News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Startup Spotlight
By connecting with millions of Roblox players across 200 video games, the caffeinated snack startup is scaling distribution at a fast pace
Ahead of FoodNavigator-USA’s free webinar ‘Fueling Fun: Connecting with Esports Enthusiasts and Everyday Gamers FTW’ (October 15), we look at how brands from Doritos to Heinz are stepping inside the $200bn gaming economy
Functional bottled water wars continue between US beverage goliaths
The spice giant plans to absorb as much of tremendous tariff hit as possible to maintain sales volume growth but warns surgical price increases may be necessary as many ongoing mitigation efforts are unsustainable into the new year
Can energy drinks be a game-changer for e-sports enthusiasts?
The American Egg Board’s new ‘Stronger by the Dozen’ campaign positions eggs as more than just protein, highlighting their role in supporting muscle, the brain and overall well-being
Better-for-you options, viral trends and flavor innovation fuel growth, but policy shifts around SNAP, ultra processed foods and labor could weigh on the industry
Fair Trade leaders discuss challenges and wins in ethical, organic, sustainable sourcing
From consumer habits to technological innovation, industry and advocacy leaders shared actionable solutions to turn awareness into measurable reductions in food waste
The brand is betting on a “gut health glow-up,” refreshing its brand and product lineup to win over the next generation of wellness-minded consumers
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
After decades of being overshadowed by Boomers and Millennials, Generation X is poised to become the dominant global consumer group and are projected to spend $15.2 trillion 2025 and $23 trillion worldwide in 2035, according to new research from...
Healthy Snacking Trends
New survey shows Americans snack daily but miss key nutrition goals – Bel aims to close the gap with portion-controlled, playful and nutrient-rich snacks
Healthy snacking trends
The retailer’s chief merchandising and marketing officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk explains how evolving quality standards, trendspotting and value-conscious innovation are shaping healthier snacking and shopping
Letter from the editor
Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again campaign and rising consumer demand for “free from” claims are reshaping retailer assortments and opening doors for emerging brands
Are ultra-processed foods really the enemy?
Coro Foods’ new chimichurri salami collaboration with spice brand Dalkin & Co shows how premium meat makers are using bold flavors, unique formats and cross-brand partnerships to win consumers
By extending its seasonal leadership and tapping consumer nostalgia with a modern twist, Hershey is driving incremental sales and household penetration
Many brands are not prepared for food recalls, but Recall InfoLink CEO Roger Hancock explains how simulation, cross-team coordination and technology can turn a crisis into a controlled, consumer-protecting process
The organization’s new certification for coffee challenges brands to invest in long-term resilience, farmer incentives and climate-ready supply chains
Do manufacturers really need to navigate out of the ‘dirty’ UPF world? Perhaps not, as exclusive research shows consumers’ perception of UPF is very different to their reality
Industry executives at the Organic Trade Association’s annual meeting last week warn tariffs will lift prices but may also spark much-needed investments in local processing and supply chain capacity
Alt dairy has seen better days as consumers have pulled back from the category. But in every challenge lies an opportunity, industry insiders say
A senior leader at Whole Foods Market shares how the retailer’s shopper demographics and psychographics are evolving – from lapsed holiday buyers to aspirational Gen Z – and what that means for product placement and marketing opportunities
Holiday treats, spices and baking goods are back in stores
Organic Week 2025
From eco-minded Boomers to health-conscious Millennials to price-sensitive Gen Zers, organic consumers are everywhere but they are far from monolithic – complicating market strategies for brands and retailers
Despite steep sales and profit declines in the first quarter, the Cheerios maker says price cuts, increased advertising and innovation are winning over budget-conscious consumers and laying the groundwork for a volume-driven rebound in fiscal year 2026
Kevin Hall, a former senior investigator at NIH, says MAHA children’s report fails to address ultra-processed food threat
Nearly half of all US adults fall under the category, according to Brightseed survey
Category growth fuels retail wins as DryWater scales to 6,000 Walgreens locations
News Bites
Energy drinks, snacking behaviors and corporate restructuring made headlines this week, underscoring how rapidly the food and beverage landscape is shifting under competitive and consumer pressures
From Oreo x Reese’s to Biscoff tie-ups, partnerships are delivering the consumer buzz and sales lift that price cuts and big-ticket acquisitions no longer guarantee
OTA’s ‘Seal Makes it Simple’ campaign debuting in six regions clarifies USDA Organic’s multi-benefit value amid rising sustainability claims and the Trump administration’s non-regulatory approach to Make America Healthy Again
The company’s storytelling piques the interest of consumers who crave ethical protein and expands appeal to women consumers
In a digital-first, sustainability-driven world, packaging is evolving from container to channel and reshaping how brands connect with consumers
Younger consumers are adventurous, wellness-focused and in search of flavor
TikTok drives Gen Z market trends in coffee for at-home latte hacks
Keurig, Jacobs and Douwe Egberts take on Nespresso and Nescafe
Beef tallow’s resurgence signals broader shock in the edible oils market with many CPG brands rethinking marketing messaging around fats and replacing seed oils
In a layoff-heavy industry, beverage syrup and sauce brand Torani’s century-long people-first approach delivers stability, growth and a clear path to $1B revenue
AI-driven retail insights firm Crisp Data helps seafood brand Safe Catch recover lost sales and fuel double-digit growth
Better Meat Co. raises $31 million series A to scale mycoprotein ingredient
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
From frozen bagels to ready-to-heat fondue, restaurants are meeting consumers at home and crowding an already competitive grocery aisle
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
From blue-collar roots to fitness fans, VP Mark Singleton explains how the family-owned brand innovates to stay relevant and offers tips for new founders
M&M’s, Skittles, and Starburst will ditch artificial colours, but not every product is making the switch
News Bites
Consumer demand is pushing the food industry toward cleaner labels, greater transparency and innovation that balances nutrition, sustainability and taste
Hightouch’s new AI-powered identity resolution service lets marketers ‘toggle’ confidence levels for more precise or broader reach – all within their own data warehouse
The lawsuit claims that Chobani is free-riding on Danone’s brand equity and marketing investment in RTD coffee by copying SToK’s slogan and packaging design
Circana sales data from July reveals US consumers are buying groceries more often, but where they shop and what they buy is shifting – with winners and losers emerging across bakery, protein and frozen
Three-quarters of young children see branded food content on YouTube – and most of it flies under the regulatory radar