In 1999, açai berries were almost unheard of in the USA. That’s because Brazil – the primary grower – only exported about 60 kg (≈130 lbs) of açai that year. Fast forward to today, and the country exports nearly 50 metric tonnes of açai puree alone. National Geographic says the total number of açai exports […]
This year, the natural and organic cosmetics market will catapult over the $15 billion mark. What was once a niche segment of the beauty industry has become an international movement that gathers more support every day. Indeed, 40% of US consumers believe organic is healthier for cosmetics and toiletries. That means products made from […]
In a consumer world where food fraud is a reality, food-borne diseases remain common, food quality expectations are growing, and food transparency, accountability, and clean labels are increasingly demanded. Food and ingredient certification is advantageous, if not essential, for producers and manufacturers. Certifications are imperative in some industry segments, such as meat, poultry, and […]
Dairy has been a staple of the American diet for over a century, providing healthy calcium, protein, and other nutrients. At the same time, dairy-related ailments, such as lactose intolerance or allergies, and potential cardiovascular and cancer risks have become health concerns. Equally, a growing proportion of the population is aware of the harmful effects […]
As consumers evolve and become increasingly health, social, and environmentally conscious, the pressure on makers to provide natural, eco-friendly, sustainable, and less processed products is growing. Consumers are demanding change. They expect their food, beverages, household, and personal care items to contain fewer, preferably zero, harmful additives, chemicals, dyes, flavors, and fragrances. Clean labels […]
With economic uncertainty, housing costs and inflation a continued concern, consumers are becoming increasingly cost-conscious. Streamlining budgets and reallocating spend to essentials is a notable trend. Saving is at a ten-year low, with rates of less than 5%. This financial pressure affects consumer spending behavior, with Deloitte’s financial August 2024 well-being index dropping to 99.3. […]
In the current world of grab-and-go, growing your own food seems like a lot more trouble than it’s even worth. Why, then, have so many restaurants returned to this tradition? For instance, NYC’s double Michelin Star holder, Blue Hill, sources fresh ingredients from its farm upstate. Other award-winning restaurateurs who don’t happen to own farms […]
As far as product launches go, there have been more alcohol-free (and some low-alcohol) drinks than alcoholic ones in the past five years. At least, according to Innova Market Research says. Their most recent trends report confirms something we’ve been onto for a while now: the sober-curious movement is taking off. Mocktails, once a sidelined […]
The kosher market is a US $12.5 billion industry with 11.4 thousand kosher product producers serving 12.4 million kosher and 35 million non-Jewish customers annually1. At the same time, kosher certification is essential for kosher food and beverage makers. Selling products to Jewish and other kosher-preference consumers is impossible without a trusted guarantee of approved […]
Essential oils are plant extracts from flowers, fruits, leaves, stems, roots, or bark. The oils comprise the botanical’s active compounds and fragrance—the “essence” of the plant. The highly concentrated oils are used in aromatherapy, topical formulations, and various scented products. Some of the most well-known oils are rose, sweet almond, lavender, peppermint, tea tree, […]
