‘Wearable’ Water Has Entered the Chat
Liquid Death, the irreverent bottled‑water brand, is now valued at $1.4 billion, setting a tone for off‑beat marketing in the industry. Inspired by that playbook, musician‑turned‑experimenter @Franke unveiled “im Water,” which he calls the world’s first wearable water. The product features a bottle whose label can be peeled off and stretched into a strap, allowing the bottle to be carried like a cross‑body bag. The launch was accompanied by a staged stunt video that framed the invention as a secret threatened by a fictitious beverage conglomerate.
The Six-Pack That Counts Down Your Beers So You Don’t Have To
Leo Design teamed with Lake of Bays Brewing Co. to launch a six‑pack that visually counts down alcohol content from a 5% Strong Stout to a 0% non‑alcoholic Pale Ale. Each can features a massive numeral that starts blurred on...
Kaiser Beer Distills 50 Years Into a Beautiful Limited-Edition Design
Kaiser Beer commemorates its 50th anniversary with a limited‑edition can series designed by Luminous Design Group. The new packaging expands the iconic gold‑foil neck wrap into a full‑bleed visual system, pairing it with a bold, cinematic italic wordmark on a...
Island Way Debuts Frozen Novelties
Island Way, the Massachusetts‑based fruit snack maker, announced two new frozen snack lines: Lemonade Bites and Chocolate‑Covered Fruit. Lemonade Bites combine real lemon pieces with flavored variations such as classic, strawberry, and watermelon, while the chocolate‑covered fruit offers mango, orange,...
Hain Celestial Losses Persist as Sales Extend Declines
Hain Celestial reported a third‑quarter net loss of $106 million, narrowed from $135 million a year earlier, as it continues a turnaround under CEO Alison Lewis. The company sold its North American snack portfolio, including Garden Veggie and Terra chips, to Snackruptors...
AI Agent 'Mona' Runs Stockholm Café, Logs $5,700 in Sales on $21K Budget
San Francisco startup Andon Labs placed its Gemini‑powered AI agent Mona in charge of the Andon Café in Stockholm. The experiment has generated just over $5,700 in sales since opening in mid‑April, leaving under $5,000 of its $21,000‑plus budget. Industry...
McDonald's Thrives in China as Rivals Retreat
"McDonald's left a great first impression for those eating Western fast food for the first time," he said. "Nowadays we have so many options in fast food, Western or Chinese, but for me, 70% of the time, I go to...
USDA Confirms 380k Tons to Mexico, 128k to South Korea
USDA confirms the following U.S. corn export sales: ▪️380,000 metric tons to Mexico (220kt in 2025/26 and 160kt in 2026/27) ▪️128,000 tons to South Korea in 2025/26
Nutrabolt Appoints Andrew Archambault as President and CEO
Nutrabolt, the global active‑nutrition company behind C4 Energy, Bloom, Cellucor and Xtend, announced Andrew Archambault as its new president and chief operating officer. Archambault, a veteran with more than three decades in consumer‑packaged goods, most recently led the U.S. beverage...
C4 Energy Parent Hires Hershey Vet as COO
Andrew Archambault, a veteran of the consumer‑packaged‑goods sector, has been named president and chief operating officer of Nutrabolt, the owner of C4 Energy, Cellucor and Xtend. Archambault left his role as U.S. president at Hershey in April after a brief...
Danone to Lay Off 114 Employees After Shutting Plant-Based Dairy Factory
Danone announced the closure of its 25‑year‑old plant‑based dairy factory in Bridgeton, New Jersey, eliminating 114 jobs. The shutdown follows a slowdown in the company’s Silk and So Delicious brands, which have lagged behind stronger performance in Europe. Production will...
Ex-Alpro CEO Joins Board of Italian Plant-Based Dairy Startup Dreamfarm
Dreamfarm, a Parma‑based plant‑based dairy startup, appointed former Alpro CEO Sue Garfitt to its board as an independent director. Garfitt brings decades of category‑building experience as Dreamfarm prepares to scale across Europe after posting revenue of about €2 million ($2.2 million) in...
Wendy’s Q1 Sales Decline 7.8% as Project Fresh Turnaround Gains Momentum
Wendy's reported a 7.8% decline in U.S. same‑store sales and a 5.5% drop in global systemwide sales for Q1 2026, citing severe weather and altered restaurant hours as primary drivers. The company said its Project Fresh turnaround, launched in October...
Meet the Wine Entrepreneur Working to Diversify Cape Town’s Wine Scene
Lindile Ndzaba founded Khayelitsha’s Finest Wines (KFW) in 2018 to bring premium, township‑sourced blends to Cape Town’s wine scene. By partnering with established vineyards in Stellenbosch, KFW creates expressive labels that feature a map of Khayelitsha, making the community visible...
Fortnum & Mason Is Opening a ‘Biscuitorium’ This Week – What You Need to Know About the Immersive Biscuit Paradise
Fortnum & Mason is unveiling a 200 sqm “Biscuitorium” on its Piccadilly mezzanine on May 14, featuring 70 biscuit flavours and an interactive library that categorises treats by taste, texture and tea pairing. Executive pastry chef Roger Pizey has crafted an exclusive...
Scientists Say This Common Sweetener May Be Quietly Rewiring Your Metabolism
A review in Nature Metabolism argues that fructose functions as a distinct metabolic signal rather than a simple calorie source. The authors show that fructose bypasses key regulatory steps, driving de novo lipogenesis, lowering cellular ATP and fostering fat storage....
Green Gas & Liquids Achieves Food-Grade bioCO₂ Certification with Galloxol Capture Technology
Green Gas & Liquids announced that its bioCO₂, captured using the proprietary Galloxol carbon‑capture system, has earned food‑grade certification under ISBT and EIGA standards. The technology produces gaseous CO₂ directly from a biomass boiler, eliminating the need for expensive liquefaction....
Mexico Formalizes Protected Geographical Indication Standards for Michoacán Avocados
Mexico’s Institute of Industrial Property has officially approved Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) standards for Hass avocados grown in 31 municipalities of Michoacán. The resolution defines production protocols, traceability requirements, and geographic boundaries for the Michoacán Avocado Belt. New rules mandate...
Costa Rican Pineapples to Score Big in North America During World Cup
Costa Rica’s pineapple sector is gearing up for a surge in North American demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the first quarter, pineapples made up 34% of the country’s agricultural shipments, delivering a $42 million year‑on‑year increase. The industry...
From Scribbles to Savings: Why Precision Labeling Is the New Profit Protector
Star Micronics is debuting its versatile mC‑Label series at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, highlighting how high‑precision, all‑in‑one labeling hardware can boost order accuracy for fast‑casual and quick‑service restaurants. The labels serve as a physical audit, flagging incomplete...
Post Holdings New CEO Outlines Pricing Strategy Pitfalls
Post Holdings’ incoming CEO Nicolas Catoggio warned that low‑single‑digit inflation may be absorbed, but higher cost pressures from the Middle East could force targeted price increases. He cited recent price hikes on the 9Lives pet‑food brand that triggered stronger elasticity...
Lunchables Serves up Snackables
Lunchables has unveiled Snackables, a double‑pack snack aimed at on‑the‑go, shareable moments. The new product comes in Cheddar Cheese and Colby Jack Cheese varieties, each pairing cheese and crackers with fruit snacks or chocolate‑chip graham crackers and delivering about 5 g...
RTDs up 14% in US as Spirits Fall in 2025
US spirits volumes fell 4% in 2024, while spirit‑based ready‑to‑drink (RTD) cans surged 14%, according to IWSR data. Malt‑based RTDs declined 5% and overall RTD volume slipped 1%, contributing to a 5% drop in total beverage alcohol (TBA) volumes. National...
Spirulina Engineered to Match Beef’s Vitamin B12 Bioavailability
A multinational research team led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor has created a light‑controlled spirulina strain that delivers active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef, achieving over 98% bioavailability. The breakthrough could reshape plant‑based nutrition for the more than one‑billion...
Little Door & Co to Open Its Largest Venue
London bar group Little Door & Co is set to launch the Little Neon Door in Shoreditch this summer, marking its largest venue to date. The two‑floor space features five experiential rooms—Sitting, Living, Kitchen, Laundry, Bathroom—and a mezzanine Games Room...
Consumers Don’t Care About Regenerative Agriculture - Yet
A recent analysis finds that consumers, squeezed by inflation, are indifferent to sustainability and therefore unlikely to seek out regenerative agriculture products. Food and drink brands are advised to shift messaging toward nutrition, taste, and soil‑health benefits rather than planetary...
Michelin Guide to Unveil 2026 Vietnam Selections in June, Marking Its Fourth Edition
Michelin announced on May 7 that it will reveal its 2026 Vietnam restaurant selections in June, its fourth guide edition in the country and timed with the centennial of the Michelin star. The ceremony on June 4 in Hanoi will spotlight eateries...
Ingredient Suppliers Unveil Masking Technology, Study Results
Vitaquest International named Tim Condron as its new CEO, leveraging his two‑decade track record in FDA‑regulated manufacturing to accelerate growth. OSF Flavors unveiled a natural protein‑masking platform that combines aroma, trigeminal stimulation and texture modifiers to curb bitterness and astringency...
NIQ: 305 Hospitality Sites in GB Shut in Q1
Britain’s hospitality sector shed 305 licensed venues in the first quarter of 2026, a 0.3% drop to 98,609 sites – roughly three closures per day. Bars were the hardest hit, losing 1.2% of their locations, while nightclubs fell 1% quarter‑on‑quarter....
Young Drinks Talent Wants Change, Not Escape
A poll at Fero’s inaugural Young Leaders event in London revealed that 89% of young UK drinks‑trade professionals remain committed to long‑term careers, yet 60% have considered leaving the sector. Salary equity, unclear career pathways and perceived gatekeeping were flagged...
Discount Grocers Surge as Budget Shoppers Fuel Growth, US and Hong Kong See Price Wars
Discount grocery chains in the United States and Hong Kong are experiencing a sharp sales lift as price‑sensitive consumers flock to low‑cost options. Aldi added 17 million new U.S. customers last year and plans 180 more stores, while Costco posted $28.41 billion...
Burger King Revamps Whopper via Direct Consumer Calls, Boosts Sales 5.8%
Burger King president Tom Curtis published his personal phone number, took 1,800 inbound calls and routed more than 70,000 consumer messages into product decisions. The feedback drove the launch of the "Elevated Whopper," which helped the chain post a 5.8%...
High-Profile Virginia Winery to Be Acquired by Start-Up
Veritas Legacy Partners LLC, a newly formed investment vehicle led by health‑tech architect Kurt Wassenaar and real‑estate investor Eric Trebour, will acquire Veritas Vineyards & Winery in Nelson County, Virginia, with closing expected in early summer 2026. The winery’s British...
Quarter Proof Lands First Mid-Strength Spirit Supermarket Listing
Quarter Proof, a 15% ABV mid‑strength spirit, secured its first supermarket placement at Sainsbury’s, now stocked in 111 UK stores and online. The brand saw a 129% sales surge on Ocado after its 2021 launch, reflecting rising consumer appetite for...
How Häagen-Dazs Is Fighting to Save the Next Generation of Dairy Farmers
Häagen‑Dazs is tackling the looming retirement wave among French dairy farmers by investing in regenerative agriculture and low‑carbon manufacturing at its Arras plant. The company sources milk from roughly 300 local farms and has enrolled 48 of them in a...
Burger King Pilots AI Assistant “Patty” To Monitor Inventory and Staff in Drive‑thrus
Burger King has begun testing an AI assistant called “Patty” that listens to drive‑thru conversations, flags inventory gaps and suggests managerial actions. Executives say the tool will free managers for customer‑facing work, while employees worry it adds a layer of...
Diageo Commits €400 Million to Expand Kildare Brewery, Boosting Irish Beer Output
Diageo announced a €400 million (about $430 million) investment to build a second brewery at its Littleconnell site in County Kildare. The expansion, unveiled by CEO Sir Dave Lewis and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, will double the plant’s capacity and underlines the company’s growth...
Wuliangye Backed by State Shareholder as Baijiu Sector Stabilises
Wuliangye Yibin, China’s second‑largest baijiu maker, received a share‑buyback pledge from its state‑controlled majority owner, Yibin Development Holding, to purchase up to CY5 billion ($735 million) of stock within six months. The move follows a sharp earnings decline, with 2025 revenue restated...
It’s Not a Discount Problem. It’s an Attention One.
Gen Z now dominates restaurant loyalty programs, representing 38% of sign‑ups and 35% of check‑ins in 2024. While they still appreciate value, they favor instant, relevant rewards and personalized experiences over generic discounts. Data shows they redeem fewer coupons than...
What It Truly Takes: Why Women Restaurant Owners Are Speaking Honestly About This Industry
Women restaurant owners are increasingly voicing the hidden pressures of running eateries, from volatile food costs to chronic staffing shortages and the emotional toll of constant decision‑making. The industry’s traditional culture of projecting steadiness is giving way to candid dialogue...
Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls Intros Food Truck
Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, a coastal seafood chain with 35 U.S. locations, has launched its first food truck on Delaware’s Eastern Shore. The mobile unit will travel to events across Sussex County, Delaware, and Ocean City, Maryland, offering Maine‑style lobster...
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken Overhauls Digital Experience with FNGRFOOD Launch
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has launched a new web and mobile ordering experience built on FNGRFOOD, a proprietary platform created by Moxie Labs. The custom solution replaces the chain’s legacy third‑party system and adds a bespoke UI, integrated loyalty and...
Pernod Ricard Faces Indian Anti-Trust Investigation
Pernod Ricard’s Indian subsidiary is under a formal antitrust probe by the Competition Commission of India after allegations it secured exclusive retail arrangements in Delhi to favor its brands. The commission alleges the group provided roughly €23 million (about $25 million) in...
This Legendary New York Bakery (Which Featured in ‘Sex and the City’) Is Coming to London
Magnolia Bakery, the New York institution famed for its pink cupcakes on “Sex and the City,” is launching a three‑week pop‑up in London. The kiosk will sit inside Café Ciel at The OWO in the Grand Courtyard of Raffles London,...
Bordeaux Launches €20m Fund to Tackle Vineyard Crisis
French authorities have launched a €20 million (≈$22 million) public‑private land fund to purchase abandoned or uprooted vineyards in Bordeaux. Backed by regional banks (€14 million), the national government (€3.5 million) and a matching regional contribution, the scheme invites up to 5,400 growers to...
Horizon Organic Plays Down Impact of Multi-State Milk Recall
Horizon Organic announced a voluntary recall of two lots of its 1 % Lowfat DHA Omega‑3 Chocolate Milk boxes due to a compromised aluminum seal that could cause bloating, leakage, and spoilage. The affected cartons, shipped to Arizona, California, Nevada and...
Wild Idol Welcomes Spring with Sophisticated Serves
Wild Idol, a naturally alcohol‑free sparkling wine, has secured spring placements at three upscale venues: The Landmark’s Winter Garden and Champagne Bar in London, the design‑focused Greek restaurant Fenix in Mayfair and Manchester, and the Marbella Club resort in Spain....
Coffee Drinkers, This Is Reassuring News for Your Brain
A new JAMA study of 131,821 adults found that drinking 2–3 cups of caffeinated coffee or 1–2 cups of caffeinated tea each day is associated with a lower risk of dementia and slower cognitive decline. The protective link appears tied...
Japan Focus: Glico on Snack Trends, Amazake Jelly Sticks, Tea Innovation and More
Japanese snack makers are intensifying health‑focused innovation while tailoring products to local tastes. Glico’s COO emphasizes a “genba” approach, warning against assuming global formulas work in APAC. Hananomi has turned traditional amazake into portable jelly sticks, and Japan GreenTea Co...
Sir Edmond Gin Teases New Summer Serves
Sir Edmond Gin has unveiled a suite of five new summer‑focused signature cocktails, partnering with top bartenders to reimagine classic drinks. The lineup includes the Velvet Paloma, which swaps tequila for the brand’s bourbon‑vanilla gin, as well as lighter options...