Yes, Sugar Is Hiding In Your Table Salt: Here's Why
Many popular iodized table salts, including Morton and Good & Gather, list dextrose—a simple sugar—in their ingredient lists. The dextrose is not for flavor; it acts as a stabilizer that prevents the added iodine from evaporating, especially in humid environments. Without this tiny amount of sugar, iodine loss would reduce the public‑health benefit of iodized salt. The quantity of dextrose is so small that even heavy salt consumption adds only a negligible amount of sugar to the diet.
Unilever to Acquire Gummies Maker Grüns for $1.2 B
Axios Pro scoop: Unilever deal for gummies maker Grüns is valued at around $1.2 billion https://t.co/75MXcTj32E
Increased Salmon Volumes for SalMar in Q1; Grieg Warns Biological Challenges Will Cost USD 7 Million
SalMar reported a Q1 2026 harvest of 60,300 gutted weight tons (GWT) of Atlantic salmon, a 29% increase over the same period last year, driven primarily by strong growth in its Central Norway segment. The company’s total expected 2026 harvest now sits...
The Secret in the (Design) Sauce: How Sensory Cues Shape All-Day Restaurant Experiences
Travelers are gravitating toward “whycation” trips that prioritize purpose over place, pushing hotels to make every touchpoint—especially restaurants and bars—feel intentional. Designers are moving beyond modular furniture, using lighting, acoustics and material finishes to shift a space’s mood from breakfast...
Reports Suggest Sazerac in Talks With Brown-Forman Following Rumors of Pernod Merger
Sazerac has entered talks with Brown‑Forman after rumors of a merger between Brown‑Forman and Pernod Ricard surfaced. The news sent Brown‑Forman’s stock up more than 11 percent, mirroring the reaction to earlier reports of discussions with Pernod. Brown‑Forman, valued at roughly...
Lamb Weston Warns of Supply Chain Pressures Amid Iran War
Lamb Weston warned that the ongoing Iran war could spark heightened volatility in key commodities such as packaging and fuel, adding pressure to its already‑tight margins. The company now projects a 250‑ to 300‑basis‑point decline in adjusted gross margin for...
Survey: Consumers Spend 37% Of Grocery Budget At Independent Stores
A new OnDeck and Censuswide survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers reveals that 37% of their grocery budget is spent at independent, locally owned stores – the highest share among all retail categories. Respondents average $2,298 a year on independent groceries,...
Liquid Sugar in My Maple Syrup?
A Quebec court has filed a lawsuit alleging that some maple syrup producers are diluting their product with liquid sugar. The complaint, highlighted by a CBC report, claims the adulteration violates Canadian food standards and misleads consumers. Industry stakeholders are...
Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association Opposes Government Funding Atlantic Salmon Federation
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is urging the Canadian government to withdraw CAD 81.7 million (about US$59.1 million) earmarked for the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) as part of a wild Atlantic salmon restoration program. ACFFA argues the ASF’s anti‑aquaculture campaigns, such...
Burger King Is Coming For White Castle's Niche With New Slider Packs (But There's A Catch)
Burger King is launching a limited‑time slider test in Portland, Oregon and Columbus, Ohio from April 14 to May 4. The line features three varieties—Bacon and Cheese, Deluxe, and Steakhouse Bacon—served on soft buttery buns and sold in two‑pack or...
Americans Hate the Economy so Much, They’re Buying $22 Smoothies
Americans are tightening budgets on meals, cars and everyday items, yet premium grocery chain Erewhon is thriving by selling $22 superfood smoothies and opening three new stores in 2025. The specialty food market has surged to $219 billion, a 150% increase...
There Are ‘Credible Legal Questions as to Whether FDA Has the Legal Authority to Eliminate Self-GRAS,’ Say Legal Experts
The FDA is preparing a proposed rule that would require mandatory submission of GRAS notices, effectively ending the self‑affirmed GRAS pathway that currently allows companies to certify safety without FDA review. The rule, pending OMB approval, would create a public...
Daniella Senior Champions Cuban Hospitality with Growing Colada Shop Concept
Daniella Senior launched Colada Shop a decade ago as a Cuban‑inspired all‑day café that shifts from coffee to rum‑based cocktails across dayparts. The concept now spans seven locations, including a spot at Reagan National Airport, and is bolstered by a...
Mary Nguyen’s Quest to Make Chef-Driven Food Accessible Has Resonated Through Olive & Finch
Mary Nguyen, a former commodities trader, founded Olive & Finch in 2013, now operating nine locations with plans to add four more this year. The chef‑driven "fine‑casual" chain keeps every dish at $20 or less through a centralized production hub,...
Justin Rosenberg Combines Tech, Service, and Unique Food at Honeygrow
Justin Rosenberg founded Honeygrow in 2012 after a personal health wake‑up, creating a fast‑casual concept that serves cooked‑to‑order stir‑fried noodles and a customizable Honeybar dessert line. The chain now operates 74 locations across eight states, with three new openings in...
Global Wheat Stocks Surge, India Drives Surprise Boost
Much larger-than-expected global wheat stocks from USDA this month, mostly based on larger supplies in India per its own govt stock report. Chinese soybean demand was unchanged. Corn supplies were a bit larger than expected. https://t.co/oVsPwLsIX7
USDA Holds South American Crop Forecast Amid Agency Updates
USDA left South American production alone this month. Interesting after seeing some increases from other agencies on Argentina's corn and Brazil's soybean crops. Conab will be out with its estimates on April 14. https://t.co/2Up1v7VTJr
Review: Starbucks Mostly Nails Its Summery Mango Menu
On April 7 Starbucks rolled out eight mango‑centric beverages, making the line a permanent menu addition. The lineup spans three mango‑fruit refreshers, two Mango Dream variations, and two specialty iced drinks—Mango Cream Matcha and Mango Cream Chai—each with optional caffeine and...
USDA Lifts Wheat Stocks to 938M, Corn and Soy Steady
USDA raised its domestic #wheat ending stocks by 7 million to 938 million bushels, while leaving #corn and #soybean stocks unchanged. #oatt
Fresh Gourmet Rethinks Bacon Pieces Placement with Produce Rollout
Fresh Gourmet, the salad‑topping specialist, has introduced two new bacon‑piece products—one real and one uncured. Unlike its traditional placement in the center aisles, the company will stock the items alongside fresh vegetables in the produce department. The move is framed...
Cargill Tracks Strong Demand for Flavor-Forward, Authentic, Easy Cooking
Cargill reports a surge in demand for flavor‑forward, authentic, easy‑cook seasoning solutions, noting a double‑digit sales lift across its spice portfolio. The company attributes the growth to consumers seeking bold, restaurant‑like tastes without complex preparation. Cargill is expanding its product...
Inside Rounton Coffee: ‘Getting Beans to Britain Is Anything but Easy’
Rounton Coffee, a Yorkshire‑based roaster, captured eight Great Taste awards last year while sourcing beans from eight countries, from classic origins like Colombia to unconventional ones such as China and Yemen. Founder David Beattie makes bi‑annual trips to coffee farms,...
Dr. Will’s to Launch Olive Oil Mayo Into Tesco
Dr. Will’s is rolling out its Olive Oil Mayo to more than 600 Tesco stores across the UK starting 27 April, adding to an existing portfolio that already includes avocado oil mayo and several hot sauces. The new product is sold in...
Unilever Is Acquiring Grüns
Unilever announced it is acquiring Grüns, the fast‑growing greens supplement brand that hit roughly $300 million in revenue within two years. The company has become the #1 greens supplement on Amazon and in U.S. retail, with 80% of users taking it...
Growing Hispanic Pork Demand Shapes National Pork Board Campaign
The National Pork Board launched the "Explora Todo El Gusto Del Pork" campaign to spark long‑term pork demand among Hispanic Gen Z and Millennial consumers, who make up 40% of the U.S. Hispanic population. The initiative highlights pork’s flavor, versatility and...
Gen Alpha and Beta: Functional Food and Beverage’s Next Big Bet
The global functional food and beverage market, now worth about $437 billion, is set to almost double to $983 billion by 2034, driven by a 10.65% CAGR. Brands are turning to the untapped Gen Alpha (born 2010‑2024) and Gen Beta (born 2025‑2039) cohorts, expanding...
Dietary Guidelines’ Protein Push Collides with Grocery Budgets
The 2025‑2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans push a protein‑heavy food pyramid, prompting Numerator’s analysis that full compliance would lift per‑person grocery spending by 32% to $106‑$139 per month, or roughly $1,012 annually. The new recommendations boost protein servings by 91%...
Fats in the MAHA Era: Consumer Perceptions of Common Cooking Fats
The Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey reveals that U.S. consumers are broadly aware of seven cooking fats, yet purchase patterns vary sharply. Olive oil, butter/ghee, and soybean oil dominate household buying, while beef tallow, despite 73% awareness, is purchased...
Edinburgh Gin Launches Latest RTD Innovation, the Edinburgh Gin Hugo Spritz
Edinburgh Gin has introduced the Hugo Spritz, a new ready‑to‑drink (RTD) cocktail, debuting in Sainsbury’s on 16 April and soon rolling out to Tesco, Morrisons and regional outlets. The 250 ml can offers a 5% ABV blend of floral elderflower, honeyed fruit...
Unilever Buys Grüns, Expanding U.S. Supplements Push
Unilever announced it will acquire Grüns, a rapidly expanding U.S. vitamins, minerals and supplements brand known for its gummy‑based greens products. Founded in 2023, Grüns has secured shelf space at major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club and...
McDonald’s Gundam Crossover Returns With White Base Crew
McDonald’s Japan has launched a limited‑time Gundam crossover, introducing three new Chicken Tatsuta burger variants, McFizz and McFloat citrus‑yogurt drinks, and Shaka Shaka fries. A 15‑second ad features White Base crew members showcasing the items, with the menu available from April 15, 2026. The...
From Tariffs to Iran War, Geopolitics Are Upending Packaging Supply Chains
A year after the “Liberation Day” tariffs imposed a 10% duty on most imports, packaging costs have surged, with some items jumping from $0.80 to $3 each. The Trump administration’s partial rollback on steel, aluminum and copper has left high...
Barra Brings Sunshine Coast Vibes to Central Minneapolis
Barra opened on March 2 in the Skyway shopping center, bringing an Australian‑inspired coffee experience to downtown Minneapolis. The café offers a concise menu—espresso, drip, latte, flat white, and a Lemon, Lime and Bitters refresher—while customizing its water to mimic Melbourne’s...
BrewDog Bankrupt in Belgium and Germany Following Takeover
BrewDog's Belgian and German subsidiaries have filed for bankruptcy, forcing the closure of its flagship Brussels bar and Berlin locations. The insolvency stems from the recent partial acquisition of BrewDog's parent by U.S. cannabis‑beverage firm Tilray Brands, which excluded the...
FSSAI Directs States to Ramp up Surveillance, over 1.6 Lakh Samples Analysed
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has instructed state food‑safety departments to intensify surveillance, resulting in 397,009 inspections and analysis of 165,747 samples in FY 26. About 17.16% of those samples were non‑conforming, prompting 23,580 adjudication cases, 1,756...
Milky Mist Beats FY26 Growth Estimates, IPO on Track, Says CEO
Milky Mist posted FY‑26 revenue of about ₹3,275 crore (~$395 million), achieving 34% top‑line growth, slightly above its 33% target. The growth was broad‑based across ice‑cream, beverages, paneer, cheese and a 100% surge in high‑protein products. The company secured SEBI approval for...
Mushroom Supplement Brand Hifas Da Terra Enters U.S. Market
Spanish biotech firm Hifas da Terra is launching its premium mushroom‑based supplements in the United States, shipping the first batches directly from its Galicia production hub. The company, operating in more than 20 countries, invests 62% of profits back into...
Pixel's At‑a‑Glance to Show Nearby Restaurant Tips
🥘 'Restaurant Insights' feature could bring location-aware menu tips to the Pixel’s At a Glance widget Google could also allow you to access passes quickly from at a glance with 'Passes nearby' ✅ Details - https://t.co/z8mtBzvKTk https://t.co/djh4mDvnF9
Ambrosia AI Platform Compresses Ingredient Development Timelines From Years to Hours
Applied Laboratory Technologies’ new Ambrosia AI platform translates years‑long ingredient research into hour‑long cycles, dramatically cutting development time. Co‑founders Dr. Paul Spagnuolo and Brian Johnston built the system on a decade‑long discovery workflow, integrating molecular target identification, pathway analysis and...
How Food Manufacturers Are Rethinking Product Assortments
Food manufacturers are trimming product assortments, cutting low‑velocity SKUs to focus on high‑margin items that drive growth. Large corporations are accelerating SKU reductions, while smaller firms remain cautious due to uncertainty about opportunity costs. Executives highlighted the distinction between "good"...
Dippin’ Dots Signature Beaded Ice Cream Enters the Freezer Aisle
Dippin’ Dots’ signature beaded ice cream is now available in grocery freezers nationwide in three flagship flavors—Cookies ’N Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Ultimate Brownie. After a slight reformulation that lets the beads stay stable at the typical 0 °F store freezer, J&J Snack Foods can offer multi‑pack...
Alianza Team Spends $36M to Open First US Plant
Colombian lipids manufacturer Alianza Team opened a $36.4 million processing facility in Goldsboro, North Carolina, its first U.S. plant. The 2024‑built plant blends refined fats and oils, aiming to produce over 13,120 metric tons annually by 2029 and serve the Northeastern market....
Hyped Bakery Jolene to Open First Central London Location
Jolene, the cult‑favorite north London bakery, is launching its first central London outpost in Soho on April 23. The new shop occupies the Aries flagship store on Bridle Lane, taking over the former in‑house coffee bar. Open daily from 8 am...
Honest Burgers Teams up with Sauce Shop for Limited-Edition Maple Cajun BBQ Burger and Wings
British chain Honest Burgers has partnered with condiment maker Sauce Shop to roll out a limited‑edition Maple Cajun BBQ burger and wings across all 45 UK locations until May 11, 2026. The menu item features smoky bacon, American cheese, buttermilk‑fried...
Brands for a Better World: Coffee with Benefits with Holly Xing of Eightbillion
Holly Xing, a nutritional scientist and formulating chemist, launched JostArriba—an instant coffee infused with nootropic and adaptogen ingredients such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Ashwagandha, and L-Theanine. The blend aims to counter typical coffee side effects while enhancing cognition, focus, stress...
Why Non‑UPF Verification Is Emerging as a Strategic Advantage for Startups
Non‑UPF verification is emerging as a strategic tool for early‑stage food brands as consumer demand to avoid ultra‑processed foods spikes. Surveys reveal 72 % of Americans want to steer clear of such products, yet most lack clear guidance, creating a trust...
Zula Alpha Kilo Layers in Storytelling For Henry of Pelham’s Wine Labels
Design studio Zula Alpha Kilo has unveiled an interactive wine label for Henry of Pelham that uses stacked paper layers to reveal the brand’s heritage narrative. The label combines muted tones, textured stock, and photographic inserts to create a tactile,...
Questions Cloud Latest Danone Link to Mead Johnson
Danone has engaged Centerview Partners to assess a possible acquisition of Mead Johnson, the infant‑formula business Reckitt Benckiser labeled non‑core after buying it for roughly $17.9 bn in 2017. The move revives interest first reported in 2009 and follows a series...
Three Nights, Zero Waste
Mill, the cult‑favorite food‑recycling platform, is launching a three‑night, zero‑waste dinner series in Los Angeles for Earth Month. Acclaimed chefs from Los Angeles and New York will team up to create seasonal, waste‑free menus on April 14, 22 and 23...
Gravita Pours Out a Clean Typographic Approach With Lan Wines Refresh
Gravita has unveiled a refreshed visual identity for Bodegas Lan, replacing dense label layouts with a clean, typographic‑driven system. The new design spotlights an enlarged, single‑word "Lan" logo as the focal point across all varietals. Each wine now carries a distinct,...