Food Processing & Ingredients

JARAGUÁ DO SUL – November 10, 2026 -- DR Flavors & Ingredients has introduced DR NutraOne, a nutraceutical platform that combines ingredients, technologies and formulation expertise to build customized products for supplement, food and beverage manufacturers.

Mintel 2027 trends drive demand for targeted functional benefits

Mintel's 2027 trends show consumers seeking solutions for energy, physical performance, immune support, digestive health and longevity. Buyers are weighing specific functional benefits more heavily than product category. That shift is blurring the lines between the food, beverage and supplement industries.

Hamburg – November 09, 2026 -- Germany's fish industry is struggling to turn the protein boom into counter sales, according to practitioners at the 10th Fischwirtschaftsgipfel in Hamburg. Shoppers buying fish ask about taste, bones and preparation rather than protein content, retail and gastronomy experts told the audience.

The two-day conference ran on 3 and 4 November at the Empire Riverside Hotel. Fischmagazin invited more than 200 representatives from nearly 100 companies, associations and institutions. Norway attended as partner country, and delegates also came from Bremerhaven and Emden.

SHANGHAI – November 06, 2026 -- Damin International brought 15 specialty functional ingredients to SupplySide Global 2026 and debuted a tea-derived natural caffeine with content above 20%. The show closed October 30 in Las Vegas.

Damin extracts natural caffeine from tea leaves without organic solvents

The caffeine is produced through a purely physical process, with no organic solvents added at any stage. Damin targets energy drinks, sports nutrition and dietary supplements, citing market interest in clean-label and naturally sourced ingredients.

Theabrownin content exceeds 85% in Damin's dark tea extract

Damin uses the same solvent-free physical process to raise theabrownin content above 85%. The company cites research indicating the compound may help regulate blood glucose, lower uric acid and cholesterol, support the gut-brain axis and increase satiety.

Waco, Texas – November 06, 2026 -- Mars, Incorporated has invested $165 million in its Waco manufacturing site since 2024, directing recent capital projects toward energy efficiency and operational excellence as the plant marks 50 years of operation.

Waco plant employs nearly 900 and produces three major confectionery brands

Established in 1976 as Mars' first manufacturing facility in Texas, the Waco site produces SNICKERS, SKITTLES and STARBURST. It employs nearly 900 Associates, the company's term for staff. Mars says it has steadily expanded and modernized the plant over five decades to meet growing consumer demand while advancing environmental sustainability.

Erik Owino, Senior Vice President of Supply for Mars Snacking North America, said the ongoing investments reflect a commitment to building an agile, sustainable and modern supply chain.

OVERLAND PARK – November 05, 2026 -- Hill's Pet Nutrition has released its World of the Small Dog Report, which finds that dogs under 25 pounds need roughly twice the calories per kilogram of large breeds. They also face sharply higher risks of dental, orthopedic and urinary disease.

Small dogs make up more than 52% of the global canine population, citing Euromonitor International data. Hill's says urbanization and changing lifestyles are driving their popularity. The report argues that veterinary teams have historically treated these animals as scaled-down large dogs, despite distinct anatomical, metabolic and behavioral profiles.

Report quantifies disease risk gaps between small and large breeds

Hill's highlights five clinical areas:

Anaheim, Calif. – September 18, 2026 -- Nellson Nutraceutical LLC has appointed Raj Krishnamachari as Vice President, Quality & Regulatory, effective September 14, 2026, placing a returning executive in charge of quality and compliance across the company's North American manufacturing network.

Krishnamachari rejoins Nellson after prior tenure as Senior Director of Quality

Krishnamachari previously served as Senior Director of Quality at Nellson, where he worked on strengthening quality systems, advancing food safety programs, and supporting regulatory inspections. He succeeds Marty Hudak-Roos, who is retiring after leading the company's quality and regulatory function.

Tokyo – – September 18, 2026 -- Science in Sport (SiS) has been named the official performance fuel and hydration partner of the Nike After Dark Tour, a seven-city night-running series expected to draw more than 55,000 participants globally in 2026.

SiS and Nike launch first co-branded performance nutrition range

The partnership marks the first time Nike has created a co-branded nutrition range with a performance nutrition company. The collaboration spans energy, hydration and recovery products, backed by a dedicated microsite and participant education program.

Every runner receives a race-specific SiS x Nike Race Pack

All participants across the seven Tour events will be issued a bespoke race pack covering hydration, energy and recovery needs. A limited version of the range will go on public sale in the UK, US and Australia starting September 18, 2026.

Espoo – September 18, 2026 -- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and seven food industry partners have concluded a three-year, €3 million project concluding that profitable plant-based ingredient production depends on converting every raw-material fraction into value, not just isolating protein.

The RETHINK project, funded by Business Finland and running from June 2023 to August 2026, examined how Finland's oat and faba bean supply chains could be restructured into investable ingredient businesses. Industrial partners included Anora, Apetit, Fazer, Helsingin Mylly, Raisio, Valio and Viking Malt.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- More than 200 sales and warehouse workers at Bimbo Bakeries have ratified a new six-year contract by a 90 percent vote, averting a strike that members had authorized earlier this month.

Workers authorized strike after pay dispute

Members of Teamsters Local 170 and Local 633 voted to strike after Bimbo Bakeries refused to offer area standard wages or real wage adjustments during negotiations. The threat of a walkout pushed the company back to the table with an improved offer.

New contract delivers wage gains and reduced health costs

The ratified six-year agreement includes pension improvements, wage increases, reduced health care costs, and job security protections for the bargaining unit. Jeff Padellaro, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 633 and Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference, said the workforce's determination forced Bimbo to recognize the Teamsters' contributions.

New York – September 16, 2026 -- Karas Wines, an Armenian winery founded in 2004, has been nominated for 'New World Winery of the Year' in the 2026 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, marking a milestone for the country's wine sector on the international stage.

Karas cultivates over 400 hectares at elevations above 1,300 meters in Armenia's Ararat Valley

The estate, located in the Armavir region, grows both indigenous Armenian grapes and international varieties in mineral-rich volcanic soils. Karas has supported ampelographic research identifying more than 120 indigenous Armenian grape varieties, including Areni and Sireni, combining traditional clay vessel fermentation with modern viticulture.

Winery became first in Armenia to certify an organic vineyard

Karas has invested in solar energy, advanced drip irrigation and digitally managed water systems to address vineyard management challenges in the semi-arid Ararat Valley climate.