With the rising commodity prices around the world like locust bean gum, what is the next NPD challenge for industry?

The article highlights the concerns of food and beverage companies, including Nestle and Unilever, over the impact of rising commodity prices, which have reached a decade-high according to the Food and Agriculture Organization's food price index. These companies are experiencing increased costs due to the high inflation in commodities such as wheat, corn, soybean, and soybean oil. The price of locust bean gum (LBG), a key functional ingredient in the food industry, has seen a significant increase and is expected to hit or surpass €30 per kg, presenting a major challenge for manufacturers. While alternatives like guar gum and cassia are available, they may conflict with clean label demands and bring about quality changes. The article also suggests that the LBG crisis could lead to the development of new types of products. IFF is proactively addressing this issue by offering solutions to reduce or replace LBG, supporting manufacturers with formulation and customer production trials, and ensuring documentation for ingredients.