FDA advances work on ultra-processed foods, allergens and food dyes
Comment period extended for federal definition of ultra-processed foods
Policy & legislation
GRAS under the microscope: FDA eyes reform as consumer trust wavers
CPG brands could face greater regulatory oversight, higher expectations for transparency and new risks if ingredient safety communication falls short
UPF litigation: What brands need to know now
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
California’s UPF school ban heads to Gov. Newsom’s desk, sparks divided reactions
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
Three states propose laws targeting GRAS, while more than 100 more bills aim to block controversial additives
Surge in legislative proposals ‘comes in the background of misinformation’, according to one expert
FDA’s ‘Stork Speed’ initiative draws both praise and skepticism from formula stakeholders
Can FDA move at ‘Stork Speed?’ Industry voices support – and doubt
MAHA child health report calls for reforms, lacks specifics
RFK unveils sweeping plan targeting ultra-processed foods and pesticides, while critics call the proposal toothless
Stakeholders agree that nutrition belongs in medicine - the debate is how
While the link between diet and health outcomes is indisputable, the question of how nutrition knowledge should be integrated into medical training remains contested
Eliminating self-affirmed GRAS? FDA advancing proposals to amend food ingredient regulations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposals to amend the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) regulation are expected in October.
Tariff war takes a turn with removal of hundreds of items
US continues negotiations with trade partners while awaiting Supreme Court to overturn blocked tariffs
How AI can help CPGs turn MAHA compliance into a strategic advantage
As companies brace for stricter guidelines under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign, AI is emerging as an essential ally in reformulation, risk management and consumer trust
Mexican avocado industry to block some exports in anti-deforestation campaign
The sustainability program provides a pathway for ecologically unfriendly orchards to come into compliance
Cultivated meat innovators UPSIDE and Wildtype sue Texas over new law
The Lone Star State is the seventh in the nation to ban cultured meat
Sustainability September
Compostable packaging gains ground: What CPGs should know about PHA
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
News Bites: Beef tallow surge, fall flavors beyond pumpkin spice and SNAP impact
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
What CPG brands and retailers need to know about immigration enforcement
Be ready: What every CPG brand and retailer should know about immigration audits, raids and compliance
News Bites
From deregulation to reformulation: MAHA draft, consumer trends and California’s UPF ban in schools
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
Global plastics treaty talks collapse
After years of negotiations, no global regulations to tackle plastic pollution have been agreed
How CPG brands can navigate SNAP waivers and restrictions
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
California bill targets ultra-processed foods in schools — what’s next for food companies
For CPG manufacturers and foodservice operators, California’s sweeping reforms signal an era of tighter scrutiny on ingredients, marketing and supply chains
Tariffs in flux: What CPG brands need to know about ‘unavailable natural resources’ and cost pressures
The uncertainty and volatility of the US tariff environment are pushing CPG brands to navigate higher input costs while waiting for potential relief on essential commodities
Grocery sales hold strong for now, but impact from tariffs looms
As new tariffs take effect on food imports, retailers and brands face a delicate balance: sustaining consumer demand through promotions and brand loyalty while preparing for gradual price increases
Leaked MAHA draft promotes deregulation and voluntary compliance
Critics warn the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach and preference for voluntary change, reflected in the second draft of t Make America Healthy Again report, could make America ‘sicker, hungrier and more at risk from unsafe food
A uniform UPF definition could bring clarity – and disrupt the food system
A uniform definition of UPFs is a double-edged sword: While a federal standard could bring clarity to fragmented state-by-state definitions, it might also cause significant disruption across the entire food system, according to experts
News Bites
Shifting plates: Ultra-processed food declines as protein innovation and labeling transparency rise
Consumer demand is pushing the food industry toward cleaner labels, greater transparency and innovation that balances nutrition, sustainability and taste
Are tariffs to blame of select food price hikes even as overall inflation for groceries cools?
July’s CPI data reveals notable upticks in the price of everyday staples subject to new tariffs, while consumer data reveals increasingly grim attitudes about the economy
Top proteins trends in 2025: From cell cultivated to plant-based
A deep dive into the consumer shifts, ingredient innovations and market opportunities redefining the global protein landscape
News Bites
From defining ultra-processed foods to SNAP restrictions & tariff pressures: Navigating regulatory and market challenges
This week’s News Bites explores how evolving food definitions, SNAP policy shifts and escalating tariff costs are reshaping the food and beverage landscape
A turning point for ultra-processed foods?
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
Can a lower Brix standard help orange juice manufacturers?
FDA’s proposal to lower the required sugar content in not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice has been in development for several years, with some manufacturers and industry associations calling it a step forward in improving US citrus production
USDA greenlights SNAP restriction pilots in 6 states, prompting industry pushback
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed waivers to prohibit SNAP purchases of ‘unhealthy’ foods in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas in 2026
The snackdown: We need to talk about chips
Climate change isn’t just disrupting harvests - it’s coming for snack time
FDA-commissioned roadmap pushes for unified produce safety strategy
FDA is calling on produce industry leaders to spearhead a sector-wide transformation in produce safety
How data and AI are becoming CPG’s competitive moat
The new competitive edge in CPG? Digital supply chain modeling
Grupo Bimbo: The $20bn bakery giant turning processed food on its head
With 99% of its portfolio now additive-free and a strategy built for a world turning against ultra-processed foods, the Mexican company is quietly reshaping the global food game
What does renewed pushback against California’s Prop 12 mean for state ingredient bans?
Challenges to California’s animal welfare standards could have implications for states’ ability to restrict synthetic dyes and other ingredients – potentially undercutting the Trump administration’s backdoor approach to regulate food safety
USDA’s plan to relocate workforce to counter ‘bloat’ slammed as ‘sabotage’
The agency, which oversees federally funded nutrition programs and supports food safety, says moving more than 2,000 employees outside of the Washington, DC, area will save money and bring staff closer to the people it serves, but consumer advocates and...
Trump’s FDA clears first foreign cultivated meat firm, Believer
A global food tech disruptor just made history in the US – and it happened under an administration not known for regulatory expansion
A federal definition of ultra-processed foods is in the works, industry weighs in
A unified definition of UPFs could help fill in the nutrition and health gaps that NOVA misses
FDA’s 2025 Food Agenda: What industry must know
With mounting pressure over synthetic dyes, chemical safety and post-market oversight, what does the FDA’s new 2025 Human Foods Program guidance mean for US food and drink businesses?
Is GRAS reform imminent? Lawmakers and regulators push for tighter food safety oversight
Proposed legislation would require manufacturers to notify FDA of GRAS determinations, mandate public comment periods and require routine post-market reassessment of chemicals in food and packaging
FDA to scrap ‘obsolete’ food standards to boost transparency
Standards of identity across dairy, fruit and vegetables and bakery are being phased out - here’s why
Trump administration sues California over high egg prices
President Donald Trump’s administration blames California’s red tape for high egg prices and launches lawsuit
Coca-Cola caught in the crosshairs? Trump and RFK take sides on sugar
President Trump’s declaration that Coke is “just better” when made with “REAL Cane Sugar,” runs counter to HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s assessment that it is “poison,” but it pulls a page from RFK’s playbook to spur change without regulatory review
Texas AG targets Mars over continued use of artificial colours
Despite making a public commitment nearly a decade ago to phase out artificial colours, the M&M’s and Skittles maker is in hot water over its continued use of synthetic dyes in the US
FDA urges infant and children’s food brands to improve recall communications under Operation Stork Speed
The agency pushes for ‘radical transparency’ after years of high-profile recalls, safety gaps and shortages
Tariffs topple another CPG giant: Conagra bows under soaring inflation and falling consumer sentiment
Tariffs, combined with intensifying inflation, plummeting consumer sentiment and renewed supply chain snarls wiped out gains meticulously rebuilt by Conagra Brands in the first half of the year, causing the maker of iconic brands like Pam, Reddi-wip and...
PopCorners in hot air: PepsiCo sued over slack-fill
One California shopper says it’s not what’s inside a PopCorners bag that’s the problem - but what isn’t
Does Trump’s America First trade policy put domestic CPG production second?
The Consumer Brands Association warns that unless the Trump administration ‘fine-tunes’ its trade policy and if it reinstates reciprocal tariffs on July 9 it would de facto pick ‘winners and losers’ among domestic producers with packaged goods...
Past the PFAS deadline: Hershey’s dual lawsuits highlight rising risk for snack brands
The FDA’s PFAS deadline has passed and US brands are now under intense scrutiny. Hershey’s two simultaneous class-action lawsuits underscore just how high the stakes have become for the industry