This week’s top stories explore the White House’s food price probe, consumer perceptions of gene editing and the flavor and functionality trends reshaping 2026.
Trump orders probe into rising food prices
President Trump has instructed the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to dig into what’s behind rising food prices, directing agencies to look closely at potential anti-competitive behavior across the supply chain. The move follows his mid-November decision to pull coffee, cocoa, beef and several tropical products off the tariff list – an attempt to ease cost pressures and keep import-heavy categories stable.
Retailers and brands are adjusting to the shifting tariff landscape. Walmart is reworking pricing and promotional strategies to buffer tariff-related volatility, while Coca-Cola tweaked its approach to address uneven cost impacts across its portfolio.
Read the full story here: Trump orders sweeping probe into food price-fixing as grocery costs threaten GOP
Consumer acceptance of gene-edited foods
New research into consumer attitudes toward gene-edited foods reveals that shoppers care less about the technology and more about the benefits it delivers.
Improved nutrition, reduced waste or better animal health make the strongest case for gene-edited food – especially when they’re communicated in simple terms, according to a joint study by The Center for Food Integrity and FMI – The Food Industry Association.
This benefit-forward framing echoes other developments in food biotech, including efforts to reduce allergenic proteins in wheat without compromising baking performance. These projects highlight how researchers are working to pair health-focused innovation with the functionality consumers expect.
Read the full story here: Consumers embrace gene-edited foods when brands focus on value, not science
Shoppers seek authenticity, function and global flavors
KeHE’s 2026 macro trends point to consumers seeking more from everyday foods – more authenticity, functional perks and globally inspired flavors. Ingredients and profiles like ube, chimichurri and bulgogi are moving firmly into the mainstream as shoppers look for bolder and more culturally rooted options.
These tastes map closely to broader ingredient market growth, where demand for clean-label components, layered flavor systems and health-aligned solutions continues to climb. Industry forecasts show the ingredient sector on track for significant expansion as brands reshape their portfolios around these evolving expectations.
Read the full story here: 5 macro trends in 2026 from KeHE Distributors
