Food and Beverage News and Headlines
Food and Beverage News and Headlines
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has asked the USDA to issue a disaster declaration for the state’s oyster industry after an unprecedented cold snap damaged equipment and halted harvests. State officials estimate $2.4 million in damages and a 30% drop in production. The declaration would allow oystermen to apply for low‑interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. Maryland is pursuing a similar NOAA fishery disaster request, highlighting regional pressure on shellfish aquaculture.
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) announced it has acquired 96.22% of JDE Peet’s shares, creating a combined coffee powerhouse. The deal will be followed by a detailed integration focused on operational excellence, synergy capture, and leadership alignment. KDP plans to separate into...
Natural Grocers announced a new store opening this summer at 448 OR-99W in McMinnville, Oregon, marking its 15th location in the state and the first in the Willamette Valley. The company is conducting a virtual hiring fair on April 8, offering...
The United Kingdom and Japan have signed an organic livestock equivalency agreement, allowing British producers to sell certified meat and dairy products in Japan with a single UK certification. The deal opens access to Japan’s fast‑growing organic market, valued at...
McDonald’s Türkiye launched a Pro Gamer Menu that bundles a Big Mac, fries, onion rings, Coke and a new “Archie” controller accessory. The Archie device links analog sticks so in‑game characters keep moving while diners eat, preventing automatic kicks for inactivity....
India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has released a phytosanitary protocol that unlocks Canadian market access for fresh mangoes, pomegranates, oranges and garlic. The Canadian National Plant Protection Organization approved the access in January, but shipments...
A new cross‑industry coalition called Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS) has been launched to redirect surplus food from the UK supply chain to charities. Backed by the Institute of Grocery Distribution, The Felix Project and FareShare, the group already counts 50...
Tai Er, the globally recognized Asian restaurant chain, is launching a new outlet at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California. The venue showcases a modern Sichuan‑inspired menu focused on shareable, wok‑cooked dishes such as black pepper beef and the...
Brian Pearson, the newly appointed Chief Technology Officer at Mendocino Farms, is a veteran of restaurant technology with a background in operations and executive leadership. He has overseen large‑scale projects such as POS modernization, digital ordering, catering platforms, and AI‑driven...
An Oregon federal judge narrowed the preliminary injunction that blocks enforcement of the state's Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, limiting its relief to National Association of Wholesaler‑Distributors (NAW) members as of February 6, 2026. The court also denied the American...
Perkins American Food Co. announced its first expansion into Texas, signing a three‑unit development agreement with franchise partner Raj DFW LLC. Construction on the flagship restaurant in Carrollton will begin in spring 2026, featuring the brand’s newest prototype that blends...
Restaurant chains are rolling out tax‑day promotions as consumers anticipate larger refunds under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Deals range from a $4.99 eight‑piece chicken combo at Church’s Texas Chicken to 15% off catering at Corner Bakery and $10.40...
Former Warburtons chief executive has resigned from the multinational food sector to found a new brand focused on healthier snacks for children. The venture aims to replace sugar‑laden products with nutrient‑rich alternatives, leveraging the founder’s extensive bakery and distribution experience....
French spirits group Pernod Ricard is introducing its flagship Irish ready‑to‑drink, West Coast Cooler, to the UK market. The sparkling wine‑based seltzer, offered in Original tropical fruit and Sunburst peach‑mango cans, will debut in Tesco stores this month at £2.25...
Hannaford Supermarkets is rolling out a refreshed private‑brand packaging design, beginning in select markets in 2026 with a full portfolio rollout slated for 2027. The new look, driven by customer feedback, aims to make products easier to spot, convey clearer...
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative awarded $32.8 million in grants to six conservation partners, backed by McDonald’s USA, USDA’s NRCS and major beef and beverage suppliers. The program is part of a $200 million, seven‑year effort...
The company introduced a new lineup of premium pork bratwursts.
King’s Hawaiian is rolling out its limited‑edition Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls to grocery shelves across the United States. The purple‑hued rolls combine real ube and coconut milk, contain no artificial dyes, and are sold in 12‑count bags and 24‑count twin...
Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, chef‑owner of Potong in Bangkok, became the first Thai and Asian recipient of the 2025 World’s Best Female Chef award. She frames her cuisine around five core elements—salt, acid, spice, Maillard reaction and texture—emphasising progression rather than...
The food‑industry outlook remains hazy as GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs continue to alter consumer eating habits. Appetite‑suppressing medications are driving demand for lower‑calorie, high‑protein products, prompting manufacturers to rethink portfolios. Companies such as McCormick, Mars, and Chobani are responding with strategic...
Restaurants are actively fighting delivery‑platform dominance by building first‑party ordering channels, adopting B2B order‑management tools, and pursuing regulatory relief. Large chains such as McDonald’s and Domino’s have launched branded apps to capture customers directly, while independents turn to services like...
Fermtech, a UK‑based food‑tech startup, announced a £2.5 million funding round to accelerate its fermentation‑derived cocoa alternative. The capital, sourced from impact‑focused investors, will fund scale‑up, regulatory approvals, and pilot manufacturing. The company claims its product mimics cocoa’s flavor and texture...
Food and drink manufacturers face delays upgrading cooling equipment due to tightening F‑gas regulations. Aggreko's survey of 334 UK plant managers shows 94% expect moderate or major impact. The UK plans to cut HFCs by 98.6% by 2048, accelerating the...
Dr. Sue Kleiner warns the supplement industry of a missed opportunity by continuing to market creatine as a male‑centric performance aid. She argues that messaging should pivot to metabolic health, daily functional strength, and fertility benefits that resonate with women at...
Snappy Technologies unveiled a new integration platform that consolidates disparate food‑delivery marketplaces into a single unified system. The solution leverages a standardized API to aggregate orders, inventory, and driver data across services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Early pilots...
KFC introduced a new music‑driven campaign featuring the single “Finger Lickin’ Machine,” starring Colonel Sanders dancing to promote its Value Feast menu. The ad includes an extended music‑video style spot and limited‑edition physical copies handed out in Los Angeles to...
Here’s something that I think most people will view in a positive light…
Ahold Delhaize USA has extended its partnership with Fiserv to launch Pay by Bank on the e‑commerce sites and mobile apps of The Giant Co., Giant Food and Stop & Shop. The new option lets shoppers link their bank accounts for...
Mountain Dew (PepsiCo) has released Dirty Mountain Dew, a dirty‑soda‑inspired carbonated drink, across the United States. The product ships in 20‑ounce bottles and 12‑packs of 12‑ounce cans, with both full‑sugar and Zero Sugar formulations. The launch leverages a 600% year‑over‑year...
Starbucks has introduced its protein‑rich cold foam topping to UK outlets, marking the brand’s first rollout of the product outside the United States. The foam, which delivers about five grams of protein per serving, is positioned as a low‑calorie, dairy‑free...
German Doner Kebab (GDK) announced the appointment of John McCarthy, a former senior executive at Costa Coffee and Chipotle Mexican Grill, as its new chair. McCarthy brings a track record of scaling fast‑casual concepts, digital transformation, and franchise development. The...
Dollar Shave Club announced a new women’s razor and grooming line, entering a market valued at roughly $1.8 billion. The launch is backed by a dual‑track ad campaign: a traditional filmed spot and an AI‑generated video that lampoons pastel‑laden competitors. CEO...
Bakkafrost, the Faroe Islands' leading salmon producer, reported 2025 revenues down nearly 5% year‑over‑year, falling to DKK 5.2 billion. The decline was driven by weaker salmon prices and a modest drop in export volumes despite stable production capacity. EBITDA contracted to DKK 1.1 billion,...
The UN’s FAO Food Price Index climbed to 128.5 points in March, a 2.4% month‑on‑month rise marking a second consecutive increase. All five commodity groups – cereals, vegetable oils, meat, dairy and sugar – posted higher prices, led by a...
Drumstick has teamed with WWE superstar Cody Rhodes to launch a new creative platform, "Lick it. Flip it. Drumstick it." The campaign, timed for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, combines a national TV spot, social media content, and the return of the...
Lifeway Foods is debuting a retro‑inspired wellness house in Palm Springs on April 10, marking the brand’s 40th anniversary. The pop‑up blends 1980s‑1990s design with modern wellness, featuring probiotic‑rich bites, a pool‑side setting, and performances by Debbie Gibson and Autograf. Hosted...
Entrepreneur Steven Hershberger led an investor group to acquire Honey Creek Legacy and rebrand it as Legacy Maker Farms, a premium USDA‑Prime beef producer based in Fairmount, Indiana. The company is deploying the AI‑powered predictive intelligence platform ELI, developed by...
Bakery manufacturers are rapidly introducing high‑protein breads, bagels, and tortillas, responding to a surge in consumer demand for protein‑rich foods. Products such as Nature’s Own Life Wheat+Protein loaf and Sola Protein soft white loaf deliver between 10 and 22 grams...
Nelson-Jameson announced a major expansion of its Fairview, Pennsylvania distribution center to increase cold‑storage capacity for dairy cultures. The project targets faster, more reliable deliveries to Northeast food manufacturers while cutting dry‑ice consumption through localized shipping routes. It also aligns...
Tyson Foods announced the closure of its Hillshire Brands plant in Rome, Georgia, effective May 31, affecting 168 employees. The facility, acquired in the 2014 $8.5 billion Hillshire deal, had been producing Nature Valley granola bars for General Mills under a single‑customer...
Swedish packaging giant Tetra Pak has broken ground on a $22 million innovation facility at its Denton, Texas campus, adjacent to its U.S./Canada headquarters. The new 12,000‑sq‑ft product development center and 3,000‑sq‑ft customer innovation space will double the site’s R&D capacity and...
Bel Group has outperformed a weak global snacking market by leaning into healthy‑snack innovation and strategic capacity expansion. The French multinational rolled out plant‑based Boursin, probiotic Babybel portions and limited‑edition flavors while doubling production in Vietnam and South Dakota. Acquisitions...
Inline Plastics has launched the TSSB4CD, a four‑compartment clamshell that uses anti‑migration technology to keep flavors separate and maintain product integrity. The package includes a tamper‑evident tear strip and a leak‑resistant perimeter seal, enhancing food safety and security for grab‑and‑go...
The American Heart Association released its 2026 Dietary Guidance, urging Americans to replace most meat with plant‑based proteins, choose low‑fat dairy, and prioritize whole grains while limiting red meat, full‑fat dairy, animal fats, and refined grains. The guidance also recommends...
Buffalo Wild Wings is re‑launching its Bottomless Apps program nationwide on April 7, pricing the shareable starter platter at $9.99 for up to four guests. The rollout is anchored by a new digital commercial featuring DJ Khaled, whose “ANOTHA ONE!” catchphrase underscores...
California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and the Environmental Working Group have introduced Assembly Bill 2244, which would create a voluntary “California Certified” non‑ultra‑processed food (non‑UPF) seal overseen by the state Department of Public Health. The seal mirrors the USDA Organic model,...
Upcycled foods, made from food‑system byproducts, are surging as a sustainable snack category. A Precedence Research report valued the global market at $63.8 billion in 2025 and forecasts $124.39 billion by 2034, with North America accounting for 39% of sales in 2024....
Wayne‑Sanderson Farms, the United States' third‑largest poultry producer, announced two senior promotions effective April 1. Aaron Leach will serve as chief commercial and supply chain officer, overseeing sales, marketing, R&D and supply‑chain functions. Michael Crump will become chief operations officer, responsible for live...
Starbucks introduced Energy Refreshers, a new line of its popular cold drinks with caffeine levels ranging from 100 mg to 175 mg, alongside a year‑round mango‑strawberry flavor. The higher‑caffeine variants sit between the brand’s low‑strength Refreshers and its traditional brewed coffee, aiming...
Traditional grocery chains are abandoning generic low‑price messaging in favor of targeted promotions, private‑label price comparisons, and longer‑term discount programs. Surveys show only 13% of shoppers trust these stores to offer the lowest prices, prompting retailers like Wegmans, Kroger and...
