Expo Pack México 2026 to Focus on Sustainability as a Driving Force in Packaging Innovation
Expo Pack México 2026, the premier Latin American packaging and processing exhibition, will run June 2‑5, 2026 in Mexico City. The event’s EXPO PACK Verde program will spotlight exhibitors offering recyclable, carbon‑reduction and biodegradable solutions, while the Innovation Stage delivers 30‑minute sessions on circular‑economy case studies. PMMI’s new sustainability report shows over 80% of companies plan to increase recyclable packaging within five years, driving $3.2 billion in conveying equipment and $2.8 billion in cartoning gear by 2030. More than 20,000 attendees and 700 exhibitors are expected, underscoring the market’s rapid shift toward sustainable, automated production.
Red Hook Distillery to Open in Brooklyn
Red Hook Barrel Yard, a 40,000‑square‑foot waterfront complex in Brooklyn, opens on May 9 with a cidery and winery that showcase ingredients sourced exclusively from New York farms. The site will later this year add a small‑batch distillery and the Valentino Craft...
Nestlé Waters Sale Nears Decision Point
Nestlé is advancing a partial disposal of its Waters division, moving beyond earlier speculation about a full spin‑off. The decision follows a series of 2024 scandals involving PFAS contamination and allegations of mislabeling bottled water as mineral water, which heightened...
Taittinger Extends FIFA Partnership
Champagne Taittinger has renewed its role as the Official Champagne of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will also serve the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, extending a partnership that began over a decade ago. To celebrate, the house is...
Alchemist Adds Self-Mixing Cocktail to New Menu
The Alchemist, a UK bar chain, has rolled out a new cocktail menu centered on shareable serves across all its venues. Highlights include the Infinity Vortex, a self‑mixing drink made with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and group cocktails like The...
Vitafoods Show Floor Preview: Exhibitors A–G
The Vitafoods preview of exhibitors A‑G showcases a wave of functional‑food innovations, from 3H Labs’ steamed ginger extract that cuts body fat and cholesterol to AB‑Biotics’ next‑generation probiotics targeting aging, joint and menopausal health. ADM highlights personalized postbiotic solutions for...
How to Build a Beverage Brand: Neutonic on Reaching Its $60m Valuation From Nootropic Drink Growth
Neutronic, the UK‑based nootropic drink and supplement brand, announced a $6 million financing round led by investors such as Alan Barrett and Dan Martell. Since its 2023 launch the company has sold more than 7.5 million cans and holds the #1 spot...
Fred Bakery Team to Launch Turkish Restaurant in Fitzrovia
Lokal, the latest venture from the Fred Bakery and Faros team, opens on 1 May in Fitzrovia, offering a contemporary take on Turkish cuisine. Head chefs Salih Serden and Akacan Agir present a small‑plates menu built on locally sourced ingredients, featuring...
If You Grew Up In Massachusetts, You Definitely Remember This Old-School Chocolate Bar With A Comeback Story
The Sky Bar, a four‑flavor chocolate bar created by Necco in 1938, was rescued after Necco’s 2018 bankruptcy when Sudbury retailer Louise Mawhinney purchased the brand and recipes at auction. With assistance from former Necco R&D head Jeff Green, Mawhinney set up...
India’s Can Shortage Hits Beer as Stock Reaches a ‘Supply Cliff’
India’s aluminium‑can shortage threatens up to $1.4 billion of beer and beverage sales as major suppliers Ball and Canpack operate at only 10‑20% of normal capacity. A 47‑50% year‑on‑year price surge to $3,600 per tonne has driven import costs sky‑high, while...
India-New Zealand FTA Duty Concessions Under to Help Boost Exports of Single Malt Whisky: CIABC
India and New Zealand have finalized a free‑trade agreement that grants duty‑free access for Indian alcoholic beverages into the New Zealand market. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) says the concession will particularly lift the modest $1 million annual export of...
One of London’s Greatest Restaurants Is Coming to the Dusty Knuckle Next Month
Lee and Kate Tiernan, the chefs behind the cult grillhouse Black Axe Mangal, are staging a two‑night pop‑up at Dalston’s Dusty Knuckle bakery on May 21‑22. The event will feature a daring menu that blends Sichuan‑spiced pork, coconut laksa and pink‑lemonade...
Is Third-Party Distilling in Crisis?
Third‑party distillers are navigating a volatile spirits market marked by tariffs, rising costs and shifting consumer habits. While Lofted Spirits is expanding its Bardstown plant to 35 million bottles a year, MGP Ingredients reported a 24% drop in full‑year sales and...
Lidl Ties with Morrisons as Discounter Hits Record Market Share
Lidl and Ocado were the fastest‑growing grocery retailers in the UK for the 12 weeks to 19 April 2026. Lidl’s sales rose 8.8%, pushing its market share to a record 8.4% and adding more than half a million new shoppers, putting...
The Gin Guild Honours Tanglin Founder
Tim Whitefield, head distiller and co‑founder of Tanglin Gin, has become the first Singapore‑based warden rectifier inducted into The Gin Guild, a London‑based global community for gin craft. The honor marks the first time a distiller from a Singapore‑founded brand...
Grasmere Aims to Produce 100% Cumbrian Whisky
Grasmere Distillery will begin malting its own barley to create the first 100% Cumbrian whisky. The partnership with Thistlewood Farm’s Jonathan Bainbridge will produce eight tonnes of Laureate barley, harvested in late August 2026. A £10,000 (US$13,500) investment in a...
RNDC to Exit Oregon and Washington
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) signed a non‑binding letter of intent to sell its wine and spirits distribution rights in Oregon and Washington to Columbia Distributing, with a complementary arrangement in Alaska. The deal adds roughly 24,000 retail customers and...
Hong Kong Restaurants Raise a Glass for Swiss Wine
Swiss wines, long a niche in Hong Kong, are gaining visibility as sommeliers like Stanko Luksic introduce them across fine‑dining venues. At Té Bo, 20 Swiss references now sit on a 250‑item list, featuring Gialdi Vini’s Merlots and Petite Arvine,...
What Is Surveillance Pricing and Is It Coming to a Grocery Store Near You?
Top Canadian grocery chains have rolled out electronic shelf labels, and Walmart plans to equip all 4,600 U.S. stores with the same technology by the end of 2026. The digital tags improve pricing accuracy but raise fears that they could...
Is It Last Orders for Wine by the Bottle?
A growing number of diners are opting for wine by the glass instead of sharing bottles, driven by health awareness, price sensitivity, and a desire for variety. Advanced preservation devices such as Coravin and Le Verre de Vin allow premium...
Piada Italian Street Food Eyes National Expansion with Capital Raise
Piada Italian Street Food, a 62‑unit fast‑casual chain, is pursuing a capital raise to scale from a regional player to more than 1,000 U.S. locations. Backed by L Catterton since 2013 and working with Arlington Capital Advisors, the brand points to...
How The Red Chickz Brought True Nashville Soul to the West Coast
The Red Chickz, a West Coast Nashville‑style hot‑chicken chain, opened its first Los Angeles location in 2018. Co‑founder Shawn Lalehzarian, a former HMS Host executive who helped launch over 50 airport restaurants, traveled to Nashville to learn authentic recipes from...
Massively Hyped (and Slightly Controversial) London Restaurant The Yellow Bittern Will Open in the Evenings for the First Time
The Yellow Bittern, a French‑Irish bistro in King’s Cross, has been a lunch‑only, cash‑only spot since opening in 2024. Beginning May 8, it will open Friday evenings from 7 pm to 9:30 pm for the first time, offering a wine‑bar style menu of...
Asda Rolls Out Premium Meal Featuring MSC-Certified, Rope-Grown Mussels
Asda has introduced a premium, microwave‑able meal featuring Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)‑certified, rope‑grown mussels sourced from the Shetland Islands and mainland Scotland. Developed with the Scottish Shellfish cooperative, the dish pairs the mussels with chorizo in a fire‑roasted tomato and...
US On-Trade Sales Tick Upwards as Consumers Return to Bars
The CGA by NIQ US On‑Premise Impact Report shows on‑trade value velocity reaching $104,700 in the week to 18 April 2026, a 5% year‑over‑year rise, while ticket count climbed 7% and the average check slipped 2% to $56.84. Consumer engagement remains strong,...
Nyetimber Closes Lakes Distillery Visitor Centre
Nyetimber, the sparkling‑wine group that bought The Lakes Distillery in 2024, has shut the distillery’s visitor centre, bistro and shop, putting about 15 jobs at risk. The closure, driven by rising costs and weaker consumer spending, will not affect whisky...
Turkish Pavilion Marks 20 Years at Seafood Expo Global as Nation's Seafood Exports Continue to Grow
Turkey celebrated two decades of a national pavilion at Seafood Expo Global, showcasing 16 producers and a diverse range of species. In 2025 the country recorded a record $2.2 billion in seafood export value, shipping 1 million tons, with four species accounting...
Neutonic Secures $6M at $60M Valuation to Grow Retail and New Markets
Neutronic, a functional drink and supplement brand, closed a $6 million financing round at a $60 million valuation. The capital, backed by a roster of angel investors and existing shareholders, will fund retail expansion in the UK, US and entry into Australia,...
Nestlé Holds Steady Despite Exchange Rate Pressure and Product Recalls
Nestlé reported first‑quarter revenue of 21.3 billion Swiss francs, roughly $23.4 billion, a 5.7% decline driven largely by a 9.3% hit from adverse currency movements and the lingering fallout of a global baby‑formula recall. Despite the headwinds, the company posted solid organic...
Foodstuffs North Island Offers Support for Suppliers Hit by Fuel Crisis
Foodstuffs North Island is shortening payment terms for smaller suppliers to the 20th of each month, ten days earlier, and accelerating fuel‑cost adjustment reviews from up to 12 weeks to four‑to‑six weeks. These actions aim to ease cash‑flow pressure amid...
Chasing Indulgence: Streets Launches Cremissimo Ice Cream
Streets, the Australian arm of The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), has launched Cremissimo, a new premium indulgent ice‑cream line. The range offers five distinct flavors—vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, affogato and pistachio—each in a one‑liter tub. Cremissimo is being stocked...
Drizzle on Top: A New High-End Dog Food Brand Is Coming for the 1%
Golden Child, a new premium dog‑food brand co‑founded by former Hims & Hers executive Hillary Coles, announced its launch with a fresh frozen meal line and a novel $19.95 “drizzle” liquid topper. The company raised $37 million in seed and Series A...
I’m a Registered Dietitian. These Are the Best Protein-Enhanced Foods That Are Worth Buying.
Registered dietitian Ruth Hoffman warns that the protein‑maxxing trend, fueled by social media, new USDA guidelines and GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs, has flooded shelves with fortified snacks that often sacrifice overall nutrition for a protein claim. While the updated Dietary Guidelines now suggest...
57% of UK Coffee Shops Open to Making Oat Milk the Default Option, If Demand & Costs Align
A recent survey by Animal Justice Project found that 57% of UK coffee shops would consider making oat milk the default milk if consumer demand materialises and wholesale prices fall. The Canteen in Bristol is piloting this approach with oat‑milk...
Fitness as a Lifestyle Keeps Interest on Sports, Protein Drinks
The rise of fitness‑as‑a‑lifestyle is reshaping the beverage market, driving strong demand for protein drinks while sports drinks see modest declines. BMC projects protein‑drink volume to grow 9.5% in 2025, with dollar sales up 13.5%, whereas sports‑drink volume is expected...
Mideast Urea Output Slumps with Lack of Fertilizer Ships to Load
The Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, halting 55‑60% of urea output in the Middle East. With roughly 45% of global urea trade sourced from Gulf facilities, the blockage has left 44 fertilizer vessels stranded and created...
Great Weather Boosts UK Outdoor-Grown Strawberries
Britain's unusually sunny April has sparked a rapid start to the outdoor strawberry season, allowing Tesco to receive 300 tonnes of UK‑grown fruit—about one million punnets—next week. The volume represents a more than 100 percent increase from three weeks earlier and is expected...
Varun Beverages Q1 Results: Cons Profit Jumps 20% YoY to Rs 879 Crore; Revenue Rises 18%
Varun Beverages, the primary PepsiCo bottler in India, posted a 20% year‑on‑year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 879 crore (≈$107 million) and an 18% jump in revenue to Rs 6,574 crore (≈$802 million) for the March quarter. EBITDA climbed 21% to Rs 1,529 crore (≈$187 million), lifting...
‘Consumers Want More’: Tetra Pak on Keeping up with Rapid Global Change
Tetra Pak’s VP of Marketing says consumers now demand more than just taste – they want functional benefits, unique flavors and convenient formats. Rising geopolitical risk, supply‑chain disruptions and higher oil prices are squeezing margins, pushing food firms toward ambient, shelf‑stable...
Safal Repositions Coconut Water as Everyday Drink in New Ad with Tara Sutaria
Safal, the horticulture arm of Mother Dairy, has unveiled a new digital campaign featuring Bollywood actress Tara Sutaria to reposition its packaged coconut water as an everyday refreshment. The #TheSafalWayToRecharge ad showcases the drink as a quick, natural, guilt‑free option for...
MyBrainCo Partners Pharmacy Veteran to Gain Ground in New Sales Channel
Australian nutraceutical brand myBrainCo has partnered with StirlingFildes Plus, a 90‑year‑old pharmacy solutions provider, to accelerate entry into the pharmacy channel. The partnership gives myBrainCo access to StirlingFildes’ network of roughly 5,000 pharmacies, far exceeding the reach of traditional wholesalers like...
Parliamentary Briefing Launched Into McCain and Heinz Wattie’s Plant Closures
The Primary Production Select Committee will hold a briefing on April 30 to investigate the announced closures of McCain Foods' Hastings vegetable‑processing plant and Heinz Wattie’s sites in Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland. The shutdowns will eliminate roughly 500 jobs, with McCain...
Noma Opens Shop in Silver Lake
Noma opened its first U.S. retail outlet, Noma Projects, in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, selling fermented foods and cookbooks as part of a 16‑week residency that runs through June. The shop operates Thursday‑Sunday and marks the brand’s expansion beyond its...
Strong Policies Required As Sugar Fuels Oral Health Crisis
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is urging the government to adopt stronger sugar‑reduction policies, warning that the current food environment fuels preventable oral disease, obesity and diabetes. It cites the WHO’s finding that 116 countries now tax sugary drinks...
Dinshaw’s Draws on Kambli’s Journey for ‘Dildaari'—But How Far Is Too Far?
Dinshaw’s launched the “Dildaari” campaign featuring former cricketer Vinod Kambli, promoting a new cone with three times more chocolate at the tip (24 g vs 7 g). The emotionally‑charged ads link Kambli’s personal comeback to the brand’s “a little extra” message, sparking...
Sysco Corp (SYY) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Sysco reported $21 billion in total revenue for Q2 FY2026, a 3% year‑over‑year increase driven by gains across local, specialty, national and international segments. U.S. foodservice local case volume rose 1.2%, outpacing its own guidance, while international sales grew 7.3% (9.9%...
PepsiCo (PEP) Navigates Consumer Pressure with Stable Sales and Dividend Growth
PepsiCo reported a resilient quarter despite inflation‑driven consumer caution in North America. Volume in its food segment rose 2% and organic revenue grew 2.6% year‑over‑year, while adjusted earnings climbed 5%. International markets showed accelerating momentum, offering a buffer to domestic...
There's A Reason Younger Generations Are Fanatical About Iced Coffee
Gen Z is driving a surge in iced coffee consumption, with roughly 40% of the cohort reporting a specialty iced coffee in the past day, the highest share among all ages. The U.S. away‑from‑home cold‑coffee market generated $17.7 billion in 2023,...
Napier Brothers’ Hokey Pokey LA Ice Cream Shops a Hit with Lenny Kravitz, Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio
Three Napier brothers have turned their New Zealand‑style ice‑cream concept into Hokey Pokey LA, a pair of storefronts on Hollywood Boulevard and Century City Mall that serve real‑fruit soft‑serve, hokey‑pokey, pavlova and other Kiwi treats. The shops have attracted A‑list visitors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock...
Freddy's Appoints Rafik Farouk and Jackie Lobdell to Development Leadership Roles
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers appointed Rafik Farouk as Vice President of Business Development and Jackie Lobdell as Vice President of Franchise Sales. Both executives bring decades of restaurant and franchise expertise to support the chain’s aggressive expansion. Freddy's is...