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

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-02-15
- Length: 13m
- Episode: 259
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-15-the-year-of-fiber-what-to-expect-at-expo-west-2026-with-comet
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/698b892d

## Summary

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.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Expo West 2026 Fiber Trends and Comet's Aribida
2. The Poppy Effect and Consumer Preference for Specific Fibers
3. Gut Health Drivers and the Functional Mocktail Boom
4. Consumer Insights: Formats, Tolerability, and Innovation
5. Comet's Aribida Technology and Expo West Presence

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Comet (company)
- Aribida (product)
- Poppy (product)
- Be Pop (product)
- Expo West (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [7 - Interact Boulder Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2019-09-16-7-interact-boulder-forum) (People of Packaging)
- [Advice Line with Ben Goodwin of Olipop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-09-03-advice-line-with-ben-goodwin-of-olipop) (How I Built This)
- [345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-17-345-beyond-the-dieline-the-secret-success-behind-junebar-tom-seymour-and-keith-m) (People of Packaging)
- [Olipop: Ben Goodwin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-02-olipop-ben-goodwin) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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