12/30/2019 By Jeannie SwedbergWhen you attend as many trade shows as I do, you hear a lot of interesting and thought-provoking things along the way. Here are a few things I heard recently…Change is changing – the speed of change is accelerating. Have you noticed the pace of new food and beverage product development lately? It’s months instead of years. Any way you look at it – it’s time to... READ MORE
11/8/2019 By Jeannie Swedberg“Leveraging science into Product Innovation” was the theme of the Petfood R&D Showcase last month in Manhattan, (the Little Apple) Kansas. Pet food professionals gathered at K-State for hands-on product development activities – one of which I led, featuring Tree Top fruit ingredients. In the session, attendees were given a briefing on some of the latest science around pets’ age-related health issues and oxidative stress. READ MORE
11/5/2019 By Jeannie SwedbergSitting at a new products conference recently in Chicago, I wasn’t surprised to see CBD on the agenda. Actually, would’ve been surprised had it not been on the agenda. What I did find fascinating is despite the lack of a regulatory framework and widely varying opinions on an appropriate CBD serving size (speakers suggested 10 to 30 mg), food and beverage industry interest seems insatiable. While it’s actually still not technically legal... READ MORE
10/3/2019 By Jeannie SwedbergSure, nootropics or supplements and products that promote cognitive health are getting a lot of attention at the moment in the news and otherwise. People want to find an edge or keep their mental focus, and also to prevent age-related cognitive decline, so this area of research and product development is a hotbed of activity. But how does this relate to pets? We’re beginning to see some crossover in the area of cognitive health research and product development from humans to pets.
9/30/2019 By Jeannie SwedbergSince we’re all agreed that plant-based is a trend and not a fad, I’m going to delve into what it takes to attract and cultivate loyal customers in the plant-based meat alternative space. What makes one plant-based burger brand more likeable than another? Why are people more interested in trying one product over another? And what makes them stick to a brand or product – repeat purchasing? Read more...