Unilever Acquires Greens Supplement Company Grüns
Unilever announced the acquisition of Grüns, a U.S. greens supplement startup founded in 2023, to bolster its wellbeing portfolio. Grüns, known for science‑backed vegetable, algae and grass powders, sells through both retail and direct‑to‑consumer channels. The financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026. The deal reflects Unilever’s strategy to expand into fast‑growing nutrition‑focused categories.
WHO‑linked Webinar Calls for One Health Agenda to Curb Ultra‑Processed Foods
The World Health Organization hosted a virtual webinar today as part of the One Health Festival, urging governments and regulators to adopt a One Health framework for ultra‑processed foods. Participants highlighted the links between these foods, diet‑related disease, and broader...
Popular Restaurant Chain More Than 90 Years Old Closing Locations
Primanti Bros., the Pittsburgh‑born sandwich chain with a 90‑plus‑year legacy, announced the closure of its Monroeville and North Versailles locations after a sustained traffic decline. CEO Gerald Pulsinelli said the moves reflect shifting consumer demand in specific markets. Both sites...
Sunny D Launches Nostalgic Purple Vodka‑Seltzer, Reviving 1990s Ad Gag
Sunny D rolled out a limited‑edition Purple Vodka‑Seltzer, a 4.5% ABV ready‑to‑drink cocktail priced at $9.99 for a four‑pack, tapping the iconic 1990s "purple stuff" commercial. The move illustrates how legacy advertising can be repurposed to drive adult RTD sales...
Panera Bread Rolls Out $8‑$13 "Salad Stuffers" Nationwide
Panera Bread launched Salad Stuffers, a new handheld salad concept sold in an Italian Stuffer Roll for $8‑$13, across its 2,251 bakery‑cafes. The move is part of the chain’s RISE transformation strategy to drive traffic and revitalize its brand amid...
Prince Waikiki's 100 Sails Revamps Menus Under Chef Brooke Tadena
Prince Waikiki Hotel’s flagship restaurant 100 Sails has launched a refreshed menu overseen by new executive chef Brooke Tadena. The rollout adds a midweek chef’s selection buffet, an elevated weekend seafood and prime buffet, and a locally‑sourced à la carte...
PHOTO GALLERY: T&T Opens 15th Store in Ontaro
T&T Supermarket opened its 15th Ontario location, a 40,000‑square‑foot store in Mississauga’s Erin Mills Power Centre, marking the chain’s 39th outlet in North America. The ground‑up project was built in partnership with Choice Properties, the real‑estate arm of Loblaw’s parent George Weston....
Low‑Income Shoppers Boost Natural‑Products Market to $342 B, SPINS Finds
SPINS' 2026 State of Industries report reveals that U.S. consumers earning under $30,000 a year increased their year‑over‑year spend on natural and organic products from 4.9% to 7.6%, driving growth in a $342 billion market. The surge reflects a shift toward...
Noor, Groningen’s Only Michelin‑Starred Restaurant to Close by Year‑End
Noor, the only Michelin‑starred restaurant in the municipality of Groningen, announced it will close its doors at the end of this year. The shutdown removes the region’s sole Michelin‑starred establishment, a blow to local gastronomy and tourism.
Whole Cantaloupe Recalled because of Salmonella
Ayco Farms Inc. has recalled 8,302 cartons of fresh whole cantaloupe due to potential Salmonella contamination. The affected fruit was shipped to Pennsylvania, Florida, California and New York, with lot numbers ranging from GC26257 to SGC2607. The recall, initiated on...
Zaatar Being Recalled in Canada because of Salmonella
Royal Zaatar's 450‑gram Alarjawi brand zaatar has been recalled in Canada after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency detected Salmonella contamination. The affected batches were distributed in Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, identified by UPC 212055036239 and an expiration...
Ground Beef Prices Surge Over 20% YoY, Hitting Affordability
Ground beef prices CONTINUE TO SOAR. Prices are higher than during the pandemic and up over 20% from a year ago. AFFORDABILITY = TRUMP'S ACHILLES HEEL. https://t.co/20cGSN0AIn
The 2 Fast Food Chains That Have Attempted To Make Wagyu Beef Burgers
Fast‑food giants Arby's and Burger King have each launched limited‑time Wagyu‑style burgers, aiming to blend premium beef with mass‑market pricing. Arby's offered a 6.4‑ounce blend of 52% American Wagyu and 48% regular beef for $5.99‑$6.99, later facing a lawsuit over...
USDA Issues Public Alert on Beef and Pork with Undeclared Sesame
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public‑health alert on April 9, 2026 for several raw beef and pork products that contain sesame oil but do not list sesame as an ingredient. The affected items, produced between Dec 1, 2025 and Apr 6, 2026,...
EU Trade Deal Set to Change India’s Wine Industry
The EU‑India trade agreement, signed in January, will cut tariffs on European wines from 150 percent to 75 percent initially and eventually to 20 percent, opening a market valued at $450 million in 2024 and projected to grow 14 percent by 2029. European vintners have...
Australia Details Feb Chickpea, Lentil Exports
Australia shipped 292,347 tonnes of chickpeas and 179,335 tonnes of lentils in February 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Chickpea volumes matched February 2025 levels and were more than triple the 89,420 t sent in January 2026, with India taking 231,197 t. Lentil...
Japanese Fermentation Wisdom for Gentle, Effective Cleansing
Rice bran, long celebrated in Japan’s nukazuke fermentation, is rich in γ‑oryzanol, vitamins and ceramides. Leveraging this heritage, a proprietary micronisation process creates a smooth rice‑bran base that is then fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum for 18‑24 hours. The resulting Rice...
Unilever and McCormick Defend Food Tie-Up After Investor Jitters
Unilever announced advanced talks to sell most of its foods division to McCormick, creating a combined portfolio worth about $20 billion in FY 2025 revenue. The news triggered a sharp sell‑off, with Unilever shares falling over 7% and McCormick down 9% in...
Doritos Contest Targets Video Gamers
Snack brand Doritos has rolled out a new promotional campaign called “Key Codes” that targets video gamers. The contest invites players to wipe crumbs off their keyboards, capture the resulting gibberish code, and submit it at DoritosKeyCodes.ca for a chance...
Sobeys Recalls some Products Containing Cheese over Listeria Risk
Sobeys, Canada’s second‑largest grocery chain, is recalling a range of cheese‑containing products after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency flagged possible listeria contamination. The recall spans all provinces except Quebec and includes items sold under Sobeys’ banners such as Co‑Op, Foodland,...
Frozen Veg in New Zealand: The Data Behind McCain and Wattie’s Cuts
McCain and Wattie's announced factory closures and job cuts in New Zealand's frozen‑vegetable sector. They cite soaring energy and labour costs and a sharp drop in frozen‑veg demand, with households spending only about $8 USD per year on frozen peas. Despite overall...
Bottega Shifts Canadian Distribution Strategy After 35 Years
Italian wine and spirits producer Bottega announced a major overhaul of its Canadian distribution network, moving its national representation from long‑time partner Dandurand to Select Wines. The only exception is British Columbia, where Stile Brands will continue handling the brand...
The CPG Growth Model Is Broken. McKinsey’s Research Points to What’s Next.
McKinsey’s April 2026 State of Food & Beverage report finds the traditional CPG growth model has hit structural limits, with volume expansion slipping below 1% and total shareholder returns falling about 7% while the S&P 500 rose 9%. Consumers are...
Southeast Asian Street Food Sellers Hit by Soaring Packaging Costs
Southeast Asian street food vendors are grappling with sharply higher packaging costs after the Iran war triggered a surge in plastic resin prices. In Indonesia, the price of a 50‑sheet plastic wrap pack jumped from 9,000 rupiah to 19,000 rupiah,...
Red Bull, Chobani, Unilever Named CPG Leaders -- But Smaller Brands Are Coming For Them
The 2025 Circana U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report shows Red Bull leading the largest manufacturers, with Unilever, Kimberly‑Clark, L’Oréal and Coca‑Cola following, while mid‑tier firms such as Chobani and Celsius also posted strong gains. Private‑label and sub‑$1 billion brands captured market...
Healthy Starts, Cravings Later: How 'Need States' Drive Daily Dining Decisions
Technomic’s newest trend report shows diners start the day with a “better‑for‑you” need state, which accounts for roughly one‑third of breakfast choices, but quickly shift to craving‑satisfaction and experiential drivers for lunch, snacks, dinner and late‑night meals. Cravings dominate all...
Michelin Guide Expands to Great Lakes, Adding Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh
The Michelin Guide unveiled a new American Great Lakes edition that will evaluate restaurants in six Midwestern cities—Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Cleveland. Inspectors are already on the ground, with the first star selections slated for a 2027 ceremony,...
Chili's Is Now the Second-Largest U.S. Casual-Dining Chain
Chili's Grill & Bar surged past Olive Garden in 2025 to become the second‑largest U.S. casual‑dining chain, posting a 20.6% jump in system‑wide sales to $5.5 billion. The growth was achieved without opening new locations, as average unit volume rose about...
Chicago Selected As Home Of NCSA’s Candy Hall Of Fame Experience
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) announced that Chicago will host the permanent Candy Hall of Fame Experience, a 60,000‑square‑foot, multi‑level attraction slated to open in summer 2027 at 830 North Michigan Avenue. The city was selected over Orlando and...
Eggs Up Grill Partners With Metz Group for Pennsylvania Expansion in Q1 2026
Eggs Up Grill reported a 4% same‑restaurant sales increase in Q1 2026, marking its 21st straight quarter of growth. More than 60% of its franchisees now operate multiple units, underscoring a maturing franchise network. The chain announced a strategic partnership with...
Cold Stone Creamery to Open Additional Locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette
Cold Stone Creamery announced plans to add two to three new stores in Southern Louisiana over the next five years, focusing on New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The chain already operates five locations across the state and will soon open a...
Strait of Hormuz: How Food and Beverage Companies Can Navigate the Latest Developments
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted key inputs for food and beverage manufacturers, notably polyethylene and aluminum used in packaging, global fertilizer supplies, and freight costs driven by soaring oil prices. These shocks create three primary challenges:...
U.S. Restaurant and Lodging Business Applications Remain Highly Elevated
In March, 26,786 new restaurant and lodging businesses applied for EINs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics. That figure is 53% higher than the pre‑pandemic trend forecast of roughly 17,500 applications. While the sector’s share of total...
Taco Bell Heats up Its Crispy Chicken Nuggets with a Layer of Diablo Dust
Taco Bell is rolling out Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets nationwide on April 16 as a limited‑time offering. The new product coats Mexican‑spiced white‑meat chicken nuggets in a crunchy tortilla‑chip breading and a fiery Diablo Dust, delivering the brand’s popular sauce...
Brazil on Track to Fill China Beef Export Quota by May as Prices Hit All-Time High
Brazil is on track to exhaust its 1.106 million‑tonne beef export quota to China by early May as cattle prices hit a record R$365 (≈US$71.6) per arroba. March saw a historic 233,950 tonnes of fresh beef shipped, generating roughly R$7 billion (≈US$1.37 billion) in...
Circana Report Shows What Drives CPG Growth in 2025
Circa’s 14th annual 2025 U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report examined over 700 manufacturers ranging from $100 million to $8 billion in sales. It found that growth is increasingly powered by consumer trust, value and relevance, with food‑beverage sales up 3% and non‑food...
Mo’ Bettahs Expands to Phoenix, Indianapolis, Minneapolis as Hawaiian Barbecue Brand Grows Nationwide
Mo’ Bettahs announced its entry into three new U.S. markets—Phoenix, Indianapolis and Minneapolis—continuing a disciplined national rollout. The Hawaiian‑style fast‑casual chain now operates close to 80 restaurants across nine states and has logged same‑store sales growth for 18 straight years....
H-E-B, Sprouts Farmers Market Sold Cheese that May Be Behind E.coli Outbreak
U.S. grocers H‑E‑B and Sprouts Farmers Market have been tied to an FDA investigation of an E. coli outbreak linked to raw‑milk cheese from Raw Farm. The company issued a voluntary recall of several original‑flavor and jalapeño cheese blocks and shredded...
M&S Invests £2.1bn to Extend Its Commitment to British Lamb and Beef with Decade-Long Contracts
Marks & Spencer is allocating roughly $2.7 bn to secure British lamb and beef for the next decade, signing new ten‑year contracts with processors ABP and Dunbia. The agreements cover 3,500 M&S Select farmers and protect exclusivity for premium ranges such...
Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping in 2026: Market Trends, Decline Drivers, and Regulatory Outlook
Direct‑to‑consumer (DtC) wine shipping, which surged past $4 billion in sales by 2020, has slipped back to 2018‑level volumes and value by 2025. The decline is driven by broader economic anxiety, a health‑focused shift away from alcohol, and a sharp drop...
Why Some 'Healthy' Snacks Might Leave You Hungrier
Many consumers reach for low‑calorie snacks like celery sticks or baked chips, only to feel hungry soon after. Registered dietitian Angel Luk explains that satiety depends more on macronutrient balance than on calorie count. Snacks rich in healthy fats, protein,...
The Problem with Earth Month Isn’t Greenwashing
The article argues that Earth Month’s focus on flashy green messaging masks a deeper issue: credible brands are going silent while they quietly increase sustainability spending. ESG mentions in S&P 100 reports fell from 40% in 2023 to just 6% in...
The Daughters of Dominican Immigrants Achieved the American Dream. They’re Bringing Sweet Chocolate Success Back to the Homeland
Sisters Janett and Erika Liriano left lucrative U.S. careers to launch Inaru Chocolate, the Dominican Republic’s first vertically integrated cacao company. By contracting directly with farmers and paying 30‑50% above market rates, they give growers a stake in the finished...
US Sushi Industry Soars to USD 22 Billion Valuation with Little Signs of Slowing, NFI Sushi Council Report Finds
The National Fisheries Institute’s Sushi Council reports the U.S. sushi market has ballooned to a $22 billion valuation, propelled by Gen Z and millennial demand for health‑focused, convenient meals. Restaurants generate $16 billion of that volume, with more than 16,000 dedicated sushi venues...
Sugar Prices to Rise in May Amid Soaring Costs
Thai Sugar Millers Corp (TSMC) will hold retail sugar prices steady through April but raise them in May as energy, petrochemical and packaging costs surge. A 40% jump in plastic‑pellet prices has driven bag costs sharply higher, adding hidden expenses...
Would You Buy Yerba Mate From Barron Trump?
Barron Trump has been listed as one of five directors of Sollos Yerba Mate, a new beverage company based in Palm Beach, Florida. The brand, founded by Spencer Bernstein and Stephen Hall—both former classmates of Trump at Oxbridge Academy—plans to debut a...
Rain Eases Midwest Corn Drought, Plains Wheat Stays Parched
🇺🇸Recent ample rains have loosened drought's grip on the core U.S. Corn Belt. Only 40% of the Midwest is abnormally dry, the lowest since late August 2025. But extended dryness in the Plains has accelerated drought across hard red winter...
While Whole Fish Prices Tumble, Atlantic Salmon Fillets From Norway Hit NOK 177 Entering Week 15
The Sitagri Salmon Index reported that Norway’s whole, headed, gutted Atlantic salmon for the 3‑to‑6 kg segment fell to NOK 87.55 per kilogram in Week 14, equivalent to about $9.20. This marks a NOK 3.46 (≈$0.36) drop from the Week 13 average of NOK 91.01 ($9.56)....
Kroger Sued for False Advertising
Animal Outlook sued Kroger and its Ralphs subsidiary in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that signage labeling meat as “well raised” and “no antibiotics” misleads consumers. The complaint cites products from major brands such as Hormel, Tyson and Oscar...
3-A SSI Seeks Expert Volunteers to Update Food Safety Standards
3‑A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3‑A SSI) is opening applications for five expert working groups to update four sanitary equipment standards and one accepted practice, with a deadline of April 27 and group launches on May 11, 2026. The effort calls for balanced representation...