A Look at What’s New in Flavors, Colors, Inclusions, and More

CONSUMERS

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Gen Alpha’s Impact

Gen Alpha kids (born between 2010 and 2025) favor adventurous tastes and spicy additions, socially responsible and health-forward options, and offerings that blend technology with their favorite brands, according to a recently published report from McCormick Flavor Solutions.

Not only do Gen Alpha kids have their own preferences, but they also have significant social and purchasing influence
and are already forming brand loyalties. In fact, 58% of parents say their child has a complete or partial influence on the decision of what flavor, color, or shape of grocery products to buy.

Industry Update

Results from a new study show that RelaxPLX, a natural lemon verbena extract, could help support relaxation and sleep quality in teenagers experiencing occasional stress and restlessness. Quality sleep is a foundational pillar of well-being for adolescents, playing a major role in helping young brains consolidate learning, maintain a balanced mood, and support physical development. Developed by nutraceutical innovators Monteloeder, a subsidiary of SUANNUTRA, RelaxPLX is backed by science for its role in helping to promote teen well-being.

A new, large-scale clinical study demonstrates that Affron, the flagship saffron extract from Pharmactive Biotech Products, could help lift the mood in people suffering from mild depressive symptoms. Building on 10 previous clinical studies showcasing Affron’s positive effect on mood, stress, and mental wellness, the latest research on more than 200 volunteers marks Pharmactive’s largest and most ambitious study to date.

New Products

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Parker Products drew attention at IFT FIRST with a lineup of indulgent and better-for-you ingredients designed to help brands elevate visual appeal, texture, and flavor across categories. Known for its inventive approach to toppings, inclusions, and fillings, the company partners with product developers across the food and beverage industry to co-create experiences that stand out on shelves—and on social media.

This year’s exhibit spotlighted two standout offerings: a new cookie butter filling and Parker’s recently launched compound coating line. The cookie butter product, made with speculoos, adds rich texture and nostalgic flavor to nutrition bars, ice cream, bakery items, and confections. Available in formats suited for both fillings and post-bake applications, it can be tailored to meet a variety of formulation needs—including gluten-free and reduced-sugar options.

Parker’s compound coatings offer customizable flavor, color, and texture in a variety of delivery formats, including liquid and chunk. Designed with flexibility in mind, these coatings are available in lower minimum order quantities, allowing smaller and mid-sized brands to explore new flavor profiles and functional benefits. Recent launches include an espresso-flavored chip that’s dairy-free and ideal for bar and brittle-style products. Many of the coatings can be formulated to deliver high protein or reduced sugar, aligning with current consumer trends.

GNT has extended its plant-based EXBERRY Organics portfolio with the launch of a new pink color that delivers bright shades in a wide range of food and beverage applications. EXBERRY Organics Brilliant Pink is a liquid concentrate made from purple sweet potatoes grown in compliance with organic standards in both the European Union and the United States. It is created using physical processing methods and supports simple label declarations, such as “organic vegetable juice for color” in the United States. The new color is well-suited to low-pH applications including beverages, gummies, chewy toffees, frozen desserts, yogurt, and fruit preparations.

AIDP recently introduced new ingredients and beverage concepts to capitalize on the growing gut-brain axis trend. The MycoPure brand of North American–grown functional mushrooms is suitable for all beverage types and functional food. Also, AIDP’s novel gut-brain beverage solution features a combination of Magtein (magnesium L-threonate) and PreticX (XOS prebiotic) to support cognitive and digestive health.

BioSymphony is an innovative portfolio of natural flavors crafted directly from nature’s finest ingredients, recently introduced by Sensient Flavors & Extracts. BioSymphony delivers authentic, high-impact flavor solutions to meet the evolving needs of food and beverage manufacturers. It can be used across a wide range of food and beverage applications, and it’s globally recognized as a natural flavor, which eliminates the need for special regional labeling and simplifying formulations for global brands.

Nutraceutical innovator DolCas Biotech has successfully infused beneficial marine collagen tripeptides into a chocolate bar. Each 8 g square contains 1 g of Morikol, an ultra-low molecular weight of fish collagen tripeptide with clinically validated effectiveness at this uniquely minimal dose.

New ModulaSENSE maskers precisely target bitterness, astringency, and licorice-like notes at a molecular level, delivering accuracy and performance in ready-to-mix drinks and protein bars made with Vertis CanolaPRO. dsm-firmenich developed the maskers to unlock the full potential of Vertis CanolaPRO, a complete, highly digestible, and sustainable rapeseed protein isolate. Like many plant proteins, the protein isolate may present sensory challenges in certain applications. These new maskers will enable manufacturers to formulate higher-protein and better-tasting ready-to-mix drinks and protein bars.

Roquette, a leader in plant-based ingredients, has introduced two new textured solutions to its NUTRALYS plant protein portfolio. The new ingredients include NUTRALYS T WHEAT 600L textured wheat protein and NUTRALYS T PEA 700XC textured pea protein. They are designed to help food manufacturers meet growing demand for nutritious, affordable, and sustainable proteins.

NutriLeads announced the launch of Enescene Probio 3+, a new synbiotic supplement developed by BP Nutriscience and designed to restore gut balance and enhance nutrient absorption. This new botanical mixed berry powder drink combines three clinically studied microbiome modulators: Benicaros, a precision prebiotic from NutriLeads; patented HOWARU probiotics; and heat-treated postbiotics.ft

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