News Summary
The 2025 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim brought together 64,000 health enthusiasts and industry professionals. Over 3,000 booths featured local brands from Orange County, showcasing innovations in health foods. Notable attendees included Good Culture, Orgain, and Tosi, highlighting a surge in regenerative practices and sustainable products. As companies like Naturade seek funding and Pulmuone reinvent tofu, the convention spotlighted the future of the health food industry in Orange County.
Orange County’s Expo West: A Showcase of Local Health Food Innovation
This past March, the excitement was palpable in Anaheim as the 2025 Natural Products Expo West hit the Anaheim Convention Center, gathering a vibrant crowd of 64,000 health enthusiasts and industry pros. The convention featured a staggering total of over 3,000 booths, and local businesses from Orange County were out in full force, with more than 125 firms proudly putting their best foot forward.
Star-Studded Local Brands Shine
Among the notable attendees were brands like Good Culture, known for its delicious probiotic-packed products, Orgain, a favorite for those seeking wholesome nutrition, and Truff Hot Sauce, which has gained serious buzz for its unique take on heat. Also in the mix were larger manufacturers such as Marukome, celebrating their miso-making expertise. It’s not surprising that the event turned heads, especially with a remarkable 30% of the brands attending for the first time, highlighting a surge of innovation ripe for discovery.
Innovations Galore!
The showcase brought forward an impressive range of innovations spanning multiple categories, encompassing everything from protein-packed products to functional beverages, clean beauty solutions, and even women’s health products. This year, the focus was also strongly on regenerative agriculture practices and sustainable packaging, aligning with modern consumers’ preferences.
One of the standout brands at this year’s convention was Tosi, co-founded by Stefanie Hults and Chelsea Gray back in 2012. Celebrating their 11th year at the convention, Tosi turned heads by appointing a new CEO, Kevin Rutherford, with exciting ambitions to double sales this year. Tosi has blossomed impressively, achieving a remarkable 300% revenue growth over recent years, and now boasts a presence in 2,500 retail stores across the nation including major players like Whole Foods Market, Bristol Farms, and even Costco! Their products are making waves globally, reaching shoppers as far as Dubai and Hong Kong.
Investing in Health
Meanwhile, right in Irvine, Naturade is making headlines with its innovative meal replacement products that complement GLP-1, the key ingredient aquiring popularity for its role in weight loss drugs like Ozempic. The company is searching for up to $10 million in additional funding to fuel their ventures. The interest from high-profile investors, including NBA stars like Magic Johnson and Grant Hill, is definitely a testament to the market demand.
The Rise of Tofu and Korean Flavors
Over at Pulmuone Foods USA, excitement over tofu has spurred the local manufacturer to elevate their brands, Nasoya and Wildwood. With tofu consumption on the rise across America, Pulmuone is eager to introduce more captivating offerings, including popular Korean street food items. Their revenue reached $325 million in 2024, with the top-notch plant capable of producing 5.6 million tofu units every month!
Orgain’s New Innovations
Orgain, another shining star based in Irvine, did not shy away from announcements either; the company unveiled an exciting lineup of new products, such as a 30-gram protein shake and creatine powder, catering to the escalating demand for high-protein items. Their collaboration with Justin’s on nut butter plant protein powders hinted at an engaging future as they continue to evolve within the health food market.
With over 30,000 retail locations under their belt, including staples like Costco and Target, Orgain has rapidly grown since its launch in 2009 and is now valued at an impressive $2 billion following a Nestlé investment in 2022. With local firms showcasing such remarkable innovation and creative solutions, the future of health foods in Orange County looks brighter than ever.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Business Journal
- Daily Tar Heel
- Patch
- Google Search: Natural Products Expo West
- Wikipedia: Health Food
