Milk stream pouring into a bowl with сornflakes

Episode 82

Rethinking Complete Nutrition in Frozen Foods, Plastic-Free Packaging

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Episode Description

Bob Little, CEO of Kanzen Meal, a subsidiary of Nissin Foods, gives the scoop on how the company is rethinking wellbeing in the frozen aisle with its line of single-serve meals designed to deliver all 27 essential nutrients the body needs each day. Packaging experts Claire Sand and Ogechukwu Tasie explore how bio-based materials, agricultural waste, and emerging coating technologies could reduce food packaging’s reliance on synthetic plastics while preserving food safety, shelf life, and performance.

Plus: This episode of Omnivore is brought to you by IFT FIRST - Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology. Join the leading food science and innovation expo, IFT FIRST, at McCormick Place in Chicago, July 12-15, 2026, for the industry's premier event connecting innovation, science, and business. Learn more at ift.org.

Featured Guests

  • Robert (Bob) Little is the CEO of Kanzen Meal

    Robert (Bob) Little CEO of Kanzen Meal

    Robert (Bob) Little is the CEO of Kanzen Meal, a subsidiary of Nissin Foods, where he leads the development of a new generation of nutrient-dense, single-serve frozen meals designed for modern health-conscious consumers. He has held leadership roles across the food and consumer goods industry, including positions at Dr. Praeger’s, Beech-Nut Nutrition Company, and Colgate-Palmolive.

  • Ogechukwu Tasie, PhD, is an independent food science consultant

    Ogechukwu Tasie Food Science Consultant

    Ogechukwu Tasie, PhD, is an independent food science consultant and a food science researcher at Packaging Technology and Research. Her research focuses on the intersection of food safety, nonthermal processing, and functional food science. She is a devoted mentor to students and an active member of IFT, where she serves as chair of the African American Black Resource Group and as president of the Southeastern Section (ob.tasie50@gmail.com).

  • Claire Koelsch Sand, PhD, is the CEO, founder, and owner of Packaging Technology.

    Claire Koelsch Sand Owner and Founder

    Claire Koelsch Sand, PhD, contributing editor to Food Technology and an IFT Fellow, is a global packaging leader with more than 35 years of food science and packaging experience. Sand is the owner and founder of Packaging Technology and Research, LLC (claire@packagingtechnologyandresearch.com). 

Categories

  • Food Health Nutrition

  • Frozen Foods

  • Food Processing and Technologies

  • Podcasts

  • Omnivore

Omnivore

IFT’s Omnivore and Omnivore Presents: SciDish podcasts spark lively, thought-provoking conversations with the science, business, and regulatory leaders shaping the future of food. Each episode delivers sharp analysis, practical insights, and bold ideas designed to challenge assumptions, ignite innovation, and energize your work across the global food system.

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