News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
FDA could strengthen labeling requirements for plant- and cell-based products to ensure consumers understand how their nutrition and production compare to that of their animal-based counterparts, agency officials told legislators last week.
Confusion about whether food is safe to eat after “sell by,” “use by” and “best by” dates accounts for an estimated 20% of food wasted in the home, according to FDA, which is why the agency and USDA are considering whether and how to standardize date labels.
New product launches this holiday season are all about limited time offerings, including a barrage of peppermint-chocolate flavor extensions, and a smattering of inclusive allergen-friendly and better-for-you options.
We narrow down the most important market and consumer trends that could influence dairy product innovation in 2025.
CPG companies trying to make the most out of their non-GMO claims are finding market success through certification programs rather than making claims on their own, according to data shared in a recent SPINS webinar.
Staying up to date with the newest confectionery products, trends and flavour combinations on the market is key to keeping on top of the fast-paced and competitive sweet sector.
Mood food for mental wellbeing – How can industry capitalize?
A third of American adults consider sleep one of their top three health priorities, and while most of them prioritize behavioral and lifestyle strategies to fall and stay asleep, there is an opportunity for “naturally helpful” and “functional” food and...
Mood food for mental wellbeing – How can industry capitalize?
Consumer demands for on-the-go functionality are fueling growth in the nascent mood-support snack bar, with brands like Mood Bars and others differentiating themselves in a crowded category with the help of brain-boosting ingredients.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Emotional wellbeing is emerging as a top health concern for consumers across the generations, according to new research by the Hartman Group, which also found an increasing portion of people prefer to manage their moods with food, beverages and...
Health conscious consumers don’t want sugar-laden, taurine energy drinks: but they still want a burst of energy to keep them powering through their day. How are brands providing that better-for-you buzz?
Nestlé has revealed the top food and drink trends that will drive its research, development and innovation in 2025, with speed, personalisation and fusion taking centre stage.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
A broadly-supported new definition for “pasture-raised” poultry proposed by USDA this fall could help level the playing field for small, independent farms and brands competing in the increasingly important, crowded and confusing humanely-raised chicken...
Beyond Meat’s strategic decision to reposition its products as premium and rely less on discounts helped the company return its revenue to growth for the first time since 2022, but it cost the company volume, which continued to slide.
Mad Tea’s 100% compostable tea pods, made from a blend of PHA and other compostable bioplastics, aim to satisfy consumer demand for sustainable packaging, yet experts warn that high production costs, limited infrastructure, and regulatory confusion pose...
FDA’s fiscal year 2025 priority deliverables for the Human Foods Program emphasize transparency and accountability amid state funding cuts and resource constraints.
US consumers favor caloric sweeteners like honey, brown sugar and sucrose over their no- or low-calorie counterparts, despite shoppers acknowledging the health benefits of sweeteners like stevia, aspartame and erythritol, International Food Information...
The transformative takeover by Mars Inc. has been overwhelmingly approved, marking a pivotal moment in the snack industry. What does this mean for the future of snacking?
November Launch Pad
The holiday season is here bringing a slew of food and beverage launches to help consumers celebrate with seasonal products featuring nostalgic fall and winter flavors that make entertaining easier and warm consumers as the weather cools.
Industry leaders are emphasizing the integration of regenerative agriculture alongside established organic practices, as demand for sustainable food and beverage products continues to rise.
Plant-based diets remain popular, but associations with UPF and low-quality ingredients has shaken consumer trust in alt meat, fish and dairy brands. So, what can the sector do to restore public opinion?
Kraft Heinz has cut its full-year 2024 forecast following a third-quarter net sales slump, as price hikes worked against the food major by dampening consumer demand.
Better-for-you snack brand ELAVI doubled its Costco rotation to 30 Southern California stores in less than a year while addressing cocoa shortage and packaging changes.
Mega deals within snacking are picking up pace after a quiet start to the year, with Mars’ Kellanova acquisition the tip of the iceberg as strong financial performances provide corporates with healthy cashflows.
Brand Alchemy
Today’s marketing strategies need flexible adjustments and a blend of channels to keep pace with rapid shifts in media consumption, unlike the fixed annual media plans of yesteryear.
Creating and building brand awareness, with potential customers, is essential to success. Here’s how to recognise and connect with your target market.
Some nutritious foods under the current NOVA system could be demonised alongside unhealthy variants. Industry's calling for reform, but what would the next generation look like?
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
Diets that exclude foods high in added sugar and saturated fat, like sugary drinks, snacks and processed meat, still provide sufficient levels of essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and fiber, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Bell Flavors & Fragrances' new Consumer Science Sensory Center provides CPG companies with a space to develop innovative new flavors and products that resonate with consumers.
Dairy innovation and trends
The dairy case is no longer a limited selection of fat-free, low-fat or whole milk in generic white bottles or a bare-bones choice between just “orange” or “white” cheese – rather an explosion of innovation in recent years has dramatically multiplied...
Dairy’s nutrient density and decadent eating experience create a powerful canvas for startups innovating across categories to offer better-for-you moments of permissible indulgence while simultaneously supporting the health of consumers, the planet and...
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Research and advocates for 100% grass-fed dairy suggest the practice is better for people, the planet and animals – but is it better for business?
The influx of plant-based milk in recent years could provide relief and stability for consumers suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, but there remains a significant unmet need for clean-label, allergen-free options, according to one registered...
Coca-Cola beat Wall Street estimates for its third quarter despite volumes and revenue declines, as the beverage giant pursues an “all-weather strategy" and offsets challenges with innovation in Sprite, Fanta and Topo Chico, company CEO James Quincey...
Startup Spotlight
Tinned fish brand Fishwife launched in response to the lack of innovation and bold branding in the multi-billion-dollar canned fish category, with a strategic focus on culinary-inspired flavors and artistically-driven packaging, CEO and Co-Founder, Becca...
Brands are reformulating to create functional foods and beverages, catering to everything from gut health to improved sleep. So, how is the sector evolving to meet consumer demand?
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommends consolidating various dietary patterns into a single, inclusive Healthy US-Style Dietary Pattern that includes nutrient-dense, plant-based foods and which is accessible for all Americans.
Size matters – at least when it comes to crafting nutrient content and health claims for food based on servings, according to a recent BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division decision for a challenge brought by Olé Mexican Foods against...
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
After a year of “unapologetically” embracing luxury, indulgence and whimsy through vivid colors and unexpected flavor combinations, consumers will rediscover and recenter themselves in 2025 by choosing taste profiles and hues that more realistically...
Startup Spotlight
Long gone are the days when a deal was sealed with a handshake and verbal commitment, which is why the co-founder of veggie snack startup Theo’s advises entrepreneurs to be persistent – but not annoying – about securing commitments in writing before acting.
Meat alternative sales dropped in the last four years, but all is not lost for the segment which has opportunity to thrive in the frozen department with a particular focus on convenience, value, ingredient quality, diverse formats and new flavors,...
The slightest sniff of cultural insensitivity will generate social uproar, as Heinz recently experienced with a now withdrawn pasta sauce advert. But what is the real risk to FMCG brands of not doing their culture homework?
The multinational candy maker aligns with shoppers’ interest in value-oriented products reflected through its Reese’s and Kit Kat brands, while Jolly Ranchers' brand refresh features new textures and formats.
Sober-curious and -conscious consumers are pushing the non-alcoholic alternative market to new heights, creating market sub-categories focused on functionality, despite recent slowdowns in product innovation, SPINS shared in a recent report.
Discover how beauty-enhancing ingredients like collagen and biotin are changing the confectionery industry with delicious, functional treats.
More consumers are buying pricier organic food and drink, despite continuing cost-of-living pressures, with sales expected to rocket as governments push to make organic farming central to future sustainability strategies.
Retailers and food manufacturers are banding together to develop more on-trend and innovative private-label products, as the market sheds the perception that they are just cheaper alternatives to national brands, FMI – The Food Industry Association...
The snacking giant – along with other global giants – has committed to a $2bn initiative aimed at advancing gender equality and sustainability in agricultural supply chains. But can this ambitious collaboration truly reshape the future of agriculture by...
Brands are reformulating to improve nutritional value and reduce or remove ‘unhealthy’ ingredient levels. But this is not always a vote winner with customers. Why?
Welch’s Fruit Snacks’ maker Promotion In Motion (PIM Brands) went too far in ads it intended to humorously highlight the difference between its fruit snacks and those of competitors, and should discontinue messages that suggest competing products are...
PFAS and their impact on public health remain a key issue as the industry swaps plastic for paper.