Expo West

Natural Products Expo West

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Guest Posts

Guest Post: The Future of Plant-Based Innovation at Expo West 2025

With nearly two decades of experience in marketing and brand-building, Nils Knoop has worked with global brands like Nike, Ben & Jerry’s, and Seventh Generation, specializing in impact storytelling and sustainability-driven campaigns. As co-founder of Apollonia and an advisor for HEYHO, he brings deep expertise in ethical branding and social impact. In this guest feature for vegconomist, Nils shares key insights from Natural Products Expo West 2025, where the focus extended beyond plant-based to purpose-driven innovation. From regenerative organic pioneers like SIMPLi to the rise of mycelium-based proteins and functional snacking, this year’s expo highlighted a shift toward sustainability, transparency, and health-conscious food solutions. Natural Products Expo West 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Plant-Based Innovation Every year, Natural Products Expo West sets the …

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Nature's Fynd wins at NEXTY awards

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Fairs & Events

Nature’s Fynd, Yo Egg & Nuts for Cheese Among Winners of Expo West NEXTY Awards 2025

Natural Products Expo West has revealed the winners of its annual NEXTY Awards, which recognize the best of the natural products industry. 161 finalists were selected, before being narrowed down to one winner in each of 34 categories. Three additional finalist brands received an Editor’s Choice Award. This year, notable trends reportedly included innovative brand collaborations, clean ingredient lists, and transparent sourcing. Among the winners were: “True changemakers” The winners were revealed live on stage at the Natural Products Expo West NEXTY Awards Ceremony. “This recognition from the NEXTY Awards is a testament to our commitment of creating truly amazing foods that nourish people and nurture the planet,” said Thomas Jonas, co-founder and CEO at Nature’s Fynd. “Fungi-powered nutrition is the future — offering a …

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Pulmuone Unveils New Plant-Based and Korean-Inspired Innovations at Natural Products Expo West

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Fairs & Events

Pulmuone Set to Debut Plant-Based and Asian-Inspired Innovations at Natural Products Expo West

Pulmuone Foods USA, a producer of tofu and Asian-inspired products, has announced it will showcase a range of new innovations at Natural Products Expo West. The products will include: Pulmuone is also launching a new frozen K-street food range, which will arrive at selected retailers by early summer with expanded distribution to follow. It includes: “Globally inspired flavors” Pulmuone previously introduced a range of new Asian-inspired products at last year’s Expo West, along with its plant-based brands Nasoya and Wildwood. Innovations included updated vegan dumplings with dipping sauces, a novel lineup of vegan dressings, and an exclusive preview of a new plant-based chicken product. “Consumers today are looking for bold globally inspired flavors and authenticity, without sacrificing convenience,” said Ellen Kim, Director of Marketing Communications …

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Pulmuone dumplings

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Products & Launches

Pulmuone and Nasoya to Debut New Asian-Inspired Plant-Based Products at Expo West

Pulmuone, a leading global tofu manufacturer and the parent company of US plant-based brands Nasoya and Wildwood has announced that it will unveil a range of new plant-based products at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West, which takes place from March 14-16 in Anaheim, California. Among the company’s highlighted innovations are Nasoya’s latest Asian-inspired plant-based cuisine options, including an updated format for its vegan dumplings with dipping sauces, a novel lineup of vegan dressings, an exclusive preview of a new plant-based chicken product, and a limited-edition packaging design for its tofu range in honor of April’s Earth Month. Director of Marketing Communications and Consumer Insights at Pulmuone, Ellen Kim, noted, “Americans are expecting more of their plant-based products and are eager for them to feature globally-inspired flavors …

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Daring Plant Chicken

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Products & Launches

Daring Debuts First Line of Frozen Plant-Based Chicken Entrees

Plant-based chicken brand Daring announces it will release its first-ever convenience line of frozen entrees. Available in several varieties, Daring Plant Chicken Entrees are debuting at this week’s Expo West in Anaheim, California, along with two additional product innovations: Daring Teriyaki Pieces and Buffalo Wings.  Easy and versatile Described as premium and clean-label convenience foods, the new Plant Chicken Entrees are said to be gluten-free bowls packed with protein. Speaking on social media, Daring said its customers are seeking easy and versatile meals that don’t sacrifice taste or quality. The frozen bowls are offered in several varieties, including Spicy Fajita, Teriyaki and Penne Primavera.  Also at Expo West, Daring is showcasing its two latest Plant Chicken flavors: Teriyaki and Buffalo Wings.  The Teriyaki Pieces, which …

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Climax Blue Cheese

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Products & Launches

Climax Foods to Launch ‘Zero Compromise’ Plant-Based Blue Cheese in US Restaurants and Retail

Food tech company Climax Foods announces the launch of Climax Blue – a cultured and aged blue cheese alternative that is the first offering from Climax’s  “zero compromise” plant-based cheese line. Climax Blue will roll out to food service operators in April, including Michelin-star restaurants, before debuting in US retailers later this year. Described as being indistinguishable and at price parity with its dairy counterpart, Climax Blue is made to offer the same indulgence as dairy cheese without the climate impact. The signature cheese is said to come streaked with a flavorful blue-green veining and has a creamy, fudgy texture. The cheese can be crumbled in salads, mixed into dressings, or featured on cheese boards. According to Climax, all of its specialty cheeses offer the …

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Hemp Milk Ice Cream

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Products & Launches

Planet Based Foods Enters Frozen Dessert Category with Organic Hemp Milk Ice Cream

Planet Based Foods, maker of innovative hemp-based meat, announces it is expanding into non-dairy frozen desserts with new organic hemp-based vegan ice cream. Available in three flavors, the company will debut the new ice cream to retail and food service buyers at the upcoming Expo West in Anaheim, CA.  According to Planet Based, the new ice cream is an allergen-friendly dessert that is free from soy, gluten, dairy and GMO ingredients. Made with an organic hemp milk base and other premium plant-based ingredients, the product was developed by Chief Innovation Officer Robert Davis, who drew on his years of experience in the non-dairy foods category.  The company’s “exceptionally creamy” formulations are available in four flavors:  Butter Pecan –  Featuring a creamy, buttery taste with lightly …

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Hemp taquitos

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Products & Launches

Planet Based Foods Debuts New Taquitos, Selects Violife as Exclusive Dairy-Free Cheese Supplier

Planet Based Foods Global  (CSE: PBF) (OTCQB: PBFFF) announces its subsidiary, Planet Based Foods, has chosen Violife as the exclusive plant-based cheese provider for its line of better-for-you convenience foods. Planet Based, which launched the worlds’ first hemp-based meat in 2022, will showcase new taquitos featuring Violife cheese at Natural Products Expo West.  According to Planet Based, as the top-selling dairy-free cheese brand in the US, Violife will supply its dairy-free cheeses for new Planet Based products as they come to market. The two companies’ first product launches are newly formulated taquitos featuring Violife vegan Colby Jack Shreds. The taquitos will be available in two varieties:  Original Taquitos with Cheese – Planet Based Foods’ hemp-based crumble with Violife Colby Jack Shreds wrapped in a crunchy, …

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Expo West 2022 Outdoor Event

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Food & Beverage

Expo West 2022 Recap – The Top 8 Plant-Based Innovations

Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic trade show, successfully held its first in-person event after a two-year hiatus last week, from March 8-12. The highly anticipated show attracted more than 2,700 exhibitors and 57,000 industry attendees to Anaheim, CA to make personal connections, attend keynote talks and discover the latest innovations in natural food, beverages and ingredients.  Vegconomist was on-site seeking out the most interesting, creative and groundbreaking animal-free products and brands. From realistic vegan bacon and sushi to indulgent pizzas and mochi ice cream, this year’s plant-rich offerings did not disappoint. Out of dozens of exciting new products, we’ve selected eight particularly noteworthy innovations, along with full photo galleries of our favorite finds.  1. Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken – Daring Daring, …

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Like Meat BBQ Chicken Sandwich

© LikeMeat
Products & Launches

LikeMeat Will Feature Innovative Plant-Based Chicken at Expo West 2022

LikeMeat, a LIVEKINDLY Collective brand, announces the company will showcase its authentic plant-based chicken products at this year’s Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. Throughout the event, LikeMeat will be sampling a full lineup of its popular products including Like BBQ Chik’n, Like Chik’n Pieces and LikeWings. The brand will be servings its vegan chicken in a variety of snacks and dishes such as Like Nuggets, Like Chik’n tacos with salsa and guacamole, Like Wings tossed in buffalo sauce and Like BBQ Chik’n Sandwiches topped with coleslaw. On Thursday, March 10, LikeMeat’s booth will also host a special LikeWings and Beer happy hour from 3:30 pm to 6 pm. According to the brand, its products are created to offer the same tastes and textures …

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Nasoya Plantspired Plant-Based Steak

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Nasoya Announces National Launch of Plantspired Plant-Based Steak

Nasoya, a top-selling brand of tofu and plant-based foods, will launch its premium Plantspired Steak in US grocery stores beginning this spring.  The plant-based steak, which will initially roll out at Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores, first debuted at more than 200 WaBa Grill locations in 2021, in the fast-casual chain’s healthy rice bowls.  Made from non-GMO soy, Plantspired Steak offers marinated steak-like strips that are char-grilled over an open flame. Containing 14 grams of protein, the plant-based steak can be quickly warmed and served alone or with an endless variety of dishes such as rice, noodles, soup, salad and veggies. The product is available in a Korean BBQ flavor paired with a sweet and smoky bulgogi sauce, and can be found in the produce …

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Taquitos

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Planet Based Foods Will Debut Hemp-Based Taquitos at Expo West 2022

Planet Based Foods, maker of hemp-based meats, is entering the convenience foods category with new taquito products. Set to debut at this year’s Expo West, the taquitos are available in Original and Southwest varieties, and will feature the brand’s nutrient-dense hemp protein crumbles. The soy-free and non-GMO products are now available to foodservice and retail buyers, with a direct-to-consumer launch coming in May.  Additional product descriptions:  Original Taquitos – Hemp-based crumble seasoned with onion and vegan pepper jack cheese in a crunchy taquito shell.  Southwest Taquitos – A zesty Southwestern flavor with seasoned crumble, vegan pepper jack, sauteed yellow onion and serrano chiles.  Both items retail at a suggested price of $6.99 for six taquitos.  Reinventing hemp  In February, Planet Based Foods launched first-of-its-kind burgers, sausages …

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Bon Devil Chocolate Ganache Dessert

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Company News

The Collaborative Re-Brands to Bon Dévil to Disrupt Dairy-Free Desserts

The Collaborative, a plant-based desserts company, announces a re-brand to Bon Dévil, which will premiere at this year’s Expo West. The new look and name aim to disrupt the chilled dessert category with Bon Dévil’s healthier, “devilishly un-guilty” creations. The “devious rebrand” will feature a selection of coconut-based desserts, and debut across US retailers and grocery stores this spring. Bon Dévil’s indulgent line of products include plant-based chocolate ganache, vanilla rice pudding and double chocolate mousse cups. In addition to lower calories, the company says all of its products are gluten-free and non-GMO.   Luxury dairy-free desserts  Bon Dévil was born from The Collaborative, a US spinoff of the UK-based Coconut Collaborative, which sells a popular line of vegan yogurt, ice cream and desserts. In …

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CHKP Chickpea Strawberry Yogurt

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Products & Launches

CHKP Foods Will Debut Innovative Chickpea Yogurt at Expo West 2022

CHKP Foods, a new plant-based dairy company, announces it will debut a line of chickpea yogurts at Expo West in Anaheim, CA, followed by a retail launch this spring.  CHKP says its yogurts offer a thick, creamy texture with high protein content, low sugar, and no soy, gluten or GMO ingredients. According to the company, it spent years developing and perfecting its unique chickpea yogurt base, which delivers great taste and texture with clean-label nutrition. Available in plain, vanilla, blueberry, and strawberry flavors, the yogurts provide an easy and convenient way to consume nourishing plant protein, says CHKP. The company also plans to use the versatile base to make a wide range of plant-based dairy foods, including vegan cream cheeses, milk and desserts.  “Like nothing else” …

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