Domino Sugar Rings in America's 250th Anniversary with Commemorative Packaging
Domino Sugar is rolling out limited‑edition commemorative packaging to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence. The new designs appear on the 4 lb Premium Pure Cane Granulated Sugar bag and a series of six collectible single‑serve packets, each featuring patriotic imagery and the America250 logo. The partnership with the nonpartisan America250 organization positions the brand alongside the national Semiquincentennial celebration. Distribution begins in April across grocery aisles, coffee shops and other food‑service venues.
Texas Roadhouse's 1990s Restaurants Looked So Different From Today's
Texas Roadhouse began as a single mall restaurant in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993, featuring free rolls, a two‑week Mexican menu, live‑band stage, and peanut‑shell‑covered floors. Over the past three decades the chain rebranded with a Western‑lodge exterior, added a cowboy‑hat...
AI Turns Coffee Brand Ideas Into Instant Reality
Been wanting to open a coffee brand and coffee shop, so I mocked up the whole thing with ChatGPT’s new image generator. Brand world, packaging, storefront, interiors, the whole vibe. Honestly kind of wild how fast you can now go from idea...
This Fast-Food Chain Just Hired a ‘Chief MAHA Officer’
Steak ’n Shake, the 391‑location fast‑casual chain owned by Biglari Holdings, announced the creation of a new executive position, Chief MAHA Officer, to champion the Make America Healthy Again agenda. The role will be filled by Michael Boes, a former...
Four Roses Is Dropping a Trio of New Bourbons in Its Popular Single-Barrel Lineup
Four Roses, now owned by E.J. Gallo, has unveiled the second annual trio of single‑barrel bourbons—OESQ, OESF and OBSK—each aged seven to nine years, bottled at 100 proof and priced at $50. The releases employ distinct mashbills and yeast strains,...
Maternal Emulsifiers May Close Infant Immune Tolerance Windows
Common food emulsifiers like carboxymethyl cellulose and polysorbate 80 are in processed dairy, baked goods, sauces, and even some baby formulas. When mother mice consumed these during pregnancy and breastfeeding, their offspring's immune development was altered in ways that lasted...
Major Livestock and Animal Agriculture Companies Are Making Climate Promises They Aren’t Keeping
A new PLOS Climate study reviewed over 1,200 climate claims from the world’s largest meat and dairy firms and found 98% to be greenwashing. The research highlighted that livestock accounts for at least 16.5% of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, yet most...
Blackberries Now Among Produce with Highest Traces of Pesticides
The Environmental Working Group added blackberries to its Dirty Dozen list, ranking them at No. 9 for pesticide residues. The annual USDA‑based analysis found that 75 % of non‑organic produce samples contain pesticide traces, with PFAS chemicals leading the detections. Fludioxonil, a...
The Obsessive, Fearless Evolution of Jeremy Chan’s Ikoyi
Since opening less than ten years ago, Ikoyi has vaulted into London’s elite restaurant roster, a notable achievement in a market saturated with Michelin‑starred venues. The restaurant’s ascent is anchored by chef‑owner Jeremy Chan, whose cross‑cultural upbringing—Canadian, Chinese, and British—feeds...
Anheuser-Busch Doubles US Manufacturing Investment to $600M
Anheuser‑Busch announced it is doubling its U.S. manufacturing investment to $600 million, adding $300 million to its Brewing Futures program launched last year. The expanded spend will fund upgrades at its nine flagship breweries, new technical‑skills training centers, and veteran hiring initiatives....
98 per Cent of Meat and Dairy Sustainability Pledges Are Greenwashing
Animal agriculture drives about 16.5% of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, prompting the sector’s biggest meat and dairy firms to issue a wave of sustainability pledges. Researchers from the University of Miami examined 33 leading companies' reports from 2021‑2024, cataloguing 1,233 environmental...
Four Roses Releases Second Iteration of Its 100-Proof Single Barrel Collection
Four Roses is launching the second wave of its 100‑proof Single Barrel Collection, featuring three expressions—OESQ, OESF and OBSK—aged 7 to 9 years and priced at $49.99 each. The bottles, coded to indicate mashbill and yeast‑derived flavor profiles, will roll...
Natural Grocers Introduces Private-Label Seafood
Natural Grocers unveiled two private‑label smoked salmon varieties—sockeye and coho—packaged in 3‑ounce trays at $8.99 each. The fish is wild‑caught in Alaska, MSC‑certified, non‑GMO, kosher, and free of artificial additives. The launch expands the retailer’s private‑label portfolio, now exceeding 900...
Food, Not Pills, May Solve Obesity and Heart Disease
The next breakthrough in managing obesity, heart disease, or cognitive decline might not come from a pill. It might come from your food. #SynBioBeta2026 is May 4-7th in San Jose, California, you can learn more about the conference and get your...
Evaluate and Optimize Restaurant Tech Stacks
The James Beard Foundation has kicked off a two‑part video series on restaurant technology, featuring Emma Blecker of Make It Makes Sense Consulting. The inaugural session, released on April 22, 2026, introduces the BASICS framework and examines how AI and...
Angry Chickz VP Tonya McCoy Says People‑First Strategy Boosts Sales by 63%
Tonya McCoy, vice president of marketing at Angry Chickz, says prioritizing people over pure metrics sparked a 63% increase in territory unit sales. Her employee‑centric model, built on data‑driven campaigns and franchisee collaboration, is being touted as a new blueprint...
500 Culinary Leaders Convene in Cologne to Shape Gastronomy's Future
Five hundred chefs and restaurateurs from 21 countries gathered in Cologne for the JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs Congress, unveiling a South American expansion and a partnership with United Waterways. The event highlighted innovation, sustainability and the evolving role of chefs as entrepreneurs.
Aldi Eliminating an Additional 44 Ingredients From Private Label Food Assortment by End of 2027
Aldi announced it will eliminate an additional 44 ingredients from its private‑label food, vitamin and supplement lines by December 2027, bringing the total banned substances to 57. The purge focuses on artificial preservatives, colors, flavors and sweeteners, extending a decade‑long...
New Green Coffee and Roastery Equipment From World of Coffee San Diego
World of Coffee San Diego showcased a wave of new green‑coffee and roastery equipment aimed at tightening quality control and boosting efficiency across the supply chain. Portable analyzers like ProfilePrint’s Mini Beluga and Demetria’s AI‑driven Aroma sorter bring farm‑level moisture,...
Why Old School Pizza Delivery Won’t Disappear, Despite Third-Party Dominance
Third‑party aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats dominate pizza delivery volumes, but major chains such as Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s continue to operate their own driver fleets for orders placed through proprietary apps. The hybrid approach lets brands capture the...
Margin Pressure Is Driving Food Retailers Toward Retail Media, Health, and AI
European food retailers are feeling margin pressure from rising costs and cautious shoppers. Sales in 2025 grew 3.4% driven by price inflation, while volumes rose only 0.6%, marking the second year of real growth. Private‑label share hit 40% and online...
Scary Mommy 2026 Readers' Choice Awards Best Specialty Coffee Brand
Scary Mommy has launched its 2026 Readers' Choice Awards for Best Specialty Coffee Brand, inviting parents to vote for their favorite roasters. The shortlist features 15 brands, ranging from industry staples like Blue Bottle and Stumptown to newer players such...
FASCANO Closes $10 Million Round to Enhance F&B Operations Across the Region
Oman‑based food‑tech firm FASCANO closed its third investment round, securing $10 million. The round featured His Highness Sayyid Dr. Kamel bin Fahd Al Said, Cyfr Capital, and the Future Fund Oman under the Oman Investment Authority. Founded in 2021, FASCANO delivers...
![[Interview] “World Foods Are an Attractive Category for Retailers” (Kaisa Lipponen, Paulig)](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/www.retaildetail.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Kaisa-Lipponen-Paulig.jpg)
[Interview] “World Foods Are an Attractive Category for Retailers” (Kaisa Lipponen, Paulig)
Paulig, a Finnish‑origin FMCG group, posted €1.39 bn (≈$1.5 bn) revenue, with food accounting for over €1 bn (≈$1.1 bn). The company operates in 13 European countries, sells in about 80 markets worldwide, and runs 14 production sites employing 2,700 staff. Leveraging recent acquisitions,...
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Names Former Ben & Jerry's Exec as New CEO
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams announced David Stever, the former CEO and CMO of Ben & Jerry’s, as its new chief executive officer. Stever brings more than 25 years of consumer‑packaged‑goods leadership, having overseen Ben & Jerry’s transformative growth and global...
Capital Q Ventures Funds Nutrition Brand Nur to ‘Redefine’ Protein Category
Capital Q Ventures, through its accelerator Capital Q Velocity, is backing nutrition startup Nur to scale its hydration‑based protein platform that uses fermented beta‑lactoglobulin (BLG). The undisclosed investment will secure co‑investors for current and future rounds, enabling Nur to commercialize...
The Coconut Collab Adds Dairy-Free Natural Kefir to Its Gut Health Range
London‑based The Coconut Collab has introduced a dairy‑free Natural Kefir, expanding its gut‑health lineup. The 500 ml drink, priced at £3.45 (about $4.31), is now available at Sainsbury’s and Ocado, with more retailers slated for May‑June. Made by fermenting coconut water...
Duvel Moortgat Acquires American Craft Beer Pioneer
Duvel Moortgat, via its U.S. arm Firestone Walker, is buying Stone Brewing from Japan’s Sapporo, adding the iconic craft label to its portfolio. The deal follows Duvel’s recent purchase of the Trumer pilsner brand, expanding its presence in the American...
Alaska Bill Would Exempt Small-Scale Fishers From some Health and Safety Standards
Alaska State Rep. Sarah Vance introduced the Alaska Coastal Micro‑Fisheries Act (HB 356) to ease health, sanitary and fee regulations for small‑scale commercial fishers. The bill exempts low‑risk species from certain permits, allows limited onboard packaging and freezing, and caps annual...
New York Poised to Ban Certain Food Additives, Require GRAS Ingredient Transparency
New York’s Senate and Assembly have passed the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, banning red dye 3, potassium bromate, and propylparaben in foods sold in the state. The bill also mandates that manufacturers disclose safety data for any GRAS (Generally...
Why Unilever’s $40bn Food Merger Is Raising Red Flags
Unilever announced a merger of its Foods division—excluding India—with spice leader McCormick, creating a transaction valued at over $40 bn (approximately $37 bn in euros). The announcement triggered a sharp sell‑off, with Unilever’s share price dropping about 18% to 4,199 GBX within 24 hours....
Non-GMO Project: Ultra-Processed Foods Are Harming the Planet, Not Just Our Health
The Non‑GMO Project is rolling out a Non‑UPF verification program to label foods that avoid ultra‑processing, arguing that such products harm the planet as much as they affect health. It points out that roughly 70% of U.S. arable land is...
Upcycled Food Association Launches Canada Hub to Unify, Scale Upcycled Food Sector
The Upcycled Food Association (UFA) announced a new Canadian hub to bring together producers, processors, and innovators in the emerging up‑cycled food sector. The hub follows 2025 research by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, funded by the Canadian government, which...
Sustainability at a Crossroads
The food and beverage sector is seeing a surge in sustainable sourcing, with up‑cycled products now a $109.3 million market in the U.S., up 30% year‑over‑year. Consumers are willing to pay premiums for eco‑friendly items, driving nearly 45% of category growth...
Whole Foods Market Debuts Line Of Robert Hall Wines, The First Domestic Regenerative Organic Certified Wines On Its Shelves
Whole Foods Market announced the national launch of Robert Hall Winery’s Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, the first domestically produced ROC‑certified wines on its shelves. The wines, priced at $29.99 per bottle after a strategic price...
Are Oil‑Derived Artificial Flavors Truly Non‑Carcinogenic?
Can someone that's smarter than me explain how artificial flavors derived from crude oil are not carcinogenic?
U.S. Aims for Expanded China Agricultural Trade Deal
🇺🇸🇨🇳The U.S. will be seeking a wider agreement on agricultural trade purchases from China when Trump and Xi meet next month. https://t.co/eXKPiy2XZF
Michelin Chef Adrien Cachot Teams with Sushi Shop for $36 Limited-Edition Sushi Line
French Michelin-starred chef Adrien Cachot has launched a limited-edition sushi and mochi collection with international chain Sushi Shop, priced between $3.75 and $36 and available in stores from April 23. The partnership blends Cachot’s avant‑garde restaurant ethos with a mass‑market...
Supermarkets May Undercut Milk Prices to Boost Footfall, Hurting Farmers
It is perfectly possible - I have no evidence - that supermarkets chose to sell milk at below cost because people ran out of it, requiring a trip to the supermarket. Footfall driver, in other words, but a bugger for...
AI Powers Restaurant Automation and Loyalty Rewards
AI for restaurants. @HostBuddy_AI lets restaurants automate themselves and add loyalty programs that will reward repeat customers. Here's founder Sagar Gola telling me about it. https://t.co/f4idphjguH
Papa John’s Tipping Box Message Triggers Nationwide Backlash
Papa John’s drew fierce criticism after a TikTok video revealed a delivery box that read “DELIVERY FEE IS NOT A TIP. Please reward your driver for outstanding service.” The post ignited a debate over tipping fatigue, with users accusing the...
AB InBev Commits $600M to Upgrade U.S. Facilities
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Anheuser-Busch announced a $600 million investment to expand and modernize US operations
Baby Formula Crisis and Iran Conflict Weigh on Danone’s Figures
Danone reported a 2.7% rise in first‑quarter FY2026 revenue, reaching €6.71 billion (about $7.3 billion). Growth was driven by a 1.5% volume mix improvement and 1.2% price increases, with the Asia‑Pacific region posting a 6% surge and the Americas 3.4%. In contrast,...
Starbucks Shares Slip Ahead of Q2 2026 Earnings as Same‑Store Sales Sluggish
Starbucks Corp. shares dropped 1.62% to $97.35 on Tuesday as the coffee chain approaches its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings release on April 28. Analysts project revenue of $9.1‑$9.3 billion and EPS of $0.59‑$0.65, but warn that same‑store sales remain under pressure...
Why Hershey Is Making Big Changes to Its Sustainability Strategy
Hershey unveiled a revamped sustainability strategy that now covers its expanding salty‑snack portfolio, including brands like Dot’s, SkinnyPop and LesserEvil. The plan adds new ingredient‑sourcing goals, a pledge to protect 2.5 million acres with regenerative practices by 2035, and ambitious climate...
American Beverage Highlights 2026 Recycling Investments
American Beverage announced that its Every Bottle Back program will invest nearly $500 million in 2026 to upgrade recycling infrastructure across the United States. The association has already spent $34 million on 70 projects, delivering 55,000 carts in Providence, larger bins for...
Walmart Is the Clear Choice in the U.S. Supermarket Sector According to Conjointly Data
Conjointly’s Brand Tracker has added U.S. supermarket chains, revealing Walmart’s overwhelming lead across all core brand metrics – 86% aided awareness, 69% consideration, 70% six‑month purchase rate, and 31% preferred brand. ALDI, Costco and Target trail but still post strong...
How Mondelēz Is Using UK Innovation and Partnerships to Drive Its ESG Strategy
Mondelēz’s 2025 "Snacking Made Right" report spotlights its ESG progress in the UK and Ireland, driven by focused innovation, R&D and strategic partnerships. Collaborations with Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Cambridge aim to measure farm‑level emissions and translate...
The Curious Rise of Chinese Whisky
Chinese whisky is moving from curiosity to commercial reality as major spirits players pour capital into the market. Diageo has spent $120 million to build the YunTuo Distillery in Eryuan, a village in southwest China, featuring a 30‑metre‑tall tasting room and...
Ocado Retail Launches ‘Future of Food Edit’ Aisle This Earth Day to Support a More Sustainable Food System
Ocado Retail has introduced a curated "Future of Food Edit" aisle on Earth Day, showcasing brands that meet strict standards for nutrition, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction. The initiative partners with the not‑for‑profit Future of Food platform and verification firm...