Food Ingredients First

Let’s take a look at this week’s industry highlights, reported by Food Ingredients First. Check out the slideshow below and share your thoughts! 👉 C16 Biosciences enters food #ingredients market with precision-fermented cocoa butter equivalent | https://lnkd.in/eBjCZWY4 👉 #Protein under pressure: Solutions for rising whey costs | https://lnkd.in/eqWiRv7j 👉 Mondelēz Q2 #snack sales climb as emerging markets and North America deliver growth | https://lnkd.in/ejZeZgQ8 👉 Unilever Foods growth slows in Q2 as McCormick combination advances | https://lnkd.in/eWy_Fakm 👉 How F&B ingredient suppliers are navigating the MAHA reformulation challenge | https://lnkd.in/ed4caiUn Shara Ticku, NURA, Angel yeast, Biospringer by Lesaffre, GELITA, Gelnex Gelatin, Curie Co, Standing Ovation, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), DöhlerGroup, Prosur, Ingredion Incorporated #foodindustrynews Reported by Gaynor Selby, Joshua Poole, Missy Green, and Natalie Schwertheim.

As #whey supplies tighten and costs rise, Leaft Foods is positioning alfalfa-derived Rubisco #protein as a high-functionality “Plan B” for manufacturers. CEO Ross Milne tells us how the #ingredient supports foaming, gelling, and emulsification across #bakery, dairy, and acidic beverages, and why hybrid formulations could reduce formulation risk and unlock cost savings. Reported by Insha Naureen. Read the full interview here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e24dw2_W

Whey prices are climbing, supplies are tightening, and formulators are being pushed to rethink #protein strategies. At IFT FIRST 2026, #suppliers unveiled a new wave of alternatives, blends, and processing tools designed to protect margins and performance. Which solutions are gaining traction, and where could the next breakthrough come from? Philip Coggins, Steven Sheng, Adria Gennuso-Fuchs, Ginger Waller, Guilherme Porto, Erika Milczek, Xavier Pinardon, NURA, Angel yeast, Biospringer by Lesaffre, GELITA, Gelnex Gelatin, Curie Co, Standing Ovation, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Innova Market Insights #foodinnovation #foodindustry Reported by Missy Green. Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTWCVHJ2

Innova Market Insights data shows that visual appeal plays a significant role in food and beverage choices. Around 23% of consumers look for visually engaging sensory experiences, such as vibrant colors, prompting brands to innovate with natural, eye-catching color solutions. #foodcoloring #foodandbeverage #colorsolutions #consumertrends #foodinnovation Read the full product innovation here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehvaA2Ft

Mondelēz International reported a 4.1% rise in Q2 2026 net revenue to US$9.36 billion, with organic sales up 2.2% as pricing and volume/mix contributed to growth. Emerging markets and North America led performance, while European sales declined. The company also raised its full-year organic revenue outlook. #foodindustry #consumertrends #businessnews #foodandbeverage #foodnews Reported by Gaynor Selby. Click the link in the comments to read the full article 👇

Natural #foodcolors are closing the performance gap with synthetic dyes as #fermentation, encapsulation, plant breeding, and advanced extraction improve vibrancy, stability, and scalability. Suppliers are also addressing cost, regulatory complexity, and supply resilience, helping brands meet #cleanlabel demand without sacrificing manufacturing performance. Sandro Tomita, Jay Howard, Sonja Scheffler, Luc Ganivet, dsm-firmenich, California Natural Color, GNT Group, Oterra #foodinnovation Reported by Joshua Poole. Read the full special report here 👉https://lnkd.in/dGZwcAvx

Unilever’s Foods business posted 0.2% underlying sales growth in Q2, as developed-market softness and increased competition in US condiments outweighed momentum in emerging markets and foodservice. Meanwhile, planning for its McCormick combination is advancing, which would create a global flavor powerhouse. #businessnews #consumertrends #foodnews #foodandbeverage #foodservice Reported by Joshua Poole. Click the link in the comments to read the full article 👇

At IFT FIRST 2026, PLT Health Solutions’ Steve Fink, VP Marketing, shared key insights on the next generation of energy #beverages. He explored the formulation challenges of bringing nutraceutical #ingredients into everyday drinks, and explained how the market is evolving as consumers increasingly seek convenient functional benefits beyond traditional pills and capsules for daily #health and performance. Watch the full video here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dBbeyCuC

Replacing synthetic dyes with #naturalcolours is rarely a simple one-to-one switch. Discover how Döhler’s AI-supported colour-matching tool predicts achievable shades, identifies suitable blends and recommends precise dosages within minutes. The paper shows how digital colour modelling can reduce laboratory iterations, accelerate reformulation and support more confident and faster product-development decisions. Curious to know more? Read the full technical paper from DöhlerGroup here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d4cvuzaw

Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) is accelerating demand for natural colors, cleaner labels, lower sugar, and protein- and fiber-fortified foods. Ingredient suppliers say reformulation now requires full product redesign — balancing taste, texture, safety, and more — while helping brands deliver healthier products consumers will still enjoy and repurchase. Kristy Ellenson, Brian Metzger, Leaslie Carr, DöhlerGroup, Prosur, Ingredion Incorporated #MAHA #naturalcolors #cleanlabel #foodinnovation #ingredients Reported by Joshua Poole. Click the link in the comments to read the full article 👇