Know What's Happening in Food and Beverage
Know What's Happening in Food and Beverage
Private label beverages are shedding their cheap‑brand image, capturing a larger share of the U.S. aisle. In 2025, private label dollar sales hit a record $282.8 billion, with beverage sales up 4.8%—outpacing national brands’ 1.2% growth. Retailer‑owned brands such as Kirkland and Simple Truth are driving innovation in kombucha, energy drinks, and plant‑based formats, earning multiple PLMA Salute to Excellence awards. Despite supply‑chain cost pressures, the segment’s rapid growth signals a lasting shift toward value‑focused, high‑quality store brands.
The National Farmers Federation’s Horticulture Council has sent an open letter to Australia’s major supermarkets, demanding a swift response to supplier price‑increase requests triggered by the oil crisis. Rising fuel and freight costs, with surcharges reaching up to 65% of...
Chomps is debuting its first chicken‑based snack line after a decade of development, offering Original Chicken, Nashville Hot and Savory Breakfast flavors. The products launch this week exclusively at Target stores and on Chomps’ website, with a broader rollout to...
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said the Food Price Index rose 2.4% in March, its highest level since September 2022, as oil‑driven energy costs lift commodity prices. Wheat prices jumped 4.3% while fertilizer cost pressures threaten planting decisions in...
The FDA and CDC have linked a multistate Salmonella outbreak to dietary supplements containing moringa leaf powder, specifically Live it Up-brand Super Greens powder and Why Not Natural moringa capsules. As of March 17, 2026, 97 people in 32 states...
The FDA released an Executive Incident Summary Abstract documenting a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak linked to mangoes that resulted in 56 confirmed cases. The report redacted the names of the importer, the country of origin, the states involved, and all firms...
A recent Northern Ireland survey of ready‑to‑eat (RTE) food manufacturers examined awareness of EU food safety regulation 2073/2005, which mandates environmental controls and systematic sampling for Listeria monocytogenes. The 26‑question questionnaire uncovered notable gaps in understanding specific regulatory requirements, even...
Mondelez International is revamping its $3.5 billion digital commerce operation to meet the rise of AI‑driven, agentic search. After initially blocking AI crawlers, the company unblocked them and rebuilt its brand sites with clean sitemaps, fast load times and machine‑readable content....
The sports and recovery beverage market is moving beyond elite athletes to everyday consumers, driven by a surge in functional wellness demand. Nielsen data shows U.S. sales have risen 458.8% over the past five years, while brands like PURIS, Vital Proteins...
SkyPop, formerly DON’T QUIT, launched a national line of protein sodas featuring 10 grams of whey protein, zero sugar and 45 calories per can. The portfolio includes eight flavors ranging from classic root beer to novel strawberry cotton candy. CEO Mark French highlighted...
Waitrose reports a strong resurgence of ‘forgotten cuts’ such as lamb liver, kidneys, and heart steaks, with sales increasing between 25% and 91% year‑over‑year. The growth is linked to the rising popularity of nose‑to‑tail eating, heightened social‑media influence, and a...
CKD Bio has introduced CKDB-315, the first probiotic ingredient in South Korea to receive individual recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for respiratory health. The formulation blends a kimchi‑derived Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain with Leonurus japonicus extract, targeting...
Japan has updated its nutrition label guidelines to emphasize sodium control, nudging manufacturers toward lower‑salt formulations. Asahi Group suffered a September 2025 ransomware attack, refusing the ransom and reporting a profit dip in the subsequent quarter. Energy shocks linked to the...
Vietnam postponed the enforcement of Decree 46, its new food‑safety regulations, after chaotic port delays and testing bottlenecks stalled shipments. The Vietnamese Food Administration released a revised draft of the Food Safety Law on March 26 and opened a brief public comment...
The TrendBites report identifies six food‑and‑beverage trends in APAC where consumers demand indulgence that also makes them feel good. Heritage flavours are being reimagined with modern twists, while texture is rivaling taste for 70% of shoppers. Lighter, herb‑infused treats, affordable...
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has withdrawn the public health alert issued on April 1 for Walmart Great Value Fully Cooked Dino‑Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets after confirming the product poses no public health risk. The alert was initially triggered...
King's Hawaiian has introduced its first limited‑time flavor to grocery shelves: Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls. The new rolls combine the brand’s signature soft texture with real ube and coconut milk, delivering a lavender‑hued, island‑inspired treat. After an overwhelmingly successful online...
Australia’s revised Food and Grocery Code of Conduct has taken effect, binding major retailers such as ALDI, Coles, Metcash and Woolworths to new transparency and negotiation rules. The code obliges these grocers to disclose any unilateral variation, payment or set‑off...
Clover Food Lab, a Boston‑based fast‑casual vegan chain, filed a WARN notice that could affect 182 employees unless a buyer is secured by the end of May. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2024 after shedding 20...
Karns Foods announced a recall of its 8‑ounce Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups after discovering undeclared peanuts in the product. The affected packages, dated September 18, 2025, were distributed to Pennsylvania locations and were removed from shelves on January 30, 2026. No illnesses have...
Wawa is recalling its 16‑ounce bottled iced tea, diet lemonade and fruit punch beverages after discovering an undeclared milk allergen. The recall affects a limited set of stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, covering four flavors produced by...
Kura Sushi USA reported Q1 2026 total sales of $73.5 million, a 13% year‑over‑year increase, while comparable restaurant sales slipped 2.5%. A 3.5% menu price hike took effect in November, but tariff‑driven food and beverage costs rose to 29.9% of sales,...
Landa Labs’ LOT technology reshapes ordinary salt into ultra‑thin, high‑aspect‑ratio flakes that dissolve instantly, delivering the same salty perception with less sodium. The approach targets dry applications such as savory snacks, where rapid dissolution drives flavor, allowing manufacturers to cut...
Domino’s Pizza India launched the Big Big 6‑in‑1 Cheese Burst Pizza, a massive 24‑slice square pie that packs six distinct flavors in a single offering. The new version adds the Cheese Burst option, coating each slice with a rich, gooey cheese layer...
Canada’s Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued recalls for several food items due to possible listeria contamination. The recall includes Co‑Op creamy garlic and spinach salads sold in western provinces, multiple national cheese products such as Bothwell three‑cheese blend, Goldstream...
Loblaw Companies’ discount banner No Frills will launch a 23,413‑square‑foot store at 1375 McPhillips Street in Winnipeg. The outlet anchors the Moore Centre, a new retail development owned by real‑estate firm Shindico. The centre will also host Dollar Tree and Sabzi...
Meister, a century‑old Wisconsin dairy, broke ground on the next phase of its Nex‑Gen expansion, a state‑of‑the‑art cheese and whey processing complex. The project follows the completion of a new intake facility and cold‑storage addition, and aims to boost cheesemaking...
Canadian grocery retailers have shifted toward discount formats over the past three years as high food inflation drove shoppers to seek lower prices. Discount chains now number about 1,200, up from 1,000 in 2019, while conventional supermarkets have fallen to...
Huey Magoo's, the fast‑casual chicken‑tender chain, announced a 15‑unit franchise agreement in Texas covering Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties. The deal is with SMR Capital Group, a diversified operator that runs a T‑Mobile franchise and a construction...
Huey Magoo's has inked a development agreement with SMR Capital Group to launch 15 new restaurants across five Texas counties. The chain leverages a 1,500‑square‑foot prototype introduced in 2025 that lowers construction costs and fits smaller real‑estate parcels. Alongside the...
Noble 33 will open a Japanese steakhouse and an izakaya at Rosewood Residences Beverly Hills in 2027, occupying nearly 12,000 sq ft on the ground floor. The concepts mark the group’s first foray into Japanese‑inspired dining, joining its existing portfolio of Toca Madera, Medüza Mediterranea,...
Buffalo Trace announced two limited‑edition releases: Single Oak Rye Bourbon, now a permanent addition to its Single Oak Project, and Low Entry Proof Wheated Bourbon, the latest entry in its Experimental Collection. The rye bourbon is bottled at 90 proof...
Quinlan Brothers of Canada has teamed with Norway’s NutriShell on a $5 million project to convert fish processing waste into marketable products. The joint venture will build a waste‑processing plant near Quinlan’s Eastern Newfoundland facility, targeting up to 3,000 metric tons of...
China has surpassed 100 offshore aquaculture platforms and vessels, marking a rapid expansion driven by stricter near‑shore regulations and a new fisheries law emphasizing intensive, environmentally friendly practices. The government has elevated deep‑sea aquaculture to a strategic growth area, encouraging...
Restaurant operators are feeling a squeeze as average weekly spend dropped to $90, down from $115 in June 2025, and 68% of diners report cutting back. A Popmenu study of thousands of U.S. restaurants identified a simple growth formula: increase...
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has launched a 60‑day public consultation, running until 30 May 2026, to revise its Chain of Custody Standard. The overhaul will merge the three existing versions into a single, clearer document, tighten audit consistency, and introduce mandatory...
Phoenix‑based commercial bakery Strictly From Scratch has introduced a new sweet pastry lineup for its national wholesale customers in 2026. The range includes Croissant Danish Muffins in five fruit‑cheese varieties, Ube‑flavored Danish and muffin, a Carrot Cake Cinnamon Roll, an...
The author reflects on five years of accurate trend forecasting, noting that predictions such as fitness‑focused sodas, protein‑infused drinks, beef tallow, and a real‑dairy resurgence have all materialized at the latest Expo. By leveraging long‑term data rather than surface‑level hype,...
Match‑day snacking is evolving from traditional indulgences to higher‑protein, functional options that support energy, recovery, and portion control. Brands are leveraging limited‑edition, sport‑themed packaging and bold flavours to tap into the growing overlap between fandom, fitness and feel‑good food. New...
US pork exports delivered a per‑head value of over $67 in February, while beef reached nearly $423 per fed animal, according to USMEF data. Pork shipments increased 1% to 242,511 tonnes, with notable growth in Mexico and a 20% rebound in...
Nielsen IQ unveiled Early Market Read, a U.S. market‑intelligence service delivering weekly sales figures as soon as two days after a week ends. The offering slashes the traditional nine‑day reporting lag, giving manufacturers, retailers and supply‑chain teams near‑real‑time visibility. Users...
Nielsen IQ introduced Early Market Read, a US market intelligence service delivering weekly sales data as soon as two days after the week closes, cutting the traditional nine‑day lag. The faster reporting enables CPG manufacturers, retailers and other market participants...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has indefinitely delayed the effective dates for both beetroot red and spirulina food‑color approvals after receiving formal objections. Beetroot red, produced via a genetically‑engineered yeast fermentation process, was challenged for lacking an acceptable daily...
New York Butcher Shoppe announced a strategic investment from The Foundry Group to fund its next growth phase. The partnership brings both capital and hands‑on operational expertise aimed at scaling the specialty meat and wine retailer through franchise expansion. The...
Triumph Foods announced a $30 million expansion of its St. Joseph, Missouri pork processing plant, adding cold‑storage and shipping capacity along with new equipment. The upgrade is designed to support higher production volumes and modernize the facility. Triumph, the city’s second‑largest...
TC Transcontinental, Anchor Packaging, and Inline Plastics have joined forces to deliver integrated packaging solutions that mirror evolving consumer shopping habits. The partnership blends data‑driven design, recyclable flexible films, and high‑performance molded trays into a seamless offering. By synchronizing product...
A UK Biobank analysis of 276,209 adults found that drinking one to three cups of coffee or tea daily was linked to a 20‑33% lower risk of lung cancer, while consuming four or more cups showed no clear benefit. The...
Nomad, a Vancouver coffee shop founded by Annette Kim, has eliminated disposable cups across its locations, diverting over 220,000 cups since 2022 and targeting one million by 2027. The chain uses a $2 deposit for 3D‑printed clay cups and a...
Onions 52 has completed full vertical integration, uniting growers, packers and shippers under one organization to guarantee consistent quality from seed to shelf. The company is rolling out advanced sorting equipment at its Utah facility and has expanded its footprint with...
Coca‑Cola has launched a year‑long America250 partnership to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday, anchored by a three‑minute anthem video titled “Drink In America.” The campaign rolls out limited‑edition bottles and the brand’s first collectible mini‑cans, each showcasing state‑specific artwork...
