The Natural List

Hosted by Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith

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144

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Aug 2026

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About the show

A New Hope Network podcast covering hot products, emerging trends and expert insights driving the future of CPG! Seaweed burgers and meatless meats. Mushroom elixirs and adaptogenic mocktails. Plastic-free packaging and waterless shampoos. The nearly $300 billion-dollar natural products industry is swimming in innovation. But which products and trends have staying power? During this podcast, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith share the latest industry news and the most compelling and (sometimes off the wall) innovations that are primed to transform the CPG industry and support a global shift toward healthier, more sustainable living.

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August 17, 202627 min

Trends we can’t wait to see at Newtopia Now

It’s finally time for Newtopia Now 2026! Pack your bags and join us in Denver this week for the third year of the show. Adrienne, Jessica and special guest Meredith iscuss the products and trends they’re most excited to see in Denver this week. This year Newtopia Now has 400 exhibitors on display. Close to half of those are first-time exhibitors, and often, these are totally new-to-market ideas or brands who have never exhibited before. That means attendees will be among the first to find these new products! Our guest is particularly excited about the innovations happening with organic meat, “second wave” functional beverages, Asian flavors and products formulated around hormonal health. Listen to this episode for a preview of what’s to come at Newtopia Now this week, and stay tuned for more in-depth trend reporting after the show. Thank you to our sponsors, GnuSante and Zego ! In this episode: 0:30 – Adrienne recaps her trip in Spain, Meredith recaps her trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. 2:11 – Sea Buckthorn Juice is having a resurgence! We’ll see it at Newtopia Now. 3:04 – Thank you to our sponsor Gnubees. 3:43 – Adrienne, Meredith and Jessica share the products they are looking forward to seeing at Newtopia Now this week! 4:00 – We have over 400 exhibitors this year, and close to half of those are first-time exhibitors! Often, these are totally new to market ideas or first-time exhibiting at any show. 4:48 – Meredith wrote an article with 30 products that will be launching at Newtopia Now in the Natural Foods Merchandiser magazine this week! 5:14 – Meredith was inspired by the brands bringing Asian flavors to the market across categories. 6:28 – Innovation in the “bar” category is here! 8:05 – Popcorn innovation? 8:23 – Subscribe to Natural Foods Merchandiser for updates and deep-dives on CPG products and trends. 9:17 – Beverage trends include sodas sweetened with honey. 11:13 – Kava is coming to CPG products after making its way from 12:22 – A new ingredient Meredith has never seen in CPG before,“Kanna,” is a plant from South Africa and fits into the NA trend. 13:39 – We are seeing Ayurveda, and Ayurvedic ingredients, being mainstreamed. 13:51 – Meredith is excited to see more functional beverages that are formulated for women’s hormonal health. 14:07 – Lil Melts beef tallow cubes take a popular ingredient and package it in an innovative format. 15:00 – Ribbonwire Ranch: doing incredible things by offering a 100% organic beef stick 17:57 – Personal Care trends: The CRIA haircare line is formulated for peri, pre- and menopausal scalps. 19:06 – Sunscreen innovation: Scented mineral-based sunscreen, brands utilizing tallow in the ingredient list. 20:49 – How do we define the wellness category? It may have changed a bit. 21:12 – Ulta’s foray into wellness is one example of how this “trend” is now a mainstay for consumers. 22:19 – There’s still time to register for Newtopia Now! 26:37 – “Swellness,” a term coined by Adrienne Smith in 2022, with mixing supplements and overall wellness. 27:00 – We’ll see you at Newtopia Now!

August 12, 202628 min

As predicted, bone broth is a CPG powerhouse

There’s a boom in the bone broth business – say that five times fast! Host Adrienne Smith talked with Sam McBride , Kettle and Fire CEO and founder of Colter Ventures, about Kettle and Fire’s role in innovation in building out this category. The New Hope Network editorial team predicted that broth would be a big trend in our 2026 CPG trend predictions , and wouldn’t you have it, we were right! Sam and Adrienne discuss ways to use bone broth besides drinking it, where the category is headed and why the current iteration of wellness, along with trends like high-protein and nutrient-dense foods, fit nicely into what bone broth has to offer the natural products consumer. Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube . Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts . Thank you to our sponsor GnuSante . In this episode: 0:39 – We predicted bone broth as a trend in Fall 2025, and Kettle and Fire is a pioneer in this category! 1:15 – Welcome to our guest, Sam McBride, Kettle and Fire CEO and Founder of Colter Ventures. 1:28 – Thank you to our sponsor GnuSante. 2:38 – Sam and his family are bone broth connoisseurs, always looking for more ways to incorporate it into their diets. 6:15 – This could be a podcast just about bone broth recipes. YUM! 6:27 – Kettle and Fire Maui Nui Venison Bone Broth won a 2026 NEXTY award for Product Design and Storytelling . 6:55 – There's still time to register for Newtopia Now, happening next week in Denver! 9:00 – Kettle and Fire has four regenerative products: beef, chicken, Maui Nui venison, and bison. 9:30 – Sam shares more about Kettle and Fire's quality sourcing story and how it impacts the brand's sustainability evolution. 11:32 – Are consumers actually understanding the benefits of regenerative products? 14:22 – Sam thinks folks might be boiling health and wellness down to, "What is the highest quality item I can put in my body?" 15:38 – Adrienne asks the hard-hitting questions: What is trending in the bone broth category? Where is the category headed? 16:52 – What kinds of consumers are entering the bone broth category? 19:02 – Bone broth hits on the "what's old is new" trend that Jason Buechel and Mark Bittman discussed at Expo West this year . 19:54 – Subscribe to NFM for industry-leading products, trends, and data insights. 20:43 – Sam shares his forecast for the next iteration of the food industry. 25:19 – Kettle and Fire has spent the past few years building its supply chain so the brand can scale to meet demand. 27:22 – What's next for Kettle and Fire's innovation? Stay tuned to find out!

August 5, 202637 min

Create lasting CPG brands with data, human-centric storytelling

Join Bill Giebler and Jessica Rubino for this episode of The Natural List as they bring the most important conversations from NBJ Summit 2026 to the broader health and nutrition community. The insights from this event have implications for every corner of the sector. From the explosive rise of social commerce—which added $1 billion to the e-commerce channel this year—to the promise and pitfalls of AI in personalization and the practitioner channel, Bill and Jessica explore what these shifts mean for brands navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. This episode distills the strategic thinking that will shape the industry's next chapter. Bill's key takeaway says it all: Stay curious, stay open, and lead with integrity backed by data—because the next disruptor is already on the horizon. 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES: Register for Newtopia Now (August 18-20, Denver, CO): https://www.newhope.com/events/newtopia-now Subscribe to Natural Foods Merchandiser: https://www.newhope.com/natural-foods-merchandiser 💼 CONNECT WITH OUR SPONSORS: GnuSante: https://www.gnusante.com/en-us 👥 CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS: Connect with Jessica Rubino: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rubino-04a60744/ Connect with Bill Giebler: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-giebler-69a7702a/ 📩 GET INVOLVED: If you want to be a guest on The Natural List, or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email us at thenaturallist@newhope.com. For more information like this, check out our website: newhope.com #NaturalProducts #CPG #HealthAndNutrition #NBJSummit #SocialCommerce #AIinHealth #Supplements #TikTokShop #Peptides #BrandStrategy #NewHopeNetwork #TheNaturalList

July 29, 202627 min

The Natural List: Your Newtopia Now content preview

Newtopia Now is less than one month away! 🎉 Join host Jessica Rubino and New Hope Network's Conference Specialist, Kenna Garber, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Newtopia Now 2026. Kenna is hands-on in creating the content that allows brands to thrive at this year's event, happening August 18-20 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Exciting news: 61% of Newtopia Now exhibitors are brand new to the event and likely to the market! This year's conference content focuses on what it means to be a brand that endures and how to get there. Through keynotes, exclusive buyer-side chats with retailers, and community events designed around connection, attendees and exhibitors will start to feel the ROI of this show right away! Jessica and Kenna discuss their favorite parts of Newtopia Now, the three show floor neighborhoods (Glow, Thrive, and Regenerate), can't-miss sessions, and why this year's programming goes beyond trend headlines into practical conversations driving the industry's future. Highlights include: ✨ Intimate buyer-side chats with top retailers ✨ Three highly anticipated keynotes on innovation, resilience, and consumer trust ✨ Ulta Beauty's presence on the Glow stage discussing their new wellness department ✨ New Trend Snapshots ✨ The Beauty and Wellness Pitch (August 20, 10:15-11:30 AM) ✨ Nutrition Capital Network pitch event (August 18) ✨ Women in CPG luncheon 🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS Register for Newtopia Now 🤝 CONNECT WITH OUR SPONSORS GnuSante Zego Foods 👥 CONNECT WITH US Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn 🔗 Connect with our guest, Kenna Garber on LinkedIn 🔗 📩 GET INVOLVED Want to be a guest on The Natural List or interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at: thenaturallist@newhope.com For more information like this, check out our website: newhope.com 📖 ABOUT THE NATURAL LIST The Natural List is a podcast by New Hope Network exploring what's new and what's next in the natural products and CPG industry. Hosted by Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith, each episode features industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of wellness. Subscribe for more episodes and stay ahead of industry trends!

July 22, 202623 min

Health concerns driving today’s purchases

Erika Craft joins us again on The Natural List to discuss Nutrition Business Journal’s newest report! NBJ is the expert in tracking trends, consumer behavior and market sizing within the natural and organic products industry. Their 2026 Condition Specific Report focuses on the 22 health conditions and concerns driving supplement purchases. Jessica asks Erika the big question: Do you think that consumers are fundamentally shifting how they define what it means to be healthy and the conditions that they target to achieve that goal of health? Listen now to find out! Thank you to our sponsors, GnuSante and Zego . Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube . Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts . In this episode: 0:39 – Thank you to our sponsor Zego. 1:40 – Welcome back to the podcast, Erika Craft! 2:09 – Where is Adrienne? Hint: Futbol de Espana! 2:44 – What is The Condition Specific Report? 3:47 – Erika describes her experience with taking a Function Health test. 6:08 – Register for Newtopia Now, the place to discover new brands before anyone else. 7:57 – The Condition Specific report is one of NBJ’s most anticipated reports of the year. 8:34 – How are consumers shifting how they define what it means to be healthy? 10:14 – The impact of data on consumers’ perception of health and the way they decide to spend on these conditions. 11:21 – Are we at peak ‘longevity’ trend? 11:49 – Healthy aging was the fastest-growing condition in 2025. 13:35 – Weight management, metabolic health growth and how GLP-1s are impacting the industry. 15:37 – Thank you to our sponsor Gnusante. 16:42 – Erika provides data-driven estimations on where the GLP-1 market is going. 18:32 – Brain health, sleep and stress are driving nootropic growth. 21:07 – Subscribe to Natural Foods Merchandiser (NFM) for a trusted daily resource that shapes purchasing decisions and drives industry growth. 22:39 – Erika shares what’s happening in the fast-growing women’s health market. 24:32 – Upcoming NBJ report will look at how supplement ‘optimizers’ are interacting with the industry right now. 25:02 – Erika emphasizes the importance of niche products; consumers seem to be driving toward them.

July 15, 202620 min

Editor's must-see CPG snack trends from Taipei

What do jelly supplements, chewy textures, and innovative oils have in common? They all make an appearance in this episode of The Natural List and are trends from across the world in Taiwan. On this episode of The Natural List, we’re digging into the trends Meredith saw while attending the Food Taipei Mega Shows trade show in Taiwan. Spoiler alert: much was different, and much was the same! Meredith spotted new supplement delivery formats, noted interesting textural trends, and even found a few key differences between what the CPG industry is doing stateside and in Taiwan. No surprise, tea was everywhere! And of course, Adrienne and Meredith must taste-test a few of the most innovative products brought back from the show. Thank you to our sponsors, GnuSante and Zego ! Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube . Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts . In this episode: 0:17 – Thank you to our sponsor GnuSante. 1:25 – World Cup catch-up 2:17 - Our guest Meredith is back from Taiwan where she attended the Food Taipei Mega Show. 2:48 – Meredith recaps her time visiting Taiwan 4:50 – Functional Beverage trends in Taiwan vs. U.S. 6:51 – Tea, boba and dual textures in beverages 8:19 – One of the biggest innovations: a boba replacement with no calories and no sugar. 10:28 – Protein, anti-seed oils: Are the biggest U.S. trends happening in Taiwan, too? 10:59 – Thank you to our sponsor ZEGO foods. 13:34 – New oil innovation happening in Asia! 16:00 – No Dubai chocolate in Taiwan, but something even more innovative. 17:14 – New supplement delivery format found at the Food Taipei mega show! 18:45 – Texture was one of the biggest differences Meredith saw on the show floor. 19:22 – Taste testing “floss-free” popcorn. 20:30 – For a deeper dive into all the products Meredith saw at the Food Taipei Mega Show, read her article on newhope.com .

July 8, 202627 min

CPG trends from Summer Fancy Food

Adrienne Smith has returned from Summer Fancy Food, and Jessica Rubino has returned from maternity leave! There’s a lot to celebrate on this episode of The Natural List Podcast. What did Jessica miss these last four months? A lot has happened in the CPG world, including a successful Expo West, plenty of protein products and so much more. Adrienne catches her up on the big industry events, and Jessica catches us up on the newest fan of the podcast: Gigi! With Adrienne’s timely return from Summer Fancy Food in NYC, she brings us the rundown of the top trends she noticed on the show floor. Innovative packaging (looking at you, Honey Department!) , dates galore, probiotics popping up in unexpected ways and bone broth in nearly every format imaginable. We predicted bone broth as one of the biggest trends of this year, and it’s fulfilling to see it coming true in such full force! Listen to the full episode to hear all of Adrienne’s must-see CPG and natural products trends from Summer Fancy Food. Thank you to our sponsors, GnuSante and ZEGO Foods . In this episode: 0:11 – Thank you to our sponsor ZEGO Foods. 1:20 – Welcome back to our co-host, Jessica Rubino! 2:32 – Where has Jessica been? Welcoming the newest fan of The Natural List, baby Gigi! 4:52 – Adrienne enjoyed spotting NEXTY Products out in the wild while at Pop Up Grocer in NYC. 5:39 – Jessica and Adrienne share an obsession with novelty food hats. 7:13 – Thank you to our sponsor GnuSante. 8:00 – Adrienne describes her first experience at the “Fancy Shmancy” Food Show put on by the Specialty Food Association! 8:52 – Adrienne got sucked into the innovative products in the River area, plus all of the new faces in the Naturally Network and Startup CPG areas. 10:59 – Jessica is a blank slate when it comes to trends after her time off. Adrienne fills her in on what she missed! 11:09 – Bone broth, as predicted, is still going strong! Highlighting marrō , a sparkling protein soda, Beck’s Broth bone broth hot chocolate and Reclamation Foods Korean-style bone broth. 14:10 – How are retailers making room for innovation in the bone broth category? 15:02 – Could this be an opportunity to make bone broth more accessible, price-wise? 16:16 – Global flavors are still seeping into new categories! Lots of Matcha and Guava flavors. 16:19 - BARI , Asian-inspired baby food pouches 17:55 - Chenzi , a mochi-meets-dumpling potato ball. 18:19 - Purple Drop, a peruvian purple corn drink. 18:45 – Nadas Empanadas has a new guava and cheese flavor. 18:59 – Dairy innovation is still happening (and delicious!) 19:01 – Bezi Labneh 19:06 – Sour Milk Yogurt 19:08 – Etelka Cottage Cream is the curd-less cousin of cottage cheese. 19:19 – Recre8 protein ice cream 19:34 – Dates are standing the test of time and still popular! Date-sweetened products and a celebration of dates themselves. 20:03 – French Squirrel stuffed dates are an oldie but a goodie. 20:28 – Honey Department’s packaging was so innovative. It is packaged in an aluminum tube! 21:22 – Cupuaçu is a Brazillian cousin of cacao. Figa foods is making a chocolate bar made from this bean. 23:59 – Read more about Adrienne’s favorite trends from Summer Fancy Food in this article .

July 1, 202628 min

Organic produce trends with Brenna Davis

This episode of The Natural List podcast is chock-full of information about the organic produce market! Host Adrienne Smith is joined by New Hope Network Sponsored Content Director Nancy Coulter-Parker to discuss industry trends in the organic market. Nancy is a longtime organic industry advocate who has also written the OTA’s State of Organic report for many years. The two discuss the exciting upcoming 10th anniversary of the Organic Produce Summit as well as how consumers are interfacing with organic products as the cost of living continues to rise. Then we shift to an interview with Nancy and Brenna Davis , the CEO of the Organically Grown Company. Brenna has deep roots in the world of environmental and social justice, and her passion and knowledge of the organic industry oozes through every word of this conversation. Brenna will be speaking at the Organic Produce Summit, happening July 14-16 in Monterey, CA. She will draw from her years of working in this industry and her new book, Leading Through Fire: Resilient Leadership for People, Planet and the Future , to excite and inspire during her keynote. Tune into this episode for a thoughtful and insightful look at the challenges our industry is facing, as well as what Nancy and Brenna are excited for! Thank you to our sponsors, Gnubees and Zego . ----- Read the State of Organic https://www.organicproducenetwork.com/organic-retail/state-of-organic-produce-2025 Register for the Organic Produce Summit here . https://www.organicproducesummit.com/general-interest/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=hln26ops-sf-bofbrandedkw-search&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23658548311&gbraid=0AAAAADkQdJWHqwVBcM8OJHqWEsaX2b96j&gclid=CjwKCAjw0o3SBhBVEiwAh28-jSHfwbKG6gJ8bUGOOETLyCXSNDRzsg3gdnaMJkUWG8Ls00nA02t5PBoCJUUQAvD_BwE Organically grown company: https://www.organicgrown.com/ Brenna’s book: https://www.brennadavis.com/leadingthroughfire.html Gnubees link: https://www.gnusante.com/en-us Zego link: https://zegofoods.com/ Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-coulter-parker-ncp123/ Brenna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrennaverse/ Gnubees link: Gnubees In this episode : 0:11 - Welcome to our guest, Nancy Coulter-Parker. 0:24 – Thank you to our sponsor, Gnusante . 1:41 – The 10th anniversary of Organic Produce Summit is happening July 14-16 in Monterey, CA. 3:25 – The organic produce market grew 5 times faster than conventional produce. 4:09 – Nancy describes the trends that are driving organic produce growth. 6:24 – Does organic produce have any barriers or challenges to growth? 7:09 – Consumers are feeling the price tension in their wallets. Has the price difference between organic and conventional narrowed at all? 9:01 – Brenna Davis will be a keynote speaker at the OPS Women’s Networking Brunch. 9:25 – Thank you to our sponsor Zego . 10:27 – Welcome to our guest Brenna Davis , CEO of Organically Grown Company. 12:30– Brenna describes her journey to caring about the environment and how it led her to the Organically Grown Company. 14:40 – Organic food has so many benefits; Brenna shares a few of her favorites. 16:33 – Organic produce is the biggest category in the organic market. 17:21 – GLP-1 use is impacting the amount of produce purchased by households and spells opportunity for organic brands. 18:22– Brenna shares her outlook on some challenges facing the organic industry. 21:34 – Brenna’s new book, Leading Through Fire: Resilient Leadership for People , Planet and the Future , is focused on how to help leaders be resilient in the face of today’s multiple crises. 23:40 – Farmer’s resilience is what keeps the industry strong. 26:02 – Think big: Nancy and Brenna answer the question “What do you want to see from the organic industry in the next 10 years?”

June 24, 202619 min

LGBTQ+ brands to support year-round

Happy Pride month! On this episode of The Natural List, host Adrienne Smith talks with two guests: The Natural List producer Mattie Sims (they/them), and New Hope Network Community and Conference Content Manager , Josh Person (he/him). Though it was difficult to narrow down just a few to highlight, the trio shares some of their favorite LGBTQIA+ and Queer-owned CPG brands doing amazing work in our industry. Thank you to our sponsors Bimbo Bakeries USA and Om Mushroom Superfood! Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube . Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts . In this episode : 0:23 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 1:15 – Welcome to our guests, Mattie Sims, The Natural List producer, and our Community and Conference Content Manager, Josh Person. 2:30 – How will you be celebrating Pride this year? 3:42 – Highlighting our favorite queer-owned brands to support in June and beyond. 4:46 – Josh shares that knowing the founders of these brands makes it even easier to love their fabulous products! 5:05 – Couplet Coffee 5:51 – Better Blends 6:52 – Josh is enjoying the brands that are putting their identity front and center! Notably Gay Water (not actual water!) 7:52 – Super Gay Spirits just launched a new line, Two Fruits 8:25 – Throwback to a previous recording where Adrienne learned what “Gay Water” is! 10:10 – Check out Foodboro’s post on LinkedIn highlighting more than 60 LGBTQ+ CPG brands! 10:12 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 10:57 – Mattie’s first pick is Stacked Hydration. 12:40 – Wonder CBD 13:28 – Diaspora spices 14:49 – Adrienne’s first pick is Lexington Bakes 16:00 – Daybird 17:02 – Explorer Coffee 17:54 – Dr. Bronner’s limited edition Pride SKU: Pride! Joy! Solidarity! Features a special rainbow label honoring LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression. The brand supports the ACLU in the fight to protect LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression by donating $100,000 for the next three years. 18:34 – Brew Dr. Kombucha’s limited edition Pride SKU, “Love Wins” supports LGBTQ+ Outdoors, creating safe, inclusive spaces for adventure & connection in nature. 19:00 – Thank you to all of the brands out there who are great allies year-round!

June 17, 202613 min

Purity and safety in the CPG industry

Welcome back to The Natural List! In this episode, we feature an interview from Natural Products Expo West 2026 where Adrienne chatted with ZEGO CEO Colleen Kavanagh to discuss the brand's purity testing. ZEGO i s an allergy-friendly food company that produces organic breakfast cereals, protein powders and fruit bars. Known widely for its "Purity Verification" and supply chain transparency, ZEGO ensures its products are free from major allergens and agricultural toxins. The duo discuss why purity testing is so important, and whether consumers even care about transparency. We answer these questions and more in this episode of The Natural List! In this episode : 0:09 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 0:45 – Episode preview! 1:31 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 2:19 – Welcome to our guest Colleen Kavanagh , founder and CEO of Zego. 3:02 – Colleen describes how Zego’s journey to transparency began and has evolved over the years. 5:10 – Zego’s education and test results are a driver for consumer purchasing behavior. 5:50 – Colleen explains Zego’s mission and vision for safety testing for consumers across the industry. 6:36 – What are some smaller steps that brands can take to move toward Zego’s standard of testing? 7:50 – Consumers care about transparency and trust, and are shopping brands that provide it. 8:20 – How does Zego affect change now that the brand is functioning as a supplier, too? 8:50 – Zego’s customers usually start by focusing on one purity aspect, but then they enjoy the additional, higher transparency across other aspects. 9:45 – Colleen shares about Zego’s newest SKU, Regenerative Organic Old-Fashioned Rolled Oatmeal . 10:52 – Adrienne and Colleen discuss how well Zego utilizes packaging to communicate with consumers. 12:26 – What’s your vision for Zego in the future?

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