Expo West 2026 live: Kerry points to flavor complexity & GLP-1 nutrition as key growth drivers

Kerry is showcasing at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, US, with its most data-intensive flavor forecast yet, alongside fresh clinical evidence positioning its probiotic ingredients as essential companions for the swelling cohort of GLP-1 medication users. 

The company’s 2026 Taste Charts — compiled with input from over 1,200 scientists and 100 flavorists across eight expanded product categories — identify seven macro-trends the company calls the “Sensational Seven,” each of which is feeding directly into its formulation pipeline. 

New research on BC30 — a spore-forming bacterial strain — meanwhile, puts hard numbers behind what has until now been a largely speculative market: that consumers on GLP-1 drugs represent a distinct and addressable nutrition segment.

The “Sensational Seven”

Kerry’s annual taste intelligence report has grown in scope this year, drawing on extensive consumer research alongside its internal scientific and flavorist network. The framework it has produced is more granular than previous editions, tracking emerging trends in the US market.

“We dive deep into these categories, tracking phenomena like the 17% CAGR of dragon fruit or the 120% growth of gochujang in the US to help brands determine which trends best fit their specific consumers and products,” a Kerry spokesperson tells Food Ingredients First on the show floor.

The seven trends span a wide tonal range. “Maximalist Flavor” is about turning up intensity and complexity; “Category Crashers” describes formats breaking genre conventions; “Simplicity Amplified” elevates clean and natural ingredients; and “Heritage Reclaimed” modernizes traditional and regional taste profiles. 

“Chain Reaction,” “Elevated Staples,” and “Everyday Escapism” round out the framework — the last of which Kerry defines as bite-sized comforts for a volatile consumer environment. “Consumers are being incredibly intentional with their flavor choices,” the spokesperson says. “One size does not fit all.”

The Taste Charts are translating directly into innovation. Under “Heritage Reclaimed” and “Maximalist Flavor, Kerry is applying fermentation science to develop next-generation umami and kokumi profiles — two taste dimensions gaining significant traction among premium product developers. 

For “Simplicity Amplified,” it is converting its global expertise in smoke into clean label, pantry-friendly smoked ingredients. Supply chain disruption is also driving portfolio evolution: under “Chain Reaction,” Kerry has strengthened its cocoa booster and citrus stabilizer range to help manufacturers manage commodity volatility without compromising on taste.

GLP-1 users as a formulation target

Kerry’s BC30 probiotic — Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 — has long been among the most clinically documented ingredients in the ambient probiotic space, backed by more than 70 research papers, including 24 human clinical trials. Its stability at ambient temperatures and across processing conditions has enabled brands to incorporate a science-backed probiotic into shelf-stable formats without refrigeration. At Expo West, Kerry is adding a new dimension to that clinical story with data squarely targeting the GLP-1 market.

The company recently conducted a four-week open-label consumer perception study, testing BC30 among GLP-1 medication users. “The results found that 77% of participants perceived a moderate to significant improvement in their daily quality of life, and over 80% noticed an improvement in their GI symptoms.”

Gastrointestinal side effects are among the leading reasons consumers discontinue GLP-1 treatment — making the 69% who said BC30’s positive effect on their discomfort would lead them to continue medication a commercially significant finding.

The spokesperson frames the broader GLP-1 shift in nutritional terms. “The GLP-1 shift means people are eating less, making every single calorie count,” they say. “Nutrient density, particularly through high-protein and high-fiber diets, has become paramount, which we’re already seeing with trends such as ‘fibermaxxing.’” 

Kerry’s Plenibiotic postbiotic, derived from rice, sits alongside BC30 in this positioning — delivering dual benefits for digestive regularity and skin hydration with tolerance across temperature and pH ranges. Together, the two form what Kerry is presenting as an integrated biotics platform for this consumer segment.

From insight to shelf

Three sampling concepts on the show floor demonstrate how Kerry’s flavor and functional ingredient capabilities are being combined in practice. A Tangerine Lemonade Women’s Health Gummy, a Campfire Jalaño Chicken Meat Snack, and an Orange Creamsicle Kids Dairy Beverage each pair a functional ingredient stack with a flavor profile drawn from the 2026 Taste Charts — making the convergence of proactive health and taste performance tangible for visiting manufacturers.

KerryNow, the company’s end-to-end digital platform, is also being demonstrated at the booth. The platform allows brands to order trending flavor samples directly, bridging what Kerry describes as the gap between insight and execution. 

“Ultimately, the theme is about empowering manufacturers to solve complex formulation challenges and create better-for-you products that consumers truly crave,” the spokesperson says.

With additional reporting by Jolanda van Hal at Expo West 2026 in California, US