Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Prepared Foods Podcast

A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit claiming Chobani’s "Zero Sugar" yogurt is misleadingly labeled for containing 4g of allulose per serving. In this episode of the editorial series "Reasoned Opinion," the Prepared Foods network’s Executive Editor–Technical David Feder, RDN, exposes how using vernacular language in labeling can clash with technical accuracy and open the door to undesirable litigation.

Join Tracy Gensler, RD, a science writer engaged in public policy matters, as she discusses Pollack Communications and Today’s Dietician recently released results from a “What’s Trending in Nutrition” study, which includes information related to how health professionals are talking to patients about dietary needs surrounding GLP-1 medication.

David Feder, Group Technical Editor for BNP Media and Executive Editor Technical for Prepared Foods, interviews Professor Hinnerk Von Bargen of the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio on natural curing and vegetable fermentation. Professor Von Bargen will share the techniques and ingredients used to both enhance flavor and preserve the product as well as mask certain unbalancing flavor notes. Sponsored by Vibrant Ingredients

Sustainability is a journey, and each company's experiences in this vital area can offer insight. In this episode, Erika Anderson-Putman, Community Marketing Associate and Brand Experience Strategist at Agri-Mark and Cabot, talks about the company's B Corp status and other company initiatives and how they have impacted its sustainability strategy.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, developers face the challenge of balancing nutrition, functionality, and sensory appeal. This discussion highlights the formulation challenges and how ingredient systems can create protein-rich, nutrient-dense products that excel in taste, texture, and real-world performance. Natalie Leuwer, a Category Manager for Food at GELITA since 2008, has extensive experience in marketing, innovation, and market intelligence, and holds a Master’s degree in Marketing. Sponsored by GELITA

Prepared Foods’ Executive Editor–Technical, David Feder, reached out to regular contributor and internationally accomplished chef Hinnerk Von Bargen of the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio. He shares his unique perspectives on the UPF controversy. ▶ Watch the video

Join Danone's SVP of Plant-Based Beverages, Kallie Goodwin, and BNP Media's Director of Content Strategy Doug Peckenpaugh, leader of the Prepared Foods team, as they discuss current trends and market strategies related to plant-based beverages, including Danone's pioneering Silk brand.

As demand for clean-label and naturally colored foods continues to rise, bakery remains one of the most technically challenging categories for going natural when it comes to color. Baked goods subject pigments to prolonged high heat, complex ingredient interactions, and post-bake handling stresses. Dr. Abbey Thiel, YouTube’s “Abbey the Food Scientist” host, discusses these challenges and what bakers can expect when replacing artificial colorants with natural colors in baked goods. Sponsored by

As new federal rules push food and beverage makers away from artificial dyes, dairy developers are facing one of the toughest reformulation challenges yet. In Part 1 of our three‑part series, food scientist Dr. Abbey Thiel reveals why milk’s shifting pH, heat treatments, and constant exposure to light make natural coloring uniquely complex—and how carotenoid-based pigments are emerging as the secret to vibrant, stable dairy shades. Dive in to discover what it really takes to make natural colors work in dairy.

Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks with Imbibe Marketing Director Ana Rodriguez about new tastes and trends in ready-to-drink coffee and tea beverages.

Bob Garrison, chief editor of Prepared Foods, Kelley Rodriguez, editor-in-chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, and Alyse Thompson-Richards, editor-in-chief of FOOD ENGINEERING, combine their unique perspectives and discuss the biggest trends impacting the food industry in 2025 and beyond.

Can upcycled egg components contribute calcium, minerals and collagen to other products? Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison explores sustainable solution angles with Nate Hedtke, vice president, Innovation & Customer Engagement for the American Egg Board, and Dan Kurzrock, founder & CEO of Upcycled Foods Inc.

Alisia Heath, VP of R&D for The Not Company, Inc. chats about NotCo’s Giuseppe-AI, which the company describes as the ultimate R&D engine.

Hinnerk presents his insights into the current ingredients and trends—including the global/ethnic flavors and fusions—represented in the vast offerings of today’s hand-held foods and snacks

Sugar reduction is becoming crucial for consumers focused on weight management, while the plant-based food market, especially dairy alternatives, is expected to reach USD 43.6 billion by 2028. However, combining sugar reduction with plant-based dairy poses unique challenges. Prepared Foods reached out to food scientist, author, and industry expert Rachel Zemse, owner of the Food Science and Development Consultancy, a la carte connections. She shared her insight into the best sweeteners to turn to when developing plant-based milk, yogurt, and ice cream. 

PF Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks beverage flavoring trends and technologies with Emily Cruz, Manager-R&D, at Talking Rain Beverage Co. This Preston, Wash., business offers a wide variety of beverages under the brands Talking Rain, Sparkling Ice and now, new Popwell.SPONSORED BY SENSIENT

Protein is one of six ongoing Power Trend topics at Prepared Foods. Chief Editor Bob Garrison explores protein beverage formulation trends with Jason Dompeling, senior manager, product development, at Imbibe. The conversation addresses trends in new protein beverages including high protein, plant-based, clear, and carbonated options. It also examines technology issues related to protein drink mouthfeel and stability.

Thrilling Foods sets the highest bar for plant-based bacon analogs

Food and beverage makers are switching from artificial to natural colors in double time

In this episode, we dive into the booming world of cheese innovation. Join Prepared Foods’ Executive Editor David Feder as he chats with the expert team at Foremost Farms USA about how traditional cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss are being reimagined for today’s food products. From pizza to salads, learn how these dairy staples are crafted for flavor, melt, stretch, and performance in modern culinary applications.

When it comes to snacking, crunch is king. And it could easily be said that the king of the crunchy snacks is the pretzel.

Prepared Foods talks tariffs, food color bans, GLP-1 and more with Rob Dongoski, Kearney’s global lead for Agriculture and Food.

Dr. McCurdy discusses many other natural botanical boosters of GLP-1 and the science behind how they do their metabolic magic. 

Interview with Barbara Alexander, Culinary Educator and Consulting Partner with the Culinary Institute of America, and spokeschef for the California Milk Advisory Board. 

In this exclusive webinar, Chef Kang, Joey Jurgielewicz, and Chef Peter share some of the tricks of their trade for prepping and cooking pork, duck, and beef.

Kerry Hughes discusses the trending foods, beverages, and ingredients—especially those using botanicals and other natural functional ingredients—that she spied at the 2025 Natural Products Expo West.

While there are foods and beverages marketed as contributing to health in order to prevent certain diseases or dysfunctions, to support immunity, or to be generally “better for you,” products presented as medicinal foods are those foods and beverages crafted to address specific disease states. Consumer studies have found that some three-quarters of Americans are interested in bioactive ingredients, with approximately half of those persons willing to pay more for products containing such ingredients.David Feder, Executive Editor–Technical for the Prepared Foods network sat down with Keith Ayoob, EdD, RDN Associate Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, and author/curator of the EdibleRx newsletter to provide an overview of the trend in so-called medicinal foods. 

Natural products industry sales were expected to hit nearly $320B in 2024 with growth across virtually very department. In advance of Natural Products Expo West, Prepared Foods covers everything from innovation to ingredients with Scott Dicker, market insights director at SPINS LLC, Chicago.

How does the nation’s largest refrigerated foods processor mine the relationship between culinary inspiration and R&D innovation? Prepared Foods talks trends and tastes with Reser’s Fine Foods executives Chef Sean Dwigans, Culinary Business Development Manager; and Chef Todd Ketterman, Culinary Manager.

The replacement for Natural Products Expo East, Newtopia Now, launched in the center of the country, kicked off last August in Denver, Colorado. Prepared Foods’ contributing editor Kerry Hughes, MS, ethnobotanist and principal for EthnoPharm covered the inaugural show, sharing highlights of the botanical ingredients as well as other ingredients and CPG products showcased there in the Mile-High City.

Trends in ethnic flavors and flavor fusion in new product development continue to grow and expand as we move deeper into the 2020s. We seem to be entering a period of culinary development when the flavors and culinary traditions from more countries and regions than ever before are making their way into America's culinary patois. This presents opportunities as well as challenges for the research chefs and R&D experts creating the next generation of foods and beverages with a pan-global appeal.

Interview with Adam Maxwell, CEO and Founder of Voyage Foods, Inc., and Kelsey Tenney, founding team member and VP of R &D of Voyage on their creation of a cocoa-free, allergen-free chocolate analog that perfectly recreates the flavor and organoleptic qualities of real chocolate.

Naturally Colorado supports connection, community to help processors drive natural, organic product innovation.

Prepared Foods talks with Atomo Coffee Founder & CEO Andy Kleitsch about Atomo’s upcycled beanless coffee.

In this episode of Reasoned Opinion, Executive Editor–Technical David Feder’s editorial series on trends in the food beverage, nutrition, and ingredient industries, he subjectively discusses half a dozen trending whiskey spirits and what they bring to holiday tables. And, of course, he reminds those involved with the consumption of alcohol beverages to encourage responsible drinking. 

Interview with Dr. Miguel Freitas, Vice President of Health and Scientific Affairs for Danone North America, and Dr. Dana McCurdy, Dairy Fermentation Scientist

Prepared Foods talks sustainability with packaging designer Tom Newmaster, owner and partner at FORCEpkg, Lancaster, Pa.

Prepared Foods talks off-premise foodservice trends and consumer eating patterns—with Faye Schoenherr, McCain Foods’ North American Senior Brand Manager for SureCrisp French fries. 

To define some core trends in Asian and Asian -inspired sauces and ingredients, Prepared Foods turned to regular contributor and research chef Robert Danhi. Danhi, the award-winning author of “Southeast Asian Flavors” (Mortar & Press, 2008) and host of the TV show Taste of Vietnam, is one of the leading experts on Asian cuisine, and as a “curator of cultures,” he leverages his deep knowledge and passion as a consultant to food service operators, CPG companies, commodity boards, and educational organizations.

Prepared Foods discusses clean label shelf life preservation strategies and ingredient options with Zal Taleyarkhan, Director of Innovation and Corporate Research Chef at Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations, Chicago. Brought to you by Kalsec

Prepared Foods recently welcomed Pam Smith, Culinary Innovator and Leader of Food Service Outreach for the Mushroom Council to walk us through some quick mushroom trends and discuss the rapidly growing use of mushrooms in foods and beverage formulations for flavor, nutrition, and health.

What do top-selling new foods and beverages have in common? Prepared Foods breaks it down with Joan Driggs, Circana’s vice president for content and thought leadership. Driggs identifies trends fueling success for Circana’s top New Product Pacesetters at both the retail and convenience store channels.

Mayana Chocolate Owner and Chief Chocolatier Daniel Herskovic joins Prepared Foods Executive Editor-Technical David Feder for a chocolate chat that looks at the global favorite flavor in its traditional role as the king of candy and confections as well as its uses in savory and other uncommon formulations.

The Institute of Food Technologists’ IFT FIRST 2024 conference and expo was one of the organization’s best shows ever. Immunity and Dairy Fermentation scientist Dr. Dana McCurdy shares with the Prepared Foods’ audience highlights of the show.

Prepared Foods talks food and beverage tree nut ingredient applications with Robin Puskas, chief innovation officer at JPG Resources.

Prepared Foods interviews Rachel Yarcony, founder and CEO of myAir, Ltd. Yarcony pioneered the myAir system, an AI-driven personalized platform that combines advanced technology with functional ingredients to offer tailor-made nutrition that “enhances stress resilience.”

Prepared Foods explores sustainability and ingredient “upcycling” with Amanda Oenbring, new CEO of the Upcycled Food Association.

Last year saw DayDayCook acquire two leading consumer brands in the US Asian foods market: Nona Lim and Yai’s Thai. Listen in as Prepared Foods talks Asian food trends and tastes with DDC Founder & CEO Norma Chu.

There’s no putting out the fire on the hot and spicy food trend. Prepared Foods' Executive Editor–Technical David Feder interviews Frito Lay Co.’s Sr. Executive research chef Jody Denton for some inside expert insight into the latest in hot sauces and hot and spicy food products. In this interview, he shares with the Prepared Foods' audience the ins and outs of designing the next generation of hot sauce and some hints at the future of hot and spicy snacks. Brought to you by Kalsec