and drink ingredients

By Gwen Ridler

From vegan proteins ‘genetically identical’ to the ones found in milk to the growth of microalgae in the pet food market, we run-down some of the latest innovations in food and drink ingredients.

What's happening in the alternative protein market? Credit: Getty/coldsnowstorm

Long read

Alternative proteins: market snapshot 2023

By Bethan Grylls

Despite retail trends showing a fall in demand for alternative proteins, global revenues are projected to surpass $290bn. Here we look at each market segment and the start-ups with big potential.

New launches from drinks manufacturers

New

New product development in drinks

By Gwen Ridler

A new summer cider launch from Sheppy’s and a blend of classic sweets with sports nutrition lead this round-up of recent drinks NPD.

ADM's new Manchester facility

News

Manchester to home ADM’s food innovation hub

By Bethan Grylls

ADM is opening a Customer Creation and Innovation Center in the UK to further develop food innovation capabilities, with a big focus on enhancing savoury protein offerings.

Your plant-based product's success may rely on this one element. Credit: Getty/Rocky89

Feature

The role of fats in plant-based foods

By Bethan Grylls

The experts at Cargill and Planted explain the importance of fats in meat and how they're creating successful plant-based fats to mimic desirable characteristics.

The blonde chocolate trends makes its way into non-HFSS with the launch of Nestle's new dessert

News

Milkybar gold chocolate desserts join non-HFSS train

By Gwen Ridler

A new contender has joined the growing ranks of non-high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) sweet treats, with the reveal of Lactalis Nestlé Chilled Desserts UK’s Milkybar Gold White Chocolate Crème Dessert.

Local innovation hubs are key to driving R&D in the food industry, claims according to AberInnovation.

News

Future of food R&D lies in local hubs of excellence

By Gwen Ridler

Creating local hubs to promote collaboration between industry experts, stakeholders and Government is key for the future of research and development (R&D) within the food and drink sector, according to AberInnovation.

What are the new trends in food and drink packaging? Credit: Getty/Edwin Tan

Long read

Packaging trends and innovations: The Interpack 2023 roundup

By Bethan Grylls

Sustainable packaging solutions ruled this year’s Interpack, with exhibitors showcasing a range of innovations that addressed key challenges such as greenhouse gas, cost and efficiency. Here’s our roundup of launches…

Credit: Zero Creatives/Getty

Feature

The biggest trends in sausages, burgers and food forming

By Bethan Grylls

Experts of sausages, burgers and food forming take a look back (and forwards), as they examine what’s changed and how new technology is influencing the sector with Food Manufacture’s editor.

Food manufacturers should work harder at making plant-based foods more than just a replacement for meat

News

Do we need to drop the plant-based label?

By Gwen Ridler

Manufacturers need to move the focus away from making plant-based replacements for meat products and instead make alternatives that can stand up as desirable food in their own right, according to FMCG Gurus head of research and insight Mike Hughes.

The soft drinks levy has been a catalyst for innovation and growth

News

Soft Drinks Levy driving innovation and growth

By Gwen Ridler

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy – AKA the Sugar Levy – has been a catalyst for growth in the soft drinks industry, but growth of sugary drinks in the out of home market suggests more could be done to educate retailers and consumers of sugar-free alternatives.

Food and drink brands are getting creative. Credit: Getty / Urupong

News

F&B investing more in NPD and outsourcing

By Bethan Grylls

Despite headwinds, food and beverage brands are spending more in new production development and contract manufacturing, and keen to embrace automation to relieve stress following historic global supply chain challenges.

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