FDA Opens Call for Comments on Redefining ‘Dietary Substance’ in DSHEA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a public meeting to gather stakeholder input on redefining the “dietary substance” clause of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Industry groups have until April 27 to comment on whether emerging ingredients such as precision‑fermented proteins, peptides, enzymes and microbials should be covered, a decision that could unlock new product pathways.
![The States That Drink the Most Alcohol in America [MAP] (2025)](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/a63242d2eeae7a034b94c892351ea287.webp)
The States That Drink the Most Alcohol in America [MAP] (2025)
A Gallup survey shows U.S. alcohol consumption has been falling steadily from 2022 to 2025, with total volume dropping to 7.7 billion gallons in 2023. Beer and wine volumes contracted, while spirits rose modestly to 734 million gallons. Per‑capita ethanol use peaked...
Unilever Shaken by Investor Exit as McCormick Deal Unsettles Shareholders
Unilever announced a $40 bn merger of its Foods division with McCormick, excluding India, sparking a sharp share decline of £3.29 (≈$4.15) per share that has not recovered. Major shareholder Terry Smith sold his entire stake, citing concerns over activist‑driven break‑ups and...
Arborea and Vita Actives Partner to Accelerate Premium Spirulina Category
Arborea and Vita Actives have teamed up to launch BioSolar Spirulina, a premium micro‑algae ingredient produced in a sealed, closed‑system that promises consistent nutrition and improved taste. The partnership, announced at Vitafoods Europe, will bring the ingredient to food, beverage and...
India Included in Revised EU List for Continued Aquaculture Exports
India has been placed on the European Union’s revised draft list allowing continued aquaculture exports, securing uninterrupted shipments beyond September 2026. The EU added India after it demonstrated compliance with the Commission’s antimicrobial‑use restrictions for food‑producing animals. The EU remains a...
Ancient Cypriot Grape Offers Hope for Australia’s Wine Growers
Australian growers are trialling Xynisteri, an ancient Cypriot white grape, to combat severe water scarcity and heat stress. In South Australia’s Riverland, the variety uses roughly 75% less irrigation than traditional Shiraz and Chardonnay and tolerates temperatures above 45°C. Rising...
Heura Turns Profitable & Unveils White-Label Strategy for Plant-Based Meat
Heura, the Spanish plant‑based meat leader, posted its first positive EBITDA in Q1 2026 after raising €108 million (≈$119 million) to date, including a €40 million (≈$44 million) Series B two years ago. The profit breakthrough stems from its proprietary Good Rebel Tech, a thermomechanical...
Mars Reduces Plastic Packaging for Pringles Minis by 10 per Cent
Mars announced a 10% reduction in plastic for its Pringles Minis line, trimming both the primary bag and outer polybag without altering product weight or volume. The redesign, part of a company‑wide material efficiency push, will save roughly 30.7 metric...
China Renews US Beef Export Licenses, Paving Trade Boost
First concrete signal of what might be in the coming trade deal... China has just renewed export licenses for hundreds of US beef plants. They've lapsed over the past year or so and China hasn't renewed them until now. It's...
M&S Starts Construction on £340m Automated Food Distribution Centre
Marks & Spencer has broken ground on a £340 million (≈$432 million) automated food distribution centre in Northamptonshire. The 1.3 million‑sq‑ft hub, slated to open in 2029, will serve more than 200 M&S Food stores and create over 1,000 jobs, marking the retailer’s...
Instacart Launches Unified Fulfillment Pro Suite to Streamline Grocery Picking and Delivery
Instacart announced new delivery management software for retailer-owned fleets and enhanced enterprise-grade picking capabilities, expanding its Fulfillment Pro suite. The upgrades aim to reduce operational complexity for grocery retailers as online grocery demand accelerates amid consumer financial stress.
Square Adds Drive-Thru to the Menu to Help Quick-Service Restaurants Improve Speed and Efficiency
Square introduced Square for Drive‑Thru, an end‑to‑end platform that unifies order capture, kitchen display, and customer handoff for quick‑service restaurants. Developed with The Howard Company and Nanonation, the solution pushes orders from menu boards to a confirmation screen and routes...
Chef Garima Arora’s Durian Dish Wins Second Michelin Star, Redefining Luxury Food
Chef Garima Arora’s Bangkok restaurant Banng earned its second Michelin star after she introduced a durian‑based main course, defying skeptics who warned the exotic fruit would cost her the star. The chef says luxury is about rarity and authenticity, not...
BODi Rolls Out Shakeology in Sprouts, Eyes 640 Vitamin Shoppe Stores
BODi, the former Beachbody fitness brand, is placing its Shakeology nutrition drinks on the shelves of more than 80 Sprouts Farmers Market stores this week and will extend the line to the 640‑plus Vitamin Shoppe locations later this year. The...
As Coffee Prices Rise, Prefer Bets on a Hybrid Future
Prefer, a Singapore‑based food‑tech startup founded in 2022, uses fermentation to turn rice and chickpeas into coffee and cocoa extenders that can replace up to 40% of traditional beans without altering flavor. The company aims to keep everyday coffee affordable...
National Restaurant Association Show's 2026 FABI Awards Spotlight Top Trends
The National Restaurant Association Show announced 28 winners of its 2026 Food & Beverage (FABI) Awards, highlighting ten products as FABI Favorites. Winners emphasized protein, global flavors and texture, while plant‑based meat and dairy alternatives played a smaller role than...
Nation's Restaurant News May 2026
The May 2026 issue of Nation’s Restaurant News, timed with the National Restaurant Association Show, spotlights Whataburger CEO Debbie Stroud on the cover. The edition includes a Signature Series interview and a deep dive into current industry dynamics. It offers data on...
Kabawa Wins New York Times 2026 Best Restaurant Award
Paul Carmichael’s Kabawa was crowned the New York Times' Best Restaurant of 2026, the first Caribbean venue to claim the top spot on the paper's inaugural list compiled by co‑chief critic Ligaya Mishan. The accolade spotlights the growing influence of...
How a Small Virginia Distillery Became Sazerac’s Secret Weapon
A. Smith Bowman Distillery, now part of Sazerac, bypasses traditional grain processing by redistilling partner‑sourced new‑make whiskey in a 2,000‑gallon pot still before aging it in varied casks. The triple‑distillation creates a softer, more floral profile that has earned back‑to‑back World’s...
Cargill, Voyage Foods Launch Cocoa-Free Chocolate Alternative
Cargill and Voyage Foods have launched NextCoa, a cocoa‑free chocolate‑like confectionery for the North American market. The product uses grape‑seed‑based ingredients and delivers a chocolatey flavor while eliminating major allergens and offering vegan, Kosher and Halal certification. A third‑party life‑cycle...
Innovation in Every Sip: How Tractor Beverage Co. Is Changing the Beverage Landscape
Tractor Beverage Co. unveiled its Organic Craft Haymaker, a modern take on the 17th‑century switchel, and secured the 2026 FABI Favorite award. The low‑sugar, citrus‑ginger drink underscores the brand’s clean‑label, organic positioning. Tractor also highlighted its flexible portfolio—RTD cans, bubbler...
Purely Elizabeth Expands Into Protein Granola Category
Purely Elizabeth, known for ingredient‑forward granolas, announced a new Protein Ancient Grain Granola line. The product delivers 10 g of protein per serving from nuts and seeds, without any protein powders, isolates, or fillers. It provides 6–8 g of fiber, is lightly...
New York Restaurants Live Forever — in Tokyo
New York‑themed eateries are thriving in Tokyo, from Buttermilk Channel’s relocation after its Brooklyn closure to Cafe Gitane’s lone outpost and City Bakery’s multi‑site expansion. The iconic New York Grill, immortalized in *Lost in Translation*, recently reopened after a renovation that deepened its...
The Wonderful Co., Southern Glazer’s Expand Wine Distribution Agreement
The Wonderful Co. has broadened its long‑standing distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, adding new territories for its premium labels. Justin Vineyards & Winery will enter ten additional markets such as Minnesota, Idaho and Utah, while Lewis Cellars...
Nestlé’s Maggi Enters Ready Meal Market
Nestlé’s Maggi brand has launched Maggi Global Kitchen, a ready‑meal line featuring six single‑serve dishes that cook in two minutes. Each 260 g portion is low in saturated fat and high in protein, offering global flavours such as spaghetti bolognese, chicken...
Activate the ‘Halo Effect’
EzCater’s 2026 Workplace Catering Insights reveal that food is now a core component of return‑to‑office strategies, with 81% of meals employer‑funded and 91% of workplaces planning to maintain or increase spending. A workplace order creates a "halo effect"—62% of employees...
Kool-Aid to Launch Electrolyte Packets with No Artificial Dyes as Part of Kraft Heinz Makeover
Kraft Heinz is reviving its lagging portfolio by launching Kool‑Aid Hydration, an electrolyte packet line free of artificial dyes and sugar. The six‑stick packs, offered in fruit punch, grape and blue raspberry lemonade, will hit U.S. retailers in May at...
Menz Violet Crumble and Betty Crocker Partner for a New Baking Mix Range
Menz’s iconic Violet Crumble candy has teamed up with Betty Crocker to launch a new line of honeycomb‑flavoured baking mixes, including a cookie mix and a brownie mix. The products, which embed chocolate‑coated honeycomb pieces that melt into a crunchy...
Carlyle, Yum China Among Bidders for Jardines’ Asian KFC, Pizza Hut Business
Jardine Matheson’s restaurant arm, which runs about 1,000 KFC and Pizza Hut outlets in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Myanmar, and Vietnam, is up for sale. Carlyle Group, Yum China, and Taiwan’s Uni‑President have submitted non‑binding bids, with the transaction expected...
India's Protein Supplement Market Set to Hit $913 Million by 2025 on Clean‑Label Surge
India’s protein supplements market is forecast to reach $912.9 million in 2025 as consumers gravitate toward clean‑label, gut‑friendly and plant‑based nutrition. The shift reflects rising fitness awareness, demand for additive‑free formulas and a broader focus on digestive health.
Nomad Foods Hires Ex-Publicis CMO Justin Billingsley to Revamp Frozen‑food Brands
Nomad Foods announced that Justin Billingsley, the former global chief marketing officer of Publicis Groupe, will become its new CMO reporting to CEO Dominic Brisby. The hire is aimed at unifying brand strategy, R&D and innovation to counter stagnant growth...
Dole Food Posts $2.3 B Q1 Revenue, CFO Flags Automation Push and Cost Pressures
Dole Food Company announced first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $2.3 billion, up 12% year‑over‑year. CFO Jacinta Devine highlighted a near‑$100 million automation initiative, a $75 million port‑sale proceeds, and ongoing margin pressure from higher fruit‑sourcing costs.
Food Inflation Update Mar 2026
Australia’s March 2026 CPI data shows food inflation gaining momentum, led by a sharp 3.2% rise in fruit prices and a 2.0% jump in vegetables. Protein categories remain the primary driver of annual inflation, with beef up 8.3% year‑over‑year and...
How Federated Co-Op Is Rebuilding Its Grocery Business
Federated Co‑operatives Limited (FCL) has overhauled its grocery division, splitting it into three core functions—category management, operations, and shared services—to tighten store‑level execution. The new operations model pairs a commodity team that builds fully documented programs with regional pods that...
Ford's Garage Signs Three&Unit Franchise Agreement for Delaware Expansion
Ford's Garage has signed a three‑unit development agreement with Carson's Garage, LLC to launch its 1920s‑garage‑themed restaurant brand in Delaware for the first time. The first location is slated for Millsboro, Kent County, with a planned opening in early 2027,...
Love & Honey Fried Chicken Signs 20&Unit Franchise Agreement in Florida
Love & Honey Fried Chicken, a Philadelphia‑based fast‑casual brand, has signed a 20‑unit development agreement to launch its first locations in Southeast Florida and south of Orlando. The deal marks the chain’s entry into the Florida market and reflects its...
Swig Signs 10&Unit Franchise Agreement for Colorado Springs
Swig has inked a multi‑unit franchise agreement with Alex and Alan Knox to launch ten locations in Colorado Springs, marking the brand’s first foray into the Colorado market. The first outlet is projected to open by the end of 2026....
23 Natural Grocers Stores In 12 States Marking 10th Anniversary
Natural Grocers is marking the 10‑year anniversary of 23 stores spanning 12 states with a week‑long celebration from May 17‑23. The events feature exclusive {N}power member discounts of up to 22% on items such as coconut milk, turkey sticks and...
Inspire Brands Files IPO for Dunkin', Aiming to Repay $8.8B Acquisition Debt
Inspire Brands, the private‑equity‑backed parent of Dunkin', has filed a confidential registration statement to take the coffee‑and‑donut chain public for the third time. The filing follows the 2020 $8.8 billion purchase of Dunkin' and a $2.5 billion debt assumption, with proceeds expected...
ClemenGold and Sinclair: A Partnership Driving Sustainability for South Africa and Beyond
ClemenGold International has teamed with global labeling specialist Sinclair and agent HG Molenaar to launch the Sinclair T55 fruit label, the first label certified for both home and industrial composting. The label meets EN 13432, NFT 51‑800 and AS 5810 standards and carries...
WTCE 2026 Spotlights the Future of Onboard Hospitality
World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) 2026 convened over 160 airlines from 66 countries at Hamburg Messe, drawing 4,000 visitors and 319 exhibitors, including 79 newcomers. The three‑day show highlighted innovations across food, drink, packaging, amenities, and onboard...
Weekly Expansion Signals Report & New Restaurant Alerts From Week Ending May 9 2026
Six restaurant and entertainment brands announced new locations for the week ending May 9, 2026, spanning Texas, Florida, New York, and Oklahoma. Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Ike's Love and Sandwiches are opening in Pflugerville, while Jimmy John's adds two Florida sites, Main...
Brown Cow Undergoes Brand Refresh
Brown Cow, the iconic cream‑top yogurt brand founded in 1973, has launched a comprehensive brand refresh with creative agency Little Big Brands. The redesign revives the original heritage story centered on Lily the Jersey cow, introducing a hand‑drawn mascot, updated typography,...
En Route Launches Butter-Filled Rolls to Transform Economy Class Dining
En Route has introduced an industry‑first butter‑filled ciabatta roll for Economy and Premium Economy cabins, embedding soft, spreadable butter directly into the bread. The innovation addresses long‑standing passenger frustration with cold, hard butter packets and cold bread, delivering a bakery‑style...
Irish Wholesaler Warns Cod Prices Nearing Limit of What Buyers Are Willing to Pay
Irish wholesale firm Nick’s Fish says cod prices have surged to €26‑27 per kilogram (about $30.6‑$31.7), a multi‑year high driven by tighter quotas, rising fuel costs and transport surcharges. CEO Nick Lynch warns the price level may be the elasticity...
What Cereulide and Botulism Reveal About Infant Nutrition Safety
In late 2025 a botulism outbreak became the first U.S. case linked to powdered infant formula, while a separate cereulide contamination sparked a worldwide recall that swept up Nestlé, Danone and Lactalis products in nearly 100 countries. Both events exposed...
Fish Oil, Fishmeal Production Down in March Ahead of Lower Peru TAC
Global fishmeal production plunged 38% in March 2026 and was 28% lower in Q1 compared with the same period last year, according to IFFO. Fish oil output fell 12% in Q1 2026, with Denmark, Norway and Spain providing most of...
Why Flavoring Relaxation Beverages Is More Complex than It Looks
The relaxation‑beverage market is booming as stress‑laden consumers seek non‑alcoholic calm alternatives. Formulators face a unique dilemma: aggressive masking is needed for earthy, bitter, and metallic notes from adaptogens like ashwagandha, reishi, magnesium, and valerian, yet the sensory target must...
NoBiggie Delivers New Solution for Kid’s Drink Market
NoBiggie, founded by former Glossier CMO Ali Weiss and ex‑Vita Coco VP Aytunc Atabek, has launched a line of sparkling juice drinks for kids. The collection offers four real‑fruit flavors in 7.5‑ounce aluminum mini cans, with no added sugars or dyes...
UK, EU Retailers Replacing Northeast Atlantic Mackerel with New Product Ranges
UK supermarket Waitrose has removed all Northeast Atlantic mackerel from its shelves after concluding the fishery fails its responsible sourcing standards. To fill the gap, the chain launched a new MSC‑certified range featuring smoked herring, sea bass and sardines. The...