Xtalks Food Industry Podcast

ModifyHealth in the Food as Medicine Industry + How MenuTrinfo Certifies Products as Allergen-Free

ModifyHealth, a leader in the burgeoning food as medicine industry, recently released four new meal plan offerings catering to a variety of dietary needs in the US. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these new plans, which were introduced in response to the increasing demand from consumers managing specific medical conditions including celiac disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and beyond. Food as medicine refers to a philosophy that promotes the use of whole foods, nutritional therapy and diet modifications to prevent, manage and even treat certain diseases and health conditions. It often integrates a more holistic view of health, considering not just the physical body but also emotional, mental and environmental factors. With the launch of these new meal plans, ModifyHealth solidifies its reputation as a frontrunner in the food as medicine industry. The team questions the validity of these meals plans and the food as medicine industry but commend ModifyHealth for taking a different approach in a crowded market. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about MenuTrinfo, a private company that established its own certification programs to indicate that certain food products are free from specific allergens. MenuTrinfo operates a heavily vetted ‘Certified Free From’ scheme with standards that have raised the bar for allergen-free products. The brand emphasizes on the necessity for continuous surveillance and every outlet undergoes frequent and quantified testing based on the allergen risk it poses. MenuTrinfo addresses cross-contamination by mandating that an outlet or manufacturing facility implements a robust and verified allergen control plan. Overall, MenuTrinfo’s ‘Certified Free From’ certification is an initiative that stands at the intersection of consumer safety and industry transparency, paving the way for a safer, more informed marketplace. The team applauds the work of private organizations that prioritize food safety but criticizes the government for not being able to implement such robust labeling schemes themselves.Read the full articles here:ModifyHealth is Leading the ‘Food as Medicine’ Industry with New Meal PlansMenuTrinfo’s ‘Certified Free From’ Label: An Assurance in Allergen-Free DiningFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees and Teas + New Culture’s Animal-Free Mozzarella

Dunkin’, America’s largest coffee and donut chain, announced the launch of Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees and Iced Teas. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the two boozy beverages, which are set to roll out in early September. Dunkin’ is entering a crowded market segment with the launch of Dunkin’ Spiked, a reflection of the rising popularity of RTD drinks that offer innovative blends of well-loved tastes. Despite the fierce competition, the Dunkin’ brand has the potential to carve a distinct identity in this dynamic landscape. While there isn’t a dominant leader in the spiked coffee market, the hard tea market is currently dominated by Twisted Tea. While it remains to be seen whether Dunkin’ can rival Twisted Tea, the market is ready for new players. On the other hand, Dunkin’ could face a tougher road ahead when it comes to hard coffee, which lacks the same level of popularity as other alcoholic RTD beverages. The team wonders who the target audience for these beverages are and whether Dunkin’s loyal fanbase will help promote these products. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about California-based New Culture, an emerging startup using precision fermentation to produce casein proteins, which has scaled up its fermentation process to increase manufacturing volumes, specifically for its animal-free mozzarella. Founded in 2019, New Culture produces animal-free mozzarella through a unique blend of traditional cheese-making techniques and casein proteins cultivated via precision fermentation. The company debuted its animal-free mozzarella at Nancy Silverton’s Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles in June of this year. The official launch of New Culture’s mozzarella is set for 2024 at the same location, with plans for expansion to various pizzerias across the country. As New Culture continues to advance its production capacities, it is laying the foundation for a relatively new sector that has substantial implications for animal welfare, environmental sustainability and human health. The team wonders how restaurants will promote animal-free products and how authorities will regulate these types of products. Read the full article here:Dunkin’ Spiked: Dunkin’s Latest Foray into AlcoholNew Culture is Scaling up to Produce Record Amount of Animal-Free Mozzarella For more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Balancing Technology and Traditions: Interview with Marco Terenghi, CCO at Olli Salumeria

Olli Salumeria, known for its high-quality, artisanal salami, recently launched the first preservative-free salami in the North American market. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney interviews Marco Terenghi, chief commercial officer at Olli Salumeria, to find out more about the company’s mission, history and innovative products.Marco talks about the long process of developing Olli’s preservative-free salami and the clean label movement. He discusses Olli’s rich heritage and the balance between preserving the traditional art of salami-making while incorporating modern technological advancements. He also touches on the role of plant-based and lab-grown meat in the broader meat market.Read the full article here:Olli Salumeria Pioneers First Preservative-Free Salami in North AmericaFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Trader Joe’s Recall 2023 + New Netflix Food Safety Documentary

The Trader Joe’s recall situation has garnered significant attention in the past few weeks, as the popular retail chain declared three different product recalls during the last week of July. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the details of the recall, which has raised some eyebrows with food safety. Trader Joe’s, in a statement to Vox, called the series of recalls “a coincidence.” Yet, Melvin Kramer, President of the EHA environmental and public health consulting group, suggests another theory. The unique appeal of Trader Joe’s to consumers lies in its blend of global and local foods produced by small-scale makers. This variety may increase Trader Joe’s recall risk compared to stores sourcing from large-scale manufacturers. Trader Joe’s has gained a cult-like following for selling a variety of local specialty foods and crafting engaging narratives about its brands; however, the recent increase in Trader Joe’s recall from once or twice a month to three times in a week is alarming. The team talks about the lack of oversight from federal authorities like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and wonder whether consumers are partially to blame for high demand.Also in this episode, Sydney reviews Netflix’s new food safety documentary, “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food.” The objective of the documentary is not to dictate what foods the audience should avoid due to health concerns or to debunk myths about so-called healthy foods. Rather, its primary focus is to shed light on the negligent food safety practices employed by various companies and federal authorities. The film unpacks a variety of food safety issues, starting with the notorious E. coli outbreak between 1992 and 1993 that claimed the lives of four children who had eaten contaminated burgers from the fast-food chain Jack in the Box. The film also profiled Kenneth Kendrick, a former plant manager at Peanut Corporation of America who blew the whistle on his boss, corporation owner Stewart Parnell, for tampering with inspection records to ship out contaminated nuts. The narrative unfolds through several viewpoints, including those of food industry attorneys, politicians, regulators, scientists, victims’ parents and implicated businesses. The team praises the documentary for shedding light on several important but overlooked food safety issues in the US.Read the full article here:Trader Joe’s Recall 2023: Multiple Products Under the MicroscopeNew Netflix Food Documentary Exposes America’s Faulty Food Safety SystemFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Ortho-Phthalates in Food Packaging + McDonald’s New Restaurant Idea

Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stood by its decision, denying a petition asking it to reevaluate the use of eight ortho-phthalates in food-contacting packaging materials. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the public petition, which was put forward by EarthJustice, a non-profit organization advocating for environmental sustainability, as well as Dr. Katherine K. O’Brien, a Canadian-American pediatric infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist, among other parties, as well as what ortho-phthalates are. EarthJustice and Dr. O’Brien’s petition has experienced years of exchanges between civil society groups and the FDA, with intervention from the US Congress as well. Civil society organizations initiated the petition in 2016, driven by worries about the impact of phthalates on human health as they migrate from packaging and processing equipment into food. Vera wonders whether studies that suggest ortho-phthalates can seep into food are valid and Sydney agrees that for the moment, these chemicals are likely nothing to worry about in food packaging. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about McDonald’s, which is gearing up to pilot a fresh restaurant concept, called “CosMc’s,” whose name derives from a lesser-known McDonald’s character — a robotic alien. In the past, McDonald’s has tried out smaller restaurant models like McDonald’s Express. Whether CosMc’s will mirror these earlier ventures remains to be seen. But recently, the company has struck gold with its character-based marketing. A prime example is Grimace, whose limited-edition purple shake triggered a TikTok frenzy. Domestically, McDonald’s locations that have been open for at least 13 months witnessed a 10.3 percent increase in sales in the quarter ending on June 30, thanks partly to Grimace’s birthday event and the accompanying promotional meal and shake that launched on June 12. Looking forward, McDonald’s is set to experiment with various types of locations, including the new CosMc’s concept and other possibilities for compact-format stores. Vera and Sydney wonder whether CosMc’s will find as much success as McDonald’s other campaigns but agree that the fast-food chain has perfected viral marketing and promotions. Read the full article here:Ortho-Phthalates Retain FDA Approval for Food Packaging Despite PetitionsCosMc’s: McDonald’s New Restaurant Idea Rooted in Character LoreFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

The Future of Cultivated Meat: Interview with Eyal Rosenthal, CEO of Ever After Foods

Ever After Foods, an innovative food tech company based in Haifa, Israel, recently unveiled its groundbreaking bioreactor system designed for producing cultivated meat. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney interviews Eyal Rosenthal, CEO of Ever After Foods, to find out more about the company and the future of cultivated meat.Eyal discusses the benefits of cultivated meat, including its environmental sustainability and animal welfare, as well as its challenges, like consumer acceptance. He applauds the recent USDA approval of cultivated meat in the US and talks about what this means for the future of the industry throughout the rest of the world. Read the full article here:Ever After Foods’ Revolutionary Bioreactor Platform for Cultivated Meat ProductionFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

The Controversy Behind Prime Energy Drink + Nestlé’s New Sugar Reduction Technology

Prime Energy drink, a popular beverage created by prominent YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul, is facing scrutiny as US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for regulators to investigate its marketing tactics. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about concerns that have been raised regarding the high caffeine content of the drink, which Schumer alleges is targeting children. The beverage, containing 200 mg of caffeine per 355 mL can, packs twice the amount found in its rival, Red Bull. Back in 2022, Logan Paul and KSI introduced the caffeine-free Prime Hydration drink, which swiftly gained online popularity. In January of this year, the caffeinated Prime Energy drink was launched, promoted as both sugar-free and vegan. Adhering to responsible consumption guidelines, each can of the beverage clearly cautions against its consumption by individuals under 18 years of age, caffeine-sensitive individuals, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. The team wonders whether Schumer has a strong enough case and how strongly regulations are enforced when it comes to children purchasing and consuming energy drinks. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Nestlé’s new groundbreaking sugar reduction technology that not only significantly diminishes sugar content, but also brings additional benefits to a wide array of products. Nestlé uses an enzymatic method to cut down intrinsic sugar levels in ingredients like malt, milk and fruit juices by as much as 30 percent, with only a minor effect on the products’ flavor and texture. The sugar-reduced ingredients are then incorporated into the recipes for a variety of products. There is no requirement for additional sweeteners or bulking agents to substitute the removed sugar volume. The sugar reduction method was initially trialed in cocoa and malt-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages in Southeast Asia. The ongoing expansion will soon extend to other product categories like dairy powders. The team believes this new technology is coming at an excellent time, when artificial sweeteners are being deemed unsafe and there is a hyper focus on nutrition labels, especially when it comes to sugar. Read the full article here:Why is Prime Energy Drink Under Scrutiny?Nestlé Introduces Sugar Reduction Technology for Various ProductsFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

WHO’s Guidelines on Marketing Food to Children + Monster Eyes Bang Energy

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released new guidelines that emphasized the critical role that marketers must play in safeguarding children’s health. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these new guidelines, which underscored the need for tighter regulations to protect children from the adverse effects of food marketing. The marketing of food products that are high in saturated and trans fats, free sugars and/or salt, known as HFSS, has been a subject of debate. The WHO’s research indicates that such advertising can shape children’s dietary preferences, promote unhealthy food intake and pave the way for potential health issues like obesity and heart disease. The WHO’s new guidelines recommend compulsory regulation on marketing HFSS foods and non-alcoholic beverages, underscoring that previous voluntary measures have been inadequate. The team wonders how much of an impact food marketing has on children and discuss how drastically media and advertising has changed in the last decade.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Monster Energy’s is potential acquisition of its smaller rival, Bang Energy, for $362 million through a bankruptcy court agreement. This transaction is pending approval from the bankruptcy court and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is currently reviewing the potential sale; however, if given the green light, this deal could potentially be beneficial for both brands. However, the relationship between Bang and Monster has been marked by heated competition ever since Bang entered the market in 2012, ten years after Monster’s establishment. In September 2022, Bang suffered a significant setback when Monster filed a successful false advertising lawsuit against it. Moreover, Monster holds a substantial claim in Bang’s bankruptcy as one of its largest creditors. The team wonders whether Monster, which sued Bang less than a year ago, is making a hypocritical decision by acquiring Bang, or whether it’s a savvy business decision given Bang’s financial success.Read the full article here:Marketing Food to Children: An Evolving Landscape Following WHO’s New GuidelinesBang Energy’s Twist of Fate: Monster Energy as Potential BuyerFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Oterra’s Food Coloring for Plant-Based Meat + Fastest Growing Food Companies

Oterra, the leading global supplier of naturally derived colors, recently unveiled innovative red and pink color blends specifically designed for plant-based meat and seafood alternatives. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these new offerings, that allow manufacturers to create customized hues for a wide range of plant-based meat and seafood substitutes, including burgers, sausages, ground meat, meatballs, deli slices, salmon and tuna steaks. The natural food coloring ingredients market is witnessing significant growth on a global scale, driven by compelling long-term trends, including heightened consumer consciousness regarding health and the environment. Additionally, scientific advancements and regulatory pressures have expedited the transition from synthetic to natural colors. The team discusses the important role that food coloring plays in plant-based meat products when it comes to mimicking traditional meat. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about the top five fastest growing food companies in 2023, their mouthwatering offerings and the secrets behind their meteoric ascent. The list comprises the top-ranking food companies based on the Financial Times’ assessment of The Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies in 2023, which highlights the 500 companies across the Americas that have demonstrated remarkable growth in publicly disclosed revenues from 2018 to 2021. From first to fifth, the list includes Whole Sol Blend Bar, Organto Foods, Goodfood, Laird Superfood and The Andersons. Out of the 500 companies that made Financial Times’ list, 13 were in the food category. The team highlights the diversity of this list, pointing out that the companies range from smoothie bowls to meal kits to crops and offer a spectrum of products and services across the food industry.Read the full article here:Oterra Unveils Innovative Red and Pink Natural Food Coloring BlendsTop 5 Fastest Growing Food Companies in 2023For more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured

Top 5 Food Industry Ransomware Attacks + The Dangers of Food Fraud

Ransomware attacks targeting the food industry have become increasingly prevalent and damaging over the past few years. Between 2018 and May 2023, there have been 157 confirmed ransomware attacks on the food, beverage and agriculture industries. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top five most significant ransomware attacks on the food industry that caused severe disruptions and significant financial losses. The list includes the Campari Group ($15 million ransom demanded), JBS Foods ($11 million ransom paid), Harvest Food Distributors and Sherwood Food Distributors ($7.5 million ransom demanded), NEW Cooperative, Inc. ($5.9 million ransom demanded) and Schreiber Foods ($2.5 million ransom demanded). There are many other instances of ransomware attacks on the food industry that have caused significant damages, including the attack on Dole PLC in February 2023. The team talks about the broader consequences of ransomware attacks, the hackers behind them and how cybersecurity laws are falling short.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about food fraud, which refers to deliberate actions taken to deceive consumers for financial gain by misrepresenting the quality and composition of food products. The illicit practice of selling counterfeit food has become an extremely profitable illegal industry worldwide, generating around $40 billion annually. Sydney explains the seven types of food fraud, including dilution, mislabeling, unapproved enhancement, substitution, concealment, counterfeiting and gray market production/theft/diversion. Food fraud can not only have detrimental effects on consumers’ health but can also cause economic harm to companies and consumers. Addressing these harms requires collective efforts from regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders and consumers. The team members each give examples of cases of food fraud and discuss whether most cases of the illicit practice are voluntary, as well as who is to blame.Read the full article here:Top 5 Ransomware Attacks that Shook the Food IndustryFood Fraud: Urgent Measures Needed to Safeguard Global Food SupplyFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured