Between a shortage at the start of the year, a glut at the end and illegal drug smuggling throughout, 2015 “was a very tough year in terms of bananas,” and by extension for Fresh Del Monte Production, according to the company’s CEO.
Supporters of the 'Paleo' diet (a hunter/gatherer-style approach to eating) urge us to eschew grains, dairy and legumes - among other things. But any diet that eliminates major food groups should be treated with caution, argue two high-profile...
The current shift away from dieting and calorie-counting towards eating more whole, nutrient dense foods is a double-edged sword when it comes to fighting the obesity epidemic in America, according to an internationally recognized nutritionist.
Vegetarian diets may be gaining traction in general in the US, but when it comes to pizza meat toppings still reign supreme, according to a Harris Poll released Feb. 23.
Is ‘raw’ still a hot trend in food marketing, or is the lack of clarity over what it means diluting its value? A pioneer in the raw foods movement, Go Raw founder Rob Freeland says he is less hung up on semantics these days, and more concerned about making...
The nutrition bar category has thrived in part by offering consumers convenience and portion-control, but a new generation of bar-like “bites” entering the market suggests on-the-go snacking could be even easier.
Fresh ingredients may be the must-have foods of the moment, but they also often require time-consuming prep and can lead to food waste when they come in amounts far exceeding those called for in recipes.Thirty-year food industry veteran Jon Startz has...
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan) has unveiled proposed legislation that would pre-empt state laws that mandate GMO labeling (such as Act 120 in Vermont) and set up a federal voluntary labeling system.
The financially daunting three-year transition to certified organic production just became a little less risky for farmers thanks the USDA expanding crop insurance to better reflect the product’s actual value.
Consumers are more likely to trust iconic brands from large corporations with long track records of consistent performance, but younger, smaller companies can edge out Big Food with meaningful innovation and positive, direct consumer engagement online,...
Cricket bar pioneer Chapul is poised for significant growth in 2016 after securing national distribution agreements with UNFI and Nature’s Best (KeHE) that will see it boost its footprint from 500 stores today to 3-4,000 stores by the year end, CEO Pat...
Campbell Soup Co. is hopping on the venture capital bandwagon "to more fully participate in growth opportunities" that could give it a competitive edge meeting consumers’ fast-evolving demands for healthy and fresh foods.
With the launch of two new Wish-Bone lines, Pinnacle Foods hopes to reinvigorate the salad dressing aisle in the struggling center-store by enticing back consumers who left to make their own dressing or to buy refrigerated options they perceive as fresher.
Litigation spanning 10 states accusing Whole Foods of significantly understating the sugar content in its 365 Everyday Value plain Greek yogurt has been dismissed on the grounds that the plaintiffs relied on tests that didn’t meet FDA-approved standards.
Carefully balancing consumers’ age-specific nutritional needs with how and when they eat different foods helped Nestle successfully reduce sodium, sugar and fat significantly in some of its most frequently consumed foods without sacrificing taste.
With cutting edge flavors, trendy ingredients and vibrant, fresh packaging, Abbott Laboratories’ new line of six snack bars promises a level of category disruption typical of startups, but with the financial backing and industry connections of a well-established...
If you’ve tried horchata in the US, it’s most likely inspired by Mexican recipes, which typically use rice milk as a base, coupled with cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar – and sometimes some almond or dairy milk. Tasty? Yes. Nutritional dynamite? Not really.
Taste, price, and convenience aren’t the only deciding factors for buying food. A study by Deloitte and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) found a slew of other influences increasingly becoming common.
Unlike many functional food brands, GoodBelly does not ask consumers to wait 40 years for a return on their investment, says Alan Murray, CEO of brand owner NextFoods. Most customers, he says, claim to feel a benefit within 12 days, which is about as...
Legislation passed in the House Feb. 12 would give grocers wiggle room to comply with FDA’s menu-labeling requirements, which they and others complain is overly burdensome and unrealistic for how grocery stores operate.
Olive oil’s already healthy image just got a boost – and so too could sales soon – thanks to the American Heart Association giving the ingredient its blessing to use its widely recognized Heart-Check Food mark on labels.
The food and beverage industry is in the middle of an innovation renaissance that is far outpacing many other consumer goods categories as illustrated by the winners of the 2016 Product of the Year award for innovation announced Feb. 11.
After Whole Foods Market failed to shake its unwanted moniker “whole paycheck” by lowering prices on produce and other items that drive in-store traffic, the retailer is now trying its hand at aggressive promotional campaigns, including digital couponing.
Modeled after the coveted architectural LEED certification, being REAL certified tells buyers that manufacturers have gone “above and beyond” to produce a responsible, healthy product.
Recognizing the detrimental impact – and long-term costs to the US – of hunger on children’s health and education, President Obama proposes expanding and streamlining existing programs that help feed Americans in-need.
President Obama’s fiscal budget proposal significantly bolsters funding for food safety, but industry stakeholders doubt it is enough to ensure the Administration’s desired legacy.
Based on the latest additions to AccelFoods ’portfolio, the packaged food and beverage accelerator is betting that cold brew coffee, ethnic flavors, gluten-free and the one-two punch of protein and fiber are long-term trends that will continue to influence...
By Katherine Rich, chief executive of the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
In January, the much respected British Medical Journal published a paper which aimed to test the success of the Mexican sugar excise tax, which had been levied on sugar-sweetened drinks.
More than half a dozen countries hope to follow Mexico’s successful lead in reducing sugary soda consumption by severely restricting advertising and leveraging heavy excise taxes on the beverages by the end of the year, according to public health advocates.
The Coca-Cola Company has announced it is accelerating its refranchising plans, as part of its efforts to focus on ‘building strong, valuable brands and leading a system of strong bottling partners.’
Tyson Foods ongoing efforts to boost sales of its “Core 9” packaged foods brands are paying off – helping the firm achieve record earnings, operating income, margins and cash flow in the first quarter of its fiscal 2016.
Despite hitting spot-on several major trends driving food sales today, Asian noodles are struggling to gain traction in the US because many consumers are unaware of, daunted by or have misconceptions about them, according to a new report from Packaged...
Fast-growing and increasingly sophisticated fresh prepared food services at supermarkets are a double-edged sword for consumer packaged goods with one side defending against competition from restaurants and the other cutting into center-store sales by...
A graphical display of select nutrients has resulted in consumers purchasing healthier, lower-calorie menu items as a meal when ordering in a café setting, a study has shown.
New entrants are quickly saturating the fast-growing jerky category, but there is still white space for pork, chicken and premium products aimed at consumers in the “middle of the road,” according to one category player.
By Keith Anderson, VP, strategy & insights, Profitero
On February 7, when more than 180 million people in the US tune in to watch the 2016 Super Bowl, some will watch for the action, others the ads, and some are there just for the snacks.
Hain Celestial hopes to stay “one step ahead” of the conventional CPG manufacturers now flocking to the increasingly popular natural and organic space, which the New York-based firm has dominated for years, by better customizing marketing, pricing and...
General Mills has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging it misled shoppers by presenting Cheerios Protein as a “high protein, healthful alternative to Cheerios”, and insists the product complies with all relevant food labeling regulations.
When Kevin Duffy first started test-marketing his Cide Road organic switchel in 2014, he was either met with blank stares (“to be honest, most people had never heard of switchel”) or evangelism (“I met all these enthusiasts that drink apple cider vinegar...
The FDA will not revoke soy protein's health claims, as requested by a citizen petition. But the agency also admits that there will still be ongoing review on the ingredient.
An unconventional partnership between the crowdfunding website Barnraiser and KRAVE Jerky founder Jon Sebastiani’s new incubator and venture fund Sonoma Brands will create a new paradigm for fundraising and marketing that promises earlier, more sustained...
About half of Americans say “local” claims are an important factor in their food purchase decisions, but exactly how influential they are depends on where in the store they are made, according to a recent survey.
For flavor giant McCormick & Co. Inc., 2016 promises strong growth driven by innovative product launches, consumer inspired reformulations, a brand building campaign and potential acquisitions, according to company executives.
Startups and small companies now can reap all the credit they are due for their innovations – including on their taxes, thanks to changes to the research and development tax credit that go into effect this year.
Dannon and General Mills are claiming victory in their legal spat with rival Chobani over the latter’s provocative new ad campaign for its Simply 100 Greek Yogurt after a judge granted their requests for a preliminary injunction to stop Chobani making...
The Organic & Natural Health Association is abandoning its plan to create a certified seal that demonstrates when products are natural, but it remains dedicated to defining the widely used, but loosely understood marketing term.
