In early March, the Gillco team headed to Anaheim, California, for Expo West 2026. With more than 3,000 exhibitors, the event offered a clear look at where food and beverage formulation is headed in the coming year.
From protein in places it’s never been before to a serious push into gut health, metabolic wellness, and clean label reformulation, several themes stood out across the show floor. Here’s a recap of the trends that caught our attention and what they mean for food and beverage manufacturers.
1. Protein Is Still Everywhere, But the Conversation Is Maturing
Protein continues to dominate the show floor, but the conversation has shifted. It’s no longer just about getting more grams into a product. Brands are paying closer attention to protein quality, source, digestibility, and how proteins behave in different formulation contexts.
Casein, whey, pea, soy, and yeast-based proteins each made strong showings, often positioned for specific application strengths rather than competing head-to-head. Slow-digesting proteins like casein remain a go-to for sustained nutrition formats, while clear whey and plant-based isolates are powering the next wave of better-for-you beverages.
2. Gut Health Goes Mainstream
Prebiotics, postbiotics, and the gut-brain axis were everywhere at Expo West 2026. What used to be a niche supplement category has crossed firmly into mainstream food and beverage. We saw fiber-forward sodas, prebiotic snack bars, and functional beverages built around digestive wellness.
For formulators, this trend creates real opportunities but also real challenges. Fiber and prebiotic ingredients can affect viscosity, sweetness, and mouthfeel, and matching the right ingredient to the right format takes some technical know-how.
3. Metabolic Health and the GLP-1 Effect
The GLP-1 conversation was unavoidable. As more consumers use GLP-1 medications, brands are responding with products formulated to support metabolic health, satiety, and lean muscle preservation. Education sessions throughout the show explored both natural GLP-1 alternatives and supportive nutrition strategies for people on these medications.
From a formulation standpoint, this is driving demand for higher protein density, smaller portion sizes with strong nutrient profiles, and ingredients that support steady energy and blood sugar balance.
4. Natural Colors and Flavors Move from Trend to Standard
Natural colors and flavors had a dedicated content stage this year, and for good reason. With ongoing regulatory and consumer pressure on synthetic dyes, manufacturers are actively reformulating to meet cleaner label expectations.
Beet, turmeric, spirulina, carmine alternatives, and fruit and vegetable concentrates were all front and center. The challenge most formulators are working through right now is keeping color stability, shelf life, and cost in line while making the switch.
5. Functional Beverages Keep Stretching the Category
Functional beverages remain one of the most innovative spaces at the show. Beyond traditional sports nutrition, we saw drinks targeting sleep, focus, mood, hormonal balance, recovery, and women’s health. Adaptogens, mushrooms, nootropics, and amino acid blends were common, often layered into clear, ready-to-drink formats with clean ingredient panels.
Women’s health in particular emerged as a real growth area, with formulations addressing perimenopause, hormonal balance, and overall vitality showing up across multiple booths.
6. Clean Label Reformulation Is Picking Up Speed
Clean label is no longer a marketing differentiator; it’s the baseline. Manufacturers across nearly every category were looking for ingredient swaps that simplify their labels without compromising taste, texture, or shelf life. Fermentation-based preservation, naturally derived antimicrobials, and label-friendly stabilizers and emulsifiers were all in heavy demand.
This is one of the trends with the most direct impact on day-to-day formulation work, and one where partnering with a knowledgeable distributor can save significant time.
7. AI and Smarter Product Development
Artificial intelligence in product development was a recurring theme on the education stages. From accelerating formulation iteration to predicting consumer response and optimizing supply chains, AI tools are starting to play a real role in how brands bring products to market faster and with less risk.
It’s still early, but the conversation has clearly moved beyond hype. Expect this theme to grow significantly between now and Expo West 2027.
What These Trends Mean for Manufacturers
Looking across the show floor, a few common threads stand out for food and beverage manufacturers planning their next product launches:
- Functional benefits are expected, not optional
- Clean label is the new starting point, not the finish line
- Protein quality and source matter more than total grams
- Gut health and metabolic health are converging
- Speed to market is becoming a real competitive edge
The brands winning shelf space and consumer attention are the ones moving quickly, formulating with intent, and partnering closely with ingredient experts who can support both technical and regulatory needs.
Partner With Gillco for Your Next Formulation
Gillco supplies a broad portfolio of food and beverage ingredients aligned with the trends we saw at Expo West 2026, including specialty proteins, clean label preservation systems, fibers and prebiotics, natural sweeteners, and functional ingredient solutions. Our technically trained sales team can help you translate trends into formulations that actually work in your application.
If you’re rethinking a product, exploring a new category, or building something from scratch, we’d love to help. Contact Gillco today to talk through your next project or request samples.
Expo West 2026 FAQs
What is Expo West?
Expo West is one of North America’s largest health and nutrition trade shows. The 2026 event was held March 3 to 6 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim and brought together more than 60,000 professionals across food, beverage, dietary supplements, and personal care.
What were the biggest food and beverage trends at Expo West 2026?
Protein continued to dominate, but gut health, metabolic health and GLP-1 support, natural colors and flavors, functional beverages, clean label reformulation, and AI-driven product development all stood out as defining trends shaping the year ahead.
How can manufacturers respond to clean label demands?
Clean label reformulation usually starts with ingredient-by-ingredient evaluation. Working with a distributor that offers natural antimicrobials, antioxidants, fibers, and label-friendly emulsifiers and stabilizers can make this process faster and more cost-effective.
Why work with Gillco on trend-driven formulations?
Gillco offers a curated portfolio of high-quality ingredients from leading manufacturers, paired with hands-on technical support. Our team helps customers move quickly from concept to commercialization while staying aligned with current consumer and regulatory trends.
Conclusion
Expo West 2026 made one thing clear: the food and beverage industry is moving fast, and the bar for what counts as innovative keeps rising. Protein, gut health, metabolic wellness, clean label, and smarter product development are all converging into a market that rewards brands willing to formulate with intent.
For manufacturers ready to act on these trends, Gillco is here to help with the ingredients, expertise, and partnerships needed to bring your next product to life.