Icon Foods

‼️ OSIFT Supplier's Night is 1 week away! ‼️ Expo opens 4pm at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Portland. Don't miss the tech talk line up- starting at 1 pm- with a focus on co-manufacturing and regulatory updates. Full lineup included below. Over 125 suppliers have registered so far! By attending you'll be able to interface with a range of service and ingredient providers in our region. Save time at the door and register here: https://lnkd.in/g876CnXe

🚀 Coca-Cola Joins the Prebiotic Soda Trend with Simply Mixology Expansion The beverage industry continues to evolve as The Coca-Cola Company enters the booming prebiotic soda market with its latest launch: Simply Mixology Pop. This move signals the growing demand for functional beverages—drinks that not only refresh but also offer added health benefits. With the rise of brands like OLIPOP PBC and poppi, prebiotic sodas have gained traction among consumers seeking gut health support without compromising on taste. Coca-Cola’s decision to leverage its well-established Simply brand to introduce a functional soda shows how major players are adapting to shifting consumer preferences. But will a legacy brand like Coca-Cola successfully carve out a space in this category dominated by innovative startups? Or will consumers remain loyal to emerging brands that pioneered the prebiotic movement? 💡 What do you think—can Coca-Cola disrupt the prebiotic soda space, or is this a case of too little, too late? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #CocaCola #PrebioticSoda #FunctionalBeverages #SimplyMixology #ConsumerTrends

https://lnkd.in/gYA42ugF Thom King, chief innovation officer and food scientist at Icon Foods, commented that while stevia and monk fruit have distinct flavors, they tend to mask each other’s off-notes. Their masking abilities also extend to other ingredients in the formula, so he suggested that flavor levels might need to be increased. Icon Foods offers a line of sweet modulators that can be used to boost sweet flavors, in addition to a variety of maskers which can mask off-flavors that may result from the use of alternative sweeteners or the reduction of sugar. Allulose is a viable choice in most baked goods. Since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar, it contributes bulk and sweetness. Browning is another benefit. But King cautioned that allulose is currently not approved for use in products sold to Whole Foods Market Foods or Canada. “In that case, I would use a combination of soluble tapioca fiber with a short-chain inulin and a high-intensity sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.” Fibers like chicory or agave inulin metabolize at different rates, allowing higher usage. “You can go as high as 6% with a stacked fiber like that without people getting gas and having a GI [gastrointestinal] issue," King added. “Allulose metabolizes into a GLP-1 agonist, which is a glucagon-like peptide, so it suppresses blood sugar slightly.” He mentioned that the drug #Ozempic, used for diabetes and weight control, is also a #GLP1 agonist.

Discover the transformative power of genuine connections in advancing your career! 🌟 Join us in the latest episode of The Career Changers podcast as we sit down with Kash Rocheleau CEO of Icon Foods. BUILDING VALUABLE RELATIONSHIPS Kash emphasizes the importance of building relationships, not for personal gain, but for mutual growth. "The best time to develop meaningful professional connections isn't when you're looking for a job or need a favor," she shares. Dive deep into her insights on cultivating strategic and authentic relationships that foster career success. NAVIGATING UPWARD MOBILITY Explore Kash's journey from personal trainer to CEO, and how candid conversations and seizing unexpected opportunities played a pivotal role in her path to success. Her story is a testament to breaking through self-imposed barriers and embracing the growth that comes with discomfort. FOCUSED ON A PURPOSE-DRIVEN CAREER Kash's mission is clear: create a healthier world through clean label sugar reduction. Hear how her passion for health and wellness drives Icon Foods' innovations, addressing global health challenges. EMBRACE CHALLENGES, EMBRACE GROWTH Kash advises to "trust the discomfort because that's where growth happens." Her insights inspire us to face challenges head-on, break through limiting beliefs, and achieve upward mobility with resilience and passion. 🔗 Uncover Kash's inspiring career story on The Career Changers podcast. Link in comments.