News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Candy in the crosshairs
Even without enforcement action, publicly released contaminant data could fuel lawsuits, consumer confusion and regulatory scrutiny, while also undermining federal oversight
FDA’s latest Request for Information (RFI) could reshape how gluten-containing ingredients are disclosed – raising new compliance questions for brands and offering clearer signals for consumers who rely on accurate labeling
News Bites
From sensemaxxing and nutrition policy to freeze-dried candy, consumers are reshaping what ‘value’ means in food - moving beyond price, binaries and one-size-fits-all health claims
Winter Fancy Faire
Even cautious consumers are balancing budgets with quality, trust and values — and brands that focus only on price risk missing growth opportunities
Dietary guidance, convenience-driven meals and emerging trends like beef tallow may open new avenues for innovation in beef
Industry data shows manufacturers have delayed price hikes through promotions and portfolio pricing, but analysts warn those tools will weaken as tariff costs finally flow through in 2026
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans spotlight an inverted food pyramid, effectively sidelining MyPlate and sparking debate among nutrition experts and educators
Seafood, dairy and red meat carry a higher risk of forced labor, according to a new Tufts and University of Nottingham study that maps labor exploitation across popular US diets
The bipartisan legislation expands milk choice in school meals, restoring whole and 2% dairy while keeping plant-based options on the menu
News Bites
This week’s top stories show how nutrition policy debates, shifting views on processing and cocoa supply disruptions are reshaping formulation and sourcing decisions for CPG brands
As Americans navigate a maze of information about the safety and nutrition of oils and tallows, Marianne’s Harvest offers clear labeling and expert guidance for its versatile products
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans avoid the term “ultra-processed foods,” prompting both praise and criticism
As Virginia becomes the third state to regulate heavy metals in baby food, the question for manufacturers is no longer whether to comply, but how high to set the bar
The latest Dietary Guidelines may not reinvent the wheel, but they offer manufacturers a roadmap to balance nutrition, consumer preference and formulation strategy across sweeteners, grains and processed foods, according to one expert
Dairy, bakery goods and produce climb – but cheaper eggs offer a rare break
Soup-To-Nuts podcast
Industry leaders unpack how climate change, poverty and fractured supply chains collided — and what it will take to fix cocoa for good
Industry groups seek further guidance following a 90-day grace period on SNAP snacks ban
Government support rises even as startups reset
Doctors and nutrition advocates say new Dietary Guidelines for Americans sideline science in favor of meat and dairy industry
The retailer faced hits from reduced drug prices and a government shutdown
New regulation mandates symbols on foods high in sodium, sugar or saturated fat, in effort to combat chronic disease
The market reaction to Donald Trump’s dietary overhaul isn’t about kale versus cookies – it’s about whether Washington has finally decided the packaged food sector needs firmer rules, not friendlier guidance
9th Circuit says USDA wrongly let ultra-processed foods and QR-code-only disclosures dodge federal GMO labeling law
The agency signals stepped-up enforcement of its Consumer Review Rule, citing potential fines that can “quickly add up”
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
The Commerce Department sharply reduced proposed anti-dumping duties on 13 Italian pasta brands, easing fears of product pullouts by major brands including Garofalo and La Molisana ahead of a final ruling in March
Steady wages, tax refunds and undervalued assets set the stage for targeted growth and strategic deals
This year’s wave of tools – from trend‑spotting engines to autonomous R&D agents – turned AI into everyday infrastructure for food and beverage
As Washington and the states raced to redefine food safety and trade, companies braced for higher tariffs, stricter ingredient rules and shifting consumer expectations
Recent policy moves reflect USDA’s broader direction toward nutrition-focused food assistance, domestic sourcing transparency and support of American agriculture
Congress passes the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act with bipartisan support, rolling back Obama-era nutrition standards despite objections from health groups
FDA aims to strengthen enforcement around infant formula recalls as it moves to strengthen oversight following a botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart
2026 Trendspotting
2026 promises to be a pivotal moment for packaging for food and beverage CPG as innovation shifts from flashy materials to more precision, credibility and data-based decision-making
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
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
As regulatory green lights multiply and cost‑efficient production ramps up, GFI’s release of SciFi Foods’ bovine cell lines could provide the common foundation the cultivated‑meat sector needs to accelerate commercial-scale growth
A sweeping Texas bill that reshapes ingredient labels has triggered one of the biggest courtroom clashes yet between lawmakers and the food industry
Facing voter frustration and political risk, the White House directs DOJ and FTC to investigate potential price-fixing across the food chain as Republicans brace for midterm pressure
The MARA Act aims to create a more straightforward path for expanding US offshore aquaculture in a way that’s economically viable, environmentally responsible, and responsive to retailers, foodservice operators and seafood brands looking for consistent...
Why recyclable packaging drives consumer loyalty
With discretionary spending slipping among lower-income households, both companies are shifting investment and pricing tactics to follow changing shopper behavior
City officials say some of America’s biggest brands helped shape eating habits that are now coming back to haunt public health budgets
The wide ranging strategy touches on both packaging and novel foods
Precision fermentation and ingredient diversification could provide answers for struggling food companies
A French court has rejected a case against Perrier’s owner Nestlé, who will now reclaim legal fees
Opinion
The Lancet’s new UPF Series doesn’t politely enter the UPF debate – it kicks the door open and bakery and snacks are suddenly standing in the blast zone
Consumer Brands Association urges further tariff rollbacks on products like palm oil and tin mill steel
The botulism-linked recall of ByHeart powdered infant formula is sparking urgent debate over whether US food safety systems can respond quickly enough
As the court considers Trump’s emergency tariff powers, small businesses warn that the policies are pushing them to the brink
Executive order places non-English speaking commercial drivers out of service