Family-held candy maker Mars Inc. could acquire snack giant Kellanova, according to media reports over the weekend, which, if accurate, could signal the beginning of a long-awaited return to M&A activity in the food and beverage industry following...
Kellanova’s better-than-expected second quarter bucks major trends in the US, where volumes generally have continued to struggle as consumers grapple with inflation and two-plus years of price hikes, thanks in part to the snack-maker’s aggressive rollout...
Wellness-conscious consumers are seeking magnesium-enriched and multi-purpose drinks to improve their health and well-being, blurring the line between traditional product categories, Circana shared in a recent webinar.
Kraft Heinz slashed its outlook for the remainder of year after organic net sales tumbled 2.4% year-over-year in its second quarter, during which executives said consumers continued to pull back on spending more than expected – slowing previously anticipated...
PepsiCo is engaging younger consumers with its social-media brand, FLVR, which is helping the snack and beverage giant expand into meal occasions and attract new shoppers, James Clarke, senior director of digital and social for PepsiCo, shared at the...
Food ingredient discovery company Shiru is partnering with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America to commercialize sweet proteins, leveraging AI to “understand the language of proteins” in the process, Jasmin Hume, CEO and founder of the tech...
The buzz around weight-loss drugs has “turbo-charged” the food as medicine movement creating opportunities and challenges for which one expert warns the food industry is unprepared to address, resulting in far more “losers” than “winners” – but he added...
Cookie and confection giant Mondelēz International plans to implement new targeted promotions, introduce lower-priced pack sizes and increase distribution in value-oriented club and convenience stores to counter volume declines in North America that directly...
Sprouts Farmers Market enjoyed “impressive” growth in its second quarter thanks in part to its deliberate decision to no longer cater to “coupon-clippers” in favor of health-conscious consumers who continue to spend more on groceries despite high inflation,...
Siddhi Capital raised $135 million for its second fund as the venture capital (VC) firm searches for growth-stage CPG and food-tech companies amid continuing funding challenges for the larger food and beverage industry.
International House of Pancakes (IHOP) expands beyond its diner tables to retail store shelves with a line of CPG products created with General Mills, Kraft Heinz and PepsiCo, including Mini Pancakes cereal, Signature Blend coffee, Lay's potato chips...
Mondelēz is investing in new omnichannel shopping capabilities and educating employees on digital shopping best practices, the snack giant’s Global Ecommerce Director Abhishek Ahluwalia said at the 2024 Digital Food and Beverage event in Palm Springs,...
The Startup Pavilion at the Institute of Food Technologists’ annual Food Improved by Research Science and Technology (IFT FIRST) in Chicago earlier this month featured cutting-edge solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the food system,...
Given how little time entrepreneurs have during most pitches, intentionally ending the meeting a few minutes early may sound counterintuitive, but the founder of the bakery and packaged cookie company Sugar Bliss says this gives potential buyers or investors...
CPG companies seeking to disrupt a market might want to turn their attention to categories where whitespace innovation is lacking — including in juices, pickles and pantry staples — a SPINS representative suggested in a recent webinar.
The global supplier Bell Flavors & Fragrances showcased its latest flavor innovations at the Institute of Food Technologists' (IFT) annual event, IFT FIRST, highlighting how its SPARK trend design platform identifies upcoming preferences.
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo says it is continuously improving the nutrient density of products and expanding its better-for-you portfolio based on a strategy that it says is aligned with both global and local dietary guidelines.
US consumers are citing mixed levels of concerns about their sodium intake, regardless of research on the benefits of reducing the consumption of salty foods, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) shared in a recent survey of 1,000 Americans....
Consumers are turning to healthy snacks that deliver functional claims — from improving gut health to promoting weight management — while still providing the sweet and salty flavors they expect, food and beverage industry experts shared during a recent...
Conagra successfully boosted “meaningful” volume sales of key snacks and frozen foods in the past year despite “a challenging consumer environment,” in which shoppers gave a cold shoulder to some competitors, including PepsiCo, thanks in part to strategic...
PepsiCo named the finalists for this year's Greenhouse Accelerator Program, featuring eight brands that create products inspired by Hispanic heritage and tap into consumer demands for better-for-you and functional foods and beverages.
PepsiCo’s second quarter 2024 earnings released this morning, revealing new challenges to its Frito-Lay North America business, as company Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta vows to tap into consumer demand for zero-sugar and functional products and increase...
Upcycling would-be wasted food or side streams from manufacturing into nutritious and sustainable products for human consumption continues to gain traction with more companies calling out the claim and sales of Upcycled Certified products overall growing...
Side Project Jerky, founded by Marcos Espinoza in 2012 as a testament to his connections in Philadelphia's culinary industry and his interest in the small-batch artisan movement, has expanded to six flavors with nationwide retail distribution in...
Plant-based ingredient company Fooditive is helping US CPG companies develop better-for-you products with its Keto-Fructose, a sweetener that is similar to allulose and provides a fraction of the calories of sugar, company CEO Moayad Abushokhedim told...
Food ingredient company GNT is demonstrating the full range of its natural color capabilities at IFT FIRST next week, as CPG companies continue to assess the impact food dye regulations might have on their need to reformulate, Alice Lee, technical marketing...
In an era where money is tight for consumers and companies alike, and leeway for new products to fall short of expectations is even tighter, many CPG companies are rethinking their innovation investment strategy to make fewer but bigger bets – a strategy...
On-the-go consumers are turning to healthy snacks to satisfy their cravings for taste, functionality and convenience, as better-for-you snack brands capitalize on interest in GLP-1 drugs by introducing products that promote satiety and address different...
Whipnotic, maker of flavored whipped cream using a patented flavor swirl technology, was one of five food and beverage startups to compete in Naturally New York’s pitch slam earlier this month for the $150,000 prize package and potential placement at...
At the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City last week, health claims were downplayed and flavor came first – for real – followed by personalization with more brands offering consumers ways to dial up or down the heat, tang, funk and other characteristics...
A cross-sectional study examined the neighborhood effects on the intake of savory snacks, crackers, nutrition bars, sweet bakery, candy and desserts among adults.
Gluten free may not be as trendy as it once was, but the call-out continues to resonate with consumers as the quality, quantity and variety of products making the claim continue to improve – as showcased by brands across categories at the Summer Fancy...
While protein, fiber and low-carb options dominate the market, new diet drugs and consumer preferences are pushing the food industry to innovate for a future focused on gut health and targeted nutrition, one industry player said.
Building a packaged food or beverage business from scratch can be expensive and overwhelming for entrepreneurs, but Startup CPG is making it a little easier with a suite of free tools, extensive networking opportunities and a safe space for founders to...
An end may be in sight for the capital crunch that has slowed innovation, growth and M&A activity in the food and beverage space in recent years, according to one investment insider, but she warns the timeline is longer for closing deals and the bar...
Granola and breakfast brand Purely Elizabeth premiered its large-scale advertising campaign around wholesome nutrition last month following a 56% sales growth rate YoY during its first quarter, the company’s CEO and Founder, Elizabeth Stein, told FoodNavigator-USA.
The sound of snacking is surprisingly important and impacts the multisensory experience that is so linked to the overall pleasure and satisfaction. From the Crunch Effect to the influence of onomatopoeias, it’s an enlightening subject that no product...
As the media landscape has become more fragmented in the past ten years, social media has emerged as one of the most influential sources of information on the consumer path to purchase and many companies are shifting advertising dollars accordingly –...
While homegrown startups frequently use ABC’s investment reality series to springboard their brand, Like Air Snacks already had a solid retail presence and was pulling in more than $5m in sales. So, what did its appearance on Shark Tank really achieve?...
The wellness industry is booming, with health and fitness trends becoming popular amongst consumers and profitable for brands. But do consumers trust the ‘better-for-you’ marketing printed on the products they buy?
Colourful and classy vegetable crisps are often sought after as a ‘better-for-you’ alternative to ordinary crisps. But how accurate is this perception?
Chocolate is a favored ingredient in everything from cakes to donuts – and even in sweets snacks like energy bars and popcorn – so bakers are undoubtedly feeling the impact of rising cocoa prices.
Kraft Heinz will continue to innovate and actively promote its Oscar Mayer brand, which has a “role to play in the scale of the company,” CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera told investors last week when asked about rumors that the company could divest the iconic...
Sweet and spicy (swicy) play into consumers’ ongoing pursuit of diverse, globally inspired taste experiences, and are reflected in recent brand ad campaigns.
Two former Google researchers, who helped write the algorithm for trendspotting using queries from the search engine, are using their knowhow to empower product developers to create the must-have meals and breakout beverages of the future with the expansion...