Little Bellies New Canadian Offerings
Australian-founded baby and toddler snack brand, Little Bellies, is rolling out seven new organic, age-and-stage appropriate snacks for babies and toddlers at Loblaws and Walmart locations across Canada. Committed to continue supporting key developmental milestones of children from 10+ months to toddlerhood, the new products will introduce different shapes, flavors, and texture options to help encourage independence and confident self-feeding skills. The new expanded product options include:
More to Explore: Organic Carrot & Cinnamon Paw, Organic Pear & Vanilla Paws
Toddlers in Training Range: Organic Apricot Fruity Bars, Organic Banana Fruity Bars, Organic Sweet Cinnamon Softcorn, Organic Sweet & Salty Softcorn, Organic Veggie Tubes
"With our expanded Canadian lineup and retail presence, we're excited to reach even more families with snacks that truly support a child's unique journey of development and discovery," said Clive Sher, co-founder and managing director of Little Bellies. "We continue to grow with Canadian families and provide options they feel good about – offering new ways to nurture curiosity, independence and a love of food in little ones. At Little Bellies, we do what's natural, so parents can do what's natural."
TSI Group Advances in XPRIZE Healthspan Competition
TSI Group's myHMB and Hobamine are moving on to the next phase of the XPRIZE Healthspan competition. Chosen as one of the 40 milestone winners, TSI alongside researcher Dr. Gustavo Duque and the Canadian Translational Geroscience Network team received $250,000 in funding to assist with an upcoming placebo-controlled trial of the ingredients in older adults (65–95 years old). With myHMB (CaHMB) supporting muscle strength, recovery, and combatting age related muscle loss and hobamine (2-HOBA) promoting healthy cellular aging, the study will evaluate their effects on improvements in muscle function, cardiovascular fitness, cognitive performance, and immune health.
"Being selected as part of the XPRIZE Healthspan initiative is a tremendous validation of the scientific promise behind HMB (myHMB) and 2-HOBA (Hobamine). This collaboration allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in aging research — moving beyond lifespan to focus on real, functional health outcomes,” commented Naji Abumrad, MD, FACS, Chief Scientific Officer at TSI Group.
The XPRIZE Healthspan competition was first launched in 2023 with a goal of finding breakthrough approaches to closing the gap between life expectancy and health expectancy. In 2027, a grand prize of $101 million dollars will be awarded to one winner whose intervention can extend human healthspan by at least 10 years.
Pepsi Launches Prebiotic Soda
Pepsi Prebiotic Cola will be available for purchase in fall 2025. With 5 grams of cane sugar, 30 calories, 3 grams of prebiotic fiber, and no artificial sweeteners, the new drink will remind customers of the original taste of Pepsi. The brand's latest offering will hit retail stores in early 2026 but will be available for purchase online this fall in 12 oz. single cans and 8-packs of 12 oz. cans. Pepsi Prebiotic Cola joins the beverage company's portfolio which includes the recently acquired prebiotic soda company, poppi.
"From the iconic blue can, to the consumer-preferred Pepsi Zero Sugar, our portfolio has always adapted to the needs and flavor preferences of the consumer," said Ram Krishnan, CEO, PepsiCo Beverages U.S. "Pepsi Prebiotic Cola represents the next leap forward in giving consumers choice, optionality and functional ingredients in their cola experience, without sacrificing the iconic Pepsi taste we're known for delivering. We can't wait for the world to try the taste of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola for themselves!"
BENEO, Rikolto, CarbonFarm Partnering for Sustainable Rice Production
BENEO is collaborating with international non-governmental organization, Rikolto, and climate technology company, CarbonFarm, on a three-year project to promote sustainable rice production in Vietnam. Funded by the Government of Flanders, the project will train a minimum of 1,000 rice farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta on sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices in line with the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)v standards. BENEO will aim to process at least 10,000 of sustainably grown rice during the project's run, with the first volumes expected to be available in autumn 2025. Each project participant has an outlined list of responsibilities:
- Beneo, responsible for developing the market for SRP-certified rice ingredients
- Rikolto, will lead the training services of the selected farmers
- CarbonFarm, will deploy digital and satellite tools to support data collection, sustainability assessments, and project validation.
“This initiative clearly demonstrates BENEO's dedication to climate mitigation actions, sustainability, and its proactive approach to addressing global challenges through innovative solutions. We are proud and excited to leverage BENEO’s longstanding expertise in producing and marketing functional ingredients in collaboration with our project partners and Vietnamese farmers to reduce the environmental impact of rice production," shared Roland Vanhoegaerden, Operations Managing Director for Specialty Rice Ingredients at BENEO.
TraceGains Releases 2025 Survey Results
While food & beverage brands are continuing to invest in innovation, only a small percentage say their development processes are fully digitized, this according to the latest survey results from TraceGains. The new 2025 R&D and Product Innovation in the Food and Beverage Industry report examines companies interest towards innovation and shows 83% of brands are planning to increase their innovation investment, with over half of respondents expecting to raise budgets by more than 10%. “We’re pleased with the results of this year’s report showing genuine excitement around AI and digital transformation,” said Paul Bradley, Senior Director of Product Marketing, TraceGains. “The downside is that progress is being throttled by outdated workflows and a lack of automation. Amid intense pressure to compete by offering healthier, more sustainable products the majority of brands still operate in the stone age managing product development with emails, spreadsheets, and paper files.”
Some of the report's findings include:
- 82% of brands still use manual tools like spreadsheets, paper documents, or email to manage NPD.
- More than half (53%) don’t use a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system at all, slowing speed to market, increasing compliance risk, and hindering cross-functional collaboration.
- Mid-sized companies (1,000-5,000 employees) are leading adoption, while smaller and larger firms show more hesitation.
- 25% of respondents cited analyzing market trends and consumer insights as their top AI use case.
- Nearly 70% of brands cite macroeconomic conditions as their top innovation barrier - up 15 points from 2024.
- More than half (53%) say production costs, including labor, are a major concern, and 50% are still struggling to secure key ingredients and materials.
- 48% of brands are working to improve supply chain traceability
- 38% of brands are sourcing more sustainable ingredients
A full version of the report is available for download here.
Cambridge Innovation Institute Ventures Into Holistic Healthcare
The Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII) has announced its acquisition of the Integrative Healthcare Symposium. Launched in 2005, the event was developed for integrative practitioners and its brand includes the Integrative Practitioner podcast and e-Newsletter to support integrative healthcare professionals. The addition to CII's portfolio further advances the company's mission of advancing innovation through conferences and media.
"CII has been a leader in life science conferences for over three decades, and we are excited to add this new conference and publication covering other essential aspects of healthcare to our expanding CHI portfolio. The many facets of holistic medicine are growingly important within healthcare and will benefit from additional advancement via opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration. We look forward to continuing to cover these valuable areas and working with our new customers," shared Benjamin Lakin, Ph.D., CEO of Cambridge Innovation Institute.
QUINN Updates Product Packaging
Fans of filled pretzel snack brand, Quinn, will now see a bold new packaging design while shopping at their local retailer. The Certified B Corporation is the first pretzel brand to incorporate regenerative farming practices and wants to emphasize its non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, corn- and soy-free ingredients. Quinn's redesign includes vibrant colors, simplified messaging, a new visual identity letting customers know every bite contains real-food nourishment.
“This refresh is more than a new look—it’s our mission front and center,” said Beth Hunsicker Parker, Vice President of Marketing. “We know our fans care deeply about what’s in their food and how it’s made. So, we refreshed our design to bring it all to the surface—purposeful ingredients, real-food nourishment, and the bold, craveable flavor that keeps people coming back.”
Quinn will roll out its new packaging online and in-store nationwide throughout the month.
Generous Brands Acquires Health-Ade Kombucha
Health-Ade is joining the Generous Brands portfolio of premium refrigerated beverages. The definitive agreement will shift ownership of the kombucha tea beverage company from private equity firms First Bev and Manna Tree Partners (“Manna Tree”), who will also continue on as minority shareholders in Generous Brands, to private equity firm Butterfly. With gut health related products continuing to be popular amongst consumers, Health-Ade will benefit from the Generous Brands significant owned manufacturing capabilities and expanded distribution network. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Q3 2025.
“Consumers have entirely redefined the role of beverages and it’s reshaping the future. They have shifted from just prioritizing taste and exciting flavors to looking for beverages that are also enhanced with healthier ingredients and nutritional benefits,” commented Steve Cornell, CEO of Generous Brands. “With its purpose-led brand and products that are positioned at the intersection of delicious taste and modern health trends, Health-Ade fits perfectly into our platform and growth strategy. This exciting addition to the Generous Brands portfolio will accelerate our mission of inspiring more people to thrive through the power of vibrant nutrition.”
Novella Partners with Metaphor Foods on Plant-Based Innovation
Novella Innovative Technology, Ltd., and Metaphor Foods want to commercialize cell-based natural preservatives. Through the use of Novella's AuraCell technology, the joint venture will look to deliver natural antioxidant and anti-microbial compounds through a waste-free, resource-efficient supply. “This is a long-term strategic commitment in a market with high demand for natural solutions,” assures Geoff Gordon, CEO of Metaphor Foods. “We’re integrating Novella’s solution into our natural food-protection systems to bring it to market quickly, responsibly, and effectively. While the initial focus is on meat and poultry preservation, the strategic potential of this partnership extends across dozens of revenue generating categories, including seafood, dairy, baked goods, alternative protein products, and pet food.”
With so much consumer focus on the ingredients going into their foods and beverages, developers and manufacturers are continuously working to clean up labels. The Metaphor Foods and Novella collaboration will offer brands a new innovative clean-label food preservation solution by securing ingredient availability, establishing manufacturing readiness, and provide consistent quality at scale. With the food preservatives market being valued at USD3.18 billion and expected to reach over USD4.51 billion by 2033, the Metaphor Foods and Novella partnership is valued at USD 10 million over seven years based on just meat industry projections.
Little Sesame Closes Series A Funding
Little Sesame has closed its 8.5M Series A financing. Led by InvestEco Capital, the company also received participation from Watchfire Ventures, Santatera Capital, Beliade Consumer Partners, and other individual investors in the CPG industry. “This Series A funding marks a pivotal moment in our journey,” explained Nick Wiseman, CEO and Co-Founder of Little Sesame. “We’ve always believed in the power of hummus to connect people and bring joy to everyday eating. With this investment, we’ll be able to amplify that mission through expanded innovation, team growth, and a new world-class facility that brings our culinary vision to life at scale.”
The new financing will be used for upcoming projects including product development like Hummus for kids, talent acquisition, and the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities. Little Sesame also plans to scale its business and open a 23,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the end of the year complete with a test kitchen and in-house High-Pressure Processing (HPP) capabilities. The new location will also allow the brand to increase production capabilities by 400% and produce up to 400,000 pounds of hummus per week.
