Market research indicates that the vast majority of new beverage product launches eventually fail. Rather than accept the statistics, Sensient Flavors & Extracts has decided to explore ways to improve the process. This industry challenge has inspired the introduction of The Pipeline at Sensient, an innovative beverage development hub that brings together the expertise of scientists, manufacturing experts, marketing professionals and product developers to help improve the success rate of new beverage product launches. “Challenges require solutions, not head shakes and shrugs,” said Pat Hanson, general manager of Sensient Flavors & Extracts’ sweet and beverage business unit, in a statement. “We recognized a gap in service within the industry and chose to step up to help beverage creators get the support they need to bring new products to market more easily and intentionally to increase their chances of success.” The Pipeline process provides flexibility to tailor support that adapts to customer needs, including options to help: get strategic guidance for all steps of the beverage launch journey; partner with Sensient’s experts from all segments of beverage creation and formulation; and enjoy access to a vetted network of packaging, production, distribution, sales and marketing partners.

Layn Natural Ingredients announced that it has received the Gold level status through SAI’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) program. Devised by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI), the FSA program is used for self-assessment and third-party verification. It enables food and drink businesses to assess, improve, and validate on-farm sustainability in their supply chains and is based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The program follows the three pillars of sustainability: people, planet and profit. “We are honored to have our monk fruit ingredient receive the Gold level recognition on the Farm Sustainability Assessment from the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative,” said Frank Xie, president and CEO of Layn Natural Ingredients, in a statement. “Sustainability has always been at the heart of Layn Natural Ingredients, and this achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and supporting farming communities. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of monk fruit, we are proud to lead by example in driving sustainable practices across the industry.” In addition to its monk fruit achievement, Layn has earned FSA Silver status for its stevia ingredient supply chain and is actively advancing grower programs, agronomy innovation, and environmental stewardship initiatives, with the goal of achieving FSA Gold for stevia as well.

Bold color can power new food and drink products that help consumers connect, explore culture, and find comfort in challenging times, new research from GNT Group shows. GNT’s Gather Together report explains how consumer behavior is changing and shows how natural shades can inspire new products that reflect their desire for shared, sensory-rich moments. Dieuwertje Raaijmakers, marketing communications specialist at GNT Group, said: “People are looking to food and drink for connection, comfort, and creativity – and color helps spark those moments. Gather Together shows how brands can tap into this momentum using plant-based shades that resonate with how consumers want to eat and share today.” The Gather Together analysis highlights four new trend directions, each supported by an inspirational color palette to help guide new product development: Joyful Unity celebrates communal eating in familiar or reinvented spaces, expressed through warm, hearty shades inspired by seasonal, nourishing and comforting dishes; Cultural Celebration reflects rising interest in regional authenticity and hyper-local flavor exploration, characterized by bold, saturated tones rooted in culinary heritage; Sensory Escape showcases surreal, multisensory food experiences that offer a break from routine, with unconventional, mysterious and futuristic hues; and Branded Bites highlights the rise of hybrid brand collaborations using fresh citrus and floral tones to create uplifting visuals, the report states.