News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Biggest trends of 2024 and what to expect in 2025
Economic pressures in 2025 will continue to impact consumers’ shopping habits as private label and premium products grow, but all is not lost for mainstream brands that can stand out through strategic partnerships with foodservice and targeted social...
The failed merger may bolster regional M&A in the grocery landscape.
Convenience wakes up the morning routine for consumers, with 90% of morning meals prepared in under 15 minutes, according to Circana.
Sojo Flight addresses manufacturing complexities for multi-packs with flexible, mobile lines.
Albertsons is terminating its controversial merger agreement with Kroger and suing its former bedfellow for breach of contract and failing to take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval of the duo’s previously planned union.
The importance of social media and online food photography have rapidly increased consumer demand for ‘better-looking’ food and beverage products in the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on elements such as clarity and colour.
Instacart’s software solution Carrot Tags helps retailers fulfill online orders with its electronic shelf labels (ESL) as the e-grocery market continues to grow.
Food-Tech In Focus
Oishii’s retail expansion into Harris Teeter locations across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia this fall, along with the planned 2025 opening of its R&D center in Tokyo, Japan, highlights the company’s dynamic growth and its role in increasing...
Cheapflation is having a major impact on consumer and manufacturer behaviour. So what is it and how long will it last?
For price- and value-oriented consumers, discount and gourmet stores provide some relief on their wallets.
Rising credit card “swipe” fees are driving up prices and squeezing grocery and other retailers’ already slim margins, but “it does not have to be this way,” according to trade groups, companies and members of Congress who made an 11th hour push...
Dorot Gardens’ rebrand emphasizes the fresh taste of its flash-frozen, pre-portioned garlic and herbs, positioning the brand as a convenient and healthy option with a two-year shelf life — a differentiator for its retail partners.
Aldi's US president, Dave Rinaldo, laid out the grocers' aggressive US expansion plan with an emphasis on "not playing games" with consumers when it comes to pricing and pack sizes and working with food and beverage manufacturers to speed innovation at...
Grocery’s foodservice segment addresses high consumer demand for value-added convenience even though retailers must shoulder more cost increases even as inflation eases.
Despite 96% of shoppers expressing concern about an economic recession in the coming months, fresh foods remain a top priority, with many willing to pay a premium for high-quality options, according to a recent Circana webinar.
Silk Kids’ oat milk blend is formulated with kids’ nutrition in mind featuring a proprietary vitamin and mineral blend that differentiates the brand within the booming plant-based milk category, according to Kallie Goodwin, SVP plant based beverages at...
Staying up to date with the newest confectionery products, trends and flavour combinations on the market is key to keeping on top of the fast-paced and competitive sweet sector.
Tyson Foods’ chicken business is booming once again and investors are flocking back to the company, which has spent years reenvisioning its poultry business to focus more on fundamentals, value-added products and “operational improvements.”
Founders' Fundamentals Podcast
Delivering on whitespace innovation can propel a CPG food and beverage startup into mainstream success, and filling a gap in the market might be simpler than some startups think, explained Karen Anderson, CEO of Purple Peak Marketing, during a recent...
Gopuff’s Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) integration for its e-grocery platform will also include its recently introduced Basically Premium private label line, reaching millions of eligible households.
When going up against legacy players that dominate the shelf, new brands can justify shelf space by highlighting the unmet consumer demand they fill, as illustrated by low-sodium, high-flavor pasta sauce startup Yo Mama's.
Nestlé has revealed the top food and drink trends that will drive its research, development and innovation in 2025, with speed, personalisation and fusion taking centre stage.
USDA, in partnership with the Reinvestment Fund, has allocated nearly $6 million to improve access to nutritious foods in underserved communities across the country, reinforcing the trend toward healthy diets and potentially reshaping how brands and...
Little Sesame navigated supply-chain issues — including climate change-related sourcing challenges — to expand its core lineup of products with a child’s version of its hummus, as the brand uses recent government and venture funding to fuel growth in 2025.
The transformative takeover by Mars Inc. has been overwhelmingly approved, marking a pivotal moment in the snack industry. What does this mean for the future of snacking?
Millie’s tea bag broths, made with herbs, spices and dehydrated vegetables landed in 2,000 Walmart stores last month, marking a major milestone for the brand as it disrupts the tea and broth categories.
Young and old consumers are divided on their top desires for future product innovation — with the former wanting cleaner labels and the latter wanting more high protein foods and beverages — but both agree that digital tools are crucial to keeping...
Industry leaders are emphasizing the integration of regenerative agriculture alongside established organic practices, as demand for sustainable food and beverage products continues to rise.
Better-for-you snack brand ELAVI doubled its Costco rotation to 30 Southern California stores in less than a year while addressing cocoa shortage and packaging changes.
Consumers celebrating Halloween are still unwrapping their favorite chocolate candies despite price increases, while gummy candies, popcorn and other treats capitalize on demands from price-conscious consumers, according to several recent reports.
Confectionery and snacking giant Mondelēz International has driven revenues and profits above expectations, through higher volume sales as both Unilever and Danone also showed this month.
Yogurt-maker Chobani's clean-label, high-protein and lactose-free yogurt is part of the company’s mission to make protein more accessible to everyday consumers.
Brand Alchemy
Today’s marketing strategies need flexible adjustments and a blend of channels to keep pace with rapid shifts in media consumption, unlike the fixed annual media plans of yesteryear.
Dairy innovation and trends
The dairy case is no longer a limited selection of fat-free, low-fat or whole milk in generic white bottles or a bare-bones choice between just “orange” or “white” cheese – rather an explosion of innovation in recent years has dramatically multiplied...
Dairy’s nutrient density and decadent eating experience create a powerful canvas for startups innovating across categories to offer better-for-you moments of permissible indulgence while simultaneously supporting the health of consumers, the planet and...
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Research and advocates for 100% grass-fed dairy suggest the practice is better for people, the planet and animals – but is it better for business?
The influx of plant-based milk in recent years could provide relief and stability for consumers suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, but there remains a significant unmet need for clean-label, allergen-free options, according to one registered...
Consumers are swapping frozen yogurts for sorbets as better-for-you brands push into the ice cream market, despite slowdowns in the plant-based ice cream and novelties segment, according to SPINS data.
Coca-Cola beat Wall Street estimates for its third quarter despite volumes and revenue declines, as the beverage giant pursues an “all-weather strategy" and offsets challenges with innovation in Sprite, Fanta and Topo Chico, company CEO James Quincey...
Startup Spotlight
Tinned fish brand Fishwife launched in response to the lack of innovation and bold branding in the multi-billion-dollar canned fish category, with a strategic focus on culinary-inspired flavors and artistically-driven packaging, CEO and Co-Founder, Becca...
At SIAL Paris 2024, the State of Cheese showcased some of its finest products. But are Europeans ready to embrace US-made specialty cheese?
Convenience stores (c-stores) are blurring “the line between food retail and food service,” as the channel becomes crucial for consumers seeking quick, convenient and diverse foods and beverages, JP Frossard, analyst of consumer foods at RaboResearch,...
Size matters – at least when it comes to crafting nutrient content and health claims for food based on servings, according to a recent BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division decision for a challenge brought by Olé Mexican Foods against...
Food industry players across the value chain are frustrated by lingering questions about how to implement sweeping food safety changes that go into effect in little over a year, including fears of some stakeholders “going berserk” with new technology or...
USDA’s emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits are available for eligible households impacted by Tropical Storm Helene in parts of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, with industry associations collaborating to ensure...
An outbreak of listeria is hitting the lunchmeat category — driving down dollars and volume sales — as consumers still rely on the deli department for quick meals and globally inspired flavors, as shared in a recent International Dairy Deli Bakery...
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
After a year of “unapologetically” embracing luxury, indulgence and whimsy through vivid colors and unexpected flavor combinations, consumers will rediscover and recenter themselves in 2025 by choosing taste profiles and hues that more realistically...
Kabrita USA's vertically-integrated supply chain, managed by its parent company Ausnutria, helped the brand secure US regulatory recognition and retail expansion, Jacqueline Lipiec, general manager, Kabrita North America, told FoodNavigator-USA.
2024 US presidential election
Donald Trump's election as the 47th US president signals a sea change in economic and trade policies from the Biden Administration, as the president-elect is expected to raise tariffs, which can kick start inflation again and complicate stressed supply...
Startup Spotlight
Long gone are the days when a deal was sealed with a handshake and verbal commitment, which is why the co-founder of veggie snack startup Theo’s advises entrepreneurs to be persistent – but not annoying – about securing commitments in writing before acting.