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Ingredion's Clean-Label Demand Rises: Can Share Gains Keep Building?
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Key Takeaways
Ingredion's T&HS volume rose 7% in Q2 2026, marking its ninth straight quarter of growth.
Clean-label demand is supported by reformulation, new launches and customized solutions.
T&HS sales are seen up mid-single digits in 2026, though tapioca costs may pressure gains.
Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) continues to benefit from sustained customer demand for clean-label ingredients as food and beverage manufacturers reformulate products around health, wellness and evolving consumer preferences. The trend remains an important driver within the company’s Texture & Healthful Solutions business, where clean-label offerings sit alongside texture, sugar reduction and fortification solutions.
In the second quarter of 2026, Texture & Healthful Solutions net sales volume increased 7%, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of volume growth. The increase reflected broad-based growth across solutions offerings and clean-label ingredients. Ingredion also highlighted strong solutions and clean-label sales growth in EMEA and APAC, pointing to continued customer activity across multiple regions.
Demand is being supported by reformulation activity across health and wellness, protein and fiber fortification and clean label, along with new product launches. Ingredion is increasingly working on customized formulations and systems with large consumer packaged goods companies, private-label manufacturers and emerging brands through its solutions-selling model and customer project pipeline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The second-quarter volume increase did not reflect pull-forward ahead of pricing actions or customer restocking. Solutions continued to grow faster than the rest of the portfolio, while solutions-led growth and market-share gains supported first-half T&HS volumes. However, the segment is also facing higher tapioca costs, with root prices rising more than 40% since the start of the year, creating some near-term pressure as pricing catches up with inflation.
Ingredion is also broadening its clean-label capabilities, including through the acquisition of Benicaros, a prebiotic fiber supporting immune health. For 2026, T&HS net sales are expected to rise in mid-single digits and operating income to increase mid-to-high single digits. Continued clean-label demand and share gains remain supportive, though input-cost pressure could temper some of the benefit from stronger volumes in the near term.
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has fallen 1.2% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 4.5%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mondelez’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies growth of 3.7% and 4.5%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , a prepared-foods company focused on fresh, ready-to-eat and deli products, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter surprise of 121.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and EPS indicates respective increases of 30.3% and 66.7% from the year-ago period.
Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF - Free Report) , a consumer product company that develops, manufactures and markets plant-based, natural and functional food and beverage products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. LSF delivered an earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Laird Superfood’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 188.2% and 104%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Ingredion's Clean-Label Demand Rises: Can Share Gains Keep Building?
Key Takeaways
Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) continues to benefit from sustained customer demand for clean-label ingredients as food and beverage manufacturers reformulate products around health, wellness and evolving consumer preferences. The trend remains an important driver within the company’s Texture & Healthful Solutions business, where clean-label offerings sit alongside texture, sugar reduction and fortification solutions.
In the second quarter of 2026, Texture & Healthful Solutions net sales volume increased 7%, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of volume growth. The increase reflected broad-based growth across solutions offerings and clean-label ingredients. Ingredion also highlighted strong solutions and clean-label sales growth in EMEA and APAC, pointing to continued customer activity across multiple regions.
Demand is being supported by reformulation activity across health and wellness, protein and fiber fortification and clean label, along with new product launches. Ingredion is increasingly working on customized formulations and systems with large consumer packaged goods companies, private-label manufacturers and emerging brands through its solutions-selling model and customer project pipeline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The second-quarter volume increase did not reflect pull-forward ahead of pricing actions or customer restocking. Solutions continued to grow faster than the rest of the portfolio, while solutions-led growth and market-share gains supported first-half T&HS volumes. However, the segment is also facing higher tapioca costs, with root prices rising more than 40% since the start of the year, creating some near-term pressure as pricing catches up with inflation.
Ingredion is also broadening its clean-label capabilities, including through the acquisition of Benicaros, a prebiotic fiber supporting immune health. For 2026, T&HS net sales are expected to rise in mid-single digits and operating income to increase mid-to-high single digits. Continued clean-label demand and share gains remain supportive, though input-cost pressure could temper some of the benefit from stronger volumes in the near term.
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has fallen 1.2% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 4.5%.
Stocks to Consider
Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ - Free Report) , a global snacking company, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). MDLZ delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.8%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mondelez’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies growth of 3.7% and 4.5%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , a prepared-foods company focused on fresh, ready-to-eat and deli products, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter surprise of 121.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and EPS indicates respective increases of 30.3% and 66.7% from the year-ago period.
Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF - Free Report) , a consumer product company that develops, manufactures and markets plant-based, natural and functional food and beverage products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. LSF delivered an earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Laird Superfood’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 188.2% and 104%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.