Unilever Strikes Deal to Acquire Plant-Based Supplement Maker Grüns
Unilever announced a deal to acquire US plant‑based supplement maker Grüns for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition adds one of the largest greens brands in the United States to Unilever’s portfolio. It aligns with the group’s strategy to tilt its offerings toward premium, high‑growth categories such as health‑focused nutrition. The move underscores Unilever’s push into sustainable, plant‑based product segments.
NutraCast: All Grown Up—Energy Drinks Shift From Stimulation to Systems
Tom Fuzer, VP of market strategy at ingredient maker HOWTIAN, says energy drinks are evolving from occasional caffeine spikes to daily, health‑focused formulas. Consumers now prioritize low‑sugar, jitter‑free beverages that support metabolism and cognition, driving demand for functional ingredients like...
Dina Foods Announces Nationwide Ocado Retail Partnership
Family‑owned Mediterranean specialist Dina Foods announced a nationwide partnership with Ocado Retail, launching its artisan flatbreads, sourdough pittas and handcrafted Baklawa on Ocado.com from April 13. The deal adds the Paninette® range, Tasty Goodness sourdough pittas and 200 g Baklawa packs to...
De Kuyper Taps Into Canned Cocktails
Dutch spirits producer De Kuyper Royal Distillers has launched a new line of 200 ml single‑serve canned RTD cocktails, debuting three flavours—Passionfruit Martini and Amaretto Sour (8% ABV) and Espresso Martini (10% ABV)—ahead of World Cocktail Day. The cans target young adults...
Angostura Rum Receives Brand Refresh
House of Angostura has refreshed its rum portfolio with a lighter‑weight bottle, a butterfly‑centered label and fully sustainable secondary packaging for three premium expressions. The redesign draws on the brand’s 200‑year Trinidadian heritage while emphasizing modern, eco‑friendly values. The new...
Mid-Strength Wine Is Having A Moment
The UK’s mindful‑drinking wave is now embracing mid‑strength wine, defined by an ABV of roughly 5‑9 percent—about half the alcohol of a standard bottle. A KAM Insights survey shows half of drinkers would prefer two mid‑strength glasses to one full‑strength...
7 Things You Should Know About Appleton Estate Rum, Jamaica’s Oldest Continuously Operating Distillery
Appleton Estate, founded in 1749, is Jamaica’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery and the only one that ferments, distills, ages and bottles its spirit on a single estate. Its limestone‑filtered water, locally sourced molasses, and tropical climate accelerate aging, delivering...
Burger King’s 60,000-Worker Hiring Push Reflects the Reality of Running a Tech-Enabled Restaurant at Scale
Burger King announced a hiring drive for up to 60,000 employees across its roughly 6,500 U.S. restaurants. The push follows a multi‑year modernization effort that introduced redesigned layouts, a unified technology stack, and AI‑enabled headsets for staff. Digital ordering channels...
Opinion: GLP-1s, UPFs and the Forgotten Middle
The rapid uptake of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs—1.6 million UK adults between 2024‑25 and 4.1 % of households now have a user—is reshaping ready‑meal demand. Retailers such as M&S, Morrisons, The Co‑op and Ocado have introduced protein‑focused, smaller‑portion meals priced around $4‑$8 per...
DoorDash Announces ‘DashLoop,’ a Returnable and Reusable Container Pilot Program
DoorDash launched DashLoop, a pilot that uses returnable, reusable containers for takeout orders. The program is being tested with ten restaurants in Half Moon Bay, requiring diners to bring back empty containers for cleaning and reuse. The initiative targets the...
Spirited Awards Names US Nominees
The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announced the 2026 Spirited Awards nominees for the United States, covering Best Bar Team, Cocktail Bar, Hotel Bar, Restaurant Bar, and New Cocktail Bar across Central, East, and West regions. More than 250 industry...
Isomaltulose May Offer Benefits over Sucrose for Energy Drinks: Study
The University of Auckland conducted a crossover trial comparing a caffeinated sucrose drink with an isomaltulose‑based counterpart that also contained L‑theanine. Results showed that isomaltulose produced lower post‑prandial glucose and insulin spikes while achieving non‑inferior scores on most cognitive domains....
Slimbiotics Study Suggests Postbiotic Can Reduce Body Fat, Increase Muscle Mass and Support Cognition
A 12‑week, double‑blind trial of Slimbiotics' heat‑inactivated Limosilactobacillus fermentum K8‑Lb1 postbiotic showed statistically significant reductions in body fat, weight, and waist circumference among 60 overweight adults. Participants also experienced a modest increase in muscle mass and reported better concentration, suggesting...
European Drinks Firms Urge India to Ease Import Duties Amid Supply Fears
European drinks firms, represented by the Federation of European Business in India, have asked the Indian government to temporarily remove a 10% import duty on glass bottles and aluminium cans. The request follows a surge in packaging costs—glass prices up...
FrieslandCampina Expands Dutch Facility to Meet Whey Protein Demand
FrieslandCampina is expanding its Dutch production facility to increase capacity for whey protein isolate (WPI) and milk‑fat globule membrane (MFGM). The upgrade adds advanced filtration technology, targeting a 30% output boost to meet a projected 7.5% CAGR in the global...
Chicago Has The Only Michelin-Starred Brewery In The World
Chicago’s Moody Tongue has become the world’s only brewery to earn a Michelin star, thanks to its upscale Dining Room concept that pairs a twelve‑course seasonal tasting menu with house‑crafted beers. The 28‑seat venue, located above the taproom, showcases chef‑brewmaster...
In‑N‑Out CEO Rejects Delivery and East Coast Expansion, Citing Brand Integrity
In‑N‑Out Burger chief executive Lynsi Snyder‑Ellingson told a Pepperdine University audience that the chain will not launch mobile ordering, delivery or East Coast locations, arguing that such moves would erode the brand’s core experience. The stance underscores a leadership philosophy...
In 2026, The Competitive Advantage in QSR Isn’t a Bigger Budget – It’s Better Signal
The quick‑service restaurant (QSR) sector generates roughly 72% of its revenue offline, yet most marketers still base performance on digital clicks and last‑touch attribution. Only about 31% of brands are pulling point‑of‑sale (POS) data into their measurement frameworks, leaving the...
The Subtle Art of Building Restaurant Culture
The article argues that a restaurant’s success hinges on deliberately building a strong culture, with the general manager acting as the chief cultural architect. Empowering managers through trust and autonomy enables them to provide tools, set standards, and make day‑to‑day...
A Tribal Bison Program Rooted in Resilience
Ute Bison Meat Company was created in 2015 to address an overpopulated tribal bison herd that was straying onto public lands. Led by COO AJ Kanip, the tribe built infrastructure, navigated federal regulations, and launched a tribally owned bison meat...
Meet the Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Restaurant Marketing
FastCasual.com’s publisher Cherryh Cansler announced the 2026 Restaurant Marketing Top 30 Movers & Shakers, to be honored at a Boston workshop June 2‑3. The honorees span chains from Wing Shack to Velvet Taco and showcase how data‑driven loyalty engines, AI‑powered insights, and...
This Two-Food Combo May Be The Secret Inflammation Fix You're Missing
A University of Nottingham study found that a six‑week regimen of goat’s milk kefir paired with a blend of prebiotic fibers reduced inflammation markers more effectively than omega‑3 supplements alone. The synbiotic combination also improved immune balance and metabolic markers,...
Unilever to Buy US Supplement Brand Grüns as It Doubles Down on Wellbeing
Unilever announced it will acquire U.S. supplement brand Grüns, a fast‑growing player in the greens‑supplement category. The deal, expected to close later this year pending regulatory approval, underscores Unilever’s pivot toward premium beauty and wellbeing segments in the United States....
Club Soda Tools up Ahead of No and Low Policy Changes
Club Soda founder Laura Willoughby warned that upcoming UK government decisions on alcohol‑free labeling and advertising could reshape the no‑, low‑ and mid‑strength drinks sector. She welcomed a likely alignment with the EU definition, allowing products at 0.5% ABV or...
Nespresso Launches New Pop-Up to Encourage Flavour Experimentation
Nespresso is launching a six‑day pop‑up in London’s Covent Garden to promote its Vertuo World campaign, dubbed The Recipe Remix. The experience, fronted by global ambassador Dua Lipa, invites visitors to sample avant‑garde drinks such as pickled coffee cola and a...
Sazerac Reportedly Eyes Brown-Forman Deal
Sazerac has reportedly approached Brown‑Forman about a potential deal, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The talks come weeks after Brown‑Forman disclosed merger discussions with Pernod Ricard, the world’s second‑largest spirits group. Brown‑Forman’s sales have stalled, especially after Canada’s ban...
New Data From DAIVID & Kinetiq Shows BODYARMOR Debut Increased Coca-Cola’s March Madness Visibility By 55%
Coca‑Cola’s $5.6 bn acquisition of BODYARMOR has reshaped its NCAA March Madness strategy, replacing POWERADE after 15 years. Data from DAIVID and Kinetiq shows BODYARMOR ads aired 55% more often, with a 71% surge in the men’s tournament and a jump to...
Mount Gay Rum Debuts Bajan Spiced
Mount Gay, owned by Rémy Cointreau, has entered the UK spiced‑spirits market with Bajan Spiced, a 35% ABV rum‑based drink made from natural Barbados ingredients. The 700 ml bottle launches in Tesco at £25 (about US$34) and will be rolled out...
Deep Dive Podcast: James Sibley Says Now Is the Time for Seafood to Invest in Social Media
James Sibley, a 26‑year‑old aquaculture content creator, has amassed roughly 550,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and X, positioning him as the seafood industry’s leading influencer. Starting with short TikTok clips during the COVID‑19 pandemic, he now produces...
Molecular Farming Pioneer Moolec Science Produces Iron-Rich Beef Protein in Pea Seeds
Moolec Science, a Nasdaq‑listed molecular‑farming pioneer, announced the stable expression of bovine myoglobin—a heme‑rich, iron‑dense protein—in genetically engineered pea seeds, branded as PEEA1. The breakthrough, achieved after a 28‑month research partnership with a leading U.S. university, marks the first time...
Novel Phage Effectively Inhibits Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella, Biofilms on Food, Surfaces
Researchers at Gansu Agricultural University have identified a novel lytic bacteriophage, W5, that effectively targets antimicrobial‑resistant Salmonella across multiple food matrices. The phage remains stable at temperatures up to 50 °C and across a pH range of 3‑13, achieving 98% host...
New Beverage Launches: English Wine, High-ABV Beer and More…
This week’s beverage launches span rum, sparkling wine, high‑ABV beer, flavored water, RTDs and plant‑based protein powders, reflecting a shift toward format innovation, clean‑label ingredients and higher strength. English rum maker Vapoura earned a B Corp score of 91 and...
Pasqal Partners with True Nexus on Quantum Food Protein Design
Quantum computing firm Pasqal has teamed up with computational‑intelligence specialist True Nexus to use Pasqal’s neutral‑atom quantum processors for protein modeling in alternative food systems. The partnership will develop the first fully vectorized, dynamic 3‑D model of protein gelation, integrating...
When Demand Falls but Prices Rise, Who Really Pays?
U.S. food prices remain 25‑30% above pre‑pandemic levels even as consumer demand eases, breaking the traditional price‑volume link. Cereal and snack categories illustrate the paradox: prices for family‑size boxes now sit between $6 and $8 while sales volumes decline. Companies...
Lvl Up Launches Hydration Drinks Through Chemist Warehouse
Lvl Up has rolled out a new line of ready‑to‑drink electrolyte beverages in Australia. The non‑carbonated 330 ml cans come in Grape, Mixed Berry and Lemon Lime, each with 40 calories and low sugar. They are sold exclusively through Chemist Warehouse...
Mould, Microbes and the $10m Mistake Food Companies Keep Making
Food‑safety failures now cost an average $10 million in direct recall expenses, but the broader economic impact in the United States tops $75 billion annually and roughly $13 billion in the United Kingdom (≈£10.4 bn). Climate volatility—heat waves, droughts, floods—and ever‑longer, multi‑tiered supply chains...
Viral Bottle Brand Owala Names First UK Distributor as It Ramps up European Expansion
US hydration brand Owala has named Unify Brand Partnerships as its first exclusive distributor in the United Kingdom, establishing a dedicated retail and logistics base. The partnership will roll out Owala’s patented FreeSip bottles across major UK retailers, specialist lifestyle...
As Pressures Converge, Wine Is Learning to Move Differently
Global wine consumption slipped 3% in 2024, the lowest level since 1961, while Australia’s per‑capita alcohol use fell to 9.8 L in 2023‑24. Younger drinkers are abandoning traditional wine occasions for beer, spirits and ready‑to‑drink formats, eroding the category’s base. At...
Dine Cat Food Launches Reef Restoration Initiative with Coles
Dine cat food has teamed up with Coles Group to launch the Restoring Our Reefs initiative, linking every product purchase to coral restoration on the Great Barrier Reef. The program, part of Dine's Hope Grows umbrella, provides buyers with a...
Wheat and Rice Prices Slip Below Pre‑War Levels
Food shock? Food crisis? Well, the price of the world’s most important staples for food security (wheat and rice) is now below pre-war levels. From Feb 27, wheat 🥖 is down ~1% while rice 🍚 is down ~2%. And yes,...
Wagyu F1 Feeder Prices Settle Around 520-530c/Kg, Despite Climate of Uncertainty
Australian Wagyu feeder cattle prices have remained remarkably stable, with F1 × Angus steers trading around 520‑530 cents per kilogram despite the looming 55% tariff on beef exports to China and ongoing Middle‑East tensions. Supply‑chain surveys show higher‑grade F4‑Purebreds at 540‑570 c/kg and full‑bloods...
Packaging Happenings: Bite-Sized Butters, Japan Nutrition Labels and More
Belgian dairy innovator Plaquette earned a Gulfood award for its bite‑sized, sustainably packaged butter spreads, while Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency rolled out new front‑of‑pack nutrition labels aimed at cutting sodium. Yeo’s reported an 11% revenue decline to US$230 m and is...
Meet the Swiss Founder Building Robots that Make Crêpes
Swiss startup Maus Robotics, founded by 28‑year‑old Robert Hennig, has built an automated crêpe‑making robot that can serve a fresh crepe every 90 seconds. The prototype, developed during Hennig’s EPFL PhD, costs roughly $5,400–$6,500 in hardware and uses a patented...
UK’s Fastest-Growing Plant-Based Dairy Brand Enters the Protein Powder World
Carlsberg Britvic‑owned Plenish, the UK’s fastest‑growing plant‑based dairy brand, has launched Clean Protein, a line of two pea‑protein powders delivering 20 g of protein per serving with seven simple ingredients. The products arrive as UK protein sales climbed nearly 10% and...
Righteous Gelato Enters $900M Frozen Novelty Category with National Sorbetto Bar Launch Across Premium Canadian Grocers
Calgary‑based Righteous Gelato, a leading dairy‑free pint brand, has entered Canada’s frozen novelty segment with the national launch of Righteous Sorbetto Bars at Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Whole Foods, Sobeys and Metro. The move targets the roughly $666 million USD frozen novelty...
Booking Restaurants in the UK Just Got Easier with AI in Search
Google has launched agentic AI capabilities in its Search AI Mode, allowing UK users to book restaurant tables directly from search results. By describing preferences such as cuisine, location, group size and dietary needs, the AI scans multiple reservation platforms...
ButterZero
Butter Wines, known for its Butter Chardonnay, has launched ButterZero, a non‑alcoholic wine line featuring four varietals—Sparkling Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Each 750‑ml bottle contains less than 0.5% ABV and no more than 65 calories, and retails...
Partnerships Excite Ingredient Market
Ingredient supplier Wixon named Jason Williams, a veteran with more than 25 years in the sector, as chief commercial officer, tasking him with expanding industrial and protein sales and tightening project‑management and marketing. At the same time, Apura Ingredients partnered with NewTree...
Bloom, Pacsun and More Chase Coachella Crowds on the Way to the Show with Roadside Activations
Maruchan turned a viral Coachella‑ticket joke into a full‑scale roadside pop‑up called MaruMart, parked near the Cabazon Outlets about 45 minutes from the festival. The activation features a DIY ramen station, limited‑edition merch and a new Flamin’ Hot chicken flavor, all...
The Death of the Social Dining Table
The article argues that India’s rise in dual‑income, nuclear households is dismantling the traditional home‑hosting model, where women performed invisible kitchen labor. As women entered the workforce, dining out became a way to reclaim social presence, shifting impression management from...