Shoppers embrace personalization – but draw the line at AI taking control
While personalized pricing and in-store tech gain approval, nearly half of consumers reject fully agentic AI shopping experiences, according to a new Dunnhumby report
Labeling, marketing & advertising
Aldi ramps up clean-label push with 44 new ingredient bans
Move affects 90% of store assortment as private-label-focused retailer responds to consumer ingredient concerns
Why overwhelmed shoppers may drive a reset in natural food marketing
Go Raw’s first brand campaign starts with a simple premise: snacks have become too complicated
Nestlé weathers formula crisis to deliver strong Q1 growth
Nestlé overcomes infant formula recall to deliver solid Q1 growth, powered by Coffee and Confectionery
Sustainable sourcing: From upcycling to carbon neutral to sustainable packaging
Certified giving emerges as a quiet sustainability strategy driving brand growth
As companies scale back public climate commitments, third-party verified programs, like 1% for the Planet, could offer a safer, credibility-backed path to stronger consumer trust, and higher revenue
Sustainable sourcing: From upcycling to carbon neutral to sustainable packaging
Non-GMO Project: Ultra-processed foods are harming the planet, not just our health
GMOs and ultra-processed foods are “nested” in the same industrial food chain, warns the Non-GMO Project’s Hans Eisenbeis, who argues that monocrop agriculture and food waste make UPFs an environmental liability
Sustainable sourcing: From upcycling to carbon neutral to sustainable packaging
Bel Group accelerates the shift to paper packaging by taking a holistic transition approach
As plastic comes under growing scrutiny, Bel Group is redesigning its iconic Babybel packaging around a 5Rs framework, with paperization pilots highlighting both opportunity and technical complexity
Sustainable sourcing: From upcycling to carbon neutral to sustainable packaging
Upcycled Food Association launches Canada hub to unify, scale upcycled food sector
Backed by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, the UFA-led hub aims to connect fragmented stakeholders and accelerate growth in the category
Sustainable Sourcing
The fault line in aquaculture sustainability: Can seafood certification deliver what it promises?
At stake is not just consumer confidence, but who governs sustainability in seafood
Sustainability marketed products defy headwinds to gain market share, drive sales
NYU Stern and Circana data show eco-positioned CPGs are category and sales growth drivers
Letter from the editor
Sustainability at a crossroads
From upcycling to carbon-neutral claims, the food industry weighs real progress against rising costs, scrutiny and skepticism
As food brands tweak child marketing rules, UNICEF’s playbook still holds
As food brands rewrite child‑marketing rules, experts say voluntary action isn’t enough
GLP-1-friendly foods are booming – but the label is still taboo
From “high protein” to “supports muscle mass” claims, brands are coding GLP-1 benefits without naming the trend outright
Nestlé’s 5-point turnaround plan targets leaner growth under new CEO
Coffee, petcare, nutrition and snacks take center stage as CEO rolls out five-part turnaround plan and trims workforce.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
3 strategies to help CPG marketers drive breakthrough results with less money
Tighter budgets, fragmented media and shrinking attention spans are forcing brands to rethink marketing success
10 iconic food and drink brands that flopped worldwide
From New Coke to Crystal Pepsi, even the biggest brands can fail fast
How AI is reshaping product discovery in F&B
Algorithms are increasingly deciding if a product flies or flops. Here’s how food and beverage companies can wow a new customer: agentic AI
GLP-1 ‘Halo effect’: Users positively impact household eating habits
An Acosta Group report shows that GLP-1 drugs are improving users’ relationship with food and how they feel about their personal appearance
PepsiCo proves new playbook works as price cuts and innovation drive sales
Price cuts, cleaner ingredients and bold flavors drove Q1 gains for PepsiCo as consumers seek affordability, function and comfort
Walmart revamps private label as shoppers redefine what ‘value’ means
Packaging overhaul comes as inflation-weary consumers, including higher earners, turn to private label for lower prices without sacrificing quality
From Reese’s PB&J cups to Jolt root beer, nostalgia is driving CPG’s latest launches
Limited-time candies, revived sodas and refreshed pantry staples show how brands are using retro flavors and recognizable designs to stand out in a crowded market
Albertsons’ digital strategy helps hold sales steady even as shoppers pull back
Targeted pricing, AI-driven personalization and loyalty gains help offset demand pressure from rising fuel costs, higher prices due to tariffs and shifting consumer behavior
3 standouts in Whole Foods’ 14th annual Supplier All-Star Awards
Whole Foods Market recognizes trailblazing suppliers advancing transparency, innovation and ethical sourcing across food and beverage categories
Circana: Private label takes different paths in the US and Europe
With national brands leaning on promotions, retailers are betting on premium private label, better-for-you innovation and ESG commitments to build long-term trust and loyalty
CPG brands put a better-for-you spin on Easter favorites
This Easter, brands are offering indulgence with less guilt. From sugar-free marshmallows to plant-based chocolate, manufacturers are meeting demand for mindful sweets
Hershey courts Gen Z with premium, better-for-you snacking playbook
From holiday occasions to social-first indulgence, Hershey is using premiumization, permissible treats and a bigger salty and protein presence to future-proof its snacking portfolio
Natural Products Expo West
Letter from the editor: Can packaged food rediscover its innovative edge?
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
Fermentation growth collides with manufacturing shortage – iFAB aims to fix it
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
AI assists, but active ingredients still lead in wellness innovation
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 war‑driven inflation to GLP‑1 eating trends: What mattered in food this month
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 shares tumble as investor uncertainty grows
Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems
Taste gap narrows for plant-based dairy – but only in select categories
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
St. Patrick’s Day product promotions push CPG brands into the spotlight
CPG heavy-hitters like Lucky Charms, Guinness and Kerrygold are rolling out green-themed launches to boost baskets and social buzz
Hershey: Strategy shake‑up and leadership reset
Hershey is shaking up its strategy and its structure
4 market opportunities revealed by Mintel Most Innovative winners
When supply chain snarls and cautious consumers dominate, winners focus on health, convenience and mindful indulgence
Regenerative Organic Certified emerges as one of food’s fastest-growing labels
‘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’
Natural and organic food & drink poised to hit $427 billion by 2029
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
Half of US shoppers worry about artificial ingredients, want EU-style bans
A new Acosta Group study finds growing demand for transparency and cleaner labels as consumers push for stricter rules on artificial ingredients
Stricter certification aims to bring higher quality to extra virgin olive oils
For NAOOA’s brands, the message is clear: certification now represents more than authenticity; it aims to improve quality, transparency and consumer trust
Snack sales hold steady despite GLP-1 weight loss surge
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
New beverage launches to watch at Expo West 2026
Pura Soda, Beyond Meat, Nixie, Malk, Tractor Beverage and more unveil their latest innovations in natural and organic drinks
GLP‑1s are quietly rewriting the grocery list
GLP-1 drugs are reshaping food demand, spending patterns and packaging strategy across the CPG landscape
How food retailers and suppliers are driving health and affordability
Grocery retailers and food suppliers are reformulating products, leveraging dietitian expertise and integrating health services to meet rising consumer demand for nutritious, affordable food
Celsius’ $722M Q4 signals surging energy drink growth as Alani Nu, Rockstar join PepsiCo network
As Celsius absorbs Alani Nu and Rockstar into PepsiCo’s distribution system, the three‑brand portfolio is grabbing shelf and cooler space nationwide
What do CPG brands need to know about the updated FSMA 204?
FDA’s latest FSMA 204 updates give CPG brands clearer guidance on digital traceability, compliance timelines and new exemptions impacting dairy processing.
Smucker sues Trader Joe’s, as Uncrustables shifts from freezer to fridge
Smucker is retooling its $1B Uncrustables line for ready-to-eat convenience while battling knockoffs in the frozen PB&J arms race
Food inflation will cool in 2026 but grocery bills may continue to rise
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
Nestlé bets big on ‘healthy longevity’: Inside its new launch
Which ingredients make Nestlé’s new drinks suitable for healthy ageing?
Kraft Heinz details $600M investment plan to reignite US growth, scale global ‘blueprints’
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.
Conagra bets on active aging adults to drive the next wave of CPG growth
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...