Exploring the Top Trends from Expo West 2025: Ingredients, Innovations, and Emerging Brands

Exploring the Top Trends from Expo West 2025: Ingredients, Innovations, and Emerging Brands

Natural Products Expo West 2025 wrapped up in Anaheim, California, and this year’s show did not disappoint! The event brought together industry leaders, innovative brands, and cutting-edge product launches, all reflecting the rapid evolution of the natural and functional food space. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights, ingredient trends, and how Top Health Ingredients fits into this evolving industry.

Emerging Ingredient Trends

This year’s show demonstrated a strong focus on functional, plant-based, and clean-label ingredients, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to health and sustainability. Some of the biggest ingredient trends included:

• Prebiotics & Fibers – As gut health remains a top priority, brands showcased new ways to incorporate prebiotic fibers into everyday foods and beverages. Functional bars, RTD beverages, and even frozen desserts were infused with chicory root fiber, resistant dextrin, and soluble corn fiber.
• Natural Sugar Alternatives – The shift away from refined sugar continued, with many brands featuring allulose, erythritol blends, and date-based sweeteners to create better-for-you products without compromising taste. Sweetener blends, particularly allulose and IMO (isomalto-oligosaccharide) combinations dominated the sugar-free category.
• Functional Mushrooms – Lion’s mane, reishi, tremella, and chaga mushrooms were front and center, incorporated into everything from protein powders to sparkling drinks, highlighting their potential cognitive, immune-supportive, and anti-aging benefits.
• Protein Diversification – Alternative protein sources like fava bean, chickpea, lupin, and pumpkin seed protein gained traction, appealing to plant-based and high-protein diet trends. 
• Upcycled & Sustainable Ingredients – Upcycling took center stage, with brands repurposing food byproducts like fruit peels and spent grains to create nutritious and sustainable snacks. Sustainability messaging was strong across booths, emphasizing regenerative agriculture, clean labels, and carbon-neutral efforts.

Popular and Emerging Brands

Expo West is always a great place to discover both established brands and exciting newcomers. Some of the most talked-about brands this year included:

• Bloom Nutrition
  A leader in gut health beverages, Bloom Nutrition unveiled Bloom Pop, a better-for-you soda infused with prebiotics. Each can contains just 20 calories and 4 grams of sugar or less, with flavors like Shirley Temple and Raspberry Lemon.
• Recoup
  Emphasizing hydration and recovery, Recoup offers clean-label, functional beverages crafted with natural ingredients. Their commitment to quality and wellness has positioned them as a notable brand in the functional beverage space.
• Lupreme by Eighth Day Foods
  Introducing lupin as a sustainable, high-protein meat alternative, Lupreme offers plant-based patties, sausages, and ground meat. These products are allergen-friendly and rich in protein, catering to consumers seeking diverse protein sources.
• Goodles
  Reinventing comfort food, Goodles presents a plant-based mac & cheese fortified with protein and fiber. By leveraging chickpea and wheat protein, they deliver improved taste and texture, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
• Meati Foods
  Specializing in mycelium-based whole-cut meat alternatives, Meati Foods offers clean-label, minimally processed products that provide whole-food nutrition benefits, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable protein options.
• Fresh Fizz Soda
  Addressing the demand for natural sweeteners and healthier soda alternatives, Fresh Fizz Soda crafts organic sodas sweetened with honey. Flavors like hibiscus ginger, mint lemonade, and jalapeño limeade provide bold taste experiences with a natural sweetness.
• Switch Plant-Based Kafta
  Switch offers a plant-based rendition of traditional kafta, providing a flavorful and protein-rich option for those seeking meat alternatives.
• Immi Roasted "Pork" Tonkotsu
  Immi reinvents the classic tonkotsu ramen with a plant-based roasted "pork" flavor, catering to consumers craving traditional tastes in a vegan format.
• Jom Gourmet Gummies
  Jom offers gourmet vegan gummies made with natural flavors and colors, providing a plant-based option for gummy candy enthusiasts.

Where Top Health Ingredients Fits In

At Top Health Ingredients, we’re always looking to support the latest trends with high-quality, functional ingredients. From sugar reduction solutions like allulose and erythritol blends to prebiotic fibers for gut wellness, our portfolio aligns with the industry’s push toward clean-label, better-for-you formulations. Our focus on quality, formulation support, and consistency means we’re ready to help brands bring these trending innovations to market with confidence.

Final Takeaways from Expo West 2025

• Functional health is driving innovation – GLP-1 support, gut health, women’s wellness, and low-sugar formulations were everywhere.
• RTD formulations are improving – Smoother textures, enhanced protein blends, and added functional benefits dominated beverage launches.
• Sustainability remains a key focus – Regenerative agriculture, clean labels, and minimal ingredient lists are leading consumer preferences.
• Sweetener blends are the new normal – Allulose, monk fruit, stevia, and IMO combinations are shaping the next wave of sugar-free products.

Looking for ingredients to support your next big product launch? Contact us today, we’re here to help!