Xtalks Food Industry Podcast artwork

Xtalks Food Industry Podcast

162 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

This 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

The Paleo Diet Certification Program + Miso Robotics’ Plan to Save the Fast-Food Industry

May 12, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

The Paleo Diet LLC, the founding organization behind the corresponding lifestyle movement, has launched a new Paleo certification program. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney delves into the details of the new program, which is based on the organization’s principle of encouraging the avoidance of dairy products, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), grains, highly processed foods and legumes, among other foods. She discusses the global market for Paleo foods, which is projec...

The Paleo Diet Certification Program + Miso Robotics’ Plan to Save the Fast-Food Industry

May 12, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

The Paleo Diet LLC, the founding organization behind the corresponding lifestyle movement, has launched a new Paleo certification program. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney delves into the details of the new program, which is based on the organization’s principle of encouraging the avoidance of dairy products, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), grains, highly processed foods and legumes, among other foods. She discusses the global market for Paleo foods, which is projec...

Air Protein Makes Meat out of Thin Air + How Jelly Drops Boosts Water Consumption

May 05, 2022 09:00 - 22 minutes - 15.9 MB

California-based startup Air Protein developed an alt meat called Air Meat, which is made using microbes that turn recycled carbon dioxide (CO2) into protein. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how “the meat of tomorrow” was designed to replicate the flavor and texture of real meat products like chicken, pork, steak and seafood. She discusses how far the alt meat sector has come in the last decade and asks the team whether this is the pinnacle of innovation. While...

BUBUV Better-For-You Bubble Tea + Gerber Plant-Based Baby Food

April 28, 2022 09:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MB

New York-based startup BUBLUV, Inc. recently launched its first product: a better-for-you, ready-to-drink bottled bubble tea. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how the brand differs from others bubble teas on the market, namely that it contains fewer calories and sugar than its competitors. She talks about how the growing bubble tea market and the constant demand for better-for-you beverages will help BUBLUV succeed. The team bring attention to relatively unhealt...

RoboBurger Vending Machines + Fast-Food NFTs

April 21, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

Typical vending machines dispense chips, sodas and other snacks, but one startup decided that burgers deserve vending machines of their own. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about RoboBurger, a Newark, New Jersey-based company that claims to have created America’s first burger vending machine. For $6.99, the machine grills a hamburger patty, toasts the bun, dispenses selected condiments including ketchup and mustard and assembles the burger in about six minutes. The t...

New Kit Kat Flavor + Ferrero Recalls Select Kinder Chocolates

April 14, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MB

Just in time for Spring, Hershey released a new Kit Kat flavor inspired by a classic baked good. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the new Blueberry Muffin Kit Kat, which features the classic Kit Kat wafers at the center of a blueberry muffin-flavored exterior with graham cookie pieces folded in. She discusses other limited-edition Kit Kat flavors and explains why the chocolate bar is so popular in Japan. The team say they are curious to try the new flavor and wo...

Plant-Based Food Sales Since 2018 + The Semantics of Voluntary Food Recalls

April 07, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

While the plant-based food industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, how much have sales in the sector grown since 2018? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the massive growth of plant-based food sales in the US, which hit $7.4 billion in 2021, growing by a whopping 54 percent since 2018. This data was released in a report from the Good Food Institute (GFI), which also pointed out that dollar sales of products in categories including plant-based milk, ...

How TikTok is Influencing the Food Industry + Beyond Meat and PepsiCo Launch Plant-Based Jerky

March 31, 2022 09:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MB

Though it’s easy to pass off TikTok as just another video sharing platform, it’s clear that there’s more to the story when it comes to the food industry. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about TikTok’s influence on the food industry, from viral recipe videos to restaurant hacks. She explains how food and beverage brands can partner with content creators and engage in conversations on the app to maintain a social media presence. The team wonders whether branded content...

Vegan Ice Cream Maker Adds Dairy Products to Lineup + A&W Canada Testing Fully Recyclable and Compostable Cups

March 24, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MB

After 17 years as a plant-based brand, Coconut Bliss has added a dairy-based ice cream to its product lineup. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Coconut Bliss’ decision to rebrand as Cosmic Bliss and introduce sustainable dairy with its organic, grass-fed, clean-label dairy ice cream line. After realizing that 97 percent of ice cream sold in the US is dairy-based, Cosmic Bliss wanted to reach that sector of consumers. At a time when most brands are creating plant-...

Alt Meat Companies Suing Each Other Over Intellectual Property + Food Companies Cutting Ties with Russia

March 17, 2022 09:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MB

Meati Foods and The Better Meat Co., two fungi-based alt meat companies, are suing each other over intellectual property (IP). In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney highlights two separate sets of alt meat companies that are embroiled in legal battles over a proprietary technology and the use of an ingredient, respectively. Meati has accused Better Meat of stealing its mycelium harvesting tech, while Better Meat has accused Meati of damaging its reputation and fundraising effort...

Women-Owned Food Brands for International Women’s Day + Ziscuit Grocery Search Engine

March 10, 2022 10:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

Each year, International Women’s Day falls on March 8 to celebrate the social, cultural, economic and political success of women. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney highlights six women-owned-and-operated food brands. From gluten-free beer and allergen-free beef jerky, to sustainably packaged healthy snacks and a better-for-you breakfast cereal, women-owned food brands have managed to fill a niche in the food industry to bring all sorts of unique, high-quality food products i...

Partake Foods Allergen-Friendly Snacks + Imagindairy Cow-Free Milk

March 03, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MB

Food allergies are becoming more and more common, but that doesn’t mean those with allergies can’t enjoy a sweet treat. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Partake Foods, an allergen-friendly, better-for-you snack brand that offers cookies, baking mixes and other products in which everyone can partake. However, the brand sells more than just sweet treats. Partake’s founder, Denise Woodard, launched The Black Futures in Food and Beverage fellowship program, which gi...

Interview with Justkitchen’s Executive Vice President Michael Liu

February 24, 2022 10:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

What are ghost kitchens and what does the future hold for them in a post-COVID world? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, the team welcomes their very first guest, Michael Liu, executive vice president of ghost kitchen operator JustKitchen. Previously head of commercial operations at app-to-door dining company Deliveroo, Lui managed a portfolio of thousands of restaurants and took that knowledge to Justkitchen. As a leading voice in the new dining economy, Lui provided unique insight...

Food and Beverage Super Bowl Ads + Valentine’s Day Food Offerings

February 17, 2022 10:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

Food and beverage brands start building buzz for their Super Bowl ads weeks in advance, and this year was no exception. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about some of the food and beverage ads that premiered during Super Bowl LVI. Many fans watch the game solely for the commercials, and the use of celebrity cameos was prevalent in almost all the big game ads. Sydney describes the ads from Bud Light, Lay’s, Michelob ULTRA, Hellmann’s, Budweiser, Frito-Lay and Uber Eats...

Cryptocurrency and the Metaverse in the Food Industry + MrBeast’s Feastables Brand

February 10, 2022 10:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MB

How do cryptocurrency and the Metaverse fit into the food industry? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the impact these digital realms have already had on the food industry and the potential heights they can reach. With a slew of cryptocurrencies named after foods and several food and beverage brands allowing customers to pay with crypto, other technologies like blockchain are allowing brands to push for transparency and safety. Meanwhile, the Metaverse has the po...

Mamamade Vegan Baby Food + Black Sheep Foods’ Plant-Based Lamb

February 03, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MB

How did a direct-to-consumer (DTC) plant-based baby food brand close a record-breaking round of funding? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Mamamade, a UK-based baby food brand with a special focus on infant and toddler nutrition, as well as supporting parents. It has garnered a community of 40,000 parents and offers one-to-one coaching, online resources, stage guides and support for parents in addition to its wide range of plant-based baby food. The team apprecia...

Online Food Trade Shows and E-Commerce + Vegan Casein

January 27, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, food trade shows helped small and large businesses alike attract new buyers and customers. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how food trade shows pivoted online during the ongoing pandemic and found success thanks to e-commerce. Since going digital, many food and beverage buyers have found it more convenient and saved money by attending online food trade shows. The team discusses whether the benefits of online trade shows outweigh ...

New Biodegradable, Antibacterial Food Packaging + Plantish Unveils Whole-Cut Plant-Based Salmon

January 20, 2022 10:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MB

A group of scientists recently unveiled a new type of food packaging that has the potential to prevent food and packaging waste. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about a new biodegradable, antibacterial food packaging made from a type of corn protein called zein, starch and other naturally-derived biopolymers. It also releases natural antimicrobial compounds that can kill common fungi such as E. Coli or Listeria. The team applauds the scientists for this innovative ne...

The History and Significance of Veganuary + Noodles & Company’s LEANguini

January 13, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

Veganuary, which combines the words “vegan” and “January,” is an annual challenge that encourages people to go vegan for the month. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how the Veganuary movement got started in 2014 and how far it has come since then. She also discusses what some major food and beverage brands are doing for Veganuary 2022. The team discusses whether they would participate in the challenge and how difficult it could be depending on one’s access to ve...

Top 3 Food and Beverage Industry Predictions for 2022

January 06, 2022 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

As 2021 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 the first episode of the Xtalks Food podcast in 2022, Sydney discusses the top three food and beverage trends to look out for this year. She spoke to a variety of food and beverage experts, including Nil Zacharias, CEO of Plantega and author of Eat for the Planet; Lara Ramdin, Chief Innovation Officer at Dole; and Carla King, senior marketing mana...

Cambya Sugar Substitute + Tcho Chocolate Going Fully Plant-Based

December 16, 2021 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MB

An Israeli food tech startup called B.T. Sweet recently unveiled a plant-based, one-to-one drop-in sugar substitute called Cambya. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Cambya’s potential to replace traditional sugar in a multitude of baking applications as well as its advantaged over other sugar substitutes. She discusses the sugar substitute market and the growing need for consumers to cut down on sugar intake. The team wonders about the science behind Cambya and w...

Cambya Sugar Substitute + Tcho Chocolate Going Fully Plant-Based

December 16, 2021 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MB

An Israeli food tech startup called B.T. Sweet recently unveiled a plant-based, one-to-one drop-in sugar substitute called Cambya. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Cambya’s potential to replace traditional sugar in a multitude of baking applications as well as its advantaged over other sugar substitutes. She discusses the sugar substitute market and the growing need for consumers to cut down on sugar intake. The team wonders about the science behind Cambya and w...

Flashfood Grocery App + Mooless Animal-Free Whey Protein

December 09, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

Would you take an extra step to browse through an app to save money on groceries and help cut down on food waste? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about Flashfood, an app that allows users to shop for soon-to-expire groceries at a discount and divert food waste from landfills. The startup has partnered with around 1,200 grocery stores across the US and Canada and has plans to expand next year. The team discusses why they value convenience over cost-saving, but applaud...

Study Finds Food Solution to Climate Problem + Nowadays Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets

December 02, 2021 10:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MB

A new study from Stanford University suggests one greenhouse gas can be captured and transformed into feed for farmed fish. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about a recent study that unveils a cost-effective method of producing fishmeal from methane, a greenhouse gas emitted and flared from industrial sources across the US. The team wonders whether this sustainable solution can be used to produce other animal feeds and how farmed fish produced with this method will be...

Food Companies on TIME’s Best 100 Inventions List + Starbucks New Concept Store

November 25, 2021 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MB

Each year, TIME Magazine releases a list of its Best 100 Inventions, and this year, several food companies made the list. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about three food companies that TIME deemed innovations in their sectors. The list includes a new pasta shape called Cascatelli, a packet that absorbs moisture and keeps delivered foods from getting soggy called SAVRPak and a plant-based fish startup called Kuleana. The team wonders how a low-tech invention like a n...

How Food Companies Obtain Consumer Data + Mariah Carey’s 12 Days of (McDonald’s) Christmas

November 18, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MB

Did you know that major food companies are using marketing tactics to obtain valuable consumer data? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney explains how major food and beverage brands, including Mondelez, PepsiCo and McDonald’s, are obtaining first-party data from consumers through personalized offerings or limited-edition products available online. The team discuss whether consumers have become desensitized to giving away personal information and whether it is ethical for big fo...

The Rise of Food Delivery Robots + GTFO It’s Vegan’s Sashimi

November 11, 2021 10:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MB

Are food delivery robots just a trend, or do they have the potential to replace humans in the future? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses the slow and steady rise of food delivery robots, and how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the demand for contactless delivery. She talks about their features, limitations and some of the companies that have ventured into the space. The team share their thoughts about whether they will replace humans and posit that the four-to-six...

Better Brands’ Low-Carb Bagel + Cometeer’s New Frozen Coffee

November 04, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MB

Will a low-carb, high-protein bagel find success among its unhealthier counterparts? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces the team to the Better Bagel, the first product from California-based startup Better Brands. Its founder, Aimee Yang, believes daily bagel eaters shouldn’t have to sacrifice taste and nutrition, so she created the Better Bagel, which is low in carbs and sugar and high in protein. The team discuss how the keto trend tends to replace bread products ...

Dairy Innovations + How SimplyProtein Maintains Success in the Plant-Based Space

October 28, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MB

Will camel milk ever become a popular alternative to cow’s milk? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about three dairy innovations that prove the animal-based dairy sector still has room for growth and improvement. The innovations range from protein-enriched cheese to alternative animal sources for milk, such as camels. The team prominently discuss whether camel milk will find success in North America, and Mira points out that it has been a staple in the Middle East for ...

Pecan Milk + Cadbury’s New Vegan Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar

October 21, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MB

Will pecan milk find success in the abundantly crowded alternative dairy market? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks why pecans are an optimal nut for plant-based milk since they are zero waste and don’t require straining. She introduces the team to a few pecan milk companies, including THIS PKN, Pecan Milk Co-op and MALK Organics, and discusses each of their unique selling points. The team wonders whether the taste would be too strong and whether pecan milk will experie...

Smart Food Waste Composters + SquarEat Meal Squares

October 14, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MB

Is there an easy, mess-free way for consumers to compost in their own homes? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about smart food waste composters, new devices that can transform food waste into compost in a matter of days. Whereas traditional composting can take up to months to break down food waste, require worms, emit odors and require labor, smart food waste composters take the guesswork out of composting and can help cut down on food waste. The team discuss their ea...

7shifts Employee Scheduling Software + QR Codes in the Restaurant Industry

October 07, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

How has 7shifts, an employee scheduling and management software, revolutionized the restaurant industry? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces the team to 7shifts, a program capable of scheduling foodservice employees, enabling managers to focus on their businesses. Hear clips from Sydney’s interview with Jordan Boesch, the founder and CEO of 7shifts, where he shares insights from working with the best of the best in the restaurant industry.  Also, in this episode, S...

Dash Water Uses Upcycled Produce + Food Industry Cybersecurity

September 30, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

Why throw away “wonky” fruits and vegetables if they could be put to better use? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces Ayesha to Dash Water, a UK-based sparkling water brand that uses upcycled produce. As one of the only sparkling water brands that uses “wonky” produce, Dash Water has made a name for itself and is planning to expand into international markets. The two discuss the importance of not wasting produce due to superficial imperfections and whether they would...

Food Mashups in 2021 + Teatis Carb-Blocking Teas

September 23, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

Why have food mashups garnered so much attention in 2021? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney explains why food mashups, ordinary foods that are combined to create unusual pairings, found success throughout the pandemic and gives some notable examples. The team discusses the role of marketing and exclusivity in advertising food mashups, and whether they would try some of the unconventional pairings.  Also, in this episode, Mira introduces the team to Teatis carb-blocking teas...

Isochoric Freezing Method + Hershey’s Oat Made Chocolate

September 16, 2021 09:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MB

Can a new method of freezing food drastically cut down on energy and emissions? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about isochoric freezing, in which foods are stored in a firm, sealed container made of hard metal or plastic, filled with a liquid like water and placed in a freezer. The team discusses why this method is a more sustainable options and reflects on the environmental impact of traditional freezing.  Also, in this episode, Mira discusses Hershey’s new Oat Ma...

Poppi Prebiotic Soda + Lab-Made Coffee

September 09, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

Can a prebiotic, better-for-you beverage replace traditional soda? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces the team to Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand that recently received millions in funding from several celebrity investors. The team discusses the role celebrities and social media play when advertising beverages and wonders whether Poppi, which contains apple cider vinegar, could actually help people with stomach issues. Also, in this episode, Mira talks about lab-mad...

WunderEggs Plant-Based Hard-Boiled Eggs + Animal-Free Dairy Products

September 02, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MB

Are WunderEggs the world’s first plant-based hard-boiled eggs? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces the team to Crafty Counter, an Austin, Texas-based startup that created WunderEggs, a plant-based dupe that looks, cooks and tastes like a chicken egg. The team compares the analogue to the real thing in terms of price and nutrition and discusses the potential of the plant-based egg market. Also, in this episode, Mira talks about animal-free dairy products, which don’...

How COVID-19 Changed Food Sampling + Apeel’s Plant- Based Produce Coating

August 26, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way brands and retailers hand out food samples? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses how food sampling has changed in retail settings and at home, with many companies shifting to e-commerce or online grocery orders as a means to send out samples. The team discusses whether in-store samples will return to their pre-pandemic state and why sample booths are crucial for small and emerging businesses. Also, in this episode, Mira i...

Wendy’s Delivery Kitchens + Red Sea Farms Saltwater Agriculture

August 19, 2021 09:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MB

Are delivery kitchens the future money makers for the foodservice industry? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Mira discusses Wendy's new partnership with REEF to introduce 700 new delivery kitchens in the US, Canada and the UK. Hear more from the editorial team as they discuss the opportunities that delivery kitchens can provide restaurants and customers. Also, in this episode, Mira discusses how Red Sea Farms, a Saudi Arabian AgTech startup, will help farmers maintain and grow cr...

That’s It Nutrition + PepsiCo Selling Tropicana and Other Juice Brands

August 12, 2021 09:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MB

Are short and sweet ingredient lists the latest health trend in snack foods? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces the team to That’s It Nutrition, the maker of snacks with six ingredients or fewer. Hear more from Sydney’s interview with the company’s founder and CEO, Dr. Lior Lewensztain, where they discuss the brand’s philosophy, products and trend-setting abilities in the health foods space. Also in this episode, Sydney discusses PepsiCo’s latest sale of its juice...

Unilever and Rising Commodity Costs + Lay’s Flavor Swap

August 05, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

How is a global food player dealing with rising commodity costs? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses how Unilever maintained positive growth in its second-quarter results despite rising costs. The team discusses whether they would be willing to pay more for the same amount of product in the grocery store and whether food companies should be required to inform consumers of higher retail prices.  Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Lay’s Flavor Swap, a new line o...

Cell-Based Fish + Macadamia Nut Oil

July 29, 2021 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MB

Is cell-based fish the next big food innovation? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses the technology behind cell-based fish, in which muscle cells from a fish are extracted and propagated in ideal conditions inside a bioreactor. The team discusses its potential to disrupt the fishing industry and wonders whether there is a large enough consumer market for alt-fish products. Also in this episode, Mira talks about Strength Genesis, an Australian macadamia nut oil brand...

Food Monopolies + How Vegan Wines Differ From Other Wines

July 22, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MB

How much choice do consumers actually have at the grocery store? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses food monopolies, a few big food brands that control the majority market share of almost 80 percent of dozens of grocery items. The team discusses the implications of food monopolies on consumers, small producers and the environment, and how there needs to be a paradigm shift in food systems. Also in this episode, Mira talks about a segment of the beverage market that...

Nature’s Fynd Fungi-Based Meat + Beyond Meat Chicken Tenders

July 15, 2021 09:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MB

Will a fungi-based meat backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Al Gore gain traction in the alt meat market? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses Nature’s Fynd, a fungi-based meat copmany whose main source of protein is derived from a volcanic microbe from Yellowstone National Park. With heavy competition and a potentially hefty price, will its novelty be enough to attract consumers? Also in this episode, Mira talks about Beyond Meat’s new Chicken Tenders being rolled ...

Safety of Titanium Dioxide in Food + Soft Robotics AI Technology

July 08, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

Will titanium dioxide soon be eliminated from thousands of foods in the EU? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) review of titanium dioxide, a food additive found in ultra-processed and sugary foods. The team discusses the potential harms of titanium dioxide, safer alternatives and whether the EFSA’s review will encourage the FDA to re-evaluate the additive.  Also in this episode, Mira talks about Soft Robotics’ $10 million...

Rise of Seed-Based Foods + Lay’s RePlay Repurposing Packaging

July 01, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MB

Will seed-based foods experience the same rise in popularity as plant-based foods? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses how seed-based foods have the potential to be an allergy-friendly, nutritious alternative to nut-containing foods. She introduces the team to two seed-based companies, Blake’s Seed Based and 88 Acres, and they discuss the potential of seeds as a core ingredient.  Also in this episode, Mira talks about Lay’s’ newest sustainable initiative called Lay’...

Tyson and JBS Net-Zero Emissions + Ready, Set, Food! Allergen Additive

June 24, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

Will Tyson and JBS, two of the world’s largest meat producers, ever reach their goals of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses Tyson’s and JBS’ plans to become net-zero by 2050 and 2040, respectively. The team wonders whether these goals are misleading marketing tactics since livestock unavoidably emits GHG and whether consumers will be more inclined to buy their products.  Also in this episode, Mira introduces the team to Ready...

Nestlé and Mondelez Rethinking Portfolios + Chobani’s Zero Sugar Yogurt

June 17, 2021 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.8 MB

Why are two of the world’s largest food companies, Nestlé and Mondelez, rethinking their portfolios? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses why the two food giants are planning to ditch some of their most popular brands and products. The team reacts to Nestlé’s vastly unhealthy food and beverage portfolio and considers whether selling off its junk food brands would be a smart move.  Also in this episode, Mira introduces the team to Chobani’s new Zero Sugar Yogurt. The ...

JBS Cyberattack + RXBAR’s First Plant-Based Bar

June 10, 2021 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MB

JBS, the world’s largest meat company, experienced a sophisticated cyberattack, compromising normal operations in the US, Canada and Australia. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney discusses the JBS ransomware attack and how no company, large or small, is fully protected from this type of attack. The team gives their thoughts on the attack and emphasizes the need for more cybersecutiry in the food industry. Also in this episode, Mira introduces the team to RXBAR’s first plant-...

Limitless Sparkling Water + Tillamook’s Campaign for Creamier Ice Cream

June 03, 2021 15:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MB

Will a lightly caffeinated, better-for-you beverage have the potential to be the next soda replacement? In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney introduces the team to Limitless Sparkling Water, a beverage brand with two lines of flavored sparkling waters; one for energy and another for relaxation. The team discusses the crowded sparkling beverage market and whether Limitless could replace soda and/or coffee.  Also in this episode, Mira asks the team a fundamental question: is a f...

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