Under the leadership of Elon Musk, Tesla has made a surprising entry into the confectionery market. The company has filed for four new trademarks for various candy products named ‘Supercharged Gummies’, ‘Cyberberry’, ‘Mango Bolt’, and ‘Dog Mode Chill’. These new offerings aim to extend Tesla’s innovative approach to the candy sector, showcasing the brand’s creativity in diverse fields.

A new study has demonstrated that consuming 40 grams of whey-based protein powder after exercise can significantly enhance leg muscle strength in sedentary individuals. The eight-week study showed that endurance and resistance training supplemented with protein led to a notable increase in strength compared to a placebo. The research emphasized that protein intake during low-volume training sessions supports muscle repair and growth, highlighting the need to include biochemical markers in future exercise research.

The British plant-based meat brand Squeaky Bean is expanding its vegan product line with ready-to-eat crispy bacon strips. This no-cook product claims to possess “the same characteristic stripes and crispy texture” as real bacon, offering a sweet and salty flavor. It provides an appealing alternative for vegans and vegetarians.

Fish skin, a by-product, is an excellent source of collagen. Composite films made from fish skin collagen, chitosan, and cinnamon essential oil are known for their exceptional mechanical properties, barrier ability, and antimicrobial activity. In a study conducted at Liaoning University, collagen was extracted from the skin of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), and a composite film of fish skin collagen, chitosan, and cinnamon essential oil was prepared through casting. These films were found to be promising for applications in food packaging and storage. Additionally, the composite films showed potential antioxidant capacity, making them promising green bioactive films for protecting nutraceutical products.

Aldi has started offering crownless pineapples in its stores as an innovation aimed at reducing food waste. The supermarket chain decided to remove the green leafy crowns during the production process, noting that shoppers generally discard this part. These crowns will be recycled to grow crops for the following year or used as animal feed. Initially launched in select stores in Midland, Yorkshire, and the North East, this change is expected to reduce annual food waste by 1,400 tons if implemented nationwide. Additionally, fitting more products into pineapple boxes is anticipated to save 187 tons of cardboard annually.

San Francisco-based ZBiotics has produced genetically modified probiotics, launching its first product as a probiotic shot capable of reducing the effects of hangovers after consuming alcoholic beverages. The company has developed a genetically engineered probiotic that produces the same type of enzyme found in the liver, which quickly breaks down acetaldehyde in the gut, alleviating the effects of drinking.

UC Santa Barbara researcher Nivedita Biyani has developed a new tool using machine learning to reduce plastic pollution. This tool predicts how different policy interventions could impact plastic waste by 2050. Biyani aims to provide better data to policymakers to help reduce plastic waste, particularly in the food system.

With the ban on single-use plastics in the European Union, the use of bio-based and biodegradable food contact materials (FCMs) has increased. According to the article “Gluten migration from biodegradable food contact materials poses a risk to celiac disease patients,” published on 15.05.2024, some of these materials contain gluten as they are made from wheat or rye, posing a risk to celiac disease patients.

Consumer demands for health and naturalness are driving a significant shift in the food industry. The clean label movement focuses on transparent ingredient lists and natural components, replacing traditional antimicrobials with natural alternatives, especially in sensitive products like dairy. However, practical challenges such as regulatory gaps and the cost of product safety testing persist. This article delves into the topic in detail.

Primo Water and BlueTriton have merged to capitalize on the demand for healthier beverages preferred by consumers moving away from sugary drinks. The newly formed company aims to become a leader in the North American market by leveraging its extensive portfolio of water brands, including Pure Life and Poland Springs.