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    • R&D

    Research and development are fundamental to any food and beverage processor's business. Our R&D content offers best practices and innovations in the form of articles, news, case studies, and more.

    Highlights

    Regulatory Compliance

    School Nutrition Standards Cut Added Sugars, Some Sodium; Chocolate Milk Survives

    Andy Hanacek
    April 24, 2024
    USDA has announced final updates to the school nutrition standards; tremendous amount of feedback on February 2023 proposal helps to save flavored milk from the chopping block...
    Courtesy of Mars
    mars_hackettstown_rd_studio_ribbon_cutting
    R&D

    Mars Opens R&D Innovation Studio in Hackettstown, New Jersey

    Andy Hanacek
    March 21, 2024
    More than $70 million investment includes a test kitchen, packaging lab and collab space — and also improves processing plant’s efficiency and food safety efforts.
    Animal Proteins

    Snakes on a Plate? Study Shows Python Meat a Low-Effort, Sustainable Protein Source

    Andy Hanacek
    March 15, 2024
    Pythons raised as livestock in Asian farming operations were found to be low-effort producers of a significant amount of meat per animal, according to research.
    Pet Food

    ButcherBox Expands Pet Foods, Treats Line onto Own Platform

    Andy Hanacek
    Feb. 27, 2024
    ButcherBox For Pets will allow customers to order pet food, treats and supplements for their dogs on its own standalone site, with expansion of the product line on tap for this...
    Illinois State Capitol Building
    Regulatory Compliance

    Illinois Attempts to Follow California’s Lead, Proposes Food Additives Ban

    Andy Hanacek
    Jan. 25, 2024
    Illinois Food Safety Act introduced in state senate would prohibit use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye No. 3 and titanium dioxide in packaged...
    Famartin
    Snickers bar broken in the middle
    R&D

    Mars Opens Global Research and Development Hub in Chicago

    Andy Hanacek
    Jan. 18, 2024
    The 44,000-square-foot, $42 million facility will help the company achieve its goal to double its snacking business in the next decade, the company says.
    espensorvik
    "Lay's potato chips bag"
    Snack Foods

    PepsiCo Sets New Sodium Reduction Targets for Convenient Foods Portfolio

    Andy Hanacek
    Nov. 15, 2023
    New nutrition initiatives will also focus on adding diverse ingredients to the portfolio, all in the name of improving consumer health.
    Courtesy of Meati Foods
    Meati Classic Cutlet Sliced
    Alternative Protein

    Meati Foods Receives Patent on MushroomRoot Formulation; Digs in to Health Benefits

    Andy Hanacek
    Oct. 4, 2023
    Alternative protein processor uses artificial intelligence tools to study the health benefits of its now-patented Neurospora crassa (MushroomRoot) product.
    butcher knife steel steak meat
    Animal Proteins

    Stampede Meat Expands Butcher Certification Program to New Mexico Plant

    Andy Hanacek
    Aug. 30, 2023
    Company believes new partnership with New Mexico State University will allow more than 500 employees to earn certification in the next three years.
    Billy F Blume Jr / Shutterstock.com
    Bens Original Mars Food
    People on the Move

    Mars Food & Nutrition Names Karina Zimerfeld Global R&D Vice President

    March 13, 2023
    Zimerfeld will lead the company's R&D business, overseeing R&D innovation, quality and food safety, science & technology, and scientific & regulatory affairs.
    Amy Lutz / Shutterstock.com
    Hershey Group
    Processor of the Year

    2022 Processor of the Year: R&D at Hershey

    Pan Demetrakakes
    Dec. 2, 2022
    Hershey’s decision to become a snack company, not just a chocolate company, opened up new vistas for R&D.
    2209-RDTeam-SophKitchen-HERO
    R&D Teams of the Year

    2022 R&D Team of the Year: Sophie’s Kitchen

    Ed Avis
    Aug. 11, 2022
    The two-person R&D Team for our third R&D Team of the Year has cast a net around faux fish, broadening the portfolio to include “seafood” burgers.
    FP2208-EatJust-HERO
    R&D Teams of the Year

    2022 R&D Team of the Year: Eat Just

    Ed Avis
    July 25, 2022
    A pioneer in cultivated meats and now plant-based egg replacers, Eat Just’s product development team combines science with art.