Weekly Trade Information-202

Natural Preservative Raw Material LI-FE-2, a Clean-Label Food Additive

At this week’s IFT Food Expo, North American ingredient supplier Prosur launched LI-FE-2, a natural preservative classified as a clean-label food additive. Manufactured via spray drying with carob powder as the base, this ingredient requires no pH adjustment. It inhibits spoilage microorganisms and secondary fermentation in beverages and baked goods, contains no synthetic preservatives, and preserves the original flavor profile of finished products.

Suitable for bottled drinks, pastries and functional meal replacements, the material can also be blended with health supplement ingredients such as probiotics and vitamins, aligning with the prevailing market demand for natural ingredients.

According to the brand, its storage costs are lower than conventional preservative systems. Global sample requests are now available, and full-scale mass production and shipments will commence in the second half of the year, significantly lowering the R&D barriers for functional food manufacturers developing clean-label formulations.

(Source: Food Technology Magazine, official IFT website)
 

Steady Growth in Pea Protein Market as Demand for Plant-Based Foods Keeps Rising

China’s domestic pea protein market maintains stable operation. Fueled by the sustained expansion of plant-based meat, plant protein beverages and sports nutrition food sectors, downstream food processing enterprises have grown more active in procurement. Most manufacturers are running production lines at normal capacity with sufficient supply, and the market is expected to maintain a stable and positive trend in the short run.

(Source: Compiled from public information released by China Food Additives & Ingredients Association)
 

Core Industry Trends Center on Two Tracks: GLP-1-Compatible Formulations and Clean-Label Natural Additives

The IFT FIRST Food Expo kicked off in Chicago this week, highlighting two dominant industry development directions: GLP-1-matched formulations and clean-label natural additives. Leading ingredient suppliers including Univar and Prosur showcased a full lineup of compound functional raw materials. These products adopt plant fibers and fermented extracts to replace synthetic additives such as phosphates and artificial colorants, specially formulated for weight-management gummies and meal replacement supplements.

Multiple fermented beta-carotene natural colorants made their debut, addressing long-standing pain points of high costs and poor stability associated with natural colorants. Market research reveals that over 60% of consumers in Europe and the United States prioritize dietary supplements free of artificial additives, pushing brands to accelerate formula innovation.

In parallel, the EU announced it will launch public consultations on maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in the third quarter. The upcoming regulation is expected to impose strict restrictions on high-dose multi-ingredient supplement formulas. Overseas manufacturers have proactively adjusted their product roadmaps to comply with upcoming regulatory changes.

(Sources: Food Ingredients First, NutraIngredients)
 

Industry Accelerates Upgrades Toward Multi-Functional Blends, Clean Labels and Convenient Dosage Forms

In mid-July 2026, the health ingredient industry is speeding up its transformation centered on compound functionality, clean-label formulations and easy-to-use dosage forms.

Health supplements are moving beyond single-ingredient formulas and prioritizing multi-functional blends backed by clinical research. Convenient formats including gummies, liquids and powders are gaining massive popularity, targeting niche demands such as mood support, women’s wellness and metabolic health.

In the food additive segment, the shift to natural alternatives is accelerating. A wide range of natural preservatives and natural sweetness modifiers have been launched to replace conventional synthetic additives, catering to consumer demand for clean-label products. Meanwhile, technologies for sustained ingredient release and enhanced intestinal absorption have become core priorities for new product research and development.

(Sources: NutraIngredients, Nutritional Outlook)
 

Ocean Freight Rates for Functional Raw Materials Keep Climbing on Asia-Europe Routes

Ocean freight rates for functional raw materials on Asia-Europe trade lanes maintained an upward trend this week. Drewry’s data shows the rate for a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Rotterdam rose 5% week-on-week to USD 4,933.
Shipments of xanthan gum and fermented food thickeners have been delayed due to monsoon floods in India, intensifying competition for shipping space among Chinese exporters. Booking lead times for probiotics and plant extract supplement raw materials have been extended by 7 to 10 days. Multiple freight forwarders reported that food-grade liquid additives require reefer containers, leading to a widening shortage of dedicated temperature-controlled space, with reefer surcharges jumping by 12%.

Meanwhile, importers in Europe and the US are stocking up on clean-label natural ingredients in advance. Shipments of plant extracts and multivitamins increased by 20% week-on-week. Several carriers have tightened inspection criteria for food additives classified as hazardous goods. Cargo missing MSDS documents or dangerous goods packaging certificates will be detained at ports directly, driving up logistics turnover costs for manufacturers.

(Sources: The Loadstar, MarketNexusPro)