Xtalks Food Industry Podcast
179 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThis Food Industry focused podcast brings together Xtalks editorial staff to share insights into the latest B2B industry news. Xtalks connects professionals in the life science, medical device, and food industries with useful content like webinars, job opening, articles and virtual meetings.
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Episodes
Ortho-Phthalates in Food Packaging + McDonald’s New Restaurant Idea
August 03, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBLast 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 epidemi...
The Future of Cultivated Meat: Interview with Eyal Rosenthal, CEO of Ever After Foods
July 27, 2023 09:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBEver 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 a...
The Controversy Behind Prime Energy Drink + Nestlé’s New Sugar Reduction Technology
July 20, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBPrime 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 ...
WHO’s Guidelines on Marketing Food to Children + Monster Eyes Bang Energy
July 13, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBThe 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 ...
Oterra’s Food Coloring for Plant-Based Meat + Fastest Growing Food Companies
July 06, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBOterra, 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 col...
Top 5 Food Industry Ransomware Attacks + The Dangers of Food Fraud
June 29, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBRansomware 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 ran...
The Pros and Cons of Reusable Takeaway Containers + BetterBrand’s New Varieties of The Better Bagel
June 22, 2023 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBThe Rethink Plastic alliance, in collaboration with a coalition of 81 organizations, is advocating for the integration of effective reuse systems into the European Union’s (EU’s) Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. This push aims to mitigate waste produced by single-use plastic takeaway packaging. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the collective’s push for the transition towards reusable packaging in the food packaging industry, asserting that it has signif...
Fastest Growing Beverage Brand in 2023 + Seaweed Cultivation’s Nutritional and Environmental Potential
June 15, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBThe fastest growing beverage brands are those that have tapped into the consumer’s evolving demands, bringing to the table innovative products that combine taste, convenience, affordability and sustainability. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top three fastest growing beverage brands in 2023 and what’s driving their success. The list is based on the Financial Times’ ranking of The Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies 2023, a list of the 500 companies in the A...
America’s First Preservative-Free Salami + The Controversial Water Recipes from WaterTok
June 08, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 26.2 MBCalifornia-based Olli Salumeria, known for its high-quality, artisanal salami, recently announced that it’s launching the first preservative-free salami in the North American market. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the company’s history of tradition, its products and the new preservative-free salami. Nitrates and nitrites serve several purposes in food preservation since they inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, help to maintain the pink or red color of cure...
Why New Zealand Wants to Trademark Manuka Honey + Wood Milk Commercial Fuels Battle Between Dairy and Plant-Based Industries
June 01, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBManuka honey, a natural product renowned for its antibacterial and potential health benefits, has been at the center of a prolonged legal dispute between Australia and New Zealand. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the conflict, which involves the naming rights to “Manuka honey,” a product whose potential health benefits and significant price markup have made it a highly sought-after commodity in the international market. The Manuka honey trademark battle began i...
WHO Guidance Suggests Avoiding Sugar Substitutes for Weight Loss + CRISPR in the Food Industry
May 26, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBNew World Health Organization (WHO) guidance advises against the use of sugar substitutes for weight loss purposes. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the WHO’s review, which suggests that while a mild reduction in body weight may occur in the short term, it is not sustainable over time. The review also highlighted potential negative effects associated with long-term use of sugar substitutes, including a slightly increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascula...
What is Cronobacter Sakazakii + Why Fairlife Milk is Dominating Dairy
May 18, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBCronobacter sakazakii, the bacteria linked to recent baby formula shortages and the Abbott infant formula recall, could soon join the federal disease watchlist. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that can cause severe infections, particularly in infants, and is associated with high mortality rates. It is commonly found in the environment, including in water, soil and dry foods such as powdered infant formula. In an outbreak that t...
Tackling Food Waste with Digitization + Insights from the FAO Food Price Index
May 11, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBIn the US, food waste is a pervasive problem, with an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the country’s food supply going to waste each year. This amounts to around 133 billion pounds of food, worth an estimated $161 billion, being discarded annually. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Full Harvest and other companies that sell surplus or imperfect produce that would otherwise be thrown away. By using Full Harvest, farmers can reduce their waste and increase their profi...
Rising Flour Prices + Tagatose Sugar Alternative
May 04, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.7 MBAs the 2023-24 US wheat marketing year approaches, there are concerns over a lack of moisture, which could limit yields and production of two of the three largest wheat varieties grown in the US, increasing the risk of above-average flour prices into 2024. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about why droughts can have a significant impact on flour prices and production, including the quality of wheat crops, the transportation of wheat and the overall demand for flour. T...
New Rapid Salmonella Test + Leading Food Companies’ Long-Term Sustainability Goals
April 27, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBResearchers at McMaster University in Canada have developed a rapid Salmonella test for detecting contamination in chicken and other foods, which could help to reduce the cost of food processing and improve food safety. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about new Salmonella test, which provides accurate results in an hour or less and does not require accessories or a power source. Traditionally, Salmonella detection was done through a series of tests that could take se...
Burlap & Barrel's Single-Origin Spices + Plant-Based Meat Recalls
April 20, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBGround Black Lime, Royal Cinnamon and Wild Mountain Cumin are among dozens of single origin spices sold by Burlap & Barrel, a public benefit corporation building equitable, transparent and traceable supply chains around the world. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the unique spice company, whose co-founders and co-CEOs discussed Burlap & Barrel’s mission and growth during a recent appearance on the television show “Shark Tank.” Founded in 2016 by Ori Zohar and Et...
Burlap & Barrel’s Single-Origin Spices + Plant-Based Meat Recalls
April 20, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBGround Black Lime, Royal Cinnamon and Wild Mountain Cumin are among dozens of single origin spices sold by Burlap & Barrel, a public benefit corporation building equitable, transparent and traceable supply chains around the world. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the unique spice company, whose co-founders and co-CEOs discussed Burlap & Barrel’s mission and growth during a recent appearance on the television show “Shark Tank.” Founded in 2016 by Ori Zohar and Et...
The Rise of Celebrity Food Brands + Cell-Based Breast Milk
April 13, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBWhether their names are directly attached to their product or they’re just one in a long list of investors, celebrities have been highly influential in the food and beverage industry; their popularity and ability to fund projects has catapulted celebrity food brands in recent years. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about five celebrity food brands from various pop stars and one celebrity chef. She discusses Rob’s Backstage Popcorn from the Jonas Brothers, Tingly Ted’s...
Search for Titanium Dioxide Alternatives Intensifies + Italy Proposes a Ban on Lab-Grown Meat
April 06, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MBCalifornia’s recently proposed Assembly Bill 418 would make it the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of foods containing titanium dioxide, among other chemicals and dyes. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about what titanium dioxide is, where it can be found and its purpose as a whitening agent in food and beverage products. While it’s unclear whether the bill has enough momentum to pass, it has intensified the search for titanium dioxide alternatives. The in...
Interview with Kristin Demoranville of AnzenSage
March 30, 2023 04:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBThis episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Kristin Demoranville, the CEO and founder of AnzenSage, a cybersecurity firm that provides resilience solutions to the food industry. Demoranville talks about her extensive career prior to entering the field of cybersecurity and founding AnzenSage, and why industry-specific cybersecurity is important. She discusses why the food industry is often targeted in cyber attacks, the risks and consequences of a cyber attack and how c...
Interview with Omer Eliav and Ben Dotan of Vgarden
March 23, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBThis episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Omer Eliav, head of R&D and co-founder of Vgarden, and Ben Dotan, head of innovation and engagements at Vgarden, an Israeli food tech company that offers a large selection of vegan products to the B2B market, including cheese, meat and fish alternatives. Eliav and Dotan talk about the company’s startup story, the importance of plant-based alternatives for a sustainable food system and Vgarden’s most recent product, canned veg...
Hershey's New Plant-Based Reese's and Chocolate Bar + AI and ChatGPT in the Food Industry
March 16, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBHershey, the maker of Reese’s, Hershey bars, Kisses and other chocolates and candies, recently announced two new plant-based products: Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new vegan sweets, which are both made with oat milk instead of cow’s milk and are designed to taste like milk chocolate. Despite experimenting with plant-based chocolate in the past, the ne...
Hershey’s New Plant-Based Reese’s and Chocolate Bar + AI and ChatGPT in the Food Industry
March 16, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBHershey, the maker of Reese’s, Hershey bars, Kisses and other chocolates and candies, recently announced two new plant-based products: Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new vegan sweets, which are both made with oat milk instead of cow’s milk and are designed to taste like milk chocolate. Despite experimenting with plant-based chocolate in the past, the ne...
UK Tomato Shortage + The Importance of Cybersecurity in the Food Industry
March 09, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBFor the 100th episode Xtalks Food Industry Podcast, the team starts off by discussing their favorite episodes from the past two years. From turkey and Topo Chico, to coffee and baby formula, last year saw its fair share of food shortages, supplies for some of which are only now beginning to be replenished. Unfortunately, the new year has brought with it a new set of food supply chain challenges, including the most recent tomato shortage in the UK. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast,...
Starbucks’ New Olive Oil-Infused Coffee Line + FDA Draft Guidance for Plant-Based Milk
March 02, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 20 MBStarbucks’ newest line of beverages, Oleato, which feature extra virgin olive oil in coffee, recently launched in Italy as a series of beverages. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the beverages in the Oleato line, which include a latte, espresso, cold brew, iced shaken espresso and iced cortado. Beverages in the Oleato range are made with a spoonful of olive oil in coffee, adding 120 calories to the total calorie count. However, adding fat to coffee is not new, n...
Outstanding Foods' Better-For-You Junk Food + The FDA's Plan to Reduce Lead Levels in Baby Food
February 23, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBOutstanding Foods, the maker of plant-based, better-for-you junk foods like cheese puffs and pork rinds, is set to debut soft-baked, gluten-free cookies and is also developing egg substitutes. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the Los Angeles-based brand’s products, which are formulated with pea protein and a blend of nutrients from broccoli, spinach, kale and more. Outstanding Foods brought on several high-profile celebrity investors, including rapper Snoop Dogg...
Outstanding Foods’ Better-For-You Junk Food + The FDA’s Plan to Reduce Lead Levels in Baby Food
February 23, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBOutstanding Foods, the maker of plant-based, better-for-you junk foods like cheese puffs and pork rinds, is set to debut soft-baked, gluten-free cookies and is also developing egg substitutes. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the Los Angeles-based brand’s products, which are formulated with pea protein and a blend of nutrients from broccoli, spinach, kale and more. Outstanding Foods brought on several high-profile celebrity investors, including rapper Snoop Dogg...
Interview with CEO of Nala Robotics Ajay Sunkara
February 16, 2023 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBIn a post-pandemic economy, labor remains a challenge in the foodservice industry, but artificial intelligence startup Nala Robotics might be able to solve the labor shortage with its technology. This episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast features an interview with Ajay Sunkara, the CEO of Nala Robotics, which calls itself the “world's first fully automated restaurant.” Hear about the meaning behind the name “Nala” as well as the company’s various robots, including Spotless, the autonomous dish...
New USDA Organic Food Regulations + Price of Healthy Food a Major Barrier for Maintaining a Heart-Healthy Diet
February 09, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 18.6 MBThe US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently updated its organic food regulations to tighten guidelines around organic products. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the update, which comes after a number of allegations claiming farmers have tried to sell non-organic or conventional food products with the lucrative white and green USDA “organic” label. Even though the USDA has stringent rules for what is considered organic, there are varying rules in different c...
Abbott Labs Under Investigation by the DOJ + Robot Dishwashers for the Foodservice Industry
February 02, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBMultinational medical device and health care company Abbott Laboratories is under investigation by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) following the closure of Michigan’s baby formula plant in February 2022. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the investigation, which is centered around Abbott’s unsanitary workplace conditions and fueled one of the worst baby formula shortages in recent history. Health officials found bacteria at the plant that can potentially cause...
FDA Lists Sesame as a Major Allergen + House Crickets Approved in EU Food Products
January 26, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added sesame to its list of major allergens, making it easier for people with sesame allergies to safely consume packaged food without fear of an allergic reaction. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the newly listed allergen and the labeling requirements that come with it. While the requirement that sesame be listed as an allergen came into effect at the start of 2023, consumers may still find food products for sale t...
Everything You Need to Know About Veganuary 2023 + Why There's an Egg Shortage
January 19, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBFor many, a new year calls for resolutions, and for some, that may include giving up meat, dairy and eggs for Veganuary 2023. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney gives a brief history of Veganuary and details its growth over the past ten years. When Veganuary began in 2014, it garnered 3,000 participants. Last year, that number reached 630,000. While some people are vegan or vegetarian when they opt in, for the most part, participants who sign up to try Veganuary are meat-eate...
Everything You Need to Know About Veganuary 2023 + Why There’s an Egg Shortage
January 19, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBFor many, a new year calls for resolutions, and for some, that may include giving up meat, dairy and eggs for Veganuary 2023. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney gives a brief history of Veganuary and details its growth over the past ten years. When Veganuary began in 2014, it garnered 3,000 participants. Last year, that number reached 630,000. While some people are vegan or vegetarian when they opt in, for the most part, participants who sign up to try Veganuary are meat-eate...
HighKey’s Oreo Alternative + Food Tech Products at CES 2023
January 12, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBLow-sugar, keto-friendly snack brand HighKey announced it will be launching a sugar-free sandwich cookie featuring two crispy chocolate wafers around a layer of vanilla crème. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this new Oreo alternative that contains no sugar, two grams of net carbs, seven grams of fiber, 60 calories and is made with gluten-free, soy-free and keto-friendly ingredients. She discusses the downfall of Oreo Thins and the success of HighKey’s other hea...
Food and Beverage Industry Trends for 2023
January 05, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBAs 2022 came to an end, many of the lessons learned and habits formed will continue to shape the food and beverage industry in the coming year. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top three food and beverage industry trends to look out for in 2023. She interviewed Bradley Saxe, President of Mainline Foods, and Chef Michael Sanguinetti, business development and market specialist at INTUEAT, to hear their food and beverage industry predictions for the coming year...
Looking Back at the Top Food and Beverage Trends of 2022
December 15, 2022 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBAt the end of each year, food industry insiders and experts make predictions about the year to come — and last year was no exception. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about some of the predictions that were made for 2022 and looks at whether they panned out, as well as some of the food and beverage trends that dominated the industry this year. One trend that may not have panned out as predicted was plant-based alternatives. This could partially be due to the recovery ...
Top 10 TikTok Food Trends in 2022 + Why Nestlé is Selling its Peanut Allergy Treatment Palforzia
December 08, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBSocial media and video creation app TikTok has become the online home of food experimentation over the last few years, leading to TikTok food trends with record-breaking views and searches. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top 10 most popular TikTok food trends this year. The list included cloud bread, baked oats, charcuterie boards, pasta chips and mug cake, among others. While other social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also home to recipe...
FDA Sends Warning Letters to Companies Illegally Selling CBD-Infused Products + The Rise of Alcohol Free Beverages
December 01, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBLast week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out warning letters to five companies illegally selling CBD-infused food and beverage products. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the contents of the warning letters and the FDA’s rules regarding CBD. Currently, the use of CBD in food and beverage products is an unapproved food additive in the US. the agency also cited safety concerns regarding accidental or overconsumption of CBD, as well as drug interact...
FDA Approves Lab-Grown Meat + Grocery Trade Groups Concerned About New Food Traceability Rule
November 24, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBAfter many years of research and development, innovation and anticipation, lab-grown meat has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the historic approval, which was granted to San Francisco-based startup UPSIDE Foods to sell its lab-grown chicken. The product — which is biologically indistinguishable from traditional chicken — is made by growing animal cells in bioreactors, which are fed a mix of nutrients t...
New Study on Ultra-Processed Foods + Why Activist Groups Want to Ban Red 3
November 17, 2022 10:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBA new study suggests that consuming too much ultra-processed food — including chips, hot dogs, ice cream and soda — can have consequences beyond obesity and high cholesterol. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the study, which examined how the intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with premature, preventable death. She explains that ultra-processed foods contain more artificial ingredients than those that just have added salt, sugar or oil. They usually h...
New Food Safety Testing Tool + Trending Specialty Foods in 2023
November 10, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBCanadian nanotechnology company Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. recently announced that its patent-pending Accelerated Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (AMIPs) food safety testing technology has expanded its library of detectable foodborne illness-causing pathogens. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new tool, which will cover E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Sarcina. From the identification of outbreaks to outpatient expenditures and lost wages, foodb...
Why Plant-Based Meat Sales are Declining + Food and Beverage Innovation at SIAL 2022
November 03, 2022 13:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBIn the late 2010s, Beyond Meat developed the next generation of plant-based meat products, winning over consumers with its innovative new take on the veggie burger. However, 2022 hasn’t been as kind to the plant-based meat market leader. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about where plant-based meat marketing falls short, resulting in declining sales amid inflation and a crowded market. Since there is little to no differentiation in the space among the most prevalent b...
Nestlé Acquires Seattle’s Best Coffee from Starbucks + Food Safety Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic
October 27, 2022 09:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBNestlé said it has agreed to acquire the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand from Starbucks, further strengthening the Nescafe and Nespresso owner’s coffee business in the US. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this latest acquisition and the longstanding partnership between Nestlé and Starbucks. Their perpetual licensing agreement has allowed Nestlé to sell and distribute some Starbucks products at retail and food service locations outside Starbucks stores around the wor...
Why Turkey Prices Are on the Rise + Are New Food Labeling Mandates Coming?
October 20, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.7 MBAccording to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), turkey prices have reached their highest point since 2015 at $6.70 per pound. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks this year’s highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which has played a major role in driving up turkey prices ahead of Thanksgiving. Since February, a viscous and enduring strain of the HPAI virus has devastated nearly 250 commercial flocks and close to 300 backyard flocks. In total, the viru...
Allergy Friendly Food Companies + Why Some Grocery Chains are Removing Best Before Dates
October 13, 2022 09:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBAccording to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 32 million people in the US have food allergies, which means allergy friendly food brands not only have a large audience base, but are also necessities. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about three popular allergy friendly food companies: Partake Foods, Enjoy Life and Free2b Foods. Each company offers a wide variety of sweet and savory snack foods free from all major allergens while prioritizing taste an...
What’s Next for the Future of Food Tech? + Why a Plant-Based Meat Company Shut Down
October 06, 2022 09:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBA few weeks ago, brand executives, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world came together for the Future Food-Tech event in London to discuss large-scale solutions in alternative proteins, health and nutrition. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the future of food tech, namely the future of protein and precision fermentation. A major category highlighted at the event was the potential for cultivated meat, which speakers and exhibitors at the event identif...
Is There a Coffee Shortage Brewing? + FDA Warns Against Cooking Chicken in NyQuil
September 29, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBCoffee inventories in South America are declining so severely that reserves are predicted to be extremely low, but can we expect a coffee shortage? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about a potential coffee shortage as prices have been volatile in recent months. However, the situation is predicted to get even worse in the weeks ahead as Brazilian coffee exports hold on to their supplies to drive up prices. She discusses both the environmental and economic factors contr...
New Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Executive Order + Steakholder Foods’ 3D Bio-printed Cultivated Meats
September 22, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBUS President Joe Biden recently issued an executive order entitled, “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.” In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new executive order, which prioritizes research and innovation in a variety of fields, including food. While biotech in general is often associated with energy, medicine and pharmaceuticals, it plays a significant role in the food and beverage in...
New Food Industry Regulations in 2022 + HelloFresh Ground Beef E. Coli Outbreak
September 15, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBFood and beverage companies across the supply chain must always be prepared for new regulatory developments in 2022 as they seek to bring new ingredients and products to market. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about four potential new food industry regulations that food and beverage companies should look out for this year, including changes to the FDA’s definition of “healthy,” labeling clarity on lab-grown meat, regulating heavy metals in baby food and cannabinoid r...
What is Protein Coffee? + National Food Bank Day 2022
September 08, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBProtein coffee is currently trending on the social media platform TikTok, with the hashtag gaining nearly ten million views, but is it as simple as mixing espresso with protein powder? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the trending protein coffee drink, whether it’s healthy and which companies sell it. Protein coffee, which is typically made by combining protein shakes, coffee and milk, along with some ice, is healthy in moderation, but adding too much caffeine ...