Expo West booth and sampling

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.

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• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics