Roquette Announces Acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions
On May 1, 2025, Roquette expanded its global footprint and portfolio through the acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions. As a result of the addition, Roquette created a new organization consisting of the two well-balanced and complementary Business Groups. CEO Isabelle Bouvier will lead the Health & Pharma Solutions Business Group on their mission to solve the challenges presented by the drug delivery and patient care space. CEO Pascal Leroy will head the new Nutrition & Bioindustry Business Group as it integrates business and product lines from IFF and increases Roquette's expertise in food and selected industrial applications.
Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette, commented on the acquisition and its future direction: “Building on our robust and integrated business model, Roquette is strengthening its organization by creating two well-balanced and complementary Business Groups. Each Business Group will be equipped with dedicated assets, capabilities, and teams to better serve our customers, all while continuing to operate under the strong Roquette brand. I congratulate Isabelle, Pascal, and Béatrice on their appointments and have every confidence in their ability to lead the company towards sustained success.”
Everwell Health Acquires American River Nutrition
Everwell Health has acquired American River Nutrition (ARN) from Designs for Health. While ARN's ingredient DuoQuinol is not part of the transaction and its ownership will remain with Designs for Health, the company's other functional ingredients, intellectual property, patented and branded ingredients, DeltaGold and GG-Gold will become property of Everwell Health. As part of the transaction, ARN will operate as ‘American River Nutrition, an Everwell Health Company’ for the remainder of 2025.
Steve Rosenman, CEO of Everwell Health, commented on the company's investment in the scientifically studied annatto-based extract ingredients and manufacturing technologies brand, “Our acquisition of American River Nutrition reinforces our commitment to providing scientifically substantiated ingredients which support consumers in living life to their fullest potential. These unique and powerful plant-based ingredients further build upon our vision to deliver ingredients that empower all to look, feel, and perform their best. Our customers will benefit from new opportunities that our expanded ingredient portfolio delivers to innovate new products in key health areas including metabolic, cardiovascular, mitochondrial, men’s health, muscle, and bone health. Beyond the ingredient portfolio, the vertical integration of ARN’s highly specialized manufacturing facility adds value and strengthens our capabilities as we will continue investing in nature-based bioactive ingredients.”
UNFI Announces Partnership with GreenChoice
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is partnering with food intelligence company, GreenChoice, PBC, to expand its healthy shopping technology offering for independent retailers. Through GreenChoice's shelf tags and white-label app, retailers will be able to help customers easily find foods that cater to their health needs and lifestyle values. The app utilizes GreenScore—an evidence-based rating system that assesses and scores foods across science-based industry standards for nutritional density, ingredient processing, ingredient safety, and climate footprint. Useres scan QR codes to get learn more about a given product and get personalized recommendations for healthy alternatives when desired. With health, wellness, and sustainability continuing to rank high amongst consumer priorities, retailers will be able to use UNFI's new offering to make selecting healthy choices easy.
“Across the United States, shoppers increasingly demand product transparency and healthier options. This is a big opportunity for food retailers to help identify the foods that match shoppers’ health and sustainability needs using a third party like GreenChoice,” said Galen Karlan-Mason, GreenChoice CEO and Founder. “We’re excited for UNFI retail partners to tap into GreenChoice’s food assessment and shopping technology, which has proven to drive measurable sales lifts while improving shopper satisfaction.”
Little Bellies and Headspace Celebrate Mother's Day
Organic baby and toddler snack brand, Little Bellies, is teaming up with mental health app, Headspace, to giveaway two months of complimentary access to the apps full library. 3,000 moms will be able to download and access the applications mediations, sleepcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises for two months, completely free of charge. The partnership is part of the brand's Little Moments campaign, a reminder to pause, honor the small wins and celebrate daily experiences that help shape motherhood.
More information regarding the Little Moments campaign can be found here.
PBFA & Sodexo Campus Celebrate Earth Week
The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and Sodexo Campus celebrated Earth Week from April 17-22 with a nationwide Student Appreciation Event Series. The first-of-its-kind partnership highlighted select plant-based food brands across eight university campuses, raising awareness, access, and interest towards plant-based dining options for students and foodservice operators. Over 1,500 students were able to sample offerings from top innovators in the industry including, PBFA members Impossible Foods and Violife, MorningStar Farms, Gardein, and JUST Egg. This event marked the latest collaboration effort between PBFA and Sodexo Campus, Through its Foodservice Program PBFA will partner with foodservice management companies to:
- Support product assortment expansion by connecting operators with trusted plant-based suppliers and emerging brands.
- Develop and promote chef-approved, student-loved recipes that work within dining hall operational needs.
- Drive awareness through education, sampling, and storytelling opportunities that resonate with consumers.
“This collaboration between PBFA and Sodexo Campus is a meaningful step forward in our commitment to making plant-based foods a core part of the dining experience,” said Jennifer DiFrancesco, Sodexo Director of Culinary Innovation. “By blending innovative brands, bold flavors, and chef-driven recipes to the forefront, we’re not just showcasing plant-based options—we’re reinforcing their place as a delicious and accessible choice for all students. Our goal is to continue expanding plant-forward menus that meet the evolving tastes and values of our campus communities, ensuring that sustainability and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we serve.”
1st Water Makes its American Debut
1st Water, the first natural mineral water brand that has been certified safe for infants under six months is now available at U.S. retail outlets. The first-of-its-kind product will look to offer consumers and their babies a clean, premium, hydration and wellness product. Bottled in Europe's Nordic National Park, each bottle of water is nutrient-dense, nitrate free, and offers naturally high alkalinity to breastfeeding mothers and their infants.
Guests of the 2025Natural Products Expo West tradeshow were able to stop by the company's booth and learn more about the their unique product offering. For more on this year's Expo West show including the 18 Trends we spotted, be sure to check out Nancy Trent's trendspotting finds.
Carr Brothers Invest in Frönen
Non-dairy, frozen desserts brand, Frönen, has added NFL New Orleans Saints quarterback David Carr and his brother, David Carr, to its private ownership group. The two former Fresno State football athletes will join the company as part owners and serve as key brand ambassadors. “Our whole family loves it. It’s simple, delicious, and made with ingredients we can pronounce. Whether it’s post-practice or movie night, Frönen is always in our freezer,” shared Derek and his wife Heather, who introduced him to the brand after she discovered them at a local Sprouts grocery store.
Frönen was founded in 2018 by two University of Chicago alumni wanting to create a frozen dessert with minimal ingredients in four or five flavor options. Today, the brand offers ten different flavors: Madagascar vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel, mint chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, mango, pb&j, latte and cherry chocolate chip and can be found in 1,700 grocery stores across the U.S. "There’s a large amount of lactose intolerance and malabsorption in the U.S.,” shared Brian McDermott, President, Frönen. "Non-dairy products have become more mainstream as a result, and we’re at the forefront of that."
wildwonder & Le Mini Macaron Team Up to Celebrate AAPI Month
Vegan nail polish brand, Le Mini Macaron, partnered with prebiotic and probiotic 
sparkling beverage brand, wildwonder, on a collaboration project to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On May 1st, the two female, AAPI-founded brands released their limited-edition Cherry Lemonade drink and nail polish trio with nail stickers, available exclusively through drinkwildwonder.com and leminimacaron.com. “This collaboration is all about joy—bold flavors, bright colors, and feeling good from the inside out,” commented Rosa Li, founder and CEO of wildwonder. “Christina and I wanted to create something that celebrates our roots and brings a little everyday magic to people’s routines. Cherry Lemonade is a flavor close to both our hearts, and pairing it with a playful polish trio just felt like the perfect way to toast to AAPI heritage, female founders, and fun.”
Inspired by the childhood memories of Le Mini Macaron co-founder and co-CEO, Christina Kao, wildwonder's Cherry Lemonade sparkling beverage is a refreshing twist on a classic blend of bright and juicy cherries with zesty lemons. The Cherry Lemonade Le Mini Macaron nail trio offering includes:
- New rich coral pink shade "Cherry lemonade"
- Cool pastel blue, "Blue Vanilla"
- Bright & creamy yellow, "Lemon Sorbet"
- Mini nail decal sticker sheet of cherries, lemons, and whimsical summer-inspired designs
SunOpta Publishes 2024 Sustainability Report
SunOpta has published its annual sustainability update outlining the company's progress made in the 2024 fiscal year across four key areas: products, planet, people and governance. SunOpta is on a mission to accomplish its sustainability goals which include prioritizing environmentally friendly waste solutions and implementing options that help reduce electricity, gas and water at its manufacturing facilities. The annual sustainability reporting is the company's efforts at communicating transparently about its progress and challenges. Key points from this year's edition include:
Products
- 50 own branded products and ingredients enrolled in The U.S. Non-GMO Project.
- Attained zero incidents of noncompliance with industry or regulatory labeling and/or marketing codes.
- Received an external food safety audit score of 95.7 (“excellent” range).
- Commissioned a product carbon footprint (PCF) for ourWest LifeSoymilk product to determine the product’s carbon footprint of 0.54 kgCO2e per 32-ounce package.
- Expanded our plant-based beverage processing facility strategically in Modesto, Calif. supporting a 60% increase in oatmilk production and potentially eliminating up to 800,000 freight miles annually.
Planet
- Donated 1.2 million pounds of food (equivalent to nearly 950,000 meals) to Feeding America.
- Saved 136+ metric tons of carbon emission annually from load mode optimization, and 51 metrics tons due to the reduced diesel required to reach our new centrally located Alexandria, Minn. warehouse
- 99% (by weight) of all packaging sourced by SunOpta is recyclable.
- Maintained Zero Waste to landfill at five facilities.**
- Identified ways to pre-heat water more efficiently for steam production in plant-based milk operations, cutting our natural gas use by nearly 650,000 therms annually in Modesto, Calif.
- Saved 44.2 billion gallons of water by producing plant-based milk compared to dairy milk.*
- Reduced waste at SunOpta’s corporate headquarters by recycling lab materials, plastic film and batteries; diverting 150 pounds of plastic from landfill by replacing disposable with reusable options and donating leftover product to employees.
- Reduced annual electricity consumption by 185,952 kWh through the elimination of a 40-horsepower oat processing motor in Alexandria, Minn.
- Reduced water consumption by 5% through a streamlined washdown and cleanout process on production lines in Omak, Wash.
- Generated nearly half (47%) of SunOpta’s corporate headquarters’ annual energy needs (359,170kWh) with renewable solar energy.
People
- Supported people affected by the California wildfires by donating 26,000 pounds ofDreamandWest Lifedairy alternatives and 56,331 pounds of chicken stock.
- Fostered the value of inclusion and belonging through five in-person events and programming.
- 41% of employees at the Director level and above are female.
- 25% of SunOpta’s Board of Director members are female.
Governance
- Updated our Materiality Assessment in 2024 as part of the program development and goal assessment progress.
“Building a more sustainable future has grounded SunOpta since its beginning, and this commitment yielded significant impact in 2024,” explained Brian Kocher, CEO of SunOpta. “Every day our team of employees, compelled by a spirit of continuous improvement, is innovating and collaborating to provide more efficient, productive and sustainable solutions for our customers while supporting the wellbeing of the communities where we live and work.”
A full version of the report is available here.
Metagenics Introduces HerWellness Product Line
Metagenics is launching a new product offering geared towards supporting women's hormonal health and wellness at every age & stage including period relief, perimenopause, and menopause. Created in response to a new survey that found hormonal health continues to be challenging for women to navigate, HerWellness features four innovations and one established best-selling product to help support women throughout their hormone journey.
The new product offerings include:
- HerWellness Naturally Balanced provides multi-symptom relief for five of the most common hormonal symptoms: bloating, poor sleep quality, mood swings, food cravings, and metabolism issues. With ingredients backed by 16 clinical studies, women experienced less bloating in two weeks, a calmer state of mind in four weeks, and reduced cravings in eight weeks.
- HerWellness Recharge Overnight enhances the body's natural ability to rejuvenate and support deep restorative sleep and muscle relaxation so women can wake up refreshed, with greater mental focus and improved clarity. Formulated with highly absorbable magnesium bisglycinate and the Ayurvedic adaptogen holy basil, it helps support cell rejuvenation.
- HerWellness Rapid Stress Relief helps promote emotional regulation as part of a non-drowsy formulation. Available in a soft-chew format, women experienced alleviated irritability and a sense of calm within one hour of taking.
- HerWellness Rapid Period Relief is a fast-acting solution that's naturally derived and drug-free. Formulated with plant-based, pain-relieving Turmeric and Boswellia actives, it helps women stay energized and provides effective relief for period-related discomfort.
- HerWellness Estrovera – an established best-seller within the Metagenics portfolio – helps relieve common discomforts associated with perimenopause and menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats. It features ERr 731, a plant-based ingredient clinically proven to relieve 12 of the most common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause by up to 83% in four weeks or less.
"Metagenics has a rich history of supporting women's health for more than 40 years, through science-backed and clinically proven natural supplements. Launching a range of products specifically designed to help women's hormonal health and balance at every age and stage is a natural step for Metagenics," said Sophie Rasmussen, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at Metagenics. "We believe our aim is to empower women who want to be proactive about their health, and help them live a happier, healthier life. Our HerWellness range is rooted in our history of functional medicine and scientific legacy. It is formulated with the highest quality ingredients that are clinically researched and rigorously tested."
Kültee Kaviar Keeps Popping Up on Dishes
Attendees of this year's Expo West show might have noticed Kültee Kaviar's vibrant, attention grabbing booth. The team behind the flavor-filled pearls were in Anaheim, California highlighting the many applications of its gluten-free, vegetarian, Kosher product. Created by Zentis, Kültee Kaviar is redefining consumers idea of the traditional popping bobba experience with its 6mm or 9mm popping boba offering.
Not only do the miniature pearls offer dishes a pop of flavor and color but they are produced and distributed in the United States, contain no artificial flavors or colors, and are available in 2 lbs flexible pouches, boxed and palletized. Customers have been using the product in beverages, desserts, and savory dishes. Kültee Kaviar is available in a wide range of customizable flavors including classic fruit, spicy, savory, and global inspirations.
For more from the 2025 Expo West tradeshow be sure to check out our 18 trends from the show story.
