The 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show was a vibrant exhibition of everything we love about the food and beverage industry. From new concepts and inventive product launches to passionate entrepreneurs and irresistible bites and sips, the event was a sensory feast. The hosts spotlight ethnic brands, artisanal snacks and distinctive libations from one of the most exceptional trade shows they’ve ever experienced.

Show notes:

0:35: Milk Strips. Mail Us. Meet Us. Rapid Fire? Slow Burn. Good Things Are A Comin’ – Before the hosts heap praise on dozens of brands they encountered at the Summer Fancy Food Show, they remind listeners of where to send samples, and Ray recounts a visit to Clio Snacks’ manufacturing facility for a behind-the-scenes look at how their yogurt bars come to life. He also notes that registration is now open for Taste Radio meetups in Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, and London. The hosts wrap up with a few reasons to stay optimistic about the CPG outlook for the rest of 2025.

Brands in this episode: Clio Snacks, Milkademia, Juicy Bites, Nikigo, Figa, Cadbury, Jack’s Dad’s Hummus, Zahav, Doosra, Krokka, Mazaah, Brooklyn Dehli, Podi, Ginny’s, Narra, Brooklyn Delhi, Baris, Onosweet, Sour Milk, Moment, Paro, Saffron Road, Pioola, Tannthi, Amaza, Lakarids, Bulow, Aaji, BTR Nation, Blue Bottle, Maia, La Rossi, Jala-Lujah, Yax Snacks, Podi, Nourrir, Taan Thai, Figa Foods, KefirKult, B.T.R. Nation, Keya's Snacks, Sourmilk, Aaji's, Tari, Theo's Longhouse Coffee, Lakrid's, Ines Rosales, Släcka, Djablo, Bake Me Healthy, Caulipuffs, Pi00a, Sourcery

In one of the strangest scandals to hit the CPG world, BetterBrand, the startup behind the high-protein, low-carb “Better Bagel,” is now facing lawsuits, unpaid debts… and a missing founder. The hosts weigh in on the chaos surrounding entrepreneur Aimee Yang and her calamitous company. They also discuss a new, seemingly BFY beverage alcohol segment and why protein donuts deserve better ingredients.

Show notes:

0:35: Hoste-ing In Chicago. Moldy, Mired, Messy. A Refreshing ABV? Inhale & Gag. Red Dye Donuts. – The hosts announce Taste Radio’s Chicago meetup, which will take place on August 14 at Hoste Cocktails’ event space in the Windy City’s Pilsen neighborhood. They also delve into the controversy surrounding BetterBrand, whose problems have earned it comparisons to Theranos. The team also explores the rise of “hard refreshers,” alcoholic beverages with packaging similar to sports drinks, raising concerns over consumer confusion. Meanwhile Liquid Death’s spicy novelty drink, “Deathberry Inferno,” gets mixed reviews for flavor but praise for marketing. The group samples nostalgic FatBoy ice cream treats and discusses the contrast between some function-centric foods, comparing Purely Elizabeth’s new clean-label oatmeals over protein donuts made with artificial ingredients.

Brands in this episode: BetterBrand, Athletic Brewing, AriZona, Spindrift, BeatBox, BuzzBallz, Happy Thursday, Lightstrike, Prime, Mas+ by Messi, Liquid Death, Paqui, Vernors, Whistlepig, FatBoy Ice Cream, Legendary Foods, Purely Elizabeth