News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Trump’s food price probe, research on what really drives acceptance of gene-edited foods and KeHE’s latest read on authenticity, function and global flavor exploration reshape the industry as the year winds down
News Bites
Brands and retailers are responding to consumers who want more — more flavor, more functionality and more alignment with their health and sustainability goals
Startup Spotlight
What the food and beverage market needs isn’t just another AI model — it needs artificial intelligence that understands CPG-specific business
Grounded in emerging science, Danone’s research and innovation team is developing nutrient-dense products tailored to every stage of the GLP-1 user journey – and meeting the needs of the broader health conscious consumer
Behind the juice aisle lies an ingredients business that supplies everything from trail mixes and chocolate bites to canned cocktails – often with no Ocean Spray logo in sight
Precision fermentation and ingredient diversification could provide answers for struggling food companies
Pickles are big business and experiencing rapid growth through savvy startups and private-label expansion
FedUp Foods and FrshBev exemplify contract manufacturing’s role in functional beverage development
As private-label products surge overseas, US grocers are just beginning to unlock their full potential
Startup Spotlight
From Greek yogurt crust to store shelves, Yough! is navigating the hurdles of scaling a healthier frozen pizza
Startup Spotlight
By putting consumer enjoyment ahead of its sustainability mission, the fizzy electrolyte tablet brand has ushered in an era of daily hydration and in doing so doubled its velocity, expanded distribution and outpaced legacy competitors in natural grocery...
After years of price-driven gains, Acosta’s John Carroll warns the industry must pivot to tech-enabled collaboration to reignite meaningful unit growth
News Bites
Younger consumers redefine “healthy,” experts warn UPF rules may backfire and Coca-Cola bets big on protein and zero sugar
Startup Spotlight
The startup says its AI-enhanced platform boosted revenue 8% for one independent grocer, and it aims to help more retailers reclaim margins lost to pricing inefficiencies
CPG giant showcases co-branded launches and adventurous snacking trends at NACS, targeting flavor-driven demand
News Bites
FDA accelerates precision fermentation, General Mills refocuses on overlooked consumers and innovators redefine the role of sugar
The payment system restructure could cost the industry $1.6 billion
Prepared-food sales are climbing, and younger shoppers are leading the push for fresher, clean-label offerings
From traceable sourcing to employee engagement, Acme’s Citizens of Seafood initiative and Climate Awards demonstrate how seafood companies can align business success with environmental responsibility
News Bites
Lay’s gets a new look, nutrition science is getting a reality check and precision fermented ingredients are getting FDA’s nod
Smithfield and Mike’s Hot Honey use honey’s flavor versatility to create bold, on-trend products that engage millennials, Gen Z and sweet-and-spicy enthusiasts
Startup Spotlight
While a national buy from Whole Foods is the dream for many startups, often a ‘no for now’ will bide time and resources to land on more shelves in the future
CPG marketers can’t afford outdated strategies when it comes to connecting with video game players. Learn what works now in FoodNavigator-USA’s free webinar Fueling Fun: Connecting with Esports Enthusiasts and Everyday Gamers FTW
Kerry’s sustainable nutrition spectrum guides CPG brands in reformulating foods that meet evolving consumer expectations for health, sustainability and taste.
Startup Spotlight
By connecting with millions of Roblox players across 200 video games, the caffeinated snack startup is scaling distribution at a fast pace
Groceryshop 2025
NielsenIQ’s latest outlook warns consumers are hitting their spending limits and are desperate for relief – opening the door for promotions, private-label and health-claims to drive sales
Startup Spotlight
By sticking to herbs, spices, juices and natural sweeteners like honey, maple and date syrup, Fresh Fizz’s ingredient list is informing every aspect of its business strategy
This month highlights a particular focus on women’s hormonal health, sports nutrition, hydration, gut health and beauty-from-within.
From consumer habits to technological innovation, industry and advocacy leaders shared actionable solutions to turn awareness into measurable reductions in food waste
News Bites
For food and beverage companies, staying ahead of these shifts will be critical as the rules of the game continue to evolve
At IBIE 2025, Dawn Foods used a combination of donuts, data and demos to show operators how to turn consumer buzz into real-world results
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
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
Rapid climate change and rising consumer demand are hitting botanical supply chains and impeding the production of sustainable, high quality products.
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
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
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
News Bites
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
Startup Spotlight
ReadyBar’s founder warns CPG startups against trying to be everything to everyone. His lesson: focus on a niche, like first responders, to build real traction
From frozen bagels to ready-to-heat fondue, restaurants are meeting consumers at home and crowding an already competitive grocery aisle
News Bites
Consumer demand is pushing the food industry toward cleaner labels, greater transparency and innovation that balances nutrition, sustainability and taste
Startup Spotlight
Salad Sprinkles’ gluten-free, rice-flour topping has gone from TikTok virality to retail shelves, backed by a lean startup strategy and plans for retail expansion
Summer Fancy Food Show 2025
From sourcing and ingredients to production methods, Marco Ortolani, CEO of Italian cured meat producer Rovagnati North America, shares the key elements the company prioritizes for its Italian and North American markets
News Bites
This week’s News Bites explores how evolving food definitions, SNAP policy shifts and escalating tariff costs are reshaping the food and beverage landscape
Startup Spotlight
The Indonesia-based brand uses retailer partnerships to introduce US consumers to tempeh chips - turning a low-cost trial tactic into a long-term strategy for awareness and growth
Summer Fancy Food Show
Sun World, Oishii and Fresh Del Monte lead the charge to brand produce like packaged goods – calling out flavor, appearance, texture and overall quality to win over shoppers and give retailers a bump in foot traffic and basket size
August Launch Pad
Summer may be in full swing still, but food and beverage companies are ready to usher in fall with an array of pumpkin spiced and seasonal treats, lunchbox-ready solutions for back-to-school and creative collaborations that celebrate the season’s...
Summer Fancy Food Show
The startup is taking a measured approach with its globally inspired Umami Everything sauce, soft launching in select markets to ensure production keeps pace with growing demand
Future Food Tech Chicago
Following the greenlight from USDA last week, Mission Barns is not wasting time bringing its animal-free cultured pork to market – it is targeting a Sprouts Farmers Market launch this summer, while simultaneously pursing B2B partnerships
Startup Spotlight
Startup Fudi Protein’s lean team of two is bringing an alfalfa-based egg white alternative to market fast thanks to strategic collaboration with time tested-experts, open-minded farmers and well-connected investors