Canadian nanotechnology company Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. recently announced that its patent-pending Accelerated Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (AMIPs) food safety testing technology has expanded its library of detectable foodborne illness-causing pathogens. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new tool, which will cover E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Sarcina. From the identification of outbreaks to outpatient expenditures and lost wages, foodborne...
Nov 10, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In the late 2010s, Beyond Meat developed the next generation of plant-based meat products, winning over consumers with its innovative new take on the veggie burger. However, 2022 hasn’t been as kind to the plant-based meat market leader. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about where plant-based meat marketing falls short, resulting in declining sales amid inflation and a crowded market. Since there is little to no differentiation in the space among the most prevalent brand...
Nov 03, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 84
Nestlé said it has agreed to acquire the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand from Starbucks, further strengthening the Nescafe and Nespresso owner’s coffee business in the US. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this latest acquisition and the longstanding partnership between Nestlé and Starbucks. Their perpetual licensing agreement has allowed Nestlé to sell and distribute some Starbucks products at retail and food service locations outside Starbucks stores around the world. ...
Oct 27, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 83
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), turkey prices have reached their highest point since 2015 at $6.70 per pound. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks this year’s highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which has played a major role in driving up turkey prices ahead of Thanksgiving. Since February, a viscous and enduring strain of the HPAI virus has devastated nearly 250 commercial flocks and close to 300 backyard flocks. In total, the virus ha...
Oct 20, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 82
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 32 million people in the US have food allergies, which means allergy friendly food brands not only have a large audience base, but are also necessities. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about three popular allergy friendly food companies: Partake Foods, Enjoy Life and Free2b Foods. Each company offers a wide variety of sweet and savory snack foods free from all major allergens while prioritizing taste and qu...
Oct 13, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 81
A few weeks ago, brand executives, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world came together for the Future Food-Tech event in London to discuss large-scale solutions in alternative proteins, health and nutrition. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the future of food tech, namely the future of protein and precision fermentation. A major category highlighted at the event was the potential for cultivated meat, which speakers and exhibitors at the event identified ...
Oct 06, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Coffee inventories in South America are declining so severely that reserves are predicted to be extremely low, but can we expect a coffee shortage? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about a potential coffee shortage as prices have been volatile in recent months. However, the situation is predicted to get even worse in the weeks ahead as Brazilian coffee exports hold on to their supplies to drive up prices. She discusses both the environmental and economic factors contribut...
Sep 29, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 79
US President Joe Biden recently issued an executive order entitled, “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.” In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new executive order, which prioritizes research and innovation in a variety of fields, including food. While biotech in general is often associated with energy, medicine and pharmaceuticals, it plays a significant role in the food and beverage indust...
Sep 22, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Food and beverage companies across the supply chain must always be prepared for new regulatory developments in 2022 as they seek to bring new ingredients and products to market. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about four potential new food industry regulations that food and beverage companies should look out for this year, including changes to the FDA’s definition of “healthy,” labeling clarity on lab-grown meat, regulating heavy metals in baby food and cannabinoid regul...
Sep 15, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Protein coffee is currently trending on the social media platform TikTok, with the hashtag gaining nearly ten million views, but is it as simple as mixing espresso with protein powder? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the trending protein coffee drink, whether it’s healthy and which companies sell it. Protein coffee, which is typically made by combining protein shakes, coffee and milk, along with some ice, is healthy in moderation, but adding too much caffeine can c...
Sep 08, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 76
