Kate Summers, Innovation Associate at The Idea Suite, highlights some innovative products that were due to be showcased at this year’s Natural Products Expo West.
If you’re passionate about innovation, as we are at The Idea Suite, then you’ve most likely experienced waiting with bated breath for a certain event in your calendar each year: The Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. An annual gathering of thousands of up-and-coming and established vendors in the natural product space, along with tens of thousands of industry attendees, Expo West has long been an invaluable space in which to uncover emerging trends in food, beverage, health and beauty. With attendance also offering a fantastic opportunity to connect with clients and peers in a truly inspirational setting, the show has become a much-anticipated and beloved tradition since we first opened our doors as an agency.
Unfortunately, this year’s Natural Products Expo West event was initially postponed and then recently cancelled, due to the developing circumstances around the COVID-19 virus. By way of response, we made an open call to vendors affected by the cancellation of NPEX through our LinkedIn page, to give them a chance to showcase their new products in this blog.
Thank you to those who responded and, for our readers, here are some of the breakthrough products that didn’t get a chance to shine at NPEX 2020 this year:
Acid League – Living Vinegars
Acid League’s ‘living vinegars’ are raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered and oxygenated to offer optimal nourishment. With bold flavors craft brewed from fresh pressed fruits and vegetables, like Strawberry Rosé, Mango Jalapeno and Meyer Lemon Honey, these vinegars are perfect for dressings, cooking, cocktails, and creativity.
RISE Brewing Co. – London Fog Nitro Early Grey Tea Oat Milk Latte
New York-based nitro coffee maker Rise Brewing Co. was slated to release their move into the tea space with their first ready-to-drink tea: the London Fog Nitro Earl Grey Tea Oat Milk Latte. Riding the trend of dairy-free milk alternatives, this RTD offers a caffeinated alternative to canned coffee for consumers.
Swiss Rösti – Crispy Filled Potato Deliciousness
Shredded Idaho potatoes, par-fried and crisp on the outside, with delicious cheesy filling on the inside. What could be better? This clean-label, non-G.M.O., and gluten-free potato product is of Swiss origin – and features delicious flavors like Melty Swiss Raclette, Stuffed Baked Potato and Zesty Chili Cheese.
Algi – Impact Bar
Algi creates revolutionary food products using the world's oldest and smallest superfood –spirulina algae. Their flagship product, the Impact Bar, is a plant-based nutrient bar with 5 ingredients, 12g of protein, and 4.5mg of iron.
We've also been taking a deep dive into the NPEX database and wanted to highlight some of the products that stood out to us as being particularly interesting and noteworthy:
Nutiva – Organic MCT Protein
This unique plant protein blend is a true triple threat. It contains 20g of protein per serving from pea, sunflower, pumpkin seed and hemp seed proteins, 4g of branched-chain amino acids (known to support muscle growth and reduce recovery time), and 6g of MCTs from coconuts for a brain boost. The result is a powerhouse supplement for fitness enthusiasts, keto lovers, or anyone looking for an extra boost!
World Centric – Compostable Fiber Lids
Your morning coffee cup could soon be biodegradable with the launch of World Centric’s compostable fiber lids. They are made from unbleached plant fiber, and compost in a mere three to six months! The hot cup lids offer an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. What’s more, 25% of the company’s profits are donated to grassroots social and environmental organizations and to offset the company’s carbon emissions.
Foodies - Pumfu
This minimally processed, allergy-friendly soy alternative has a similar texture to traditional tofu and picks up flavors just the same – but is made out of two simple ingredients: pumpkin seeds and water! We love this innovative vegan option to slice, dice or fry up as part of a delicious and healthy plant-based feast.
JUST Egg – Folded
JUST Egg taps into the ancient wisdom of the protein-packed mung bean to create a shockingly convincing (and non-GMO) egg alternative that requires little prep to pump up the protein in a breakfast sandwich or chop into a stir-fry. Even better, the ingredients consume 98% less water and emit 93% less CO2 than animal proteins.
Patch – Bamboo Bandages
These stripped-down bandages are set to disrupt a long-dominated industry! 100% organic, stone-milled bamboo fiber is enhanced with coconut oil, aloe vera and charcoal, making them ideal for soothing and repairing skin after minor abrasions. The hypoallergenic, biodegradable and compostable bandages are also free of plastics, latex and silicon.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about this post, so please do get in touch!
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