News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Industry and public-sector leaders say stronger collaboration and smarter policy are essential to building a sustainable, data-informed food system
A small US-based spice importer is taking the Trump administration to court over sweeping tariffs it says threaten small businesses and global farming partners
Trump administration policy will remove up to 5% of the trucking workforce – threatening freight capacity and food prices as litigation and state pushback unfolds
Attacks on the world’s busiest oil shipping channel are set to drive unavoidable spikes in plastic packaging prices
The 2026 Farm Bill moves out of committee amid bipartisan support, industry praise and mounting consumer and environmental pushback.
A new Acosta Group study finds growing demand for transparency and cleaner labels as consumers push for stricter rules on artificial ingredients
For NAOOA’s brands, the message is clear: certification now represents more than authenticity; it aims to improve quality, transparency and consumer trust
The next era of SNAP reform targets how nutrition policy, retail compliance and product eligibility quietly reshape the CPG playbook
The House Agriculture Committee began marking up the 2026 Farm, Food and National Security Act this week, which will impact federal nutrition programs, farmers and rural communities nationwide
The MAHA Rally for Real Food echoed RFK Jr’s agenda to clean up US food, including a formal definition of UPFs expected next month, but critics worry a lack of evidence-based policy will confuse consumers and impact companies’ bottom lines
The ongoing tensions in Iran could disrupt supply routes and drive volatility across key food commodities such as rice and meat
News Bites
America’s food system is facing growing confusion as shifting definitions, patchwork state laws and controversial federal guidelines leave consumers and brands searching for clarity and consistency
FDA’s latest FSMA 204 updates give CPG brands clearer guidance on digital traceability, compliance timelines and new exemptions impacting dairy processing.
The Lancet critique of 2025–30 Dietary Guidelines spotlights SNAP, equity and a widening policy divide
In the absence of swift federal action, California is proposing to ban food additives it deems unsafe or poorly tested
As manufacturers race to meet the FDA’s new ‘healthy’ definition, the real pressure point isn’t reformulation – it’s sourcing, leverage and timing
The decision is likely to spark a wave of lawsuits from businesses across the food and beverage industry and beyond
The FDA’s GRAS notification clears Plantible Foods to scale production of its RuBisCO-based egg alternative as demand for sustainable, functional proteins grows
FDA guidance on allergen thresholds may help brands label products more consistently while reducing risk
The infant formula contamination crisis continues to unfold. Here’s what we’ve learnt since yesterday
A wave of leadership changes at FDA and HHS is testing whether reform efforts will strengthen oversight - or leave the food system more vulnerable
Food-tech solutions for a more sustainable and secure food system
From AI-powered grocery pricing and agentic commerce to predictive supply chains, cultivated meat regulation and alternative protein funding, technology is helping CPGs manage disruption while reshaping the industry’s risk landscape
Food-Tech Solutions For A More Sustainable And Secure Food System
A global regulatory snapshot of cultivated meat, explaining who is moving first, why approvals vary by country and what comes next for the category
Dietary Guidelines pose a challenge for formulators around non-nutritive sweeteners
A deeper look shows aquaculture’s climate impact depends less on fish and more on governance
Government data shows deep staff cuts as food safety leaders warn of fewer inspectors, loss of institutional knowledge and delays in lab and outbreak work
Experts warn low-cost virgin PET and rising imports are hurting US recycling programs and driving prices to record lows
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines focus on federal programs and procurement to drive whole-food consumption and reduce ultra-processed foods nationwide
The long-awaited re-evaluation of butylated hydroxyanisole could preview the agency’s future approach to food additives flagged under federal and state chemical safety proposals
The PSA‑style commercial introduces MAHA Center Inc. to millions of viewers, raising questions about the nonprofit’s opaque funding and deep links to Skyhorse Publishing
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Climate change, disease pressure and record cocoa prices are forcing the chocolate industry to rethink ingredients, processing, and the future role of cocoa – but how will potential solutions impact farmers and consumers?
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
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ claims, but ambiguity over ‘petroleum-based dyes’ leaves manufacturers cautious
The FDA’s new Total Diet Study Interface is already being used to challenge state-level contamination claims, offering a clearer view of nutrient and contaminant data in the US food supply
This isn’t a food fight, it’s a structural failure, according to experts who say the new US Dietary Guidelines need a reset, not another round of compromises
Affordable pricing, convenience and alignment with federal dietary guidance are reshaping consumer demand for value-added protein
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
Soup-to-Nuts Podcast
As protein demand rises and consumers grow choosier, Good Food Institute Founder Bruce Friedrich outlines how plant-based and cultivated meat can move beyond hype and become investable, scalable industries
Although admitting it’s a risk, Oatly is addressing the UPF issue head-on
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