Joshua C Anthony, PhD, MBA

Kefir-- a fermented dairy beverage-- is rising in popularity. I weigh in on this good-for-you drink in this article via Layla Khoury-Hanold via Food Network where it takes about: --What is kefir? --How is kefir made? --What does kefir taste like? --Health benefits --The difference between kefir and yogurt --And of course, HOW to pronounce it!

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Lief's Director of Planning and Procurement, Jeohvan Montoya, wrote an article for Nutrition Industry Executive/VRM Media that dives into the landscape of today's nutrition industry supply chain management. Jeohvan provides insight on the current supply chain outlook and also outlines strategic approaches to meet supply and demand objectives. One of the strategies that Jeohvan recommends, and is actively employing at Lief, is a customer-focused approach that includes in-depth discussions with customers about their needs, evaluating their forecasting data, and discussing parameters that align with both parties. To learn more, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gWJi4iW3

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Pet Food Processing Exchange will provide #petfood professionals with valuable insights from various experts and leaders across the industry. This includes Stephanie Clark, PhD, CVT, PAS, CFS, Dpl. ACAS-N, VTS (Nutrition) of BSM Partners, who will take the stage to discuss the latest trends in product development. Learn more about Pet Food Processing Exchange and register here: https://ow.ly/ZY9N50Rpiw4 #PFPE2024 #PFPExchange #petfoodindustry

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Great narrative review on underutilized plants. From the article: These plants have superior nutritional content and immense potential to contribute to food and nutrition security and increased sustainability.  Free to download. #food #diet #health #nutrition #foodscapefinds https://lnkd.in/gA9CPuKp

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https://lnkd.in/gNFDFz-X Hunger and obesity are two major food crises facing the United States. According to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), one in eight households, or an estimated 44.2 million Americans, experienced food insecurity or lack of access to an affordable, nutritious diet in 2022. Meanwhile, FRAC reports that nearly 40% of adults are obese and another 31.6% are overweight, which can lead to chronic disease. Let Icon Foods help you get ahead of the Truth in Labeling Act with sweetening solutions that will clean up your front of pack #addedsugar call-out.

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Going Seed Oil Free will be a significant movement in the health-conscious food space over the next decade. Julia Mills, Mintel's analyst for U.S. Food and Drink Reports, notes a 150% increase in "made with olive oil" claims and an 825% surge in "made with avocado oil" claims from 2019 to 2023. However, studies from the FDA and UC Davis reveal that over 25% of extra virgin olive oil and nearly 70% of avocado oil in the US supply chain are adulterated with cheaper seed oils (https://lnkd.in/ev57JBuy) like soybean, corn, or canola, underscoring widespread cooking oil fraud. As the food industry evolves and more brands and consumers are choosing premium oils, The Seed Oil Free Alliance will ensure this shift is transparent and verified through rigorous independent lab testing, auditing, and more. #seedoilfreecertified #cookingoils #ingredient #integrity

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Latest on International Bakery: Faba Bean Protein: A Healthy Alternative Fréderic Fernandes, Product Manager Functional Proteins at BENEO, discusses the challenges and benefits to using Faba bean protein as an alternative ingredient in bakery recipes What led BENEO to explore faba bean protein as an alternative ingredient? There are several aspects to this decision. Firstly, we noticed an increasing global demand for plant-based ingredients. Secondly, there's a significant emphasis on sustainability and climate change. While we already produce various rice proteins, our customers were looking for alternatives to the soy and pea proteins commonly found in the market. Soy and pea proteins are often imported from outside Europe, which isn't very sustainable. This led us to investigate other plant-based protein options. Faba beans emerged as an excellent candidate due to their comparable qualities to soy and pea proteins and their sustainability credentials. We source faba beans at Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Gold level from German farmers, in close proximity to our future production plant. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dY8euVXx #Food #Bakery #Ingredients #Nutrition

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According to AAFCO, the ingredient deck on a pet food label should be listed in descending order, by weight. The OG of misleading label practices was "ingredient splitting" where you would break down a "less desirable" ingredient into various components. An example is taking peas (20% inclusion and 3rd in the deck) and breaking it down in to peas, pea powder and pea protein (10%, 6.5% and 3.5% putting them at 4th, 6th and 9th in the deck, respectively). The two "new kids" in this game are outright omission (either on ads, the website or the front of the package) and grouping ingredients ("Vitamins", "Minerals" or "Blend"). While not "illegal", it sure as hell is misleading! "INGREDIENTS: Beef, Barley, Flax Seeds, Carrots, Green Beans, Beef Livers, Beef Hearts, Beets, Cranberries, *** Nutrient Blend, Rosemary, Salt, Dried Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols" If you were to see this on an ingredient deck you would think, "Wow, nice limited ingredient deck, all natural, no synthetics or artificial ingredients." which is EXACTLY what they want you to think. Here is what the blend consists of: "NUTRIENT BLEND Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Safflower Oil, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Apples, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cherries, Oranges, Pumpkins, Shiitake Mushrooms, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D" From their website; "We believe in a minimal ingredient diet, which is why we put our ingredients on the FRONT of our packaging. We're not trying to hide anything or play tricks with paragraphs of ingredients." They even "double down in their FAQs with this; "Do your recipes contain artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients, or colors? Never!"  Is it really worth bringing this up over a group of ingredients that may only make up 3-5% of the total ingredient weight? Some will say "no" but I disagree. As a manufacturer, you should be proud of your ingredients and more importantly, of your product's nutrient profiles (which I could not find for this product). The front of their bag lists the ingredients they want listed...they don’t post "Nutrient Blend of 31 additional ingredients" after Cranberries and before Rosemary and they don’t post "salt and mixed tocopherols" either. Why not?! That's right, they BELIEVE in a minimal ingredient diet. To ALL pet food manufacturers: List out (all) your ingredients and share your nutrient profiles. The analysis runs about $2,500 and it will give your customers confidence in your product and more importantly, your company.

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“When considering the future of protein sources, it’s not an ‘or,’ it’s an ‘and.’ We must find ways to feed a growing global population and provide necessary nutritional value, such as protein content..." https://lnkd.in/gkNr3fYN #plantbasedfoods #plantbasedprotein #esg #health #innovation #newingredients #protein #lifestyle #fitness #ingredients #futureoffood #foodsecurity #growingpopulation #nutrition #sustainablefoods

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💡This new research reveals a crucial insight: people's moral values, particularly the importance of living a natural life, could be a significant barrier to the adoption of lab-grown meat. 🍖🔬 While the industry focuses on scaling up and ensuring food safety, we can’t overlook the psychological hurdles that consumers may face. Addressing these moral concerns will be key to broader acceptance. 🧠💡  Follow me for more insights. #CulinaryTides #FoodTrends #LabGrownMeat #ConsumerBehavior Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ejwtAXsm

⚖️ What’s going on in the alt protein policy space right now? The Good Food Institute's State of Global Policy Report provides readers with expert insights to address that question from several nuanced angles, but the truest answer may also be the shortest: “a lot.” 🔍 In 2023: 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 Vow became the first cultivated meat company to apply for regulatory approval in Australia and New Zealand. Food Standards Australia New Zealand completed its scientific risk assessment of Vow’s application and conducted the first of two rounds of public consultation. 🇸🇬 The Singapore Food Agency approved use of serum-free media to produce GOOD Meat's products. 🇯🇵 Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries announced a “Vision of Promoting Food-tech” with an associated roadmap that includes cultivated food products. This announcement builds on a 2022 announcement signaling Japan’s intent to study regulatory pathways for cultivated meat. 🇰🇷 Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Republic of Korea published Alternative Foods Labelling Guidelines for plant-based products. Dive deep into the developments in APAC, the public funding scenario, and the road forward in 2024: https://lnkd.in/dqQ3ab-E 📺 Or watch APAC Policy Specialist Ankur Chaudhary walk through key takeaways in this webinar recording: https://lnkd.in/eE6y3VfJ Japanese- and Korean-language summaries of this report are also available 🇯🇵 https://lnkd.in/e24nwG6y 🇰🇷 https://lnkd.in/eusXpVxy Michael Carter Sam Lawrence APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture Samuel Goh

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The #coffee prosumer market is evolving. "#Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In fact, in the National Coffee Association USA’s most recent 2024 National Coffee Data Trends report, 67% of US adults said they drank coffee the previous day – marking a 20-year high for #coffeeconsumption in the country. The report also found that US specialty coffee consumption was up by 7.5% on the previous year, with #espresso-based drinks leading the trend. So as the global specialty coffee market grows, so too does consumer knowledge and interest – especially alongside a huge focus on #consumereducation following the pandemic." This article has great insights and data you can't miss. Matthew Hill spoke with Josh Hockin, Head of Coffee at Eight Ounce Coffee Co to learn more about how the coffee prosumer market has changed and how it could evolve further. https://lnkd.in/e3gi-_J6

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Lief's Founder and CEO, Adel Villalobos, was a featured speaker on a SupplySide Supplement Journal Education Series webinar focused on the growth and transformation of the active nutrition sector! Alongside other industry experts, Adel shared insight into the shifting landscape for performance ingredients and the latest developments behind some of the bestselling ingredients. The discussion also captured perspectives on what the future holds for the active nutrition space and how it will shape product development moving forward. Watch the webinar on demand: https://lnkd.in/gmmS-65X #activenutrition #lieflabs #productdevelopment #performanceingredients #bestsellingingredients #performancesupplements #webinar #industryexperts

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We know that herbs and spices deliver a burst of flavor at mealtime. But did you know that herbs and spices can promote the consumption of healthier versions of classic meals, like chili? Research at Pennsylvania State University, funded by the McCormick Science Institute (MSI), has studied how to remove some saturated fat, sugar and salt from meals while ensuring they remain appealing to consumers. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ZWvo50SbK46 #NationalHerbsandSpicesDay

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Join the conversation on the challenges posed by NOVA classifications and explore how functional foods and flavors could be pivotal in reshaping this discourse and changing perceptions of so-called ultra-processed foods. Edlong Flavor Solutions

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Since my talk at IFT, I've been seeing ashwaganda EVERYWHERE, even more so than what I did before. Could it be the next ingredient in our longevity toolkit? This article says yes! Review reveals benefits of ashwagandha on 'inflammaging' https://buff.ly/4c8V97E

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Want to learn more about formulating functional foods and beverages with Ashwagandha? I have the distinct pleasure of talking about KSM-66 Ashwagandha at IFT FIRST, Monday at 2 pm on the IFT Business FIRST Stage. Come learn more about the multiple health benefits of this ayurvedic herb and add a touch of relaxation to your next formulation! #ashwagandha #KSM66 #functionalfoods #functionalbeverages #foodscience #IFT #IFTFIRST

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Explore how tailored nutrition impacts gilt performance when facing challenges like weight loss and reducing feed intake. Listen to the full discussion on nutritional adjustments for sows and gilts in 'Dr. Laura Greiner: Lactation Sow Tips | Ep. 60', now on all major platforms. https://mla.bs/71a8bd6a

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Part A/C Cultured Meat: Market Prospects, Environmental Impact, and Financial Challenges Shlomo Pleban Ph.D, MBA, Feed Better Abstract Cultured meat, also known as lab-grown or cell-based meat, is produced by cultivating animal cells in controlled environments. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of the cultured meat industry in Israel, Europe, and the United States, projects market entry within the next five years, evaluates the environmental benefits, and addresses financial challenges impacting the industry. Additionally, it highlights advancements by Mealiways, an innovative company focusing on cultured beef and fish, and discusses their contributions in overcoming critical issues in production, such as the inclusion of red blood cells for improved taste and color. Cultured meat has gained attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming, offering potential benefits in environmental conservation and food security (Sinke et al. 2023) [1]. In Israel, Europe, and the United States, the cultured meat sector has seen considerable advancements, with regulatory agencies gradually approving lab-grown meat products (Karen Asp, 2023) [2]. However, the industry also faces significant financial constraints, highlighted by recent declines in venture capital funding (Good Food Institute, 2023) [3]. Current Status in Israel, Europe, and the United States Israel is at the forefront of cultured meat innovation, with companies like Aleph Farms and Believer  pioneering R&D efforts. Supported by government funding and favorable policies, Israel has created a strong ecosystem for developing cultured meat technology (Financial Times, 2024) [4]. In Europe, regulatory progress has been slow but steady, with the UK recently approving lab-grown meat for pet food, marking a potential path toward human consumption approval (Wired, July 2024 [5]. In the United States, the FDA and USDA have taken significant steps by approving lab-grown chicken from companies like Upside Foods and GOOD Meat. These regulatory milestones pave the way for commercial production, allowing cultured meat products to reach U.S. markets soon) Expert Market Research, 2023 [6](. Market Entry Prospects in the Next Five Years The cultured meat market is poised for substantial growth. Projections indicate that the global market, valued at approximately USD 2.79 billion in 2023, could reach USD 81.66 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.5% between 2024 and 2032 (Expert Market Research, 2023) [7]. This growth is driven by technological advancements, rising consumer demand for sustainable protein sources, and supportive regulatory frameworks across regions. Part a/c

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