Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever’s court battle enters a decisive phase
The long-running governance dispute in the US is at an inflection point
Dairy
Whey boom fuels surge in protein processing expansion
From WPC80 to lactoferrin, dairy companies globally are investing in premium protein capacity to capture growth in the high-end sports nutrition and functional food space
Danone’s Chobani lawsuit proves why protein claims are high stakes
Chobani and Danone’s court face-off demonstrates how fierce the battle in the ultra-high protein category has become
News Bites
How CPGS are rewriting ‘better-for-you’
Cleaning up labels is no longer enough – value-driven consumers are forcing the industry to rethink the balance of price, health and convenience
Global Food Tech Awards
Why next gen alt protein startups will be built on access, not just science
In protein, the real challenge isn’t invention – it’s getting to market and staying there
Agentic commerce could crack personalization but only for data-ready brands
Will agentic commerce deliver on the personalization food and beverage has been trying to achieve?
Clean protein shakes up RTD beverages
Elmhurst 1925 extends clean-label portfolio with RTD plant protein shakes
How are Nestlé, Danone and Muscle Milk rethinking reformulation?
Additives and artificial colors and flavors continue to be axed from formulas as the industry balances a meeting consumers’ health goals with nutrition policy
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
From barn to breakthrough: How Danone is rethinking food innovation
Danone argues tomorrow’s nutrient-dense foods will be shaped first by healthier soils, smarter farming and stronger supply chains, creating new opportunities for protein- and fiber-rich products with lasting consumer appeal
Danone deepens consumer trust in Danimals with reformulation and education strategy
As parents seek foods with multiple health benefits, Danone is updating its iconic kids yogurt brand with a reformulated recipe, refreshed identity and educational summer campaign
Is ‘healthy enough’ the new ‘better for you?’
Winning brands balance health, indulgence and convenience
Clear whey drives functional drinks boom amid tightening WPI supply
Active consumers want high-protein drinks that are both nutritious and refreshing. Clear whey has become a key ingredient for such formulations
Fed Up! campaign takes aim at UPFs, but the science debate persists
A new campaign on ultra processed food education highlights systemic nutrition barriers, while food science experts stress the need to define the polarizing term before linking it to health outcomes
Protein ice cream, EPG and the future of food: Why David’s Peter Rahal is betting on tech over branding
David’s protein ice cream sold out in 28 minutes of launching, but founder Peter Rahal says the real story isn’t frozen dessert – it’s how proprietary food technology could reshape the future of indulgence
Why dairy giants see growth in meal replacement brands
Danone, Nestlé and Lactalis have all jumped onto the ‘smart food’ bandwagon via bolt-on acquisitions. Why is the segment so strategically important?
Saputo eyes growth through M&A and premium whey streams
The Canadian multinational is exploring bolt-on acquisitions while sharpening its ingredients portfolio to bank on protein demand
Nestlé’s global footprint extends reach of startup Helaina’s protein
The partnership is a crucial milestone toward meeting infants’ nutritional needs in larger populations given Nestlé’s global footprint that would be difficult for the startup to achieve independently
How Lactalis’ Protein Works deal sharpens its active nutrition focus
Lifestyle nutrition has become a major CPG bet – and dairy’s richest player just took a slice
Muscle Milk undergoes it’s ‘biggest transformation’ with Pro lineup
For Muscle Milk, the challenge – and opportunity – is to meet consumers’ varied needs with simplicity and nutrient density
How dairy can seize its World Cup moment
With global audiences shifting to digital and wellness on the rise, is dairy ready to compete with Big Soda for World Cup visibility?
Which brands could Nestlé axe next?
Nestlé wants to become a leaner business. As it weighs its priorities, could brands like Coffee Mate and Carnation become dispensable?
Pioneers
Cottage cheese ice cream is here - and Smearcase wants the shelf
Cottage cheese isn’t just disrupting the fresh aisle – it’s scooping out its own niche in frozen, too
Can infant formula catch up to breast milk?
A new generation of infant formula that recreates the immune, digestive and developmental benefits of human milk is creating regulatory challenges
Danone bets on protein coffee to shake up RTD nutrition
As the company expands its ambient protein shakes range in North America, it quietly backs an emerging category. Would consumers respond?
Processed foods aren’t going away, but they are evolving
In the gap between consumers’ intention and reality, is there room for processed food in a healthy diet?
Nestlé and Danone: Baby food pouches under fire as microplastics found
Microplastics detected in Nestlé and Danone baby food pouches spark safety concerns
Added fibre: Why fortification is harder than it looks
Adding fibre to foods and beverages could help close the ‘fibre gap’, but reformulation challenges threaten taste and texture
Is the Magnum Ice Cream Company ready to thrive?
Recent chatter about private equity interest has brought the company’s performance into focus
How RTD is unlocking new opportunities in dairy
From cold coffee to protein shakes, ready-to-drink is emerging as a winning format for dairy brands
Danone walks away from Lifeway with $67.4m stake sale
The two companies are drawing a line under a long-running and fractious relationship
Beyond protein: Why wellness platforms are the real deal
Protein remains big business, but with functional trends evolving at pace, it’s time to think bigger
Science Shorts: Alt dairy 2.0, personalised nutrition, and smart innovation
Alt dairy 2.0, personalised nutrition, and smart innovation feature in this edition of Science Shorts
Why thinking like an AI agent matters to marketing
Generative engine optimization is reshaping how brands get discovered
New product development
Just launched: Maggi ready meals, Quorn, Ella’s Kitchen and more…
Plant-based innovation, next-generation kids food and elevated snacking are all key themes in this week’s NPD roundup
Why Danone invests millions in regenerative agriculture
Danone has made regenerative agriculture a central pillar in its sustainability strategy. What value does it bring?
Bel’s Brainiac buy signals next wave in kids’ snacks
The Bel Group acquisition of Brainiac highlights a fast-growing category where nutrition science, parental anxiety and marketing ambition are converging
Tariff refunds are available - here’s how to get them right
High rejection rates and a tight 80-day filing window are turning what should be straightforward IEEPA tariff refunds into a high-stakes, error-prone process for small and mid-sized CPG brands
Iran war fallout hits grocery aisles as food inflation surges and shoppers pull back
Higher fuel and fertilizer costs tied to Strait of Hormuz disruptions pushed at-home food prices up 0.7% in April, while consumers increasingly weigh purchases item-by-item in search of value
From cereulide to botulism: Exposing the fault lines in infant nutrition safety
From recalled product remaining on shelves to weak marketing guidance, regulatory gaps across infant nutrition remain stark
Regenerative agriculture’s core tensions unpacked
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum – but what does it really mean, how should claims and practices be audited, and how can producers and industry fairly share the value it creates?
Will the next wave of alt dairy be built backwards?
Animal-free dairy startup is reversing the traditional biotech model, prioritizing scalability and cost from the outset as the category resets
Horizon Organic plays down impact of multi-state milk recall
The largest US organic dairy brand pulled thousands of flavoured milk cases across four states
How cottage cheese reinvented itself
Cottage cheese is being reinvented through new formats, younger consumers and rising global demand – and brands are only just getting started
Why is plant-based dairy doing so much better than plant-based meat?
While the two formats both provide vegan alternatives to animal-sourced products, one is a clear winner in terms of market share
From clicks to cart: Online grocery drives the next wave of growth
As omnichannel shopping becomes the norm, ecommerce, retail media and retailer apps are reshaping how and where grocery growth happens
Coca-Cola to Funfetti: Food brands celebrate America’s 250th birthday with limited-edition products
US grocery shelves are getting a patriotic makeover this summer as food manufacturers launch limited-edition products
FDA’s largest infant formula test yet finds ‘low’ contaminants – but no new rules
FDA’s infant formula test found mostly trace contaminants, but without standards, enforcement or pre‑market testing, the data leaves critical questions unanswered
Bel North America’s CEO talks strategy and growth ambitions
Peter McGuinness has led challenger brands into mainstream success. Now, he wants to revitalise Bel’s iconic brands in North America
Whey’s growing influence on dairy price dynamics
Heavy investment in cheese and whey processing is fundamentally reshaping dairy commodity economics. Here’s what this means for prices
From ambient to plant-based: Where Danone is taking protein next
Danone leads the high-protein yogurt space in the US. Now, it’s branching into new categories and formats