Expo West 2026: Ingredient suppliers navigate reformulation, supply chain & GLP-1 pressures

Natural Products Expo West returns to Anaheim, California, US, next week (March 3–6) for its 45th edition, with ingredient suppliers arriving amid converging political and economic pressures that are reshaping product development across the natural and organic F&B segments. 

The show brings together more than 3,300 exhibitors and 60,000 professional buyers from major retailers like Whole Foods Market, Costco, Kroger, and Amazon, to major producers and suppliers like ADM and Tradin Organic, as well as start-ups and new enterprises. 

Ahead of the event, Food Ingredients First speaks with key companies about the forces driving reformulation, from GLP-1 medications and regulatory shifts to intensifying scrutiny of supply chain integrity. 

Their strategies reflect broader industry trends flagged by show organizers, including regenerative organic certifications, protein and fiber innovation, and farmer-centric branding.

The reformulation imperative

ADM is putting reformulation front and center at this year’s show, responding to what the company describes as clear consumer demand for better-for-you products that don’t compromise on taste. “Our research finds 63% of consumers prefer brands to reformulate existing products to align with healthier positioning, and more than 80% favor reformulation overall,” Brad Schwan, vice president of global category marketing at ADM, tells us. 

The company recently announced a US$26 million investment in its Erlanger, Kentucky, US, facility to expand reformulation capacity and help manufacturers deliver reduced sugar, lower sodium, higher protein, and cleaner labels while maintaining sensory appeal.

ADM will showcase concepts including a Chocolate Cherry Cordial Biotic Protein Bar featuring soy protein, prebiotic fiber, and a postbiotic ingredient. 

“Today’s formulation challenges center on reducing or removing certain ingredients, such as sugar, sodium, and artificial ingredients, while increasing protein and maintaining taste and texture,” Schwan says. “Consumers expect better nutrition without compromise.”

GLP-1: From trend to structural shift

The rise of anti-obesity medications is now a staple in how consumers approach food. “Anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, are no longer viewed as a short-term trend but as a structural shift in weight management,” Schwan says. 

Supply chain transparency and traceability are becoming operational priorities for organic ingredient suppliers.ADM’s research shows 74% of users feel fuller more quickly, 73% say portion control is crucial, and 69% now prioritize nutritional value more than before taking the medications. The shift aligns with Innova Market Insights’ “Powerhouse Protein” trend for 2026, with nearly 60% of global consumers actively increasing their protein intake.

Notably, 80% of users are willing to pay more for products with added health benefits, creating what ADM describes as “ongoing whitespace for nutrient-dense, portion-controlled F&B.” 

The company is helping brands design products aligned with reduced appetites and evolving taste perceptions, including a GLP-1 Companion Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie that is high in protein and fiber with only four grams of sugar. The broader GLP-1 movement is reshaping F&B innovation, with brands reformulating with high-protein, functional, and fortified products to meet the nutritional priorities of users.

For organic ingredient suppliers, GLP-1 adoption represents one of several market pressures reshaping customer relationships. 

“2025 was a challenging year for many of our customers, shaped by shifting tariff policies, pricing uncertainty, retailer price pressures influenced by the political landscape, and the broader effects of GLP-1 adoption and evolving food regulations,” says Hobbs Wolcott, president of Tradin Organic. 

The company has focused on providing transparent tariff pricing, flexible contracting structures, and solution-oriented approaches to help mitigate risk.

Supply chain scrutiny intensifies

While reformulation addresses what goes into products, equally pressing for brands is demonstrating where ingredients come from. Tradin Organic, which operates across 30 countries and 15 languages with on-the-ground presence in key origin regions, says transparency is moving from marketing narrative to operational necessity. “Consumers are demanding greater transparency across supply chains and are choosing partners they trust to deliver credibly on their commitments,” Wolcott says. 

“It’s no longer enough to have a sustainability narrative — companies must demonstrate measurable, verifiable impact.”

The company conducts comprehensive risk assessments across its supply chains and works directly with smallholder farmers to build long-term resilience. This includes providing technical assistance, organizing organic certification workshops, and supporting the development of dynamic agroforestry systems. 

At the show, Tradin Organic will highlight several projects where it is directly engaged at farm level, including a citrus project in Mexico producing organic orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and tangerine juices and concentrates.

The company is also featuring low heavy metal vegetable purées from Peru. With rising concerns about lead and arsenic levels extending beyond baby food into mainstream beverage products, these purées provide a responsibly sourced solution for manufacturers facing stringent safety expectations. 

Tradin Organic’s cocoa operations, supported by sourcing from Sierra Leone and processing at its Crown of Holland facility, demonstrate similar vertical integration for quality control and traceability, the company says.

Sustainability as baseline

Tradin Organic is participating in Climate Day at Expo West (a day of programming organized by the Climate Collaborative, an industry nonprofit focused on climate action), reflecting the growing importance of sustainability credentials to customers. 

The company recently launched its Nature Positive Plan, formalizing commitments to protect and restore nature throughout its supply chains with targets around biodiversity, soil health, climate resilience, and farming community value. 

“For us, any conversation about regenerative agriculture starts with organic as the baseline,” Wolcott says. “Organic farming already safeguards soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystems, and we see regenerative practices as a natural next step that deepens and expands that positive impact.”Natural Products Expo West 2026 marks the show's 45th edition, with over 3,300 exhibitors expected in Anaheim.

Protein, fiber & the postbiotic frontier

Both suppliers point to protein and fiber as central to current innovation. Tradin Organic is seeing clear shifts toward less processed, more nutrient-dense foods across the market, with plant-based proteins remaining important alongside growing attention on fiber. “We’re also seeing increased attention on fiber, highlighted by trends like ‘fibermaxxing,’” Wolcott says. 

“Consumers are prioritizing digestive health and overall wellness, which is driving demand for ingredients that naturally deliver fiber.” The gut health-GLP-1 connection is driving demand for fiber-rich, prebiotic-enhanced products as users seek to support digestion alongside weight management.

Natural color solutions are gaining traction amid regulatory restrictions on synthetic dyes, with freeze-dried fruit and vegetable powders providing vibrant color alongside concentrated flavor profiles. Tradin Organic also offers organic juices, purées, and pastes, enabling manufacturers to formulate with fruit-based sweetness rather than refined sugar.

ADM, meanwhile, is advancing postbiotics as a formulation tool for mainstream food and beverages. “Unlike conventional probiotics, postbiotics consist of inanimate microorganisms, allowing them to retain efficacy in challenging formulation environments like high-heat and throughout shelf life, not requiring refrigeration — expanding format flexibility and opportunities,” Schwan says. 

The company is conducting more than 50 clinical studies across pre-, pro-, and postbiotic strains, exploring gut-organ axes including gut-brain, gut-skin, and gut-muscle connections.

Show concepts include a Tangelo Tribiotic Dirty Soda featuring prebiotic fiber, a spore-forming probiotic, and a postbiotic, alongside a Scoop N’ Chill Yogurt with a postbiotic strain linked to stress reduction, mood enhancement, and improved sleep quality. 

The protein soda category is expanding rapidly as GLP-1 users seek convenient, low-sugar formats that deliver satiety and lean mass support.

Partnership positioning

Both suppliers frame their role as partners helping brands navigate complexity rather than simply selling ingredients. Tradin Organic emphasizes its 30 years in the organic ingredients industry, pointing to deep market expertise and strong origin relationships. 

“In a world defined by constant change, what truly sets Tradin Organic apart is our combination of experience and heart,” Wolcott says. 

ADM’s expanded Kentucky facility and regional Customer Creation and Innovation Centers similarly position the company to collaborate closely with customers and accelerate reformulation customized for regional needs.