Xtalks Food Industry Podcast

The Rise of Celebrity Food Brands + Cell-Based Breast Milk

Whether their names are directly attached to their product or they’re just one in a long list of investors, celebrities have been highly influential in the food and beverage industry; their popularity and ability to fund projects has catapulted celebrity food brands in recent years. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about five celebrity food brands from various pop stars and one celebrity chef. She discusses Rob’s Backstage Popcorn from the Jonas Brothers, Tingly Ted’s Hot Sauce from Ed Sheeran, Cravings by Chrissy Teigen, Snoop Cereal by Snoop Dogg and Big Sexy Frozen Pizzas by Lewis Capaldi, all of which are either debuting or expanding this year. The team wonders whether the rise of celebrity food brands is a new phenomenon and what differentiates them from celebrity endorsements or partnerships.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Israeli cell-based breast milk startup Wilk Technologies, which recently received a $3.5 million investment from French dairy giant Danone. Wilk, which launched in 2020, produces cell-based human breast milk and animal milk. The publicly-listed startup has a number of patent applications, including one approved patent, on laboratory production processes that replicate the milk-producing cells of humans and other mammals. Although the cell-based breast milk market is still in its infancy, Wilk already has competitors, including 108Labs, Biomilq and TurtleTree, all of which have received millions of dollars in funding to bring cell-based breast milk to the market. The team believes this cell-based venture could be the most beneficial one to date but points out that rigorous safety testing must be done before cell-based breast milk can be commercially produced, distributed and sold.Read the full article here:Rob’s Backstage Popcorn, Tingly Ted’s and Other New Celebrity Food BrandsWill Cell-Based Breast Milk Ever Replace Baby Formula?For more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @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

Search for Titanium Dioxide Alternatives Intensifies + Italy Proposes a Ban on Lab-Grown Meat

California’s recently proposed Assembly Bill 418 would make it the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of foods containing titanium dioxide, among other chemicals and dyes. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about what titanium dioxide is, where it can be found and its purpose as a whitening agent in food and beverage products. While it’s unclear whether the bill has enough momentum to pass, it has intensified the search for titanium dioxide alternatives. The ingredient boasts heat-stable opacity and bright white color — properties that are particularly appealing when it comes to maximizing a product’s visual appeal. But for companies tasked with finding titanium dioxide alternatives, there is no single universal replacement. The team discusses the complexities of trying to find alternatives and wonders why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is so far behind the European Foods Safety Authority (EFSA), which has already banned the ingredient. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Italy’s plan to ban lab-grown meat. The Italian government recently approved a draft law that would prohibit the use of laboratory-produced food and animal feed as it aims to protect the country’s food heritage. Under the ban, those who produce, export or import lab-grown food would face fines of up to €60,000 ($65,017) and risk having their manufacturing plants closed. The production of lab-grown food has not yet taken off in Europe, and it is expected to be years before such products appear on supermarket shelves. The potential lab-grown meat ban is thus a pre-emptive move to safeguard Italy’s heritage and agriculture based on the Mediterranean diet. The team is critical of the Italian government for imposing a ban that would prohibit progress and wonders whether the lab-grown meat market would threaten Italy’s food heritage.Read the full article here:Search for Titanium Dioxide Alternatives Intensifies as Potential Ban is ProposedLab-Grown Meat Ban Looms in Italy in Bid to Protect Food HeritageFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @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

Interview with Kristin Demoranville of AnzenSage

This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Kristin Demoranville, the CEO and founder of AnzenSage, a cybersecurity firm that provides resilience solutions to the food industry. Demoranville talks about her extensive career prior to entering the field of cybersecurity and founding AnzenSage, and why industry-specific cybersecurity is important. She discusses why the food industry is often targeted in cyber attacks, the risks and consequences of a cyber attack and how companies can protect themselves. Demoranville specifies how she works with food companies to give them peace of mind and how her competitors may fall short, since AnzenSage is the first food industry-specific cybersecurity firm. Read the related story here:How Companies Can Protect Against a Food Cyber AttackFor 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

Interview with Omer Eliav and Ben Dotan of Vgarden

This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Omer Eliav, head of R&D and co-founder of Vgarden, and Ben Dotan, head of innovation and engagements at Vgarden, an Israeli food tech company that offers a large selection of vegan products to the B2B market, including cheese, meat and fish alternatives. Eliav and Dotan talk about the company’s startup story, the importance of plant-based alternatives for a sustainable food system and Vgarden’s most recent product, canned vegan tuna. Vgarden’s wide selection of products are not only 100 percent vegan, but also free from allergens, cholesterol, soy, trans fat, gluten and are non-GMO. The company currently partners with big brands, like Costco, Domino’s Pizza and Papa John’s, and is hoping to continue expanding its reach in Israel and elsewhere. Read the related story here:Vgarden Launches Plant-Based Tuna for the B2B Global Food MarketFor 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

Hershey’s New Plant-Based Reese’s and Chocolate Bar + AI and ChatGPT in the Food Industry

Hershey, the maker of Reese’s, Hershey bars, Kisses and other chocolates and candies, recently announced two new plant-based products: Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new vegan sweets, which are both made with oat milk instead of cow’s milk and are designed to taste like milk chocolate. Despite experimenting with plant-based chocolate in the past, the new products will be the first vegan chocolates that Hershey has sold across the US. Hershey, alongside a number of other chocolate producers including Nestlé and Cadbury, has been expanding its range of products to keep up with the growing demand for dairy-free chocolate. The team talks about the unavoidable price premium that comes along with new plant-based products and whether these product launches were overdue. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about artificial intelligence (AI) in the food industry and how it is rapidly changing the way food manufacturers, restaurants and other businesses operate. And with the latest explosion of ChatGPT, we can expect AI to continue transforming significant portions of the food industry. Sydney talks about a few ways AI has already transformed the industry, including the use of food robots and novel food discovery and creation, as well as how ChatGPT is being used by small and large food businesses alike. She talks about a ChatGPT-powered Unilever tool, Homer, which generates an Amazon product listing that matches the brand’s tone, and a Canadian brewing company that allowed the chatbot to decide the name, price, packaging and recipe for a new beer with the hope that the beer will become a conversation piece. The team is hopeful that human creativity will never be replaced by AI and foresee it as a tool to help, rather than hurt humans in the food industry.Read the full article here:Hershey Launches Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate BarsAI In the Food Industry: Is ChatGPT the Next Big Trend?For more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @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

UK Tomato Shortage + The Importance of Cybersecurity in the Food Industry

For the 100th episode Xtalks Food Industry Podcast, the team starts off by discussing their favorite episodes from the past two years.From turkey and Topo Chico, to coffee and baby formula, last year saw its fair share of food shortages, supplies for some of which are only now beginning to be replenished. Unfortunately, the new year has brought with it a new set of food supply chain challenges, including the most recent tomato shortage in the UK. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about some of the causes for the shortage, including poor weather in Morocco and Spain and high energy costs in the UK. Other factors include fluctuating labor costs and shortages, British supermarkets habitually underpaying their suppliers and anecdotally, Brexit. The team talks about how they believe consumers would react upon spotting empty shelves at the grocery store and how store operators can do damage control to save their reputations.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about a recent cyber attack on Dole plc, a major American producer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables. Although Dole contained the threat, grocery stores witnessed the effects of the cyber attack. Sydney exemplifies this cyber attack to discuss why food and beverage companies are often targets and what they can do to mitigate the risk of a cybersecurity incident. Hear additional insights from Kristin Demoranville, CEO and founder of AnzenSage, a cybersecurity firm that specializes in the protection of the food and beverage industry. The team wonders why small businesses are sometimes targets of cyber attacks but agrees that no companies are immune and should always be prepared.Read the full article here:Why the UK is Facing a Tomato Shortage in 2023How Companies Can Protect Against a Food Cyber AttackListen to the team’s favorite episodes here:Food and Beverage Industry Trends for 2023 – Xtalks Life Food Podcast Ep. 91Slate Chocolate Milk + Aunt Jemima Rebrands – Xtalks Food Podcast Ep. 2What you Need to Know About Food Clinical Trials + Why Babybels Are Wrapped in Wax – Xtalks Life Food Podcast Ep. 73For 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

Starbucks’ New Olive Oil-Infused Coffee Line + FDA Draft Guidance for Plant-Based Milk

Starbucks’ newest line of beverages, Oleato, which feature extra virgin olive oil in coffee, recently launched in Italy as a series of beverages. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the beverages in the Oleato line, which include a latte, espresso, cold brew, iced shaken espresso and iced cortado. Beverages in the Oleato range are made with a spoonful of olive oil in coffee, adding 120 calories to the total calorie count. However, adding fat to coffee is not new, nor is olive oil in coffee. Coffee drinkers can add fat the old-fashioned way, with cream, milk or even butter, and recipes for olive oil-infused coffee exist online. But Starbucks is hoping that people will try the Oleato line because they want to know what the concoction tastes like or perhaps because they’ve heard that there are health benefits to extra virgin olive oil. Sydney and Sarah discuss whether they would try the Oleato line and give credit to Starbucks for introducing olive oil-infused coffees for those that want to avoid dairy or just try something new. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent draft guidance for plant-based milk labels. The guidance states that brands should add text on the front of the package indicating how they differ nutritionally from cow’s milk. For years, dairy producers have been probing the FDA to crack down on plant-based drinks and other products that they believe take advantage of animal-based foods and cloud the real meaning of “milk.” As such, the draft guidance suggests that plant-based milk companies include a statement explaining how the product compares with dairy milk. The FDA has deemed this disclosure essential because the nutritional composition of plant-based milks varies widely within and across types and many of them don’t contain the same levels of key nutrients as milk. Sydney and Sarah discuss the health implications of replacing traditional milk with plant-based milk for children, but posit that the draft guidance also has some shortcomings.  Read the full article here: Starbucks’ Olive Oil in Coffee Beverage Oleato Surprises Coffee Market FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Plant-Based Milk Labels 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

Outstanding Foods’ Better-For-You Junk Food + The FDA’s Plan to Reduce Lead Levels in Baby Food

Outstanding Foods, the maker of plant-based, better-for-you junk foods like cheese puffs and pork rinds, is set to debut soft-baked, gluten-free cookies and is also developing egg substitutes. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the Los Angeles-based brand’s products, which are formulated with pea protein and a blend of nutrients from broccoli, spinach, kale and more. Outstanding Foods brought on several high-profile celebrity investors, including rapper Snoop Dogg and ex-professional skateboarder turned investor Rob Dyrdek, so that they could leverage them in creating content. Sydney also discusses how the brand takes advantage of nostalgia by innovating classic snacks, but it is not the only one in the competitive $70 billion better-for-you snack market. The team wonders how Outstanding Foods will retain customers (since junk food purchases are often unplanned) and whether the better-for-you snack category contributes to harmful narratives around diet culture.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent draft guidance for industry on action levels for lead in baby food as part of its Closer to Zero action plan. Currently, toxic elements like lead can be ingested from various sources, including baby formula, breast milk and baby foods, but infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of exposure to toxic elements. So far, the FDA has released only drafts of guidelines around lead and is not issuing strict regulations, making enforcement optional. While some baby food manufacturers monitor toxin levels, they are not required to report the results to the public or to list them on product labels. The agency has not yet offered guidance for arsenic, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals, leading to concerns that regulatory changes may not be coming quickly enough. The team is disappointed in the agency’s lack of enforcement but believes there are still reasons to be optimistic when it comes to limiting lead levels in food.Read the full article here:Outstanding Foods is Giving Junk Food a Better-For-You MakeoverHow the FDA’s Closer to Zero Action Plan Aims to Reduce Lead Levels in Baby FoodFor 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

Interview with CEO of Nala Robotics Ajay Sunkara

In a post-pandemic economy, labor remains a challenge in the foodservice industry, but artificial intelligence startup Nala Robotics might be able to solve the labor shortage with its technology. This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Ajay Sunkara, the CEO of Nala Robotics, which calls itself the “world's first fully automated restaurant.” Hear about the meaning behind the name “Nala” as well as the company’s various robots, including Spotless, the autonomous dishwasher. Sunkara also discusses how he foresees humans and robots co-existing in the foodservice industry and at home. Sunkara is a managing partner of multiple breweries, manufacturing companies and technology firms and is a serial entrepreneur carrying experience in multiple industries. Read the full article here:Could Robot Dishwashers Solve Foodservice’s Labor Shortage?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

New USDA Organic Food Regulations + Price of Healthy Food a Major Barrier for Maintaining a Heart-Healthy Diet

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently updated its organic food regulations to tighten guidelines around organic products. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the update, which comes after a number of allegations claiming farmers have tried to sell non-organic or conventional food products with the lucrative white and green USDA “organic” label. Even though the USDA has stringent rules for what is considered organic, there are varying rules in different countries that are prone to fraud and forgery. The new guidelines require the USDA’s National Organic Program certification for all imported organic food, increase the certifications of more businesses in the supply chain and boost authority for inspections, record-keeping, traceability and fraud prevention practices. The team is pleased to hear about a long-awaited update, but wonders whether organic produce is worth the price.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about a new survey from the Cleveland Clinic that sheds light on some of the major challenges for maintaining a heart-healthy diet, with the cost of healthy food as the biggest barrier. According to the survey, 46 percent of Americans believe the cost of healthy food is the biggest barrier to eating healthy. Participants surveyed also cited a lack of time to prepare healthy meals (23 percent) and unfamiliarity with healthy ways of cooking (20 percent). Access to healthy food was also an issue, especially for minority communities. The survey also confirmed that there is still confusion amongst participants over what is considered healthy, with ten percent of Americans having chosen a fast-food diet as the most heart-healthy diet. The team is glad this survey revealed these answers, but posits that all levels of government should be doing more to give all Americans access to affordable, healthy food. Read the full article here:Here’s Why the USDA Updated its Organic Food RegulationsSurvey Finds Cost of Healthy Food a Major Barrier for Heart HealthFor 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