FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ labeling rules, paves way for natural color adoption
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ claims, but ambiguity over ‘petroleum-based dyes’ leaves manufacturers cautious
Regulation
New FDA tool for navigating food contaminants gets its first test
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
Food companies further limit advertising to children across digital media
Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, General Mills and other CPG and fast-food companies expanded voluntary advertising restrictions across digital platforms after research found most children encounter unhealthy food branding on YouTube
Why the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines need a ‘mulligan’ – and how to fix them
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
Plant-based meat laws aren’t misleading, court rules
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
Finally, a big-name FMCG engages openly on ultra-processed foods
Although admitting it’s a risk, Oatly is addressing the UPF issue head-on
Why the FDA is revisiting gluten disclosure
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
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
3 steps to future-proof the food system and CPG industry in a ‘critical decade’
As population growth, soil degradation and climate pressures converge, BSI’s Todd Redwood explains why the next 10 years will determine whether the global food system can deliver enough high-quality nutrition, strategic opportunities and next steps for...
News Bites
How consumers are redefining food value beyond price, health and hype
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
2026 beef trends: How new Dietary Guidelines are shaping protein demand
Dietary guidance, convenience-driven meals and emerging trends like beef tallow may open new avenues for innovation in beef
US Dietary Guidelines sideline MyPlate in favor of inverted food pyramid
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans spotlight an inverted food pyramid, effectively sidelining MyPlate and sparking debate among nutrition experts and educators
Study finds dietary guidelines linked to forced labor risks in supply chain
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
Whole and 2% milk return to schools under Trump-signed nutrition law
The bipartisan legislation expands milk choice in school meals, restoring whole and 2% dairy while keeping plant-based options on the menu
News Bites
From dietary guidelines to cocoa shortages, pressure mounts on CPG brands
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
‘Highly-processed’ or ‘ultra-processed’? New dietary guidelines reignite a definitional food fight
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans avoid the term “ultra-processed foods,” prompting both praise and criticism
Virginia becomes third state to mandate baby food heavy metal testing, raising the compliance bar for manufacturers
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
How the Dietary Guidelines may shape product strategy and development
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
Cellular agriculture funding hits reset and investors want proof, not promises
Capital hasn’t disappeared from cellular agriculture - but investors now want proof the market is ready
USDA ‘two-strikes’ rule on sweets sales threatens retailers accepting food assistance payments
Industry groups seek further guidance following a 90-day grace period on SNAP snacks ban
Cellular ag moves beyond the startup phase
Government support rises even as startups reset
Federal diet guidelines accused of bowing to Big Meat
Doctors and nutrition advocates say new Dietary Guidelines for Americans sideline science in favor of meat and dairy industry
Canada joins global movement on front-of-package food labels
New regulation mandates symbols on foods high in sodium, sugar or saturated fat, in effort to combat chronic disease
Sugar, stocks and scrutiny: Mondelez, Kraft and General Mills caught in Trump’s nutrition reset
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
How the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines are shifting America’s plate – and sparking debate
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
Most GMO foods have avoided labels – a court just changed that
9th Circuit says USDA wrongly let ultra-processed foods and QR-code-only disclosures dodge federal GMO labeling law
FTC warns about ‘fake reviews’ in letters that could portend enforcement push
The agency signals stepped-up enforcement of its Consumer Review Rule, citing potential fines that can “quickly add up”
Better-for-you claims in the crosshairs: Advertising watchdog scrutinizes health claims
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
AI goes mainstream in food and beverage in 2025
This year’s wave of tools – from trend‑spotting engines to autonomous R&D agents – turned AI into everyday infrastructure for food and beverage
5 ways 2025 upended the food industry
As Washington and the states raced to redefine food safety and trade, companies braced for higher tariffs, stricter ingredient rules and shifting consumer expectations
USDA policy update: “Product of USA” labeling rules, SNAP waiver expansions and nutrition-focused purchases
Recent policy moves reflect USDA’s broader direction toward nutrition-focused food assistance, domestic sourcing transparency and support of American agriculture
Whole and 2% milk returning to school cafeterias after 12-year ban
Congress passes the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act with bipartisan support, rolling back Obama-era nutrition standards despite objections from health groups
FDA targets recall breakdowns after ByHeart infant formula outbreak
FDA aims to strengthen enforcement around infant formula recalls as it moves to strengthen oversight following a botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart
2026 Trendspotting
Packaging trends to watch in 2026: Data, transparency and compliance will redefine innovation
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
Can AI solve the cocoa crisis? Barry Callebaut is betting on it
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
Federal hemp regulation could open up beverage innovation opportunities
The Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) would regulate – rather than ban – hemp derived beverages
News Bites: Policy shifts, gene editing and 2026 shopper trend
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
IFT taps AI ‘co-scientist’ to advance food and beverage R&D
CoDeveloper platform mines 85 years of research to help food scientists formulate and reverse-engineer products
Texas’ ingredient label law sparks a major food fight
A sweeping Texas bill that reshapes ingredient labels has triggered one of the biggest courtroom clashes yet between lawmakers and the food industry
Trump orders sweeping probe into food price-fixing as grocery costs threaten GOP
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
Coalitions urge Congress to accelerate US aquaculture as retailers lean into responsible seafood
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...
San Francisco sues Kellogg, General Mills, PepsiCo, Mondelez and more over ‘engineered’ foods
City officials say some of America’s biggest brands helped shape eating habits that are now coming back to haunt public health budgets
EU bioeconomy strategy: What it means for food
The wide ranging strategy touches on both packaging and novel foods
Nestlé retains right to label Perrier ‘natural’ amid filtration scandal
A French court has rejected a case against Perrier’s owner Nestlé, who will now reclaim legal fees
Opinion
The snackdown: The Lancet just declared war on UPFs
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
Trump removes coffee, beef, cocoa from tariff list
Consumer Brands Association urges further tariff rollbacks on products like palm oil and tin mill steel
Infant formula recall exposes gaps in food safety oversight
The botulism-linked recall of ByHeart powdered infant formula is sparking urgent debate over whether US food safety systems can respond quickly enough
7,000-plus truckers blocked by English requirement add to supply chain stress
Executive order places non-English speaking commercial drivers out of service
Supreme Court to decide fate of Trump tariffs – and rising cost of coffee, beef
MAGA mutiny in the US Senate aims to block tariffs on Brazil in effort to lower food costs
Private sector steps in as USDA funds partial SNAP benefits
With federal resources stretched thin, private and retail sector efforts grow critical to sustaining access and demand across SNAP shoppers
SNAP funding shortfall puts pressure on food system as Instacart, retailers step in
With Congress gridlocked over SNAP funding, the food industry – from Instacart to grocery chains – is stepping in to keep families fed and stabilize supply chains