Cafe with a variety of dishes.

EU procurement reform could unlock new markets for sustainable ingredients

The European Commission’s proposed Public Procurement Act (PPA) could reshape how public institutions buy food, shifting the focus away from lowest-cost tenders toward broader considerations around quality, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. The proposed PPA aims to simplify existing rules while giving public buyers more flexibility to consider factors beyond price. The legislation would replace a complex framework of directives with a single regulation and introduce a stronger emphasis on the Best-Price Quality Ratio (BPQR). This would allow criteria like sustainability and social value to play a greater role in purchasing decisions.
Woman shops for beans and pulses.
What makes food “good”? Inside the rise of “ethical nutrition”
For decades, the idea of “good” food has been closely tied to its nutritional credentials — less sugar, more protein, added fiber, vitamins, minerals, or a recognized health benefit. But the way consumers assess food is becoming more complex. Increasingly, consumers want to understand not only what a product delivers nutritionally, but what sits behind it: how ingredients are sourced, how people and animals are treated, and what impact production has on communities and the environment.
Muslim woman choosing pastries at coffee shop in Bali.
Kerry Health & Therapeutics VP: Indonesia’s biotics opportunity lies in affordable everyday foods
Kerry is targeting opportunities to move probiotics and postbiotics into everyday bakery and snack products in Indonesia. The focus comes as regulatory developments give manufacturers new ways to communicate live cultures to consumers. At Fi Asia Indonesia 2026, held in Jakarta from September 16–18, the company will showcase concepts containing its BC30 probiotic, Plenibiotic postbiotic, and Wellmune baker’s yeast beta-glucan postbiotic.
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Reducing sugar, raising innovation
Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers are actively reducing sugar intake as part of a healthier diet. Brands are responding with increased innovation: food and beverage launches carrying reduced-sugar claims grew at a 7% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Soups and Sauces recorded the fastest growth in reduced-sugar launches over the period.
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Natural salt. Reduced sodium. Maximum taste.
Food manufacturers are under pressure to reduce sodium levels but face the challenge of doing so without impacting the taste or functionality salt delivers. A breakthrough solution is now available – SALTWELL® – a natural salt 35% lower in sodium than standard salt, which can be used 1:1 with minimal process adjustments. This Technical Paper is brought to you by SALTWELL.
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The No-Compromise Formula: Ensuring Superior Taste in Nutrition-Focused Formulations
Consumers today want foods that are both nutritious and delicious — they’re unwilling to sacrifice taste for health. In this webinar, Benédicte Petton, Marketing Director Europe at BioSpringer by Lesaffre, and Andrew Vasina, Culinary Center & Application Manager North America at BioSpringer by Lesaffre, will explore how manufacturers can meet rising demand for nutrition forward products without compromising sensory quality.

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True Nexus and Pasqal target F&B protein performance with AI and quantum tech
Two scientists working with laptops and other technical devices.
True Nexus and Pasqal have used neutral-atom quantum technology to analyze protein structures linked to protein gelation — a process that turns liquids into gels and creates texture and structure in foods. The extended partnership aims to make protein functionality more predictable, helping the F&B manufacturers design better-performing proteins for applications such as alternative proteins and functional foods. 
Vegetarian Society registers certification marks in EU amid rising F&B demand
Vegetarian Society certification marks in EU.
The Vegetarian Society has registered its modernized Vegetarian Approved and Vegan Approved certification marks in the EU. The move gives food and beverage manufacturers greater scope to use the labels consistently across European markets. The registrations form part of an ongoing international rollout, with further territories expected to follow in the coming months. The development concerns the registration and protection of the marks rather than EU regulatory approval of individual certified products.
Nestlé bets on “fewer, bigger” innovations to drive scalable food growth
Nestlé offices.
Nestlé is rolling out a new generation of dessert solutions in Brazil and China. The move illustrates how the food giant is concentrating its innovation resources on scalable platforms that can be adapted to local tastes and emerging consumption occasions. The launches span Moça Pudding and Brigadeirão in Brazil and Nestlé Tiramisù and Cheesecake in China. Consumers can prepare the desserts in three steps, with less than 15 minutes of active preparation time.
Lallemand establishes Solyve as dedicated food and beverage enzyme business
Laboratory scientist in food engineering.
Lallemand has launched Solyve as a dedicated food and beverage enzyme business. The move brings its scientific, manufacturing, and customer support teams into one organization, as suppliers invest in technologies to improve processing efficiency and product performance. The business combines yeast-based enzyme expression and fungal solid-state fermentation. Its expertise spans development, formulation, analysis, quality, regulatory affairs, and applications. Defne Saral, who joined the company to lead Solyve, will oversee its next phase of growth.
EFSA finds aspartame-acesulfame salt safe at current exposure level
European Food Safety Authority logo seen displayed on a smartphone.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed its re-evaluation of aspartame-acesulfame salt (E962), concluding that its currently reported uses and use levels do not raise safety concerns. The substance is composed of the two authorized sweeteners aspartame (E951) and acesulfame K (E950).
Pet nutrition humanization drives demand for biotics, omega-3s & clinical proof
Family playing with dog

Nutrition Insight

The humanization of pet nutrition is accelerating innovation, driving demand for scientifically backed, transparent, and targeted solutions similar to those found in human health products. Nutrition Insight meets with dsm-firmenich, Beneo, ADM, and AstaReal to discuss how gut health, personalized nutrition, functional ingredients, and sustainable alternatives are reshaping the industry. “The humanization of pets is one of the most powerful forces transforming the pet nutrition industry,” says Rishabh Pande, global VP of Pet Food at dsm-firmenich. 
Highlighted features
Female scientist in lab.
Research & Science news
AI screening tool identifies hundreds of plant proteins for...
UK-based researchers have developed an AI-powered screening tool that could speed up the search for plant proteins with emulsifying properties. The technology could help food manufacturers reduce the time spent on lengthy trial-and-error testing. By combining machine learning and statistical physics, the platform identifies promising protein ingredients that could support the development of more sustainable solutions for applications such as dairy alternatives and plant-based meat. The computational screening system has identified nearly 800 plant protein candidates with potential emulsifying properties. Rather than creating finished ingredients, the tool helps scientists identify proteins worth testing before investing extended durations in extraction and laboratory experiments. 
US–Canada trade dispute.
Policy & regulation news
US–Canada trade dispute escalates as whey import ban and...
The US–Canada trade dispute has intensified, with Washington moving to ban imports of several Canadian whey products and Ottawa imposing tariffs of up to 50% on US dairy ingredients. Under a White House proclamation, the US import ban will take effect on September 29. It covers whey protein concentrates, modified whey, fluid whey, and dried whey, alongside certain molasses products and non-alcoholic beer.
Skyline in Jakarta, Indonesia.
New Product Development
Fi Asia Indonesia 2026 preview: Five trends reshaping...
Healthier products will not be enough to win Southeast Asian consumers if they compromise on enjoyment or price. At Fi Asia Indonesia 2026 (Sep 16–18), ingredient suppliers will showcase their latest solutions enabling manufacturers to combine improved nutrition and functionality with standout sensory experiences, affordability, and local market readiness. Mandy Zhang, director and marketing category lead for Texture and Healthful Solutions Asia-Pacific at Ingredion, sums up the tension facing manufacturers: “Today’s APAC consumers want it all. They are increasingly health-conscious and navigating emergent needs around affordability and convenience, yet they still continue to crave indulgent taste and textures.”

Ingredient focus

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Bakery innovation boostsSep2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers are turning to sweet baked goods to satisfy their appetite for indulgence, fueling innovation across the Bakery category. Product launches grew at a 4%...

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Uelzena Ingredients

Product innovation

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Reducing sugar, raising innovation Sep 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers are actively reducing sugar intake as part of a healthier diet. Brands are responding with increased innovation: food and beverage launches carrying reduced-sugar claims grew at a 7% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Soups and Sauces recorded the fastest growth in reduced-sugar launches over the period.

Trend analysis

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Sustainability claims gain groundSep 2026

Ethical and sustainable positioning continues to gain ground. Innova data shows that F&B launches featuring such claims grew at a 6% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Clean ingredient sourcing is consumers’ top sustainability priority globally. Bakery leads in the number of launches making ethical and sustainable claims, while Hot Drinks is the fastest-growing category.

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Webinars25:45
The No-Compromise Formula: Ensuring Superior Taste in Nutrition-Focused Formulations

Consumers today want foods that are both nutritious and delicious — they’re unwilling to sacrifice taste for health. In this webinar, Benédicte Petton, Marketing Director Europe at BioSpringer by Lesaffre, and Andrew Vasina, Culinary Center & Application Manager North America at BioSpringer...

Free Jungbunzlauer webinar on functional eating in the GLP-1 era, Thursday 3 September at 09:00 CDT, 10:00 EDT, 15:00 BST, and 16:00 CEST.
Webinars33:50
The new math of functional eating in the GLP-1 era: addressing texture, nutrients, and health
Raisio video thumbnail: Smiling woman in front of wooden shelves displaying Elovena oatmeal, snack biscuits, and other packaged food products
Video05:24
Raisio Food Solutions: How oats can elevate gluten-free product development
Erika Milczek, Curie Co.
Video06:06
IFT FIRST 2026: Curie Co boosts dairy yields with protein-stabilizing enzyme
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