Taiwan to Resume Pork Exports to Philippines After Regaining ASF-Free Status: Premier
Taiwan will restart pork shipments to the Philippines on May 14, 2026 after the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed the island’s African swine fever‑free status. The Philippines halted imports in December 2025 following Taiwan’s first ASF outbreak in October 2025. WOAH recognized Taiwan’s self‑declared disease‑free status in May 2025 and reaffirmed it on April 6, 2026. Singapore also lifted its ban, signaling broader market re‑entry for Taiwanese pork products.
Ex-Mars CEO Named Lipton Teas Board Chair
Grant Reid, the former chief executive of Mars after a 34‑year tenure, has been appointed chair of Lipton Teas & Infusions. He assumes the role immediately, working alongside CEO Marc Busain, who took the helm in October 2023. Reid also retains board...
NoPalm Ingredients Shortlisted for World’s Largest Environmental Food Prize
Dutch fermentation startup NoPalm Ingredients has become one of four global finalists for the 2026 Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize, the world’s largest environmental award in food and agriculture with a $1.5 million top prize. The company produces yeast‑derived fats that...
Spain's Nutrition Authority Calls for Daily Eggs, Less Red Meat, More Fish
The Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) released its latest dietary guide, urging Spaniards to eat up to seven eggs a week, cut red‑meat portions to one or two servings, and increase fish consumption to two‑four meals weekly. The shift...
Michelin‑Star Chef Alex Nietosvuori Launches BBQ‑Centric Hjem Vin in County Durham
Michelin‑starred chef Alex Nietosvuori is opening Hjem Vin, a BBQ‑focused wine‑and‑dine pop‑up at South Causey Inn in County Durham on May 17. The event pairs seasonal small plates with curated wines, while his father Ulf handles the grill, signaling a...
Georgia-Pacific Names Ryan Elwart SVP to Lead Sales & Innovation for GP Foodservice
Georgia-Pacific announced Ryan Elwart as senior vice president of sales and innovation for its newly formed GP Foodservice Solutions unit, which includes Dixie and Anchor Packaging. Elwart will steer transformation of the company’s away‑from‑home disposables business, leveraging his prior experience...
Starbucks Beats Q2 2026 Estimates, CFO Smith Flags Sales Momentum
Starbucks posted $9.5 billion in Q2 2026 revenue, up 9% year‑over‑year, and EPS of $0.50, a 22% rise, surpassing analyst forecasts. CFO Catherine Smith highlighted robust comparable‑sales growth, record‑high Rewards membership and a $3.1 billion cash infusion from its China transaction. The results...
European Trade Bodies Urge Coordinated Action to Avoid “Inflation Crisis”
European agri‑food trade bodies are urging the EU to act swiftly as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, driving up fertilizer, energy, and freight costs. The disruption has already made input prices volatile, threatening food production and affordability across Europe....
Whataburger Adds Toys, Interactive Packaging to Kids Meals
Whataburger announced that starting May 5 its kids meals will include toys and interactive packaging, adding games, mazes and surprise elements without changing the food itself. Prices will range from $3.89 to $6.49, positioning the meals as a value‑focused option for...
Soules Kitchen Launches New Product Lines
Soules Kitchen announced two new refrigerated product lines—Protein with Sauce Meal entrees and Street Eats—targeting families seeking convenient, high‑protein dinners. Each entree delivers 18‑24 grams of protein and features chef‑inspired sauces such as garlic‑herb and orange sesame. The products are initially...
Preempting the GRAS Loophole: Not a Good Idea
The Environmental Working Group warns that the draft "Fresh and Affordable Foods Act," introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack, would preempt state food‑chemical regulations and expand the controversial GRAS loophole. The bill would retroactively deem all existing GRAS substances safe, allow...
RTD Beverages Target Hormonal Wellness
The Cycle, a ready‑to‑drink brand focused on hormonal wellness, unveiled two new beverages—Peri Comfort and Meno Comfort—targeting perimenopause and menopause. The additions expand the line to four phase‑specific drinks, all featuring organic sea buckthorn juice and botanicals like black cohosh...
Sprouts’ Achilles’ Heel Is Affordability. Can Its New Loyalty Program Mend That?
Sprouts Farmers Market, amid rapid expansion of its small‑store format, launched its first loyalty program, Sprouts Rewards, in October 2025 to combat growing affordability concerns among price‑sensitive shoppers. The program offers five points per dollar, personalized offers, member‑only events, and...
Bi-Rite Market Plans New Store in San Francisco's Richmond District
Bi‑Rite Family of Businesses, a Certified B Corp, announced plans for its fourth neighborhood market at 6001 California Street in San Francisco’s Richmond District, slated to open in 2027. The new store will revive a historic 1917 building that has...
Smokey Bones Just Closed All of Its Stores: See a List of Doomed Locations
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, a 30‑year‑old casual‑dining BBQ chain, shut down all of its locations on April 28, 2026. The closures follow Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings by its direct owner Twin Hospitality Group and parent company FAT Brands. Customers and employees...
Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse Adds Kroger Retail Distribution
Family‑owned Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse is rolling out its entire sausage portfolio to Kroger stores across Texas, as well as Fry’s in Arizona and Smith’s in Nevada, just before the summer barbecue rush. The 12‑oz refrigerated packs feature four distinct flavors,...
ColdPerk Launches the Commissary 70 for Large Batches of Concentrate
ColdPerk unveiled the Commissary 70, a stainless‑steel brewer designed for large‑batch cold‑brew concentrate production. The machine holds up to 70 pounds of wet grounds, delivering 70‑105 liters (18.5‑28 gallons) of 12‑Brix concentrate in under two hours with only a water‑metering controller. Priced at $25,000,...
Mondelez “Cautiously Optimistic” As Outlook Rests on Consumer Uncertainty
Mondelez International reported an 8.2% rise in first‑quarter sales to $10.08 bn, driven by pricing gains despite the Middle East crisis. Management described consumer confidence as fragile in Europe and deteriorating in the U.S., but said no slowdown in snacking demand...
Ben & Jerry’s Opens UK’s First Mall Kiosk at Merry Hill
Ben & Jerry’s opened the United Kingdom’s first mall kiosk at Merry Hill, a super‑regional shopping centre now owned by Redical. The 270‑sq‑ft stand marks the brand’s debut mid‑mall presence in the UK, offering its signature ice‑cream flavours, loaded desserts...
Rethinking Protein: From Ultra-Processed Hype to Real Food
The UK is shifting from a plant‑based craze to a high‑protein focus, spurred by the rise of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs and a growing awareness of protein’s role in muscle and hormonal health. Animal‑sourced foods such as meat, dairy and eggs...
Study: Plant-Based Mince and Meatballs a Third Cheaper than Meat Options
A Good Food Institute study finds that plant‑based mince and meatballs are, on average, 33% cheaper than comparable beef, lamb, or pork dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and meatballs. The price gap is driven by volatile meat costs linked...
High ABV Fruit-Flavoured Modelo Launches in the US
Constellation Brands has rolled out Modelo Chelada Suprema, an 8% ABV, fruit‑flavored ready‑to‑drink beer in 24‑ounce cans. The line debuts two variants—Mangonada, blending mango and chamoy, and Tropical, mixing guava and pineapple—to capture Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The launch follows...
Exploring Armada’s Recipe for Resilience & High-Performing Teams with Kim Hadlum, VP of Inventory Planning at Armada Supply Chain Solutions
In this episode of Unpacked, Insights, VP of Inventory Planning Kim Hadlam discusses how Armada Supply Chain Solutions builds resilient, high‑performing teams for restaurant clients. She highlights the unique challenges of food‑service inventory—perishability, yield variability, and a vast SKU mix—and...
Dave’s Killer Bread Debuts Mini Bagels
Dave’s Killer Bread is introducing Mini Bagels in two flavors—Plain Awesome and Epic Everything—available nationwide. The 100‑calorie, organic‑whole‑grain mini bagels address a growing demand for smaller portions, especially among Gen Z, who often find regular bagels too large. The brand is...
Andalucía Exports Grow as Fruit and Vegetable Shipments Increase
Andalucía’s exports rose 11.4% in February to €3.83 billion (US$4.13 billion), outpacing a 0.8% decline across the rest of Spain. Over the first two months of 2026 the region posted €7.03 billion in exports, a 2.8% year‑on‑year gain, while imports fell 13%, creating...
U.S. Grown Greenhouse Tomatoes Roll Into the Market
Pluck’d, a Virginia‑based greenhouse tomato grower, began shipping U.S.-grown tomatoes to New York City distributors in late March and has quickly secured placement in Weis, Walmart’s Mid‑Atlantic stores, and upcoming launches at Harris Teeter and Food Lion. The company offers three product lines—Preemos...
Plastic Ingenuity Using PureCycle Resin in Coffee Lids
PureCycle Technologies has teamed up with Plastic Ingenuity to embed its PureFive polypropylene resin into coffee lids, offering recycled content levels between 25% and 100%. The partnership gives food‑service brands a high‑performance, food‑safe alternative to virgin plastic while advancing circular‑economy...
Big Food’s Brand Reckoning: Why Scale Isn’t the Same as Resonance
Consolidation has long driven growth in CPG and retail, but the era of buying scale is hitting a wall as brands lose resonance after acquisition. Companies such as Kraft Heinz, WK Kellogg and PepsiCo are re‑examining sprawling portfolios to avoid...
Nomad Foods to Close Factory in Switzerland
Nomad Foods announced it will close its Rorschach manufacturing plant in Switzerland by year‑end, impacting 45 full‑time staff. The shutdown is part of a €200 m ($233 m) operational savings program targeting 2026‑2028, focusing on procurement, logistics and overhead efficiencies. Production of...
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Azure Launches
Diageo has unveiled Johnnie Walker Blue Label Azure, a coastal‑inspired, travel‑retail exclusive whisky. The 43% ABV expression, bottled in 100% post‑consumer recycled glass and designed by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, will debut in May at London Heathrow before rolling out...
Canadian Distillers Fight for Spirits Tax Cut
The Canadian Craft Distillers Alliance (CCDA) is pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney to extend the beer‑sector tax relief to craft spirits, arguing that current excise duties are up to 14 times higher than in the United States. The alliance proposes...
General Mills Faces Setback in Supply Chain Sustainability Push
General Mills reported a slowdown in its supply‑chain emissions reductions for fiscal 2025, cutting total greenhouse‑gas output by 14% versus a 19% decline the prior year. The dip stems from a 3% rise in operational emissions after adding electricity use...
Whitley Neill Taps Into RTDs
Whitley Neill, owned by Halewood Artisanal Spirits, has entered the UK ready‑to‑drink (RTD) market with two 250 ml canned gin cocktails – Rhubarb & Ginger with ginger ale and Yuzu & White Strawberry with lemonade – each at 8.3% ABV. The...
China Convenes Future Food Leaders at the 2026 Global Forum on Cultured Meat
China’s Nanjing Agricultural University and startup Joes Future Food hosted the 2026 Global Forum on Cultured Meat, gathering researchers, industry pioneers, and regulators. The forum tackled technology innovation, safety standards, and cost barriers while outlining a roadmap for scaling cultivated...
McDonald’s Highlights High-Protein Menu Options to Meet Customer Demand
McDonald’s is promoting its high‑protein menu items as 64% of customers seek balanced meals. The chain now highlights more than 30 offerings that deliver at least 15 grams of protein, including the Egg McMuffin, 10‑piece Chicken McNuggets and the McDouble. The company also...
Key Trends Emerge in Vitafoods Europe Education Programme
The Vitafoods Europe education programme showcased a series of high‑profile sessions that mapped emerging nutrition trends across gut health, longevity, GLP‑1 impacts, cognitive resilience, performance nutrition and nutricosmetics. Experts from Mintel, Euromonitor, Yakult and Nestlé highlighted how gut microbiome insights...
Foreign Coffee Chains Take Fresh Crack at China via New Cities, Formats
International coffee chains are pivoting to new store formats and expanding into less‑saturated Chinese cities to escape a price war dominated by local cafés. While budget outlets sell a cup for as little as 9.9 yuan (≈$1.4), premium brands like Peet’s...
‘Great British Menu’ Winner Nikita Pathakji Is Opening Her First Ever Restaurant in South London
Nikita Pathakji, the latest Great British Menu Champion of Champions, is opening her first solo restaurant, Maai, in Clapham. The venue launches on May 20, 2024, occupying the former Brook restaurant site on Abbeville Road. Maai’s menu will spotlight seasonal...
Opinion: Michelin Is Coming for Wine – But What Does a Wine Award Really Mean?
Michelin, the century‑old authority on restaurant ratings, has launched its first wine distinction, the Michelin Grapes, targeting Bordeaux and Burgundy estates for 2026. The system uses a three‑tier badge—One, Two, and Three Grapes—to denote exceptional, excellent, and very good producers....
Chef Ace Tan and Desmond Heng Debut Asin, a Seasonal Asian Tasting Menu in Singapore
Chef Ace Tan and Suguru Home Dining founder Desmond Heng opened Asin on Carpenter Street on May 6, offering an eight‑course, season‑driven Asian tasting menu priced at S$188++ (about $140). The concept blends Tan’s preventive‑medicine‑inspired cooking with Heng’s sourcing network,...
Wellbeing Nutrition Teams up with Dhurandhar Cast for Protein Push
Wellbeing Nutrition has teamed with Dhurandhar actors Gaurav Gera and Mustafa Ahmed to launch mango and Swiss chocolate whey protein blends, positioning flavor as a driver of daily protein consumption in India. The campaign reflects a broader shift toward tasty,...
RAFAC 2026 Focuses on Innovation, AI Integration in Food Analytics
The Coconut Development Board launched RAFAC 2026, a two‑day national conference on Recent Advancements in Food Analytical Chemistry. The event highlighted AI and machine‑learning integration to streamline food analytics and boost innovation across the coconut sector. Speakers from leading research...
Transparency Tech: New App Reveals Supplement Ingredient Credibility
Supplemate by Remedy released a new app that matches dietary supplements to users' specific health goals and rates ingredient credibility on a ten‑point scale. The platform scans scientific literature, clinical trial data, regulatory status, dosage levels and potential ingredient interactions,...
Uruguay Declares Wine a Living Culture in Landmark Policy Move
Uruguay has officially declared wine a ‘living culture’ through a cross‑government declaration signed at Palacio Santos, uniting the Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture ministries with the national wine institute (INAVI). The Vitivinicultura como Cultura Viva del Uruguay programme reframes the...
Coors Light Elongates Name to Celebrate World Cup Goals
Coors Light launched “The Coooors Call” campaign timed with the 2026 World Cup, using the iconic elongated “goal” chant popularized by Andrés Cantor. The 30‑second Droga5 spot will air on TV, digital, out‑of‑home and in‑stadium activations, while inviting fans to...
Starbucks' Shine Is Back: 3 Lessons From the Brian Niccol Playbook
Starbucks posted a 9% revenue increase to $9.5 billion, marking the first quarter in eight where both top‑line and bottom‑line grew together. Global comparable store sales rose 6.2% and U.S. transactions climbed 4%, the strongest performance in three years. CEO Brian...
Kwality Wall’s Bets on Milk in New Tub Launch, Signals Portfolio Shift
Kwality Wall’s India launched a new line of 500 ml and 700 ml ice‑cream tubs and party packs priced between roughly $1.3 and $4, positioning milk as the core ingredient. The range spans classic, regional and premium flavours such as Hawaiian Sundae...
DropWorks Brings British Rum to Fortnum & Mason
DropWorks, the independent British rum brand, has secured a nationwide listing with luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason. The debut features three expressions – Barrel Drop aged in American and Portuguese oak, the limited‑edition Distiller's Drop #001 matured 17 months in...
How Coca-Cola Is Winning in a K-Shaped Economy
Coca‑Cola posted a 12% rise in net revenues and a 3% increase in global case volume in Q1, beating analyst expectations. New CEO Henrique Braun highlighted a dual‑track strategy that pairs premium brands with affordable, smaller‑size offerings. The company’s recently launched...
Icelandic Fish Farming Company First Water Finances Phase One of Six for Expansion
Icelandic salmon processor First Water announced the completion of phase one financing, raising roughly €75 million ($88 million) to double its land‑based production capacity. The funding combines a €40 million ($47 million) convertible bond from existing shareholders and a €35 million ($41 million) loan from Landsbankinn...