News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Organic Week 2025
From eco-minded Boomers to health-conscious Millennials to price-sensitive Gen Zers, organic consumers are everywhere but they are far from monolithic – complicating market strategies for brands and retailers
Despite steep sales and profit declines in the first quarter, the Cheerios maker says price cuts, increased advertising and innovation are winning over budget-conscious consumers and laying the groundwork for a volume-driven rebound in fiscal year 2026
CPG brands could face greater regulatory oversight, higher expectations for transparency and new risks if ingredient safety communication falls short
The EU has resumed its investigation into Mars’ $35.9bn merger with Kellanova, following a stop in July
Kevin Hall, a former senior investigator at NIH, says MAHA children’s report fails to address ultra-processed food threat
Early preparation, thorough documentation and proactive governance remain the best defense in a landscape where litigation and regulation related to ultra-processed food are still evolving
Sustainable September
A new study suggests chips made from sorghum and soy tick the health and sustainability boxes without sacrificing taste. Could this be the crunch the snack aisle has been waiting for?
The legislation received bipartisan support to ban ultra-processed foods in California public schools and is on its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom, while industry stakeholders express mixed support on economy, school infrastructure and nutrition
Investors want chairman Paul Bulcke out now. With trust shaken and shares slipping, pressure mounts for Pablo Isla to take the reins early
The right mindset affects an emerging brand’s ability to make its first million dollars in sales or reach its $100m milestone, according to a study of 90,000 brands
Sustainable September
German company looks to US collaborators to scale compostable bottles
From Kraft Heinz’s split to Mars and Kellanova’s mega-merger, the world’s biggest food brands are reshaping the industry
From a University of Bristol researcher’s track designed to make chocolate sweeter to studies showing how pitch, tempo and timbre can season food like sugar or salt, music is fast becoming the next frontier in flavor
Kraft Heinz is officially splitting into two companies. What does this mean for its iconic brands, shareholders, and the future of the food industry?
Heartland Craft Grains’ pact with Grown Climate Smart proves regenerative certification is becoming a supply-chain movement
Campbell’s latest results show America’s once unstoppable appetite for crackers, cookies and pretzels is stalling – leaving Campbell Snacks under pressure
Is the clock still stopped on the $35.9bn deal?
News Bites
Energy drinks, snacking behaviors and corporate restructuring made headlines this week, underscoring how rapidly the food and beverage landscape is shifting under competitive and consumer pressures
Capol’s acquisition of Blue Pacific underscores how quickly the natural color market is evolving - from a nice-to-have to a core differentiator
Sustainability September
Innovations in compostable packaging are moving towards a commercial reality, and CPG brands that engage early with PHA solutions will be better positioned to meet sustainability and compliance demands
From Oreo x Reese’s to Biscoff tie-ups, partnerships are delivering the consumer buzz and sales lift that price cuts and big-ticket acquisitions no longer guarantee
From labour shortages to climate chaos, the food and beverage industry is fighting fires on all fronts
From a founder’s kitchen experiment to retail expansion, Day Out reflects the growing demand for nutrient-dense, convenient and clean-ingredient snacks
The company’s storytelling piques the interest of consumers who crave ethical protein and expands appeal to women consumers
In a digital-first, sustainability-driven world, packaging is evolving from container to channel and reshaping how brands connect with consumers
Younger consumers are adventurous, wellness-focused and in search of flavor
Pork, beef and nut costs worsened beyond company’s second quarter projects
This week’s top stories explore beef tallow’s viral rise, new fall flavor trends and how SNAP policy changes are reshaping value-driven innovation
CEO says the company has yet to feel the impact from GLP-1 drugs
With GLP-1 users eating less often, chewy and long-lasting snacks like jerky, protein bites, gummies and gum are stepping up as the formats that make every portion count
Nestlé continues move away from plant-based as market growth slows
Beef tallow’s resurgence signals broader shock in the edible oils market with many CPG brands rethinking marketing messaging around fats and replacing seed oils
A US judge tossed the first big UPF lawsuit, but with mounting science and regulators circling, bakery, snack and cereal brands shouldn’t breathe easy just yet
News Bites
From Washington’s deregulatory MAHA draft to consumers reshaping shopping habits and California move to curb ultra-processed foods in schools, this week brought pivotal shifts for food and beverage stakeholders
Squid jerky startup targets the clean-label snack market
As new regulations tighten Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and states introduce waivers restricting the use of benefits for “unhealthy” foods, CPG brands face both risks and opportunities
From frozen bagels to ready-to-heat fondue, restaurants are meeting consumers at home and crowding an already competitive grocery aisle
For CPG manufacturers and foodservice operators, California’s sweeping reforms signal an era of tighter scrutiny on ingredients, marketing and supply chains
Industry insiders say troubled merger is a cautionary tale to brands chasing scale over strategy
Divergence across income and demographic groups, heightened health consciousness and evolving definitions of value are reshaping retail strategies
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
From blue-collar roots to fitness fans, VP Mark Singleton explains how the family-owned brand innovates to stay relevant and offers tips for new founders
Circana sales data from July reveals US consumers are buying groceries more often, but where they shop and what they buy is shifting – with winners and losers emerging across bakery, protein and frozen
Three-quarters of young children see branded food content on YouTube – and most of it flies under the regulatory radar
The collaboration sold out in minutes and again for a second time, prompting the two to consider future distribution
The coalition aims to unite brands around more responsible labeling and ingredient standards with proactive participation in regulatory outcomes
With grocery prices up 23% from five years ago, many caregivers are wondering what to feed their kids for lunch - and how to pay for it - as they return to school
As brands face mounting pressure to cut sodium and sugar without compromising taste, reformulation is no longer a niche concern – it’s driving real commercial gains. Kerry’s behind-the-scenes tech is helping reshape everyday foods and quietly lifting margins
Ingredient innovation and demand for preventive health drive growth in the nutrition and snack bar category
A CDC report reveals a dip in calories consumed from ultra-processed foods, but highlights five categories that are sticking points for most Americans and which could represent white space for clean-label innovation
Startup Spotlight
The Indonesia-based brand uses retailer partnerships to introduce US consumers to tempeh chips - turning a low-cost trial tactic into a long-term strategy for awareness and growth