Faster Slaughterhouse Line Speeds Are Increasingly a Climate Problem
The USDA has proposed raising line speeds in U.S. slaughterhouses, increasing poultry throughput from 140 to 175 birds per minute and removing speed caps for hog facilities. Critics argue the faster lines will exacerbate worker injuries—already averaging 27 serious cases daily—and intensify animal welfare concerns. Environmental analysts estimate the rule could add 114 billion liters of water use and 2 billion kilograms of CO₂ from poultry, plus similar impacts from hogs, equating to emissions of hundreds of thousands of cars. Over 72,000 public comments, many from unions and NGOs, oppose the changes, citing safety, food‑quality, and climate risks.
The First Ever High-Tech Pizza Express Is Opening in London
Pizza Express opened its first high‑tech location in Brixton on May 2, 2024, featuring self‑ordering kiosks that let customers choose pies, request takeaways or delivery via screens. The restaurant offers classic menu items such as American Hot and Sloppy Giuseppe, with...
One Planet Pizza Crosses £1m Sales Mark and Secures Third Asda Listing
One Planet Pizza, the UK plant‑based pizza brand, has surpassed $1.27 million in annualised retail sales and joined NielsenIQ’s Million Club. The company secured a third nationwide listing with Asda, rolling out the product at a $3.80 price point on May 11....
Woolworths Reinstates Soft Plastics Collection
Australian supermarket giant Woolworths has re‑opened soft‑plastic recycling drop‑off points in more than 700 stores across five states. The rollout follows a 2024 pilot in five Victorian locations and involves partnerships with local recyclers SaveBoard, IQRenew and Plascrete, which convert...
Thailand Targets 6 Million Chinese Visitors via ‘Authentic’ Content on RedNote, WeChat
Thailand is targeting more than 6 million Chinese visitors in 2024, up from 4.5 million in 2025, by leveraging the RedNote travel app and WeChat. After a 30 percent drop in Chinese arrivals last year due to safety scares and economic concerns, the...
‘We Are Not Going to Do Charity’: Kingfisher Beer Maker United Breweries to Exit Unprofitable States
United Breweries (Kingfisher) announced it will pull back from Indian states where strict price caps and soaring input costs erode margins. The brewer projects a ₹400‑₹500 crore ($48‑$60 million) profit hit this year, driven by higher glass, aluminium, fuel and logistics expenses....
Raw C Mango & Cream Paradise Coconut Yoghurt Inspired by Weis Launched
Australian snack brands Weis and Raw C have teamed up to launch Raw C Mango & Cream Paradise Coconut Yoghurt, a dairy‑free product inspired by Weis' iconic mango flavor. The yoghurt blends natural mango, velvety cream and coconut, and is free of...
Handle with Care: Chinese Study Finds Aquatic Virus Can Infect Human Eyes
Chinese researchers have identified the covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV), a pathogen long known in shrimp, as the cause of a newly described eye disease, persistent ocular hypertensive viral anterior uveitis (POH‑VAU), in humans. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, linked...
Urban Remedy Strawberry Collagen Meal Shake
Urban Remedy has added a strawberry flavor to its Organic Protein Collagen Meal Shake line, expanding the range to three options. The shakes, launched in 2024, deliver 28‑30 g of protein and 10 g of grass‑fed, organic hydrolyzed collagen per 16‑oz bottle....
The Stylish Aldi Gear Perfect For Keeping Cool And Hydrated This Summer
Aldi has launched the LS Live In Style Fashion Waterbottle Crossbody, a $10 accessory available in black, beige and white sherpa. The bag features an adjustable strap, a short braided handle and a zip‑secure pocket for keys, wallet and snacks....
All-Natural Breasts Take Centre Stage Born’s First Work For Paddock-To-Plate Meat Brand Our Cow
Australian paddock‑to‑plate brand Our Cow has launched its debut campaign, “No Bull,” created by independent agency Born. The provocative work rolls out across social channels and out‑of‑home billboards, using cheeky visuals like chicken breasts and a suspicious fish to call out...
What Happens To Texas Roadhouse's Leftover Food?
Texas Roadhouse is leveraging its from‑scratch kitchen to turn meat trimmings and excess fat into new menu items, dramatically cutting food waste. An external audit of a Connecticut location in 2025 found the chain’s per‑guest waste was lower than the...
Exclusive: Eden Brew Gets US GRAS Clearance for Animal-Free Casein & Eyes Supplements Industry
Australian precision‑fermentation startup Eden Brew has secured US GRAS clearance for its recombinant beta‑casein, positioning the animal‑free protein for dairy‑like applications. The company is now prioritising the health‑supplements market, leveraging its micelle technology to deliver fortified nutrients such as iron...
Snap Kitchen Makes Meals Easy. Is the Prepared Meal Delivery Service Worth the Cost?
Snap Kitchen is a prepared‑meal subscription that delivers fresh, ready‑to‑heat dishes weekly, offering six‑ or twelve‑meal plans at $12.67 and $10.50 per meal respectively. The service provides about 35 rotating options, most under 450 calories, but portions are small and...
Beyond Meat CEO Fleshes Out Beverage Launch Plans for New York Retail Debut After Grim Q1
Beyond Meat announced that its new Beyond Immerse sparkling beverage will debut in New York stores this summer, while the plant‑based Beyond Steak filet will reach select retailers later in 2026. The company disclosed a grim Q1, with net revenue...
Hong Kong Restaurant Mott 32 Will Open in Melbourne Next Year
Celebrated Chinese fine‑dining brand Mott 32 announced it will open a flagship location in Melbourne’s Crown precinct in March 2027. The restaurant, known for its 42‑day apple‑wood roasted Peking duck, joins existing sites in Hong Kong, Vancouver, Singapore, Las Vegas, Dubai, Seoul and Toronto....
Why Kaatil Sees a Rs 20,000 Crore Opportunity in India’s Fiery Palate
Indian condiment startup Kaatil, founded in 2022, is building a $2.4 bn (Rs 20,000 crore) heat‑focused condiment category using globally familiar formats like hot sauces, chilli oils and hot honey. The brand differentiates with region‑specific chilies and a numeric heat‑scale (e.g., No. 4, No. 7,...
Celsius Holdings Inc (CELH) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Celsius Holdings reported record first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $783 million, driven by strong performance across its CELSIUS, Alani Nu and Rockstar brands. Net sales for Alani Nu surged 60% year‑over‑year after the PepsiCo distribution transition, while CELSIUS grew 6% and Rockstar contributed $67 million....
Vital Farms Inc (VITL) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Vital Farms reported a record Q1 2026 revenue of $198.9 million, up 37.2% year‑over‑year, driven by strong volume growth and favorable price mix. Gross margin expanded to 37.7%, surpassing its 35% long‑term target, while adjusted EBITDA surged 81.3% to $27.4 million, representing...
“Bar Torino Hasn’t Found the Rhythm We Hoped For”: Neil and Sam Perry Announce Next Move
After eight months, Neil and Sam Perry are closing Bar Torino in Double Bay and relaunching the basement venue as Pizzeria Sotto on June 3. The new concept will serve Roman‑style thin‑crust pizza, antipasti, salads and Italian desserts, aiming for...
Restaurants Really Don’t Want to Sell Fake Meat — and Beyond Meat Is Suffering
Beyond Meat, now rebranding as Beyond The Plant Protein Co., warned that second‑quarter sales will fall between $60 million and $65 million, below analysts’ $67 million estimate. The forecast triggered a more than 15% after‑hours drop in its shares, extending a 12‑month decline...
Novel Foods Unveils Exclusive Range of Indulge Corn Snacks for British Airways
Novel Foods announced that its Indulge corn snack line will be served on British Airways’ European routes under the exclusive "The Great British Crunch" brand. The range was co‑designed with the airline to match the cabin experience, featuring bold flavors,...
'Not a Serious Solution:' Experts Say Government-Run Grocery Stores Won't Fix Food Affordability
Canadian retail leaders warn that government‑run grocery stores will not solve rising food costs. Gary Sands of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and Kim Furlong of the Retail Council of Canada argue that affordability is driven by complex supply‑chain...
Noodles & Company Raises Guidance on Strong First Quarter
Noodles & Company posted a stronger‑than‑expected first‑quarter, raising its full‑year guidance. Same‑store sales climbed 9.1% system‑wide, driven by higher traffic and a 4.4% lift in average check size. Restaurant‑level margins expanded to 14.9%, and the net loss narrowed to $3.4 million...
This Popular Beer Brand's Strongest Brew Is Banned In Certain States
Boston Beer Company’s Samuel Adams Utopias, a 30% ABV brew, is classified as beer but rivals spirits in strength. Because many states cap beer ABV well below that level, the product is prohibited in 15 states, including Utah and Colorado...
Applebee’s Feels a Pinch From Higher Gas Prices
Applebee’s Q1 same‑store sales rose 1.9% as the chain navigated higher gasoline costs that have dampened traffic among price‑sensitive diners. The boost came from a strong O‑M‑Cheeseburger promotion, which helped make Valentine’s Day the brand’s best sales day ever, and...
Restaurant Leaders Share Strategies Driving Robust Off-Premises Operations
Restaurant leaders at the Food On Demand Conference outlined new off‑premises strategies, highlighting Papa John’s rollout of Google Cloud’s Food Ordering AI Agent and a planned integration of Deliverect’s AI management platform across U.S. locations by 2027. Applebee’s announced an...
Manufacturing Consolidation and Automation Could Help Australia’s Food Supply Chain Withstand Mounting Pressures, Dematic Says
Australia’s food and beverage supply chain is under a "perfect storm" of fuel price volatility, fertilizer shortages, and shifting consumer buying habits, according to warehouse‑automation specialist Dematic. The company warns that distribution centres are being stretched as multiple pressures converge,...
Plymouth Just Dropped a New Honey-Flavored Gin and Cocktail Kit
Plymouth Gin, a historic brand owned by Pernod Ricard, has launched Plymouth Honey, a honey‑flavored London dry gin, in the United States. The expression, first released in the U.K. in 2023, uses the classic Plymouth base with natural honey flavor and...
18 Hands-Down Best Trader Joe's Finds Of 2026 So Far
Trader Joe’s has rolled out a wave of new products in 2026, ranging from the under‑$5 Pizza Bianca and $4.79 Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni pasta to snack‑size Unexpected Cheddar packets and limited‑run Hot Honey Mustard. The lineup adds several frozen meals, innovative...
Cartwheel Expands ezCater Integration to Streamline Catering Deliveries
Cartwheel has expanded its integration with ezCater, letting restaurant operators access ezCater Dispatch directly from the Cartwheel dashboard. The unified interface supports hybrid delivery models that blend in‑house drivers with third‑party networks and automates mandatory real‑time tracking standards. Enhanced navigation...
Meet the 2026 Probiota Americas Pioneers: ClostraBio, Holobiome and Kioga
The 2026 Probiota Americas conference in Vancouver will spotlight three early‑stage microbiome innovators—ClostraBio, Holobiome and Kioga—each presenting novel therapeutic platforms. ClostraBio is advancing CLB101, a butyrate‑producing Anaerostipes caccae strain with GRAS status and a global distribution deal. Holobiome leverages a...
My Favorite Fried Chicken Chain Just Dropped Baking Mixes for Its Famous Item
Popeyes is launching two grocery‑store biscuit mixes—Homestyle and Cajun Cheddar—through Target’s online catalog. The ready‑to‑bake powders only need water and butter, bake about 18 minutes, and produce ten fluffy, buttery biscuits. This marks the chain’s first consumer‑packaged‑goods offering, extending its...
Coffee Chat: Carly Schildhaus, National Confectioners Association
Carly Schildhaus, senior director of public affairs at the National Confectioners Association, previewed the upcoming Sweets & Snacks Expo scheduled for May 19‑21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In the interview she highlighted findings from NCA’s newly released “State...
Chicken Salad Chick Opens New Restaurant in Boerne, Texas
Chicken Salad Chick opened its fifth Texas restaurant in Boerne, featuring a drive‑thru, dine‑in, take‑out, delivery, and catering. The grand opening on May 20 offers the first 100 guests a year‑long supply of free chicken salad, with additional daily giveaways for...
Six States, One Deadline: A Q&A With EY’s Anna Kendall on ERP Compliance and What Food Manufacturers Gain by Getting...
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reporting will hit a unified deadline of May 31 2026 for six states—California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington—forcing food and beverage manufacturers to scale compliance across multiple jurisdictions at once. Ernst & Young’s Anna Kendall explains that...
Kraft Heinz Wants to Regain Market Share for Its Iconic Foods Like Kraft Mac & Cheese and Capri Sun
Kraft Heinz halted its planned 2025 split and is now pursuing a unified turnaround focused on better‑for‑you innovations. The company introduced high‑protein products such as PowerMac mac & cheese and revamped Capri Sun and Lunchables lines. First‑quarter sales reached $6.05 billion, surpassing the...
Cousins Maine Lobster Founders to Launch Cousins Fried Seafood Food Truck Concept
Cousins Fried Seafood, a spin‑off from Cousins Maine Lobster, will launch its first food‑truck in Louisville, Kentucky on May 16, 2026. The truck, located at 3039 Breckenridge Lane, will serve New England‑style fried seafood platters, a signature fried fish sandwich, and customizable options. Co‑founders...
Bloomin' Stock Soars as Outback Gains Momentum
Bloomin’ Brands’ stock surged nearly 45% after the company reported stronger‑than‑expected same‑store sales across its four concepts, driven by a rebound at Outback Steakhouse and double‑digit growth at Bonefish Grill. For the quarter ending March 29, combined same‑store sales rose 0.9%...
Diageo Springs a Surprise, Sales Climb on Africa, Latin America
Diageo reported a surprise uptick in organic net sales, which rose 0.3% in the latest quarter, beating analysts' expectations of a 2.3% decline. Growth in Africa and Latin America offset a pronounced slump in the United States, where health‑driven moderation...
Amazon Adds Same-Day Grocery Delivery in 2,300 US Cities
Amazon is extending its Business platform to include same‑day grocery delivery in 2,300 U.S. cities, letting companies order office supplies and perishables together. The service uses temperature‑controlled fulfillment to keep items fresh and is available to Business Prime members with free...
BJ's Restaurants Posts Seventh Straight Quarter of Growth
BJ’s Restaurants reported a 2.4% same‑store sales increase for Q1 2026, marking its seventh consecutive quarter of growth. Traffic rose 2.2% and the chain outperformed the casual‑dining category by 120 basis points on sales and 400 basis points on traffic....
C&S Wholesale Grocers Releases Hispanic Private-Label Line
C&S Wholesale Grocers announced the launch of Sol Select, a new private‑label line aimed at Hispanic consumers. The portfolio features more than 250 items across frozen foods, dairy, grocery and household categories, all with bilingual English‑Spanish packaging. Sol Select joins the company’s...
MAKfam in Denver Looks After Its Staff as Well as Its Bottom Line
MAKfam, a modern Chinese restaurant in Denver that opened in November 2023, earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and generated $2.2 million in its first year, surpassing the founders’ $1.8 million projection. The husband‑and‑wife team, Doris Yuen and Kenneth Wan, built a compensation...
FDA Launches One-Day Inspectional Assessments
The FDA has launched a pilot program of one‑day inspectional assessments, a short, focused screening tool that complements traditional inspections. Since April 2026, about 46 facilities—spanning human and animal foods, biologics, medical products, and clinical research—have undergone the assessments, most...
Lavu Publishes Restaurant POS AI Capabilities Report, Finding Most Platforms Lack Cross-System Intelligence
Lavu Inc. released its 2026 Restaurant POS AI Capabilities Report, comparing AI features across seven leading point‑of‑sale platforms. The study shows most restaurant AI relies on a single data source, leaving multi‑unit operators blind to costly inefficiencies. Lavu’s Marty AI,...
Canmakers Say Capacity Is Tight as They Gear up for Big Summer
Cankmakers Ball, Crown Holdings and Ardagh Metal Packaging reported strong Q1 revenue growth but warned that capacity will be tight as summer promotions ramp up. Ball posted $3.6 B sales, up 16.3% YoY, and is investing $35 M in a new Oregon...
Ancient Grains, Legumes Make a Comeback with UPF Concerns
Ancient grains and legumes are re‑emerging in Western baking as a response to growing concerns over ultra‑processed foods. Experts at the BakingTech conference highlighted the higher fiber, mineral density, and phytonutrients these whole‑grain flours provide without drastic diet changes. Gluten‑containing...
Niman Ranch Offers Ultra-Premium Sausage Products
Perdue’s ultra‑premium Niman Ranch brand is expanding its sausage lineup, spotlighting chef‑inspired flavors and higher animal‑welfare standards. The seasonal Hatch Green Chile sausage, previously an online limited‑time offer, is now being evaluated for year‑round placement at a national retailer. The...
Versuni Launches Philips Airfryer Partnership with Unilever Foods
Versuni, the global licensee for Philips home appliances, announced a multi‑year partnership with Unilever Foods to pair Philips Airfryer technology with Knorr seasoning products. The collaboration launches in the UK this July, starting with a QR‑code giveaway in Tesco stores...