When Paper Packaging Fails the Sustainability Test
Paperisation is gaining momentum as brands chase consumer trust in paper over plastic, exemplified by Bel Group’s pledge to shift all Babybel products to paper packaging by 2027. The transition reveals technical hurdles, especially for wet or oily foods that require plastic barriers to preserve shelf life. Moreover, paper‑based solutions often become composites, complicating recycling streams and driving up material costs. Achieving economic viability therefore hinges on scale and coordinated effort among manufacturers, retailers, and waste‑management firms.
AI Robots Automate Tray Assembly for Fresh Produce Packing
Chef Robotics unveiled an AI‑driven system that automates tray assembly for fresh‑produce packaging. The platform uses computer‑vision‑guided piece‑picking for whole fruits and a weight‑based scooping module for items like corn and peas. It supports three placement strategies—offset, multi‑item, and stacked—to...
Fresh Analysis Reveals Farm Stops Are Poised to Shake up Local U.S. Food Economy
Farm Stops, a nascent retail model that lets local farmers drop off produce for daily consumer sales, are gaining traction across the United States. Fewer than 36 locations currently operate, yet Kalibrate’s location‑intelligence data shows they attract 70% of visitors...
Solar Foods Secures €350,000 in EU Hydrogen Valley Project to Expand Solein Output
Finnish food‑tech firm Solar Foods has secured €350,000 (about $385,000) from the EU‑funded BalticSeaH2 hydrogen valley project to boost production of its protein ingredient Solein at Factory 01. The five‑year initiative, backed by a €33 million ($36.3 million) Clean Hydrogen Partnership budget, aims...
AL Grocers Face State Tax Holiday As National Rollback Accelerates
Beginning May 1, Alabama will suspend its 2% state sales tax on SNAP‑eligible groceries for two months, while city and county taxes remain in effect. Retailers must reconfigure point‑of‑sale and online systems to apply a split‑rate tax structure and continue...
Lallemand Bio-Ingredients to Present Yeast Protein and Savory Solutions at IFIA Japan 2026
Lallemand Bio-Ingredients will exhibit at IFIA Japan 2026 in Tokyo, showcasing its yeast‑based Engevita HiPRO Beyond protein ingredient and savory yeast‑extract concepts. The protein ingredient offers a neutral sensory profile and no rheological impact, allowing formulators to boost protein in...
Coors Light Launches First Nonalcoholic Beer
Molson Coors is rolling out Coors 0.0%, the first non‑alcoholic version of its flagship Coors Light, in select Northeastern markets this May, with a full‑nation rollout slated for 2027. The launch expands Molson Coors' growing zero‑ABV lineup, which already includes Blue...
Rip Van Sees Opportunity as Rising Snack Prices Narrow Gap for Better-for-You Treats
Rip Van, the Brooklyn‑based snack maker known for its Dutch stroopwafels, has transformed its flagship cookie from a 14‑gram sugar bomb into a 3‑gram low‑sugar, high‑fiber treat using monk fruit. The healthier formula has unlocked a broader product portfolio, adding...
Graza Just Came Out with My New Favorite Spread (I’m Slathering It on Everything)
Graza, the olive‑oil brand known for its squeeze‑bottle packaging, has launched three new olive‑oil‑based mayonnaises—Original, Fancy, and Garlic Aioli. A recent review by shopping writer Micki Wagner praises all three, highlighting the Garlic Aioli as the standout for its versatile,...
South Dakota Grocers Navigate Market Shifts, Trends
South Dakota’s grocery sector is experiencing an "average year," with consumers trading down from beef to chicken and shifting toward store brands. Convenience stores are adding fresh items, eroding traditional grocery sales, while big‑box retailers deliver groceries to rural areas...
Delhaize’s Private Label Hits the Shelves at Louis Delhaize
Delhaize completed its acquisition of the Louis Delhaize neighborhood‑store chain earlier this year, and the first integration steps are now visible on the shop floor. More than 500 Delhaize private‑label products have been added to the assortments of over 300 Louis Delhaize...
Exclusive: Democrats Ask USDA to Drop ‘Risky’ Meatpacking Proposal
Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Cory Booker, have asked the USDA to abandon a rulemaking effort that would permanently raise line speeds at poultry and pork processing plants. They argue that faster lines increase worker injuries, including amputations, and diminish...
“Operational Rigour” Pays Dividends for The Magnum Ice Cream Volumes
The Magnum Ice Cream Co. (TMICC) reported Q1 volume growth that more than doubled, with organic volume growth (OVG) rising to 2.9% versus 1.4% a year earlier. CEO Peter ter Kulve highlighted operational rigour, especially the rapid rollout of 50,000...
Global Veganism Data Has a Major Blind Spot, New Faunalytics Report Finds
A new Faunalytics report reveals that 87% of globally‑representative vegan and vegetarian data comes from Europe and North America, which together make up only 16% of the world’s population. No comparable data exist for Sub‑Saharan Africa or South Asia, regions...
Nathan’s Famous Modernizes Its Classic Hot Dog
Nathan’s Famous, a Smithfield Foods brand, introduced 100% grass‑fed beef franks, blending its historic Coney Island recipe with premium, ingredient‑forward meat. The uncured hot dogs contain no artificial flavors, preservatives, fillers or by‑products, appealing to consumers seeking cleaner protein options....
Private-Equity Firm KKR Said to Be Eyeing Disposal of Flora Food Group
Private‑equity giant KKR is reportedly exploring a sale of its Flora Food Group spreads assets, with bankers valuing the deal at up to $10 bn. KKR acquired the plant‑based brand portfolio from Unilever in 2018 for roughly $7.9 bn and the business...
Hershey Sales up on Pricing as “Elasticity” Eats Into Volumes
Hershey reported first‑quarter net sales of $3.1 bn, a 10.6% year‑over‑year rise driven by aggressive pricing and the integration of its LesserEvil organic‑snacks acquisition. Despite the sales boost, overall volumes slipped about two percentage points, with North America confectionery down roughly...
Your Pie Debuts Streamlined Business Model to Drive Southeast Growth
Your Pie, the fast‑casual pizza chain founded in 2008, announced a streamlined business model to fuel expansion across the Southeast. The plan targets metro Atlanta, the Chattanooga‑Knoxville‑Nashville corridor, and Columbia, SC, leveraging smaller footprints, simplified kitchens, and off‑premise dining. The...
Where to Find Food Trucks in Los Angeles: Tips, Events, & Apps
Food trucks have become a defining feature of Los Angeles, with an estimated 4,000 mobile kitchens operating in 2026. The city’s sprawling layout and culture of culinary experimentation have kept the trend thriving, unlike many other U.S. markets where the...
Convenience to Lose Market Share Despite £740BN Forecast
The Institute for Grocery Distribution (IGD) projects global convenience sales to reach roughly $947 bn by 2030, up from about $851 bn in 2025. Despite a 3.5% CAGR, the channel’s share of total grocery spend is expected to dip from 10.7% to...
Starbucks Expands Cold Beverage Offer with New Cloud Frappuccino® Blended Beverage Range
Starbucks is rolling out a new Cloud Frappuccino® blended beverage range in the UK, adding three flavors—Strawberry Matcha, Brown Sugar, and Caramel Mocha—each topped with a signature cold foam. The launch targets the summer season, with Rewards members gaining early...
The Role of a PRA in Strategic Cost Management for Food and Beverage Packaging
Food and beverage packaging procurement faces rising cost volatility due to geopolitical disruptions, energy price spikes, and logistics bottlenecks. A Price Reporting Agency (PRA) such as Fastmarkets provides independent, market‑reflective price assessments for materials like corrugated board, aluminum, and pallets....
Monica Galetti Is Launching a New Restaurant in Primrose Hill
Chef Monica Galetti is launching 130 Primrose, a social‑enterprise restaurant in Primrose Hill that will open on May 8. The venue will employ and train people impacted by homelessness, offering six‑month contracts and ongoing support. Galetti will design a menu that showcases...
Yum Brands Takes Flight in Q1 as KFC Fuels Global Ascent
Yum Brands posted a strong Q1 2026, with system sales up 6% and unit growth of 5%. KFC drove most of the momentum, expanding internationally and scaling its Saucy by KFC concept across eight of its top 20 markets. Taco Bell delivered...
Chipotle's Q1 Earnings: Tech, Sauce Innovation Drive Transaction Growth
Chipotle Mexican Grill posted $3.1 billion in Q1 2026 revenue, shifting focus back to transaction growth despite a 17 % drop in adjusted EPS to $0.24. The company credited four pillars—efficiency upgrades, new sauces, gamified loyalty and catering—to the rebound. High‑efficiency kitchen...
Diving Deeper: Looking Beyond Sales for Improved Restaurant Marketing
The upcoming Restaurant Marketing Workshop in Boston (June 2‑3) will feature a panel of industry leaders discussing how QSRs and fast‑casual brands can move beyond sales‑only metrics. Speakers from Dave’s Hot Chicken, Bikky Inc., and Condado Tacos will share a framework...
A New Era of Race-Day Gastronomy
Silverstone will launch The Vale, an ultra‑premium hospitality concept, for the 2026 British Grand Prix from July 3‑5. The venue partners with Michelin‑starred Labombe by Trivet, led by chef Jonny Lake, to deliver a full‑day, all‑inclusive dining experience with curated wine...
Why Magnum Sells More Ice Cream but Loses Revenue
Magnum, the ice‑cream company behind brands such as Ben & Jerry’s and Cornetto, reported an encouraging start to 2026 with solid organic growth. However, its first‑quarter revenue slipped 1.2% year‑over‑year to €1.77 billion (about $1.93 billion). The decline comes despite higher sales...
Vitafoods Set to Be Most Expansive and Immersive yet, Director Reveals
Vitafoods 2026 will run May 5‑7 in Barcelona, expanding its footprint by 20% with an additional hall and new networking spaces. The event will spotlight sustainability, AI‑driven upcycling, GLP‑1‑related nutrition solutions, nutricosmetics, and other fast‑growing trends. Relocating from Geneva to Barcelona...
South African Startup Scales Up Growth Factor for Low-Cost Cultivated Meat
South Africa’s biotech startup Immobazyme, in partnership with the government‑run CSIR, has successfully scaled production of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‑2) using a 50‑litre bioreactor. The protein, a costly growth factor essential for cultivated‑meat cell culture, was produced at commercial‑grade...
Diageo Just Released Its Oldest-Ever Single Malt – and We Got A Taste
Diageo has launched its oldest single malt, a 55‑year‑old Glenury Royal drawn from 232 bottles stored in American oak hogsheads. The whisky, at 62.4% ABV, joins the newly announced Rare Series, a curated collection showcasing distinct Scottish regions. The series...
Results of Pilot for EU Food Additives Exposure Monitoring Program Published
The European Food Safety Authority released the first‑phase results of its EU food‑additives monitoring program, which evaluated five substances—E102, E124, E142, caffeine and pulegone. Data from 22 Member States and five food business operators yielded 18,296 analytical results across 8,943...
‘Healthy’ Has Moved on – Have Snacks?
The snack industry is redefining "healthy" by adding nutrition—fiber, protein, plant‑based ingredients—while preserving indulgence. Manufacturers are turning to sensory design, using texture, crunch, sound and multi‑sensory cues to fill the taste gap left by reduced sugar, salt and fat. Flavour...
Finsbury Food Group Acquires Healthy Snacking Brand
Finsbury Food Group has purchased a 100% stake in Flower & White, a fast‑growing brand that offers healthier sweet‑treats and snack bars. The company, which is expanding at roughly 30% per year, will add a strong direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) capability to...
Trump’s Plan for Ultrafast Meat Processing Would Be a Disaster for Workers and the Environment
The USDA announced proposals to raise line speeds in poultry slaughter to 175 birds per minute for chicken and 60 for turkey, while removing any cap on swine line speed. Over 22,000 comments oppose the poultry rule and more than...
The World’s Best Scotch Whisky—According To The 2026 Spirit Of Speyside Festival
The 2026 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival crowned Tamdhu’s 21‑Year‑Old as the world’s best scotch. The six‑day event, featuring roughly 700 activities and participants from 40 countries, judges hundreds of malts before narrowing the field to eight finalists across four...
Beyond Chatbots: How Agentic AI Can Boost Productivity and Decision-Making in Food
Agentic AI—autonomous systems that set their own goals—is moving beyond chatbots in the food and beverage sector. Nestlé has integrated the technology across HR, sales and finance, with more than 10,000 employees regularly leveraging AI tools. Danone is piloting agentic...
Altos Carves Out A Distinctive Position In The Global Tequila Market
Altos Tequila, a Pernod Ricard label, has launched a refreshed global identity that spotlights Mexican cultural storytelling through vibrant rótulos‑style packaging and bold blue lettering highlighting its 100% blue Weber agave. The redesign is paired with a vigorous marketing push...
China’s Pet Food Market Heats up as Local Brands Take on Global Giants
China’s pet food market has surged to over $24 billion, expanding sixfold since 2014. Domestic conglomerates such as Kweichow Moutai, WH Group, Mengniu and Yunnan Baiyao have launched or acquired pet‑food lines, intensifying competition for foreign brands. International players are losing...
Making Surplus Meat Redistribution Work
Food waste in the meat sector can be curbed by redesigning surplus handling rather than adding post‑production fixes. At Cranswick’s Bury plant, switching to 1 kg pre‑labelled packs is projected to redirect 38,000 meals to communities within a year. Porky Whites cuts...
Partnership to Track Barley Carbon Emissions From Paddock to Beer
Asahi Beverages has teamed with Charles Sturt University’s Cool Soil Initiative to quantify carbon emissions from barley grown by nine Victorian farms. The partnership collects soil, fertilizer and field‑operation data, delivering farm‑specific emissions reports that benchmark practices across the Wimmera...
Breadfruit: An Emerging Ingredient for Professional Kitchens
Breadfruit is moving from Caribbean home kitchens to U.S. professional kitchens as Amasar launches a gluten‑free breadfruit flour. The flour replicates potato‑like texture and mild sweetness, letting chefs swap it into baked goods, batters, coatings and savory dishes without major...
Mr Chen’s Expands Its Noodle Range
Australian family‑owned brand Mr Chen’s has broadened its noodle portfolio with a new “Signature Series” that includes extra‑wide hand‑pulled noodles, sweet‑potato glass noodles, and rice ribbon noodles. The expansion targets high‑protein, quick‑prep home‑dining consumers and complements its existing one‑minute microwavable wet...
30 Days of Using Za’atar the Wrong Way: How Spice Startup Hayati Used Repetition to Hit 21,000 Instagram Followers
Hayati, a Palestinian‑American spice brand, leveraged a quirky Instagram series called “Day X of using za’atar the wrong way” to accelerate its social following. Founder Yasmine Borno filmed unconventional recipes—za’atar on nails, popcorn, and parmesan potatoes—turning entertainment into education. The repeatable...
Global Consumer Companies Stay Bullish on India
Global consumer giants are bullish on India, with Mondelez, Coca‑Cola, Pernod Ricard, Reckitt Benckiser and Carlsberg reporting double‑digit growth in the March quarter. Reliance Industries’ consumer‑goods arm posted about ₹8,800 crore (≈$1.06 billion) revenue for FY26, driven by daily essentials and beverages. Recent GST...
PepsiCo Bets on Zero-Sugar Drinks, Digital Push to Drive India Growth
PepsiCo aims to shift 90‑100% of its Indian beverage portfolio to zero‑sugar or mid‑calorie drinks, up from the current 55‑60%. The company is using digital tools such as the Pep Genie WhatsApp app and quick‑commerce data to guide product and...
Yum China Expands Footprint as Q1 Results Hit Record Highs
Yum China reported record Q1 FY26 results, opening 636 net new stores and boosting revenue 10% to $3.3 billion. Operating profit rose 12% to $447 million, while delivery now makes up 55% of sales. The company is scaling its KPRO healthy‑eating concept...
Ottolenghi Introduces Dressings & Deli Range
Ottolenghi has expanded its pantry line at Waitrose with two new dressings and three fresh deli staples, launching on April 27. The Orange Marmalade Dressing blends citrus and Aleppo chilli, while the Honey Mustard Dressing features preserved lemon for a...
Quaker Expands Protein Portfolio
Quaker, a PepsiCo brand, launched Quaker Protein Rice Crisps, a gluten‑free, popped snack that provides 6 g of protein per serving. The line debuts in two flavors—Chocolate Caramel and Tangy Barbecue—and contains no artificial preservatives or flavors. The rollout taps into...
A Bubly Pop Of Sweetness
PepsiCo Canada introduced bubby POP, a new soda built on the popular bubby sparkling water brand. The drink blends real fruit juice, delivers 20 calories or fewer and no more than three grams of sugar per 355 mL can, and comes...