Last Week in Foodtech - Week of June 24

Open Forum
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There is so much innovation happening in the food and beverage world today that it’s often hard to keep up. That’s why each week we’ll be bringing you highlights of the latest research and developments in food technology, new products, and food and beverage trends affecting the industry in Canada. 

Here’s a few stories you should know about: 

 

Fredericton-based foodtech company Chinova Bioworks has partnered with the ingredient supplier Hawkins Watts to distribute its Chiber™ mushroom fiber extract in Australia and New Zealand. 

  • Chiber™ is an all-natural, upcycled mushroom fiber extract designed to extend shelf life and preserve freshness when used as a preservative in food products to replace artificial additives. 

  • Allergen-free and adding no sensory impact, Chiber™ extends the shelf-life of products without affecting their taste, texture, or appearance. 

  • The partnership enables a global expansion for Chinova Bioworks. Experts from both companies will offer insights and guidance to manufacturers in the Pacific region, ensuring the successful integration of Chiber™ into their products. 

The Canadian Impact: The success of Chinova Bioworks' international partnerships highlights the opportunities for other Canadian foodtech innovators to expand globally, bringing sustainable practices and novel ingredients to new markets. 

For more on this topic on YODL: IN 30: Atlantic Canada’s Food Ecosystem 

 

SunOpta has completed a $26 million expansion of its Modesto, California facility, significantly increasing its oat milk production capacity to meet growing consumer demand for plant-based beverages. 

  • The expansion will boost annual oat milk production by over 60%, adding 17 new jobs and enhancing SunOpta's growing commitment to plant-based beverage production. 

  • The Modesto facility now encompasses 167,684 square feet of production space and reduces the company's freight transportation by 800,000 miles per year. 

  • This project is expected to result in a 59-million-pound reduction of carbon emissions annually across SunOpta’s national network of manufacturing plants. 

The Canadian Impact: SunOpta's significant investment in expanding plant-based beverage production is indicative of the continued growth of oat milk as one of the most popular and sustainable dairy milk alternatives. Canada, already the world’s 2nd biggest producer of oats, is well positioned to capitalize on a plant-based milk market that is projected to double over the next decade. 

For more on this topic on YODL: IN 30: The Plant-Based Food Market 

 

UK startup Cherrypick is finding success combining meal kit services with grocery delivery, innovating both sectors through its focus on health, sustainability, and tech solutions. 

  • Cherrypick’s smartphone app generates customized meal plans, adds ingredients to a virtual basket, and arranges grocery delivery through partnerships with Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s. 

  • The app uses machine learning to minimize food waste and optimize shopping, learning consumers' pantry contents to avoid excess purchases. 

  • UK retailers have been receptive to partnering with a third-party delivery service like Cherrypick, as creating and managing these services internally often proves too challenging for grocery stores to do well. 

The Canadian Impact: The integration of personalized meal planning and grocery delivery seen in Cherrypick could inspire innovative approaches in Canada’s meal kit and grocery delivery space to achieve the elusive combination of convenience, sustainability, and healthy eating. 

For more on this topic on YODL: Explained: Personalized Nutrition 

 

PepsiCo is leveraging advanced technology to enhance consumer experiences with its Gatorade and Pepsi brands, and recently previewed two new projects at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. 

  • Gatorade introduced a digital Hydration Coach which uses AI to provide personalized hydration advice based on decades of research from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. 

  • Pepsi previewed the Smart Can, a connected device with wraparound screens, movement sensors, and accelerometers to customize user experiences, including exclusive content related to football, gaming, music, and food. 

  • Both innovations aim to deepen consumer engagement through personalized and interactive features, with future promotions and pilot launches planned for late 2024 or early 2025. 

The Canadian Impact: PepsiCo's innovative use of digital food technologies in both personalized hydration and customer experience applications is shared by Canadian from companies like Cronometer Software and Dispension. Such projects from a global giant like PepsiCo are representative of how digitization will continue to profoundly reshape food and beverage sectors around the world.