News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Law firms warn CPG clients to prepare for tougher scrutiny under MAHA-driven policies, Prop 65 claims and state-led investigations targeting ingredients, packaging and label language
The US state’s decision to publish glyphosate residue results for supermarket bread has reopened questions around food safety, scientific context and how regulatory data is interpreted by consumers
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ claims, but ambiguity over ‘petroleum-based dyes’ leaves manufacturers cautious
CEO calls the move a ‘surgical investment’ as the company integrates Siete Foods, Poppi and its expanded Celsius partnership while preparing relaunches of Gatorade and Quaker Oats
Court finds that requiring disclaimers like “does not contain meat” violates free speech, marking another victory for Tofurkey, Plant Based Foods Association and the Animal Legal Defense Fund
Store brands nearly triple the dollar sales growth of national brands, as grocers position wellness-focused products to capture health-conscious shoppers
From celebrity cameos to cashback promos, food and beverage brands are pulling out all the stops ahead of kickoff
Mayonnaise giants are squaring off against better-for-you upstarts like Graza and Chosen Foods in the race to reinvent a creamy classic
Americans increasingly factor processing into food choices, but inconsistent definitions and tradeoffs around convenience and cost leave room for clearer communication, according to new IFIC research
Diet Trends
Spins analysts say younger consumers are turning to wearable technology and AI tools to customize nutrition and choose foods that deliver health benefits and flavor
Diet Trends
Fiber is making a comeback in snacks as gut health trends, GLP-1 use and clean-label demands reshape functional food innovation
Diet Trends
Study highlights how fiber, convenience-driven healthy meals and mood-boosting products are redefining better-for-you trends
From tropical flavors to protein-rich options, yogurt continues to balance bold taste with health-conscious trends
Winter Fancy Faire
Using a proprietary dry-printing process, Milkadamia’s new oat milk format reduces packaging by 85%, lowers logistics costs and gives retailers a less expensive, more sustainable entry point for plant-based milks
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans avoid the term “ultra-processed foods,” prompting both praise and criticism
For startup Loonen, water isn’t just water - it’s spring-sourced and filtered with an emphasis on minimizing plastic across the supply chain
EQUII co-founder joins Impossible to accelerate the next phase of plant-based innovation
The newest Dietary Guidelines emphasize whole foods, protein and animal fats – a shift praised by some experts as overdue, but others warn the report is retro and insufficient
As demand for natural sweeteners grows, Manus moves monk fruit production in the US
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
A nearly $1 billion write-down and soft Q2 weigh on the stock, yet management reaffirms its focus on frozen, snacks and value-led innovation
2026 Trendspotting
From matcha and sober-curious sips to gut-friendly tonics, protein power and tropical spritzes, functional beverages are defining the next wave of refreshment
Trendspotting 2026
Plant-based milk is predicted to rebound in 2026 with whole ingredients, high-protein innovation and premium café culture
Barry Callebaut partners with NotCo AI and Planet A Foods to tackle soaring cocoa prices and regulatory hurdles, leveraging digital formulation tools to future‑proof chocolate
Shoppers demanding authenticity, function and bolder international products
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
From Finland to Italy, Peru to the UK, four start-ups are on a mission to transform the sugar reduction landscape
The farmer-focused vinegar-based sparkling tonic launches in 2026 at Sprouts Farmers Market
Up the food chain
How Oatly’s North American president Helge Weitz uses his CPG and real-world restaurant experience to map the firm’s US reset
The achievement gives Danone a competitive advantage over the likes of Nestlé and Unilever and is a boon for investor confidence
CEO Michael Allen says innovation a top priority to meet families’ needs
The global food and beverage ingredients market is booming. But what are the trends powering industry growth?
Prebiotic sodas, better-for-you energy drinks and Halloween candy give embattled retailer Q3 lift
Food sector AI, coconut nectar, trout and more feature in this edition of Middle East Focus
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
Startup Spotlight
From Greek yogurt crust to store shelves, Yough! is navigating the hurdles of scaling a healthier frozen pizza
From antioxidant sparkling waters to unsweetened tea blends, drink makers meet surging demand for focused energy without the crash
Healthy beverages
Lipton is expanding into concentrates and herbal teas to meet growing demand for flavorful, functional and convenient tea formats, while keeping pace with trends like GLP-1 wellness and stress management
Healthy beverages
Brands like Oodles of Doodles and Stonyfield Organic show how the kids’ beverage category is evolving toward simpler ingredients, functional benefits and age-appropriate formats
Frozen entrée manufacturer Saffron Road expands its clean label positioning with its Seed Oil Free certification, a move that reflects both evolving consumer awareness and the brand’s long-term strategy around ingredient transparency
The maker of Celestial Seasonings and Garden Veggie Snacks narrowed losses as restructuring gains traction
The standard includes ingredient criteria and processing intensity that align with nutrition research and food system realities
Nut butter pioneer hopes to recapture the entrepreneurial spark that made his snack company a category trailblazer
The tradeshow featured hundreds of innovative new products at the Cool New Snacks preview room
Protein’s still flexing hard, but it’s left the gym and hit the grocery aisle
Modern science drives Danone’s innovations, yet the company is also looking to ancient traditions around the world to understand how different cultures nurture gut health
Clean energy has already swept across the energy drink category. Now, Odyssey Functional Energy heralds the next era of added functionality: becoming a favorite in offices of SpaceX, Uber, Google, Meta, Amazon and more
News Bites
Younger consumers redefine “healthy,” experts warn UPF rules may backfire and Coca-Cola bets big on protein and zero sugar
The snack giant will expand value offerings, boost innovation in better-for-you products and indulgent items, and refine promotions to reignite growth