Natural Products Expo West 2026 Recap

Natural Products Expo West continues to be one of the most important gatherings in CPG, and 2026 did not disappoint. The energy in Anaheim was strong, the rooms were packed, and the level of innovation across food, beverage, and wellness keeps pushing forward.

From a Bison perspective, this show is always about more than just products. It is about where brands are going and how packaging, supply chain, and storytelling need to evolve to support that growth.

What We Saw Across CPG

Non-alcoholic continues to surge
The non-alc category is no longer emerging. It is established and scaling. We saw more sophistication in formulation, branding, and positioning. Functional benefits, mood enhancement, and social occasion replacement are all driving this space. Packaging here is leaning heavily into premium cues. Matte finishes, tactile films, and clean labeling are doing a lot of the heavy lifting to justify price points and communicate quality.

Tallow based products gaining traction
Tallow is showing up in a meaningful way across snacks and functional foods. This is clearly being driven by the broader consumer push toward traditional fats and less processed ingredients. Brands are leaning into simplicity, and that is carrying through into packaging as well. Minimalist design paired with authentic material choices is helping reinforce trust.

Dates still leading as a natural sweetener
Dates continue to hold strong as a preferred sweetener across bars, snacks, and confections. They are not new, but the consistency of their presence says a lot. Consumers are still looking for recognizable ingredients and balanced indulgence. From a packaging standpoint, this continues to support the need for strong barrier structures to manage moisture and shelf life without overcomplicating the material stack.

Flexible Packaging Takeaways

Premiumization through film structures
We continue to see brands invest in higher end laminations to create shelf impact. Soft touch matte PET, metallized layers, and high clarity windows are being used strategically to balance aesthetics and functionality. The pouch is still king, but it is evolving.

Sustainability messaging is getting more practical
There is still a strong push for PCR content and mono material structures, but the conversation is becoming more grounded. Brands are asking better questions around performance, machinability, and cost. The days of chasing claims without understanding tradeoffs are starting to fade.

Convenience features are expected, not optional
Zippers, tear notches, and resealability are table stakes. Consumers expect packaging to work seamlessly with their lifestyle, especially in snacking and functional products.

Brands and Community That Stood Out

It was great to see Smash Foods show up in a big way. Strong booth presence, clear brand identity, and a product that resonates. They continue to execute at a high level and represent what emerging brands can look like when product, branding, and packaging align.

We also want to recognize the continued impact of Startup CPG and Naturally New York. These communities are doing the work. They are creating access, building networks, and helping founders navigate what can be a very complex landscape. You could feel their presence across the show floor through the brands they support.

A sincere thank you to our customers who we had the opportunity to connect with at the show. We truly value the time, conversations, and trust. These moments are what make events like Expo West so meaningful and reinforce the partnerships that drive our shared success.

Final Thoughts from Bison

Expo West continues to validate what we see every day. Brands are moving fast, consumers are demanding more, and packaging sits right in the middle of it all.

At Bison, we believe the role of packaging is simple but critical. Protect the product, preserve the quality, communicate the brand, and deliver an experience that earns repeat purchase. The brands winning today are doing all four well.

If there is one takeaway from this year, it is this. The gap between a good product and a great brand is getting smaller. Execution matters more than ever, and packaging is one of the most powerful tools to get it right.

Looking forward to continuing the conversations that started in Anaheim.