Industry News

LT Foods–Kameda JV Launches ‘Krispy Hopu’ to Expand Gluten-Free Roasted Snack Category in India

Kameda LT Foods, a joint venture between India’s LT Foods and Japan’s Kameda Seika, has expanded its roasted, gluten-free snack brand Kari Kari with the launch of Krispy Hopu in a sweet and salty flavour. Inspired by Japan’s ‘Salada Hopu’ and crafted in Niigata’s rice tradition, this vegan, palm oil-free, and non-fried rice-based snack offers a unique ‘Happy Flavour’—a blend of sweet, salty, and umami. Krispy Hopu reflects LT Foods’ strategy to meet growing consumer demand for healthier, innovative, and convenient snacks. The JV aims to reshape India’s snack landscape using Japanese technology to deliver superior textures and better-for-you alternatives to conventional fried products.

Nestlé to Launch First-of-its-Kind Deep Tech Centre, Boosting Biotech and Precision Nutrition Innovation

Nestlé is set to revolutionise food and nutrition R&D with the creation of the industry’s first deep tech centre and enhanced capabilities in biotechnology. Backed by a leaner and more agile R&D structure, the initiative will fast-track innovation in precision nutrition, healthy ageing, maternal and medical nutrition, and pet therapeutics. The deep tech centre—opening in 2026 in Orbe, Switzerland—will pioneer advancements in AI, robotics, sensors, and smart systems, enabling the development of intelligent devices and dynamic quality control tools. Alongside, Nestlé will scale its biotech expertise in areas like precision fermentation, bio-actives, and clinical nutrition, reinforcing its leadership in science-based, consumer-focused product development.

Zepto Launches First-of-its-Kind Consumer Analytics Subscription ‘Zepto Atom’ to Disrupt India’s ₹1,000+ Cr Insights Market

Zepto has unveiled Zepto Atom, a cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind data insights subscription service for consumer brands in India, aiming to challenge the dominance of global players in the ₹1,000+ crore consumer analytics space. Built on Zepto’s proprietary tech and data stack, Zepto Atom promises real-time, hyperlocal, and actionable insights—well beyond what’s currently available on e-commerce platforms.
Unlike the free Zepto Brand Portal, Atom offers premium intelligence including:

  • PIN Code-Level Market Share Mapping: Live neighbourhood performance data allows brands to identify underperforming areas and tailor marketing, pricing, and distribution strategies accordingly.
  • Minute-by-Minute Metrics: Live updates on sales, impressions, and conversions help optimise campaigns and product placements in real time.
  • Zepto GPT: A bespoke NLP assistant trained on Zepto’s data lake, enabling brands to ask complex strategic questions and receive instant insights, reports, and recommendations.
  • Advanced Consumer Behaviour Data: From customer retention and repeatability to search visibility and full-funnel journey tracking, Zepto Atom delivers unparalleled visibility into customer actions.

Meala & DSM-Firmenich Launch First-of-Its-Kind Clean-Label Texturising Protein for Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

Haifa, Israel – Meala FoodTech Ltd. has partnered with global nutrition and health science leader dsm-firmenich to launch Vertis PB Pea, a breakthrough, first-of-its-kind clean-label texturising pea protein now available across Europe. Designed to replace complex binding systems and synthetic additives in plant-based meats, this multifunctional protein is set to revolutionise formulations by delivering superior binding, gelation, emulsification—and a clean, recognisable ingredient list.
Protected by two patents and developed using biotechnology, Vertis PB Pea consolidates multiple functionalities into a single high-protein ingredient, offering manufacturers an effective alternative to hydrocolloids and other modified binders commonly used in meat alternatives like burgers, nuggets, and sausages.

Cargill Secures #1 Global Ranking for Pioneering Trans Fat

Elimination Across Edible Oils Portfolio
Minnesota, USA – In a first-of-its-kind global ranking, Cargill has earned the top spot on the Edible Oil Supplier Index 2025, released by global non-profit Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi). The accolade recognises Cargill’s leadership in eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFAs) from its entire edible oils portfolio—including in countries with no regulatory requirements.
Cargill’s achievement positions it as the only known global edible oil supplier fully compliant with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard limiting iTFAs to no more than 2 grams per 100 grams of fats and oils—a key benchmark for public health.The company scored 81.4% overall on ATNi’s rigorous evaluation of the eight largest global edible oil suppliers, with the second-highest company trailing far behind at 14.2%. Cargill led across all four assessment categories, including product formulation, marketing practices, governance, and engagement.