In short
Notes on The Startup CPG Podcast Episode: "The Year of Fiber: What to Expect at Expo West 2026 with Comet"
Episode Overview
- Host: Daniel Scharff
- Guests: Hannah Ackermann and Taylor Davis from Comet
- Focus: The rising trends in fiber and gut health within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector and what to expect at Expo West 2026.
Key Themes
- 2026 Trends: Transition from a focus on protein in previous years to a strong emphasis on fiber in upcoming products.
- Consumer Interest: Surge in consumer obsession with gut health, leading to innovative product offerings.
Discussion Points
- Fiber as a Functional Ingredient:
- Fiber is becoming recognized as the next significant functional ingredient in food products.
- Product Innovations:
- Prebiotic sodas, functional jams, and bone broth are emerging as popular product categories.
- The "Poppy effect": Refers to how brands like Poppy are influencing product innovation in the beverage sector.
- Consumer Preferences:
- Insights reveal that two-thirds of consumers prefer fiber in baked goods and bars rather than in powder form.
- Growing interest in specific types of fiber, mirroring trends previously seen with protein preferences.
- Market Impact:
- Connection between trends like Dry January and the rising popularity of mocktails and functional beverages, impacting consumer choices and product demand.
- Emerging Categories:
- Prebiotic jams, bone broth, and fiber-infused spreads are highlighted as categories to watch.
- Differentiation Strategies:
- The importance of using the right type of prebiotic fiber to set brands apart.
- Arabinose-based fiber is noted for its gentleness, solubility, and ease of formulation.
Expo West 2026
- Comet's Participation:
- Comet will showcase its products at booth N1746, including samples of "Be Pop," a sparkling prebiotic beverage made with natural honey and arabinose fiber.
- Networking Opportunities: Attendees are encouraged to connect with Comet's applications team for product formulation advice and insights.
Conclusion
- The episode underscores the pivotal role of fiber in shaping future CPG trends and provides actionable insights for brands looking to innovate and meet consumer demand.
Additional Resources
- Comet's Website: [comet-bio.com](http://comet-bio.com)
- LinkedIn for Comet: [Comet LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/comet-bio/)
- Startup CPG Community: Join the Slack community for networking and updates.
Call to Action
- Listeners are encouraged to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and to explore sponsorship opportunities or community involvement with Startup CPG.
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Music Credit
- Episode music by [Super Fantastics](https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vDD0emrDKZUXnHmmLJ6IF).
Contact Information
- Questions or comments can be sent to Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:28文致家人
0:53Hello, everyone. Welcome to a mini episode. We have Expo West right around the corner, and we're all expecting to see so much fiber this year at the show. Apparently, last year was the year of protein, and this is the year of fiber. So today on the podcast, we've got the team from Comet. They are fiber experts, and they're going to talk to us all about the fiber and gut health trends that we should expect to see at the show. Also, you can check them out. They're going to be at booth N1746. That is up in Hot Products. They've got samples there. They can also work with you if you're a brand with Arivina, which is their fully soluble prebiotic fiber that is upcycle certified.
1:31So definitely check them out. If you can't make it to the show, check out their website. It's in the show notes. It's comet-bio.com. They will be very happy to connect you with their applications expert and make sure you have a prebiotic fiber that works for your brand. All right. Here we go. See you at Expo.
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12:23We arrived together at the end of another episode of the Startup CPG podcast, the top globally ranked podcast in CPG. As you may know, we're not just a podcast. We're a community of brands and experts, and you should join. You can sign up at StartupCPG.com. You'll then get an invite to our online Slack community. You're going to hear about amazing events near you, all of our special opportunities to get you in front of buyers, investors, brands, and more. It's a free community. So what are you waiting for? I will see you there or on our next episode. Bye-bye.
From the publisher
In this mini episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Hannah Ackermann and Taylor Davis from Comet to explore the fiber and gut health trends taking over CPG—and what brands should expect to see at Expo West 2026.
If last year was the year of protein, this year is shaping up to be the year of fiber. From prebiotic sodas to functional jams and bone broth, fiber is showing up in categories we never imagined.
Hannah and Taylor break down why consumers are suddenly obsessed with gut health, how the "Poppy effect" is influencing product innovation, and why people are starting to have preferred fiber types—just like they do with protein.
Listen in as they cover:
- Why fiber is becoming the next big functional ingredient
- The rise of prebiotic sodas and how brands like Poppy changed the game
- Why different fibers (like resistant starch vs. inulin vs. arabinose) matter
- Consumer insights: two-thirds want fiber in baked goods and bars, not powders
- The connection between Dry January, mocktails, and functional beverages
- Where all that volume from alcohol reduction is really going
- Emerging categories: prebiotic jams, bone broth, and spreads
- How to differentiate your brand with the right prebiotic fiber
- Why arabinose-based fiber is gentle, fully soluble, and easy to formulate with
- Where to find Comet at Expo West (booth N1746 in Hot Products!)
Whether you're formulating a new product or just want to stay ahead of CPG trends, this episode will help you understand why fiber is everywhere—and how to use it strategically in your brand.
Comet will be at Expo West booth N1746 with samples of Be Pop, a sparkling prebiotic beverage made with natural honey and arabinose fiber. Stop by to try it and connect with their applications team.
Episode links:
Want to learn more? Visit comet-bio.com
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/comet-bio/
Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.
- Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
- Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)
- Follow @startupcpg
- Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
- Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
- Episode music by Super Fantastics