News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
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
CPG brands could face greater regulatory oversight, higher expectations for transparency and new risks if ingredient safety communication falls short
The EU has resumed its investigation into Mars’ $35.9bn merger with Kellanova, following a stop in July
Kevin Hall, a former senior investigator at NIH, says MAHA children’s report fails to address ultra-processed food threat
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
For Melissa Ben-Ishay, teaming up with Ferrero is a Halloween treat. But the Baked by Melissa CEO knows collabs are more than fun – they’re fueling serious business growth
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
Joy is universal, but Cargill’s insights show CPGs must fine-tune baked goods by format, department and occasion
From Kraft Heinz’s split to Mars and Kellanova’s mega-merger, the world’s biggest food brands are reshaping the industry
Kraft Heinz is officially splitting into two companies. What does this mean for its iconic brands, shareholders, and the future of the food industry?
Heartland Craft Grains’ pact with Grown Climate Smart proves regenerative certification is becoming a supply-chain movement
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
From a founder’s kitchen experiment to retail expansion, Day Out reflects the growing demand for nutrient-dense, convenient and clean-ingredient snacks
The global food and drink industry’s biggest sustainability call to action has kicked off in the first month-long Sustainable September event
Data from Conagra and Circana shows how shifting tastes, wellness demands and convenience are rewriting the playbook for snack makers worldwide
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
Forget sugar for a moment. A new analysis shows kids’ cereals are steadily losing the very nutrients that once made them worth eating at all
With GLP-1 users eating less often, chewy and long-lasting snacks like jerky, protein bites, gummies and gum are stepping up as the formats that make every portion count
Nestlé continues move away from plant-based as market growth slows
A US judge tossed the first big UPF lawsuit, but with mounting science and regulators circling, bakery, snack and cereal brands shouldn’t breathe easy just yet
McCormick is building out its Finishing Sugars portfolio as consumers and operators look for easy-to-use flavor boosters that deliver indulgence at home and across foodservice
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
For years, pumpkin spice has ruled the autumn beverage scene – the undisputed seasonal champion. But this year, it’s facing new contenders that are stirring up excitement among consumers and brands alike
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
For CPG manufacturers and foodservice operators, California’s sweeping reforms signal an era of tighter scrutiny on ingredients, marketing and supply chains
Pumpkin spice still anchors autumn, but fatigue is setting in. With cinnamon, caramel and citrus surging, makers must balance nostalgia with novelty to win fall 2025
Industry insiders say troubled merger is a cautionary tale to brands chasing scale over strategy
Divergence across income and demographic groups, heightened health consciousness and evolving definitions of value are reshaping retail strategies
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
The snackdown
As scrutiny mounts over Bimbo’s stalled bid for Wickbold, Mars’ frozen takeover of Kellanova and Smucker’s costly Hostess misfire, the M&A playbook in bakery and snacks is under serious pressure - from regulators, consumers and the market itself
In an age of chips with gut health claims, AI-designed snacks and soft drinks with electrolytes, the most radical thing we could do is stop hiding the fact that food is processed and start celebrating it
The deal that closed on November 7, 2023 is now under fire as sales slump, losses mount and legal investigations heat up - raising serious questions for food‑industry M&A
A surprise win for bakers: by deleting the most toxic gluten peptides, researchers have made wheat safer for the gluten-sensitive – and stronger for high-performance dough
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
Price rises in Europe complement a significant dip in the US
Major food companies like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Conagra and Smucker are leading a sweeping shift away from synthetic colours. Here’s where the US food industry stands right now
The rumours are true. Ferrero Group in Europe is acquiring cereals major WK Kellogg in North America
Summer Fancy Food Show
The flour company reveals why strong supplier relationships and smart cross-functional planning – not just inventory – are the backbone of a resilient food business
There is white space for healthier children’s cereals, but will consumers buy them?
Critics say the real problem isn’t processing - it’s how we’re measuring health. An outdated classification is distorting science and stalling innovation
If taste is king for consumers then nuanced flavor solutions may be next in line for the throne
JM Smucker, Nestlé USA and Conagra Brands, Inc, join the growing list of large CPG food and beverage manufacturers – including Kraft Heinz and General Mills – committed to removing artificial colors from their products in the US
Mars’ $36 billion takeover of Kellanova has been given the green light from US antitrust regulators but Brussels pushes forward with antitrust investigation
The FMCG major has a positive outlook despite a negative end to the year
Mars wants to rule the snack aisle but Brussels may have other ideas. A full-blown EU antitrust probe now threatens to derail the confectionery giant’s biggest-ever bet
The partnership leverages Meala’s patented technology to simplify formulation while meeting the technical demands of plant-based and hybrid food applications
While consumers gravitate toward sweet flavors, their enjoyment of sugar is often tempered by cognitive dissonance — a tension that experts say can be eased through portion control and strategic pack sizing
The US food industry is under significant pressure from federal regulators, state legislators and an outspoken and active subset of consumers to remove artificial dyes from products, although FDA has yet to take official action banning petroleum-based colors
The integration is designed to give retailers, manufacturers and researchers new insight into product healthfulness alongside consumer behavior data