Beer Drinkers Tricked by a ‘Magician’s Choice’ at the Bar
Independent brewers across Europe say they are being eclipsed by global giants that masquerade as local options, a phenomenon the IBE calls a “magician’s choice.” A new IBE report, based on data from over 3,000 breweries in 12 countries, shows 43% of independents list survival as their 2026 priority, with energy costs and multinational dominance the top threats. Turnover is expected to fall for 30% of brewers this year, while 8% now rank non‑alcoholic beer among their top three styles. Campaigns such as Italy’s Marchio Indipendente Artigianale and the UK’s Indie Beer logo aim to help drinkers spot genuine craft beers.
Lucas Bols Launches North American Leg of Global ‘Cocktail Battle’
Lucas Bols has launched the North American edition of its global Bols Cocktail Battle, a bartender competition centered on a “Neon Nights” theme. Open to U.S. and Canadian mixologists, entries must showcase Bols liqueurs with striking visual appeal and are...
Heat, Fires and Agribusiness Squeeze Traditional Amazon Açaí Harvesters
Intensive açaí farming in the Amazon has surged 70% since 2015, while traditional community harvesters face steep losses from extreme heat, drought and wildfires. In 2024 a wildfire in Acará burned two hectares of açaí palms, costing a small‑scale farmer...
Less Bread and WFH Fridays – What Pret Boss Knows About Our Habits
Pret A Manger’s CEO Pano Christou says the chain is adapting to post‑Covid habits by tweaking its subscription service, expanding higher‑priced "Super Plates" salads and re‑thinking store locations. The subscription now costs $6 a month for half‑price drinks, and sign‑ups...
Retailers Warned Food and Fuel Price Hikes Could Last Eight Months After Iran War Ends
UK officials warn that food and fuel prices could stay elevated for more than eight months after the Iran‑related conflict ends. The disruption stems from a Strait of Hormuz blockade that curtails oil, gas and ammonia shipments, feeding higher energy...
Why You Should Think Twice About Your Next Matcha Latte. And All Viral Food Trends
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are turning niche foods such as matcha and Dubai chocolate into global obsessions, driving sudden spikes in demand. The viral craze has strained supply chains, leading to pistachio shortages, tripling tencha prices, and...
Exclusive: One of China’s Top Hotels to Turn Half Its Menu Plant-Based by 2029
eLong Hotel Technology, one of China’s top ten hotel groups, announced it will make half of its menu plant‑based by 2029, up from roughly 40% today. The company runs over 3,000 properties in more than 300 cities and serves 35 million...
Stop Apologizing for Leaky Sauce: Why Red Gold® PC Cups Are Smarter
Off‑premises sales now account for roughly 75% of restaurant traffic, making packaging a critical touchpoint. Traditional plastic ramekins and single‑serve packets cause labor waste, leaks, and inconsistent portions, especially as catering orders grow. Red Gold’s 1‑oz and larger dunk cups...
FRESH Act Is a Rotten Apple
The draft "FRESH Act" introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack claims to boost food safety but would broadly preempt state regulations and dilute FDA authority over new food chemicals. It preserves the GRAS loophole and creates industry‑run review panels that the...
Essentials, Staples Drive Reliance's FMCG Business, Qcomm Push Hits Retail Margins
Reliance Industries' consumer products arm posted FY26 FMCG revenue of ₹22,000 crore (~$265 bn), with daily essentials and staples contributing ₹8,800 crore (~$1.06 bn), or 40% of the segment. The soft‑drink brand Campa led the portfolio with ₹4,700 crore (~$57 m) sales, making it the fourth‑largest...
Restaurant Fined over Link to Salmonella Outbreak
A New South Wales restaurant was fined after a DPIRD inspection linked its unsanitary conditions to a 2023 salmonella outbreak. Inspectors documented dirty floors, exposed food, rodent droppings, and inadequate sanitization. The penalties underscore regulatory enforcement of food‑safety standards in...
FDA Cites Ocean Group Inc. Seafood Facilities for Listeria, Sanitation Failures Across Four Sites
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to Ocean Group Inc. after inspections uncovered persistent Listeria monocytogenes contamination at four of its seafood processing plants in California, Nevada and Texas. The agency also cited repeated sanitation breakdowns...
Boy Kibble: Muscle-Building Protein Maxxing Is the Latest Male Health Delusion
Marketers are flooding the market with protein‑centric products—protein popcorn, water, coffee—under the banner of “protein maxxing” or “boy kibble,” aimed at young men chasing muscular physiques. Nutrition scientists say most U.S. adults already meet or exceed the recommended protein intake,...
Interest in Digestive Health Prompts Beverage-Makers to Rise to the Task
Consumer awareness of gut health is reshaping the beverage landscape, driving a surge in functional drinks that deliver fiber, prebiotics and probiotics. Global launches with digestive‑health claims jumped 36% year‑over‑year, while carbonated prebiotic sodas surged 91% and probiotic variants 65%...
New Ballarat Flour Mill on Track to Open This Year
George Weston Foods' Mauri division is set to launch its first greenfield flour mill in Ballarat later this year, boosting Victorian milling capacity to 180,000 tonnes of wheat per annum. The new facility will more than double the output of...
Paradise Biryani Plans ₹100-Crore Fundraise
Paradise Biryani, the Hyderabad‑based biryani chain, is raising roughly ₹100 crore (about $12 million) by diluting a 10‑12% stake. The capital will fund an aggressive rollout of 100 new outlets, expanding the network from 57 to about 160 stores across major Indian...
Shelf Life 109: The Peter Pan-Ification of Wellness
The gummy supplement market, now worth about $10 billion, is set to nearly triple by the early 2030s as adults gravitate toward candy‑like vitamins. Unilever’s April 9 acquisition of Grüns, a green‑leaf gummy brand, for $1.2 billion underscores the sector’s rapid commercialization. Founders...
TIA Wellness Resort Expands Da Nang Boutique by 25% and Launches Signature Tea Line
TIA Wellness Resort in Da Nang, Vietnam, has expanded its on‑site boutique by 25%, introducing a broader range of wellness‑themed merchandise and a new Signature Tea Collection. The move reflects a growing trend among luxury resorts to blend hospitality with...
South Korea’s MFDS Reiterates Ban on Gymnema Sylvestre, Bacopa in Supplements
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has reaffirmed its ban on several botanicals and pharmaceutical compounds, including Gymnema sylvestre and Bacopa, after finding them in 18 of 30 overseas‑made health supplements sold via Amazon, eBay and other...
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2026: Early Bird Entry Fee Closes on Apr 30
NutraIngredients‑Asia has opened entries for its 2026 Awards across 17 categories, with a submission deadline of June 19, 2026, 11:55 pm Singapore time. The early‑bird entry fee is US $299 for most categories, while the NutraChampion, Start‑up Award and the Editors’ Award for Infant...
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The Dallas-Fort Worth-area suburbs of Hurst, Euless and Bedford (known to locals as HEB) is up next for an H-E-B location. The 126,000-square-foot store — known as H-E-B Mid-Cities to avoid confusion — is coming up at the of Cheek-Sparger Road...
Mirazur Marks 20 Years with a Joint Menu by Mauro Colagreco and Ferran Adrià
Chef Mauro Colagreco teamed with Ferran Adrià to launch a commemorative menu for Mirazur's 20th anniversary, blending Mediterranean terroir with avant‑garde techniques. The event also unveiled plans for guest rooms and a reimagined dining journey, underscoring the restaurant's shift toward...
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5 Impressive Health Benefits of Ghee—And How to Use It, According to Dietitians
Ghee, a clarified butter prized for its nutty flavor and high smoke point, is gaining traction among health‑conscious consumers. Dietitian Jennifer Scherer highlights five key benefits: anti‑inflammatory and immunity support from butyrate and fat‑soluble vitamins, gut‑lining protection, HDL‑boosting medium‑chain fatty...
SponsoredHandtmann Showcases Modular Production Solutions for Vegan, Vegetarian and Alternative Protein Products at Interpack
At interpack 2026, Handtmann showcased a full suite of modular production lines tailored for vegan, vegetarian and alternative‑protein foods. The exhibit featured the FS 525 forming system for portioning and tray placement, the DS 560 P multi‑lane dosing unit, and...
Maccas Wins Battle to Set up in 'World's Coolest Street'
McDonald’s Australia secured a VCAT ruling that overturns Darebin Council’s rejection of a 24/7 restaurant on High Street, Northcote – a lane dubbed the world’s coolest street by Time Out. The tribunal said it cannot block a fast‑food chain based...
Goatmeat Export Update March 2026
Australia exported 4,408 tonnes of goat meat in March 2026, a 13 percent year‑on‑year decline but still 41 percent above the five‑year average. The United States remained the top buyer with 2,179 tonnes, representing half of total shipments and staying 37 percent above the five‑year norm...
Scientists Will Probe Whether Processing Itself Makes Ultra-Processed Foods Harmful
Researchers have outlined a randomized controlled trial to test whether the industrial processing of ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) or their nutrient composition drives cardiometabolic risk. The 2 × 2 factorial study will assign healthy adults to one of four six‑week, isocaloric diets that...
Processor Trading Conditions Update
The Beef Processor Trading Conditions (BPTC) index slipped to 14 percent in January 2026, down from 16 percent in December and far below the 72 percent peak a year earlier. Cattle input prices showed modest softening, with heavy steer down 1.1 percent and young...
Vetropack Appoints Dr. Lukas Burkhardt as CEO to Steer European Glass Packaging Group
Vetropack, one of Europe’s leading glass‑packaging manufacturers, announced that Dr. Lukas Burkhardt, a 46‑year‑old Swiss engineer, assumed the chief executive role at the start of 2026. He succeeds Johann Reiter, who retired at the end of 2025, and brings extensive experience from...
Can Brewed Milk Become Baristas’ Next Staple?
Baristas are turning to non‑homogenised milk as a premium alternative to standard whole and semi‑skimmed milks because it produces richer, more stable micro‑foam. Modern Milkman recently launched Mossgiel’s Organic Brewed Whole Milk in the UK, a gently pasteurised, organic product...
Rethinking Raw Milk: How Mossgiel’s Brewed Milk Bridges Flavour and Food Safety
Mossgiel, a Scottish dairy, has created a "brewed" milk processed at 68 °C that eliminates pathogens while preserving raw‑milk flavor and a higher fat content (4.5‑4.9%). The non‑homogenised product is sold in 1‑L reusable bottles through Modern Milkman, priced at about...
The Great Napa Wines Made From the Valley’s Old Vines
Napa Valley’s historic vineyards are dwindling as phylloxera‑driven replanting in the 1980s‑90s left most vines under 35 years old, while land prices continue to soar. Winemakers such as La Jota, Robert Biale, Mondavi and Bouchaine are championing the remaining old‑vine parcels,...
Coles and Woolies Need to Eat some of the Food Price Rise Pain
The ongoing Iran conflict is pushing diesel and fertilizer costs higher, sparking a wave of food‑price increases at Australia’s two biggest grocery chains, Coles and Woolworths. Morgan Stanley now projects food inflation at roughly 4% annually, a full percentage point...
Designing the Kitchen Around Cold Storage: Understanding The Strategic Role of Walk-Ins & Blast Chilling
Restaurant operators are re‑evaluating walk‑in coolers and freezers as strategic assets rather than after‑thought utilities. Modern kitchen design now integrates cold storage early, linking it to receiving flow, prep zones, and batch‑cooking workflows, often alongside blast chillers. American Panel highlights...
Allulose and Tagatose Lower Post‑Meal Blood Sugar
Glycemic and Cardiometabolic Effects of Rare Sugars Allulose and Tagatose: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Human Intervention Trials 👉"Supplementation of allulose or tagatose attenuates postprandial glycemic and insulin responses..." https://t.co/nqQTlk20m4 https://t.co/jRzp9Hrssy
Seoul’s Michelin‑Starred MOSU Accused of Reviving Montmartre Wine Switching Scam
Seoul’s Michelin‑two‑star restaurant MOSU is alleged to have swapped a 2000 vintage Chateau Leoville Barton for a cheaper 2005 vintage, echoing the infamous Montmartre wine‑switching scam. The incident has ignited a debate over ethics and accountability in high‑end dining.
I Tried Gordon Ramsay's New Hell's Kitchen London and There's One £24 Starter I Still Can't Get Over
Gordon Ramsay launched Hell’s Kitchen London in Marble Arch, his first UK flagship of the TV‑show‑inspired concept. The 7,500‑sq‑ft, 200‑seat restaurant delivers a theatrical dining experience with fire‑lit décor and an open kitchen. Critics highlight the pan‑seared scallops (£24) as...
Curate Launches Integrated CRM and Messaging to Boost B2B Catering Sales
Curate introduced a built‑in CRM and messaging center on April 24, 2026, linking every client conversation to specific catering events. The feature aims to cut email‑driven friction, improve team visibility and accelerate B2B sales for event caterers.
Purple Ube’s Viral Rise Is Turning a Filipino Staple Into a Global Trend — but Supplies Are Tightening
Ube, the purple yam native to the Philippines, has exploded onto global menus, with U.S. restaurant listings up 230% over the past four years. Major coffee chains such as Starbucks and Peet’s rolled out multiple ube‑infused drinks in 2025‑2026, while...
Chef Cristina Bowerman Redefines Rome’s Food Scene with Rule‑Breaking Vision
Chef Cristina Bowerman, the Michelin‑starred chef at Rome’s Glass Hostaria, is reshaping the capital’s culinary landscape through plastic‑free certification, fermentation, vegetarian tasting menus and house‑made mocktails. Her rule‑breaking style challenges traditional expectations and highlights gender disparities in Italian gastronomy.
Community Coffee Promotes Crump As SVP, Chief Commercial Officer
Community Coffee has elevated Kristi Crump to senior vice president of brand, retail and e‑commerce and chief commercial officer. In her expanded role she will direct the company’s commercial strategy, integrating consumer insights, digital growth and product innovation. Crump, who...
The Surprising Boom in Blouge Wine: ‘It’s for 5pm, in the Sun’
Blouge, a hybrid of white and red grapes fermented together, is emerging as the latest natural‑wine craze. Originating in France’s Languedoc and now spreading to Switzerland, the UK, and California, the style offers a light, fresh profile with low alcohol—around...
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This Pay-What-You-Can Cafe Offers a New Playbook for Restaurants
After a series of community traumas and ICE raids, Minneapolis’ Modern Times Cafe rebranded as Post Modern Times, a fully donation‑based restaurant. Owner Dylan Alverson asked staff to vote on the shift, removed all menu prices and opened the space...
The Reinvention of the Breakfast-First Restaurant Category – Placer.ai Blog
First Watch is outpacing legacy breakfast chains as the U.S. breakfast‑first category splits between premium, experience‑driven concepts and traditional diners. In Q1 2026 the brand posted the strongest visit growth while keeping per‑location traffic steady, unlike IHOP, Denny’s and Huddle House, which saw...
Sunday Edition: Mindy Brashears
Mindy Brashears has been reconfirmed by the Senate as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Food Safety, marking her second tenure in the role. She emphasizes a data‑driven, science‑based agenda that expands Salmonella oversight from poultry to beef...
Chef Ángel León Secures Three Michelin Stars for Aponiente’s Marshland Restaurant
Chef Ángel León has been awarded three Michelin stars for the newly opened Aponiente in the marshes of Cádiz, the first three‑star accolade for a restaurant built around a restored tidal ecosystem. The honor crowns a decade‑long effort that combined...
Handel’s Homemade CEO Charts Measured Growth to Preserve 80‑Year Legacy
Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, announced a deliberate, franchise‑focused expansion plan for the 80‑year‑old chain, now operating about 175 stores. She framed the strategy as stewardship of the brand’s heritage while targeting untapped national markets.
The Chicken Thigh Is the Current Darling of the American Table. But Its Popularity Is Costing Us More Than We...
Chicken thighs have become the dominant protein cut in American kitchens, overtaking the once‑favored chicken breast. Advances in processing automation and the rise of multicultural cuisines have driven year‑over‑year growth in thigh consumption since the late 2010s. While thighs offer...
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Will Your Food Be Safer? The USDA Is Relocating Key Food Safety Operations
The USDA announced a reorganization that will move roughly 200 Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) administrative jobs to a new National Food Safety Center in Urbandale, Iowa, and add a Science Center in Athens, Georgia. Front‑line inspectors, who make...
Solving Bar Texture, Flavor & Stability Challenges with PROtelyze™ for Bar
PROtelyze™ for Bar, a proprietary protein‑enhancement platform, is being rolled out to address long‑standing texture, flavor and shelf‑stability issues in protein‑rich snack bars. The technology uses a patented enzymatic treatment that improves moisture retention and reduces grainy mouthfeel without adding...