OMG Group Adds Sydney Distributor for Matcha Expansion
OMG Group announced a new distribution agreement with Sydney‑based Little Marionette, adding the coffee roaster to its matcha supply chain. The deal follows recent partnerships with Japan’s Sandai Group and Food & Dairy Co, giving OMG’s authentic Japanese matcha broader exposure in premium hospitality and retail. CEO Alex Aleksic highlighted the alignment of quality and ethical sourcing values, positioning the partnership as a cornerstone of the company’s matcha growth strategy. Further announcements are expected as the platform scales across Australian consumer segments.
Natalie’s Carrot Juice
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co., part of Perricone Farms, has introduced a 100% carrot juice sold in 32‑ounce and 56‑ounce bottles. The product is vegan, kosher, non‑GMO, and contains no added sugars or artificial flavors, using a gourmet pasteurization process...
The World’s Largest BuzzBallz Makes Its Debut
BuzzBallz, a Sazerac brand, unveiled the world’s largest BuzzBallz – a 10‑foot, 3,000‑pound neon‑lit mobile lemonade stand – for one‑night pop‑ups in three U.S. cities. The stand serves the new Pink Lemonsqueezy cocktail, a 15% ABV, 200‑ml pink lemonade‑flavored drink,...
Health Needs, Technology Advancements Support Maturing Plant Protein Market
The U.S. plant‑protein beverage market has shifted from a niche segment to a mainstream category, now found in supermarkets, cafés and pharmacies. Consumer appetite for protein‑rich drinks spans morning coffees, workout recovery, and meal‑replacement occasions, driven by nutrition, weight‑management and...
Arabica Coffee Crisis: Vast Growing Area to Be Unsuitable by 2050
Rabobank warns that by 2050 roughly 20% of the world’s arabica coffee‑growing land could be classified as unsuitable due to rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. Currently 8% of existing plantations already face marginal conditions, with Brazil, Colombia and Honduras projected...
Tetra Pak Urges Rapid Food Innovation to Ease Supply Chain Strain
Tetra Pak has opened its twelfth Product Development Centre (PDC) in Rayong, Thailand, marking the most innovation‑focused facility in its global network. The centre combines a fully integrated pilot plant for liquid foods with a kitchen‑equipped development lab, enabling products...
Why Buy Raw Milk From Raw Farms?
Raw Farms, formerly Organic Pastures, has been linked to a string of food‑borne illness outbreaks and product recalls spanning two decades, most recently a 2024 Salmonella outbreak that sickened 171 people. The company repeatedly violated federal food‑safety regulations, prompting a...
The MAHA Media Hub: Why We Must Stop Eating Ultra-Processed Foods
The MAHA Action Media Hub will be streamed live on Wednesday, April 1, from 4 pm to 5 pm Eastern Time. The free, public Zoom event brings together a diverse panel—including FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, senior HHS advisors, academic researchers, and...
Beyond Meat Bets on ‘Less Controversial’ Products to Recover From All-Time Sales Low in 2025
Beyond Meat, now rebranded as Beyond The Plant Protein Company, reported a record‑low 2025 revenue of $275.5 million, a 15.6% decline year‑over‑year. Gross profit collapsed by 82% and operating losses more than doubled to $332.7 million, including $38.9 million in trademark damages. A...
Why You’re Wired to Love Sugar
Experts explain why humans are hardwired to love sugar and warn of health risks from overconsumption. The brain’s reliance on glucose drives cravings, especially for sugar‑fat combos found in Easter candy. Added sugar intake above 10% of calories is linked...
Metabolic Meals Hit with Salmonella Lawsuit
The CDC and state health agencies linked a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak to Metabolic Meals deliveries during the week of July 28, 2025. Twenty‑one cases were reported across 13 states, with eight hospitalizations and no fatalities. Investigators identified several meal...
Sobeys VP Talks Compliments Brand Refresh, 'Innovative' New Products
Sobeys is revamping its private‑label Compliments range with a fresh visual identity and the new tagline “We’re full of Compliments.” The refresh is backed by a national ad campaign and aims to combine strong value with a warmer, more playful...
James Beard Foundation Announces Restaurant and Chef Awards Nominees
The James Beard Foundation unveiled its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees, spotlighting a diverse slate that includes nine nominations for Los Angeles, four national nods for Philadelphia, and notable entries from Boise, St. Louis, and Mystic. Categories range from Outstanding Hospitality...
McCormick Merges with Unilever's Food Business
McCormick and Unilever have agreed to merge Unilever's food division, creating a combined entity valued at roughly $66 billion. The transaction, slated to close in mid‑2027, gives Unilever shareholders a 55% stake and McCormick shareholders 35%, with Unilever also receiving $15.7 billion...
Newfoundland Crab Harvester Union Back in on Snow Crab Price Talks as Fishing Season Start Date Nears
The Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) has resumed negotiations with the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) over the minimum snow‑crab price for the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador season after a delay caused by waiting for the 2026 total...
With ‘High Voltage,’ Shock Top Follows Voodoo Ranger up the ABV Ladder
Shock Top introduced High Voltage, a 9.6% ABV double wheat beer, debuting in Southern California and rolling out nationwide in May. The 19.2‑ounce cans are priced at $2.99, marking the brewery’s strongest‑abv offering to date. The launch mirrors a broader...
Canned Seaweed Drink OoMee Expands Retail Footprint to over 700 Stores Worldwide
OoMee, the canned red seaweed beverage founded by cancer survivor Alissa Miky, has expanded its retail presence to more than 700 stores worldwide. The brand leverages a proprietary ingredient called Seabiotics, offering a 20‑calorie, sugar‑free drink that claims to curb...
Mike’s Hard Lemonade Launches Mike’s Dirty Lemonade, New Platform
Mike’s Hard Lemonade unveiled a new “Made with Real Character” platform aimed at Gen Z consumers seeking authenticity. The centerpiece is Mike’s Dirty Lemonade, a 4.5% ABV non‑carbonated hard lemonade available in four distinct flavors. The brand will roll out the...
Marugame Udon to Open at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga on April 2
Marugame Udon is set to open its 22nd U.S. restaurant at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga on April 2, operating daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The new location features an open‑kitchen concept where diners can watch udon and tempura preparation, and...
Firehouse Subs Launches Franchise Incentive Programs Offering Up to $150,000 Per Restaurant
Firehouse Subs announced a suite of Development Incentive Programs that run through 2028, offering franchisees up to $150,000 per new restaurant. The plans include a “10 in 2 Incentive” with $100,000 per unit and a $500,000 bonus after ten openings,...
Cousins Maine Lobster to Launch Second Food Truck in Minneapolis
Cousins Maine Lobster is adding a second food truck to Minneapolis, slated for an April 10 debut. The move caps a successful first year in the Twin Cities and aims to satisfy rising local demand. The new truck will serve the...
School Is in Session for Produce Department Staffers
Retailers aiming to become produce destinations must invest in staff education to navigate climate‑driven quality swings, rising input costs, and fragile cold‑chain logistics. Shipra Pareek of NSF warns that extreme weather, longer transit times, and labor shortages amplify spoilage and...
Omani Aquaculture Output Rose Nearly 70 Percent in 2025
Oman’s aquaculture sector posted a near‑70% surge in 2025, delivering 9,240 metric tons of farmed fish. The output jump lifted production value 63.7% to OMR 20.3 million. Government‑backed projects, notably a OMR 23.5 million whiteleg shrimp farm, underpin the growth. Officials aim for OMR 351.6 million sector...
Salmonella Cucumbers Cause Outbreaks and Lawsuits
The CDC, FDA and state partners traced a 2025 multistate Salmonella Montevideo outbreak to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, resulting in 69 infections across 21 states, 22 hospitalizations and no deaths. Epidemiologic interviews showed 83% of ill respondents had consumed...
What Next for Modern Soda?
Modern soda, a term coined by Walmart in 2024, now emphasizes functional benefits over merely lower sugar. Brands such as Zevia, Olipop and Poppi are adding adaptogens, nootropics and other health‑focused ingredients to stand out. Experts say generic clean‑label claims...
Taylor Farms Knows Something About Meal Kits
Taylor Farms, a leading fresh‑vegetable producer, has entered the meal‑kit arena with two ramen kits – Miso Ramen and Classic Ramen. Both kits combine the farm’s signature crisp vegetables with noodles and broth, delivering a ready‑to‑eat bowl in under five...
Constellation Brands To Acquire HOPWTR. But Why?
Constellation Brands announced the complete acquisition of HOPWTR, the calorie‑free, hop‑infused sparkling water it first invested in through its venture arm in 2021. The deal adds HOPWTR to Constellation’s expanding non‑alcoholic lineup, which already includes Corona Non‑Alcoholic and Modelo Chelada...
Oracle and NetSuite Deliver New AI&Powered Solution for Restaurant Operations
Oracle and NetSuite unveiled Oracle NetSuite Restaurant Operations, an AI‑enhanced platform that unifies inventory, procurement, scheduling, production, and cash‑management for restaurants. The solution integrates with Oracle Simphony Cloud and other POS systems, delivering real‑time visibility, actionable insights, and scalable workflows....
Cholula Sauce Maker McCormick Beats Quarterly Sales Estimates On Steady Demand
McCormick reported first‑quarter revenue of $1.87 billion, topping analysts' $1.79 billion estimate, while adjusted earnings reached 66 cents per share versus the forecasted 59 cents. Volume slipped 0.7% but price increases of 1.9% lifted margins, offsetting higher tariff costs. The company reaffirmed its 2026...
Hero Bread Now Available in 30 States with Target Expansion
Hero Bread announced its debut in roughly 400 Target stores across 30 states, adding both Super Target and Pfresh formats. The brand offers two sliced breads—Classic White with zero net carbs and Seeded with one net carb—each boasting high fiber,...
McCormick & Co., Unilever Reach Acquisition Agreement
McCormick & Co. announced an agreement to acquire the majority of Unilever’s Food business, creating a combined company with roughly $20 billion in annual sales. Unilever shareholders will receive shares representing 65% of the new entity’s equity, valued at $29.1 billion, plus...
JBS Net Income Grows by 13% in 2025
JBS SA reported a 13% rise in net income for 2025, reflecting stronger commodity pricing and operational efficiencies. In June 2025 the company launched a dual listing, debuting on the New York Stock Exchange while retaining its shares on Brazil’s...
1945 Domaine De La Romanée-Conti Breaks Record for Most Expensive Bottle of Wine Sold at Auction
A 1945 bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fetched $812,500 at Acker’s La Paulée auction, shattering the previous record of $558,000 set in 2018. The sale helped the event reach $25 million in total bids, featuring other elite Burgundian estates. The vintage,...
NYIOOC Unveils Marketplace for Fresh, Award-Winning Olive Oils
The New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) has launched a multilingual e‑commerce platform, oliveoilshop.com, that sells only current‑year award‑winning extra‑virgin olive oils. The marketplace connects consumers in Europe, the United States and Canada directly with producers and authorized distributors,...
Hellmann's Parent Company to Merge Food Business with McCormick
Unilever PLC announced a definitive agreement to merge its Foods division with McCormick & Co., creating a combined flavor business with roughly $20 billion in FY 2025 revenue. The transaction values Unilever Foods at $44.8 billion, reflecting an EV/Sales multiple of 3.6× and...
Study Links Diets High in Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University analyzed NHANES data from 4,787 U.S. adults and found that individuals in the highest quartile of ultra‑processed food (UPF) consumption faced a 47 percent greater risk of cardiovascular disease, primarily heart attacks and strokes. The study,...
What’s Happening with Infant Formula?
Infant formula is under heightened scrutiny as contamination scandals and heavy‑metal findings erode consumer trust. RFK Jr. is pressuring the FDA to ban high‑fructose corn syrup and seed oils, while new entrant Little Spoon touts stricter ingredient testing in full‑page ads....
Papa Johns Launches Oven-Toasted Sandwiches
Papa Johns has introduced a new line of oven‑toasted sandwiches built on ciabatta‑style bread, debuting three varieties—Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Steak & Mushroom. Each sandwich retails for $7.99, with a reduced price of $6.99 when customers pair two...
The Making of a Drive-Thru Record
Almost a quarter‑century ago, a McDonald’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming, set a drive‑thru benchmark by serving more than 400 cars in a single hour. The feat was achieved through relentless process obsession and a suite of emerging technologies that streamlined order...
A Potential Beef Blockage Is Looming
A possible work stoppage at the JB Swift beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado could create a significant supply‑chain blockage for U.S. beef. The disruption was discussed on the Working Lunch podcast, where Align Public Strategies’ Joe Kefauver and Franklin...
Sysco Makes a Huge Play for More Local Restaurants
Sysco announced a $29 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding a network that serves roughly 725,000 local restaurants. The deal gives Sysco a foothold in the cash‑and‑carry segment, which it currently does not participate in, and is expected to...
Firehouse Subs Sweetens Franchise Incentives
Firehouse Subs has rolled out an expanded Development Incentive Program through 2028, offering $75,000 for opening a single restaurant and $100,000 for two or more. New tiers such as the 10‑in‑2, Grow A‑Gain and Accelerated Market incentives add bonuses up to...
DoorDash Invests in EV Startup with Plans to Automate More Deliveries
DoorDash is investing in Also’s $200 million Series C round and launching a multi‑year partnership to develop autonomous electric‑vehicle delivery units. The collaboration builds on DoorDash’s earlier Dot robot rollout and aims to create purpose‑built, small EVs that can navigate bike lanes...
Why Lion's Choice Won't Compromise on Its Signature Sandwich Despite Higher Beef Costs
Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis quick‑service chain famed for its roast‑beef sandwich, is refusing to alter its signature product despite a sharp rise in beef prices. CEO Fred Burmer explains that the company has introduced operational efficiencies and modest price adjustments...
The VinePair Podcast: Do Restaurants Need to Rethink Their Revenue Ratios?
The VinePair Podcast examines a seismic shift in restaurant economics, where the historic 60‑percent alcohol‑to‑40‑percent food revenue split is eroding. A recent New York Times report shows food now generates the majority of sales as alcohol purchases decline. Hosts Adam,...
1389. Your Organic Protein Powder Is Slowly Killing You
Dave Asprey and PUORI CEO Oliver Amdrup‑Chamby reveal widespread contamination in the supplement market, showing that plant‑based and organic protein powders can contain up to ten times more heavy metals than whey. They explain that the organic label offers no...
The Cocktail Grifter's Ascent To The Mount Olympus Of Bars
William T. Boothby, nicknamed “Cocktail” Boothby, rose from a colorful early career to dominate San Francisco’s bar scene in the late 1800s and authored the seminal guide ‘Cocktail Boothby’s American Bartender’ in 1891. His flamboyant self‑promotion and political connections helped him secure...
Get Ready for a Crisis in Food Prices and Insecurity
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran is sharply disrupting both oil and fertilizer supplies. Crude prices have jumped more than 50% while fertilizer costs have risen 30‑40% as a third of global trade passes through the...
The Lychee Martini’s Going Back to Its Roots
The lychee martini, a 1990s New York invention, is being reclaimed by Asian‑focused bars that emphasize the fruit’s authentic flavor. Bartenders across the U.S. are swapping sugary mixes for fresh lychee, tea infusions, milk‑washed spirits, and even fermented brines, creating...
Can Enzymes Really Reduce Bitterness in Industrial Bread?
Industrial bakeries are testing hydrolytic enzymes to directly reduce bitterness in bread, shifting flavour at the molecular level rather than masking it. Early internal trials report up to a 62% drop in perceived bitterness, especially in sandwich and toast breads...