Health care and society at large are in the midst of “a technological revolution with human connection,” and while that holds promise, if we aren’t careful and intentional, personal and doctor-patient relationships will get lost amid the advancements, Abraham Verghese, a physician, professor and author, told attendees at Day 2 of AHIP 2024 on Wednesday.  Verghese, whose keynote address sometimes had hints of a college lecture, said the AI age in health care is “as profound as the discovery of antibiotics.” There is so much more data available about patients than ever before, but that info ..read more

It’s only been two months since Chad Marquardt took the reins as president of Hain Celestial’s North America operations, but the seasoned industry veteran – who began his career with Unilever – is already busy solidifying the company’s position as an expert and thought leader in better-for-you categories that span snacks, baby/kids food, beverages, meal prep and personal care. Here, he discusses the company’s Hain Reimagined strategy and how the company is collaborating with customers to elevate the growing better-for-you category. By working closely with partners across the retail landscape ..read more

It’s only been two months since Chad Marquardt took the reins as president of Hain Celestial Group’s North America operations but the seasoned industry veteran – who began his career with Unilever – is already busy solidifying the company’s position as an expert and thought leader in better-for-you categories that span food and personal care. Here, he discusses the company’s Hain Reimagined strategy and how the brand is working with retailers to elevate center store better-for-you products. What brought you to Hain and since you’ve joined as the company’s president of North America, what are s ..read more

How businesses can manage security for AI and the IoT What if your house wanted to kill you? It’s a pretty classic horror movie question, one that video games like System Shock and Portal and movies from “Demon Seed” to “2001: A Space Odyssey” have given a technological edge. When we give machines control of our environment, we make ourselves vulnerable, and what might an inhuman intelligence do with that?  As we turn to the internet of things to help with manufacturing and utilities, to let us monitor our homes and to help us age in place, some of our concerns haven’t seemed so far-fetch ..read more

PIM Brands‘ CEO Michael Rosenberg and Director of Integrated Marketing Lauren Rosenberg discuss at the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024 in Indianapolis the company’s new “Wholly Fruit” campaign featuring Chief Fruit Officer Gordon Ramsay and how it continues to innovate even after 45 years in the business. https://www.smartbrief.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/New-trends-and-innovations-with-PIM-Brands-at-Sweets-Snacks-Expo-2024.mp4   Video transcript Michael Rosenberg: 00:11 Some of the most interesting trends that we’re seeing are people definitely looking to indulge. They’re looking for de ..read more

May marks Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander American Heritage (AANHPI) Month. While it’s a great time for brands to connect with Asian American consumers, marketers should be marketing to the AANHPI segment all year long.   Asian representation on the big screen has increased in recent years – “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “Parasite,” “Minari” and “The Elephant Whisperers” are just some examples – but sadly, when it comes to AAPI marketing and advertising, our segment is often the lowest priority.  Asian Americans are the fastest-growing ..read more

The Consumer Brands Association’s SmartLabel program allows shoppers to scan QR codes featured on the packaging of consumer packaged goods items, instantly offering detailed information about the products’ ingredients, allergens, nutrition and recycling instructions. SmartBrief spoke with Rishi Banerjee, senior director of SmartLabel at Consumer Brands, about how the association’s SmartLabel program is an essential tool for educating consumers on where and how to recycle their products and the importance of all stakeholders supporting packaging sustainability across the CPG industry. Rishi Ban ..read more

When Verde Farms’ founder Dana Ehrlich visited South America on a backpacking trip over 20 years ago, he visited several ranches where he had the opportunity to experience authentic South American barbecues with the ranch gauchos. Surprisingly to Ehrlich, the meals didn’t have a negative effect on his digestive system and, in fact, he felt like his body was processing the meat well. “So then when he got back to the United States, he looked in grocery stores and tried to find a 100 percent grass-fed, organic beef, and lo and behold, he couldn’t find it,” said Verde Farms CEO Brad Johnson in an ..read more

From deciphering data requirements to integrating technology solutions, navigating the intricate landscape of the 597-page Final Traceability Rule (FSMA Section 204) presents a formidable challenge for manufacturers striving to uphold food safety standards. As manufacturers must find their way through a multifaceted framework to meet regulatory standards, Tiffany Donica, food and beverage industry consultant for SafetyChain, delves into the complexities of the rule and provides actionable insights for compliance. As the January 2026 compliance deadline looms, understanding the role of digital ..read more

In the world of pet care, a quiet revolution is taking place in the pet food industry. For years, pet owners have been navigating the aisles, seeking the perfect balance between quality, clean-label ingredients and nutrition for their furry companions. Recently, a shift has become evident – a return to the value that goes beyond just the price tag. The value of value Pet food sales have been rising, reaching a four-year high of $49 billion for the 52 weeks ending April 29, 2023, according to NielsenIQ. While the numbers can give the image that people are spending more on pet food, another part ..read more