A groundbreaking piece of legislation, the School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024, has been introduced by US Senators Mike Rounds and Jon Tester. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this proposed bill, which specifically aims to exclude lab-grown meat from the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, thereby preserving traditional meal options for students. Rounds emphasized the importance of relying on high-quality, local beef to nourish students rather...
Feb 08, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 145
Steakholder Foods marks a pivotal moment in the seafood industry with its latest innovation: 3D printed fish in the form of plant-based shrimp. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this breakthrough, which is set to transform the $60 billion shrimp market. Steakholder Foods has leveraged its unique DropJet printer, a marvel in 3D printing technology, specifically designed for creating fish and seafood products. The plant-based shrimp are produced using a specialized, sh...
Feb 01, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 144
As we step into 2024, the food industry is poised to be at the cusp of transformative changes, shaped by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements and a growing emphasis on sustainability. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top food industry trends to look out for in 2024. She interviewed Are Traasdahl, founder and CEO of Crisp; Brian Wenngatz, CEO of Sentera; Pat McCullough, CEO of ProducePay; and Michael Lines, CEO and President of Wellness Natur...
Jan 25, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 143
This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with with Eric Taipale, CTO of Sentera, a global technology leader for in-season data, analytics and insights for growers. Taipale discussed how Sentera's technology specifically caters to the needs of growers and the agricultural community. He shared the benefits that generative AI provides to agriculture and the role that synthetic data generation has in accelerating technology adoption for the food industry. Taipale talked about so...
Jan 18, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 142
This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Norma Chu, founder and CEO of DayDayCook, a multi-brand company on a mission to promote Asian cooking globally. Over her 12-year journey at DayDayCook, Chu has implemented several successful brand strategies to reach global audiences, introduced an exclusive product line and used social media to help DayDayCook become a household name. Chu discussed the company’s recent acquisition of Yai’s Thai as well as its other brands, Nona ...
Jan 11, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 141
This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Pat McCullough, CEO of ProducePay, a startup transforming the global produce industry into a more connected and sustainable movement. McCullough talks about his role at ProducePay as well as its startup story. He also shares his 2024 predictions for the food industry, focusing on blockchain and data challenges; food waste; sustainable agri-tech solutions; challenges of implementation; consumer preferences and behaviors; climate c...
Dec 14, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 140
In the US, the regulation of food products, including the ban on certain items, falls primarily under the jurisdiction of two key agencies: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top 10 foods banned in the US and why. The list includes unpasteurized milk, Kinder Surprise Chocolate Eggs, sassafras oil, Four Loko and Ackee as well as shark fins, sea turtles, Japanese puffer fish, belu...
Dec 07, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Despite technological advancements in food safety in recent years, 2023 has been marked by some alarming food safety scandals globally, impacting public health and trust in the food industry. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the worst food safety scandals of 2023 and sheds light on the causes and consequences of these outbreaks and recalls. These scandals include a persistent Salmonella outbreak from poultry in the US; Listeria from frozen vegetables in Europe; an E...
Nov 30, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Air Up, a revolutionary water bottle company, emerged from a unique academic project and rapidly transformed the way we perceive and consume water. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the Munich-based startup, which began as a university project in 2016, combining neuroscience and design. It’s the first hydration system that flavors water solely through scent. This innovative approach leverages the fact that about 80 percent of what we perceive as flavor actually comes...
Nov 23, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 137
Our dietary choices have a significant environmental impact, with agriculture accounting for almost 30 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top 10 worst foods for the environment, starting with beef. Raising cattle for beef is highly resource-intensive, requiring significant amounts of land, water and energy. Next to beef, but with a lesser impact, is dark chocolate. The significant emissions from dark chocolate p...
Nov 16, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 136
In recent times, fried rice syndrome has become a trending concern, especially after a TikTok video highlighted a tragic incident from 2008 involving a 20-year-old student. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about fried rice syndrome, which refers to food poisoning caused by a bacterium called Bacillus cereus. It poses a significant threat when introduced to specific foods that are not adequately stored post-cooking. Such foods commonly include starchy items like rice and p...
Nov 09, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 135
As weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic continue to gain traction across the US, Americans could potentially reduce their purchases of high-calorie snacks and fast-food. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how these weight loss drugs work and how the food industry has slowly but surely become aware of the potential impact of these drugs. For example, Walmart’s US CEO recently revealed that consumers using Ozempic tend to purchase fewer groceries. Shares of Mondele...
Nov 02, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 134
Boo Buckets have always been synonymous with Halloween festivities at McDonald’s, embodying a tradition that many look forward to as October rolls around, but what are they? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these ghost-themed pails and the various iterations since they debuted 1986. McDonald’s introduced a whimsical twist to its Happy Meal offerings by packaging them in Halloween-themed buckets, which could also serve as trick-or-treat pails for kids. The evolution ...
Oct 26, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 133
In today’s smart-tech era, the chicken coop might not be the first item one would consider in need of an upgrade. Yet, an Austin, Texas-based startup called Coop is revolutionizing this concept, launching its $2,000 smart chicken coop to enthusiastic “early bird” customers. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how Coop is redefining backyard farming. At the heart of the design is a sophisticated AI system the pair lovingly named “CluckWatch.” This intelligent system has...
Oct 19, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 132
With its rich nutritional profile and palate-pleasing texture, yellow pea pasta is becoming the preferred alternative to traditional pastas. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about ZENB, which recognized the potential of yellow pea pasta and has been pivotal in popularizing this ingredient. The brand’s commitment to sustainability, combined with its focus on harnessing the goodness of whole vegetables, positions it perfectly to cater to the modern health-conscious consumer...
Oct 12, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Many Americans might be surprised to discover that there’s a long list of foods banned in Europe. This is because the US has more lenient food ingredient regulations thanks to US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) designation. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about five ingredients that are banned in Europe, but allowed in other parts of the world. The list includes the whitening agent titanium dioxide, a compound called azodicarbon...
Oct 05, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Recent initial public offerings (IPOs) from food companies such as Cava Group and BranchOut Food might give the impression of a reawakening IPO market after a seemingly quiet year. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about three food companies that have already gone public this year, including Cava Group, BranchOut Foods and Instacart. First, the Mediterranean fast casual chain Cava Group achieved a notable $4.7 billion valuation after a successful market introduction on Jun...
Sep 28, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Gatorade, a brand synonymous with vibrantly-colored sports drinks, has made a surprising move with its latest offering: Gatorade Water, a clear, unflavored beverage. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new offering, which unlike its colorful predecessors, focuses entirely on the booming “functional water” market, projected to be worth $12 billion by 2032. Gatorade Water, which is set to hit stores next year, is infused with electrolytes and undergoes a rigorous sev...
Sep 21, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 128
As PepsiCo, Inc. positions itself at the forefront of digital advancements, the company recently declared its intention to purchase $175 million of Instacart’s Series A preferred convertible stock. This pivotal move was revealed alongside Instacart’s Form S-1 filed on August 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), indicating plans for its much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO). In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the long-awaited IPO, Instacart’s ...
Sep 14, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 127
For a significant portion of the world’s population, baking is punctuated by the pain and discomfort of food intolerances. Lactose stands out as a particularly pesky ingredient in this regard. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Intoleran, a beacon of hope for those troubled by lactose. The Dutch brand, founded by Harmen Treep in 2008, recognized the immense gap in the market and created a line of lactase enzyme supplements tailored to cater to the lactose-intolerant c...
Sep 07, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 126
ModifyHealth, a leader in the burgeoning food as medicine industry, recently released four new meal plan offerings catering to a variety of dietary needs in the US. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these new plans, which were introduced in response to the increasing demand from consumers managing specific medical conditions including celiac disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and beyond. Food as medicine refers to a phil...
Aug 31, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Dunkin’, America’s largest coffee and donut chain, announced the launch of Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees and Iced Teas. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the two boozy beverages, which are set to roll out in early September. Dunkin’ is entering a crowded market segment with the launch of Dunkin’ Spiked, a reflection of the rising popularity of RTD drinks that offer innovative blends of well-loved tastes. Despite the fierce competition, the Dunkin’ brand has the potenti...
Aug 24, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Olli Salumeria, known for its high-quality, artisanal salami, recently launched the first preservative-free salami in the North American market. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney interviews Marco Terenghi, chief commercial officer at Olli Salumeria, to find out more about the company’s mission, history and innovative products. Marco talks about the long process of developing Olli’s preservative-free salami and the clean label movement. He discusses Olli’s rich heritage and the b...
Aug 17, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 123
The Trader Joe’s recall situation has garnered significant attention in the past few weeks, as the popular retail chain declared three different product recalls during the last week of July. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the details of the recall, which has raised some eyebrows with food safety. Trader Joe’s, in a statement to Vox, called the series of recalls “a coincidence.” Yet, Melvin Kramer, President of the EHA environmental and public health consulting gro...
Aug 10, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stood by its decision, denying a petition asking it to reevaluate the use of eight ortho-phthalates in food-contacting packaging materials. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the public petition, which was put forward by EarthJustice, a non-profit organization advocating for environmental sustainability, as well as Dr. Katherine K. O’Brien, a Canadian-American pediatric infectious disease specialist and epidemiolog...
Aug 03, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Ever After Foods, an innovative food tech company based in Haifa, Israel, recently unveiled its groundbreaking bioreactor system designed for producing cultivated meat. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney interviews Eyal Rosenthal, CEO of Ever After Foods, to find out more about the company and the future of cultivated meat. Eyal discusses the benefits of cultivated meat, including its environmental sustainability and animal welfare, as well as its challenges, like consumer accept...
Jul 27, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Prime Energy drink, a popular beverage created by prominent YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul, is facing scrutiny as US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for regulators to investigate its marketing tactics. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about concerns that have been raised regarding the high caffeine content of the drink, which Schumer alleges is targeting children. The beverage, containing 200 mg of caffeine per 355 mL can, packs twice the amount found in its riva...
Jul 20, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 119
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released new guidelines that emphasized the critical role that marketers must play in safeguarding children’s health. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these new guidelines, which underscored the need for tighter regulations to protect children from the adverse effects of food marketing. The marketing of food products that are high in saturated and trans fats, free sugars and/or salt, known as HFSS, has been a subject of d...
Jul 13, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Oterra, the leading global supplier of naturally derived colors, recently unveiled innovative red and pink color blends specifically designed for plant-based meat and seafood alternatives. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about these new offerings, that allow manufacturers to create customized hues for a wide range of plant-based meat and seafood substitutes, including burgers, sausages, ground meat, meatballs, deli slices, salmon and tuna steaks. The natural food colorin...
Jul 06, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Ransomware attacks targeting the food industry have become increasingly prevalent and damaging over the past few years. Between 2018 and May 2023, there have been 157 confirmed ransomware attacks on the food, beverage and agriculture industries. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top five most significant ransomware attacks on the food industry that caused severe disruptions and significant financial losses. The list includes the Campari Group ($15 million ransom ...
Jun 29, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 116
