Brands
Lemonilo Showcases Healthier Snacks At SIAL Shanghai
Lemonilo took part in SIAL Shanghai 2026 in May, showcasing its growing food and snack portfolio to international buyers. “Healthier” items on display included Chimi Sweet Potato Chips in Butter Caramel and Cheese Burger flavors, Roasted Corn and Spicy Corn variants, and Lemonilo Brownies Crispy. Vice president of marketing and innovation Andita Rasyid said the event is a milestone for Lemonilo’s global expansion and partner connections, particularly in Asia.
Companies
Major Brands Race To Lead BFY Meat Snacks
Meat sticks, jerky and sausages are moving beyond convenience stores into mainstream snacking, driven by consumer demand for protein. According to data analytics firm Towards FnB, the global meat snack market reached $11.82 billion last year and will exceed $21.5 billion in a decade. PepsiCo launched its Good Warrior beef sticks, and Jack Link’s debuted a three-ingredient line using grass-fed and finished beef, vinegar and salt. Chicken snack stick company Mighty Spark expanded into Kroger, Publix and Costco. Chomps launched chicken sticks in three varieties delivering 12g of protein and 80 calories per serving.
Love Grown Becomes First Cereal Brand To Earn Purity Award
Love Grown is the first and only cereal brand in the US to earn the Clean Label Project Purity Award across its full product lineup, following independent third-party testing for contaminants including lead, arsenic and pesticide residues. Beyond the standard Clean Label Project Certification, this designation identifies products among the cleanest in their category for environmental toxins. Love Grown says its cereals are made with a three-bean blend and are said to deliver more protein and fiber while containing 50% less sugar and sodium than conventional cereals. All products are free from artificial ingredients and seed oils, and are certified gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO. They are available on Amazon and at lovegrown.com.
Craize Chip-Cracker Hybrid Expands Into Vending And Micro-Market Channels
Kayco Beyond is exhibiting its Craize chip-cracker hybrid at the 2026 NAMA Show. It’s the brand’s first move into vending, micro-markets, kiosks and pantry services beyond its established grocery business. Using a proprietary fire-griddling process that locks in flavor without added oils, Craize is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, seed-oil-free and kosher. Its five flavors are Everything, Sweet Corn, Guava, Coconut and Jalapeno Lime, made with real fruits, vegetables and spices blended directly into the dough. Everything won the sofi Gold Award for Best Cracker of 2026 at Winter Fancy Faire. 1oz bags are sized for vending machines and 4oz bags target micro-markets and pantry use.
Research & Insights
Which? Investigation Ranks UK’s Least Healthy Savory Snacks
A Which? investigation analyzed over 60 popular savory snacks in the UK and found over half failed the government’s Nutrient Profiling Model. Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Original scored just 20 out of 100, carrying 14.4g of saturated fat and 2.4g of salt per 100g. Several products marketed with a “health halo”, including Proper Chips Barbecue Lentil Chips at 36 points, also failed, often relying on salt for palatability. Pom-Bear Original scored 54 and Kettle Chips lightly salted ranked among the better performers.
Snack Makers Turn To Sensory Design As Healthy Definitions Shift
As consumer expectations around health shift away from reducing sugar, salt and fat, toward adding positive ingredients like protein and fiber, snack manufacturers face pressure to reformulate products without sacrificing enjoyment. According to Lydia Bouchoul, flavorist and seasonings technical leader at Sensient Europe, sensory design, which might include texture, visual appeal and even sound, is becoming a key product differentiator. Crunchiness can compensate for salt and sugar reduction; alternative grain bases like quinoa and millet are gaining traction despite introducing flavor challenges such as bitterness and earthiness. Flavor technologies such as salt boosters or umami help maintain palatability as formulations evolve.
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