The Year of Fiber: What to Expect at Expo West 2026 with Comet

The Startup CPG Podcast · 15 Feb 2026 · 13m · Episode 259

What this episode covers

Hannah Ackermann and Taylor Davis from Comet discuss the shift from protein to fiber as the dominant functional ingredient in CPG, highlighting the 'Poppy effect' where prebiotic sodas have normalized gut health claims. They explain that consumers prefer gentle, fully soluble fibers like arabinose (Aribida) in baked goods and bars rather than powders, driven by digestive health concerns and the rise of functional mocktails. The episode details how brands are innovating with formats like prebiotic bone broth and jams to meet demand for tolerable, effective fiber sources ahead of Expo West 2026.

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