With the theme of “Where science and strategy intersect,” SupplySide West 2017 brought together more than 15,000 ingredient suppliers and buyers Sept. 25-29 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Dairy and dairy alternatives have experienced the impact of clean-label and health-and-wellness trends. With this, experts note that the overall dairy market has experienced slight declines, but several segments within it are driving growth.

As consumers continue to opt for food and beverages to help improve their health and wellness, the richness and indulgence of chocolate likely will remain a dominant ingredient in the beverage market.

For the Non-GMO Project, October is a special month because it is Non-GMO Month. As part of the annual celebration, more than 12,000 grocery stores across the United States and Canada are taking part in the month-long event to educate the public and spotlight Non-GMO Project Verified choices on their shelves.

In August, Seattle-based Amazon finalized its $13.7 billion acquisition of natural and organic retailer Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas. The acquisition has translated into big changes not only in the pricing of many natural and organic products sold within Whole Foods stores, but likely will impact the ways that consumers purchase consumer packed goods (CPG).

In the beverage market, as well as other consumable industries, the influence of clean label continues to expand its reach. In fact, in its Top Ten Trends list for 2017, the Netherlands-based Innova Market Insights highlighted how clean label has been a running theme for the market research firm dating back to 2008.

As more consumers take a back-to-nature approach to their health and nutrition, recognizable, plant-based botanical ingredients like green tea, guarana, turmeric, acai, vanilla and ginger are adding functionality, healthy hydration, natural caffeine and clean-label appeal to a variety of beverages.

The technical age in which we now live has offered consumers access to an endless supply of information at their fingertips. Many utilize this easy-to-access information to educate themselves on the products they are consuming. GMOs are among the product attributes that consumers are considering as they’ve gained greater understanding of what they are eating and drinking. With this, many are turning to the Bellingham, Wash.-based Non-GMO Project and its orange butterfly logo to help guide their choices.

With consumers desiring more premium options, White Plains, N.Y.-based HEINEKEN USA took its expertise as a global brewer of major brands, including Heineken and Dos Equis, to embark on a journey to give consumers the premium beer tastes from the diverse sources that they desire.