News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Natural Products Expo West
Natural Products Expo West reveals an industry playing it safe, while searching for its next big breakthrough as economic pressures, shifting consumer expectations and regulatory uncertainty converge
As Europe and Asia outpace the US in precision fermentation investment, an Illinois-based consortium backed by ADM and a $51 million federal grant aims to catch up
Future Food Tech San Francisco
Industry leaders at Future Food Tech said AI tools are helping product developers, yet rigorous ingredient science continues to set the pace for better-for-you foods and beverages
News Bites
From international supply instability to GLP‑1s reshaping eating habits and a booming condiment category, this month’s roundup tracks the forces rapidly reshaping how food is made, priced and enjoyed
Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems
Nectar’s Tasty Awards reveal rapid gains in non-dairy barista milk driven by flavor and functionality, with significant white space in plant-based mozzarella and yogurt
CPG heavy-hitters like Lucky Charms, Guinness and Kerrygold are rolling out green-themed launches to boost baskets and social buzz
Hershey is shaking up its strategy and its structure
When supply chain snarls and cautious consumers dominate, winners focus on health, convenience and mindful indulgence
‘The bottom line is, if we don’t have healthy soils, we are not going to have healthy plants … and we are not going to be healthy ourselves’
With most shoppers buying natural and organic but many unsure what it really means, brands must better explain health benefits and value, according to experts
A new Acosta Group study finds growing demand for transparency and cleaner labels as consumers push for stricter rules on artificial ingredients
For NAOOA’s brands, the message is clear: certification now represents more than authenticity; it aims to improve quality, transparency and consumer trust
USDA data shows snack units sold remain stable through 2024, even as prescription rates for GLP-1 drugs climb, suggesting opportunity – and caution – for snack manufacturers targeting shifting consumer diets
Natural Products Expo West 2026
Pura Soda, Beyond Meat, Nixie, Malk, Tractor Beverage and more unveil their latest innovations in natural and organic drinks
GLP-1 drugs are reshaping food demand, spending patterns and packaging strategy across the CPG landscape
Grocery retailers and food suppliers are reformulating products, leveraging dietitian expertise and integrating health services to meet rising consumer demand for nutritious, affordable food
As Celsius absorbs Alani Nu and Rockstar into PepsiCo’s distribution system, the three‑brand portfolio is grabbing shelf and cooler space nationwide
FDA’s latest FSMA 204 updates give CPG brands clearer guidance on digital traceability, compliance timelines and new exemptions impacting dairy processing.
Smucker is retooling its $1B Uncrustables line for ready-to-eat convenience while battling knockoffs in the frozen PB&J arms race
USDA data show food-at-home prices growing far slower than food away from home, creating uneven pressure across categories and opportunities for packaged food makers
Which ingredients make Nestlé’s new drinks suitable for healthy ageing?
Kraft Heinz outlined a $600 million investment plan across pricing, R&D, marketing and sales to revive US market share, accelerate innovation and scale successful models from Canada, Europe and emerging markets.
As competitors chase Gen Z, Conagra Brands is targeting the fastest-growing cohort in the US: active adults seeking protein, portion control, value and health-forward convenience – all of which overlaps with other emerging demographic groups, including...
Opinion
It’s time for US taxpayers to stop subsidizing corporations that fail to pay employees a living wage
The company is tailoring its strategy by region, courting value‑seeking US shoppers, fixing European chocolate margins and using Oreo‑led biscuits and cakes to unlock runway across China, India, Brazil and Mexico
Food-tech solutions for a more sustainable and secure food system
From AI-powered grocery pricing and agentic commerce to predictive supply chains, cultivated meat regulation and alternative protein funding, technology is helping CPGs manage disruption while reshaping the industry’s risk landscape
Food-Tech Solutions For A More Sustainable And Secure Food System
CPG brands must restructure product data and APIs to stay visible as AI pushes deeper into agentic commerce
The packaged food giant is banking on bolder taste, functional nutrition and smarter packaging to offset weak cereal and snack demand
New Product Development
Ben & Jerry’s, Häagen-Dazs, Mars and Novel are giving shoppers plenty of reasons to linger in the frozen foods aisle
Sugary cereals are no longer breakfast staples, but they’re not disappearing either
Mintel research shows breakfast evolving from a product category into a flexible, behavior-driven eating occasion
Following disappointing Q4 results and the potential exit of a major investor, new CEO Steve Cahillane redirects resources toward restoring growth and competitiveness
Bubble tea, matcha, Dubai chocolate, cottage cheese, pistachio and hot honey: Just a small selection of products and flavours that have gone viral on social media in recent years
Winter Fancy Faire
From snackable lentils to refrigerated formats, brands are making legumes relevant again through convenience, creativity and nutrition
Law firms warn CPG clients to prepare for tougher scrutiny under MAHA-driven policies, Prop 65 claims and state-led investigations targeting ingredients, packaging and label language
In a world of pervasive confusion and growing mistrust over the contents of our food, the Yuka app is one claiming to sow a few seeds of clarity and transparency
Health claims may be an overlooked lever that could reignite plant-based meat demand, according to consumer research by the Good Food Institute
Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, General Mills and other CPG and fast-food companies expanded voluntary advertising restrictions across digital platforms after research found most children encounter unhealthy food branding on YouTube
By redesigning contracts, supply chains and product development, three flour brands show that scaling regenerative agriculture is as much institutional as it is agricultural
New Product Development
From pineapple cakes to chocolate gift boxes, CPGs celebrate the Lunar New Year with limited-edition products
CEO calls the move a ‘surgical investment’ as the company integrates Siete Foods, Poppi and its expanded Celsius partnership while preparing relaunches of Gatorade and Quaker Oats
New CEO Hein Schumacher enters a company in decline. Here are the five decisive moves that could put the world’s biggest chocolate maker back on track
Court finds that requiring disclaimers like “does not contain meat” violates free speech, marking another victory for Tofurkey, Plant Based Foods Association and the Animal Legal Defense Fund
In a marketing culture obsessed with speed and efficiency, Southern Connecticut State University associate professor Amit Singh argues the Super Bowl exposes an uncomfortable truth about how real brand power is actually built
After years of acquisitions and declining sales, the health-focused food company is narrowing its portfolio and using the proceeds to shore up its balance sheet
Store brands nearly triple the dollar sales growth of national brands, as grocers position wellness-focused products to capture health-conscious shoppers
Although admitting it’s a risk, Oatly is addressing the UPF issue head-on
Mayonnaise giants are squaring off against better-for-you upstarts like Graza and Chosen Foods in the race to reinvent a creamy classic
In a near-$700bn global market, a handful of companies now decide what scales, what sticks and what survives, and in 2026, the power gap is only widening