Spate: US Supplement Market Is Moving Toward a ‘Symptom-First’ Consumer
Spate’s analysis shows U.S. supplement shoppers now begin their purchase journey with a symptom—bloating, magnesium deficiency, or high blood pressure—rather than a brand. Year‑over‑year search interest surged 423.5% for high blood pressure, 133.9% for magnesium deficiency, and 83.6% for bloating. Custom probiotics recorded the fastest growth, rising more than 2,300% YoY, underscoring a demand for personalized formulas. Brands that align format and messaging with specific consumer concerns are outpacing generic competitors.
Middle East Focus: SAMBAZON Acai, Iran Conflict and Saudi Food Fraud
SAMBAZON, the world’s largest açaí brand, is leveraging rapid growth in Japan and the Middle East to position the berry as a lifestyle staple, highlighting its unique jungle‑based processing that guarantees same‑day handling. At Gulfood 2026, the company emphasized its vertical‑integrated...
Domino's Profits Fall as Consumers Curb Spending Based on Rising Costs
Domino's Pizza reported first‑quarter net income of $139.8 million, a 6.6% decline from a year earlier, largely due to a $30 million valuation loss on its Chinese master franchisee. Despite the profit dip, total revenue rose 3.5% to $1.15 billion, helped by higher...
Most US Food Service Giants Still Failing on Plant-Based Protein, Annual Scorecard Finds
Humane World for Animals released its 2026 Food Service Industry Protein Sustainability Scorecard, grading the largest U.S. food‑service managers on plant‑forward menus, animal‑protein reductions, and fiber‑rich options. Five firms—Guckenheimer, Elior North America, Metz Culinary Management, HHS LLC, and Fresh Ideas—earned...
Men More Likely than Women to Justify Meat-Eating, Turkish Study Finds
A Turkish study of 520 adults found men justify meat‑eating with direct, masculinity‑linked arguments—health, strength, hierarchy—while women rely on indirect tactics such as dissociation and avoidance. Men reported higher meat consumption and stronger endorsement of speciesism and social dominance orientation...
Reading Food Labels: How to Tell if What You're Eating Is Healthy
An article from a nutrition outlet highlights 14 seemingly healthy foods that can cause rapid blood‑sugar spikes due to high glycemic indexes or hidden sugars. It details the glycemic scores of items such as oat milk, instant oatmeal, sushi rice,...
Saudi FDA Advances Global Food Safety Cooperation at IHFAF
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) led a high‑profile delegation at the Seventh International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF) in Auckland, focusing on risk communication. Dr. Hisham Aljadhey held bilateral meetings with food‑safety agencies from the Netherlands, the...
JBS Faces Another US Strike
Union members at JBS's Denver meat‑packing plant voted 97% to authorize a strike, citing unfair labor practice charges and bad‑faith bargaining. The UFCW Local 7 alleges management retaliation and surface bargaining, while JBS counters with a proposal that includes incremental wage...
Artesano Expands to Include New Potato Hot Dog Buns, Potato Hamburger Buns and Sourdough Bakery Bread
Artesano announced the launch of three new bakery items: Potato Hot Dog Buns, Potato Hamburger Buns, and Sourdough Bakery Bread. The buns feature a soft, pillowy texture with potato flavor and are sold in 8‑ and 16‑piece packs without artificial...
Dutch Cereal Firm Holie’s Secures UK Supermarket Debut
Dutch cereal start‑up Holie’s has entered the UK mainstream by securing shelf space for six SKUs across more than 490 Morrisons stores. The brand, founded in 2018, positions its products as vegan, protein‑rich and free of added sugar, pricing them...
This Machine Is the only Way to Make Nitro Cold Brew Coffee at Home - and It's on Sale
The Cumulus cold brew coffee machine, priced at $695, is now 20% off at $556 for Mother’s Day. It brews single‑cup cold brew, nitro cold brew, and cold espresso using proprietary pods, cooling water in 15 minutes and delivering a...
Good News for the Hospitality Sector as Restaurants Edge Back Into Growth
Restaurant groups reported a 2.5% rise in sales for March, marking the first quarterly uptick after two years of decline. The gain was driven by restaurants, which posted 0.9% like‑for‑like growth while pubs and bars fell 2.6%. Including new site...
Whitworths Launches the UK’s Biggest Nutrition Campaign
Whitworths is rolling out the United Kingdom’s biggest nutrition campaign in May, backed by a multi‑million‑pound (≈ $2.5 million) investment. The initiative combines a nationwide video‑on‑demand push, PR, outdoor, social media and in‑store sampling from May through September to promote nuts,...
Built to Breakthrough: The Power of One Vision
Kathleen Wood’s latest piece expands the "Built to Breakthrough" playbook, urging restaurant founders to replace generic vision statements with a "Power of One Vision" that defines whether they are building a scalable company or merely adding locations. She outlines three...
Celsius Unites Sports, Music and Culture Ahead of Soccer-Centric Summer
Celsius launched a new ad campaign featuring soccer stars, DJ Diplo and creator Marlon Garcia, promoting its limited‑time Electric Vibe flavor with the tagline “Live. Fit. Goal.” The 30‑second spot, “The Surge,” will run across TV, digital and out‑of‑home channels...
Walmart Bets Big on Fermented Foods and Cleveland Kitchen Is Leading the Charge
Walmart is expanding its fresh, functional‑fermentation category by introducing four Cleveland Kitchen products in more than 500 stores nationwide. The lineup includes a mayo‑free Classic Coleslaw, Korean‑inspired Coleslaw, Hot Honey Jalapeños and Pickled Red Onions, all refrigerated and packed with...
From Ambient to Plant-Based: Where Danone Is Taking Protein Next
Danone is broadening its protein portfolio beyond refrigerated dairy by launching Oikos ambient protein shakes, introducing Silk high‑protein plant‑based milk, and acquiring meal‑replacement brand Huel. The Oikos shake entered the $7 bn+ ambient market and helped the brand exceed €1 bn (≈$1.1 bn)...
The Seafood Celebration You Can’t Miss at Nipotina
Nipotina, Samyukta Nair’s upscale Italian restaurant in Mayfair, is launching a Southern Coast Seafood Feast from May 18 to May 24 as part of its weekly Roots & Regions series. The menu, crafted by Head Chef Somaia Hammad, showcases shareable...
Baladna Works with World Bank Financing Arm in Syria Dairy Project
Qatar’s Baladna Food Industries has partnered with the World Bank’s International Finance Corp (IFC) to assess and potentially rebuild Syria’s dairy value chain, focusing on production capacity, consolidation, logistics and compliance. The joint study will determine if a sustainable, investment‑ready...
The Reason Texas Roadhouse Steaks Are So Cheap
Texas Roadhouse keeps steak prices low by using USDA Choice beef, on‑site butchering, and skipping weekday lunch, allowing it to undercut rivals like Outback. A New York Strip sells for $23.99 versus $26.49 at Outback, roughly a 10% discount. In‑house butchers...
AI and Grocery - the UK's Leading Supermarkets Put AI Top of the Shopping List. The CEOs of Sainsbury's and...
UK grocery giants Sainsbury's and Tesco are accelerating AI adoption to sharpen competitive advantage. Sainsbury's, now in year three of its Next Level transformation, has launched an AI Centre of Excellence and reports over 200 live AI use cases, from...
Killer Burger Growing Texas Footprint
Killer Burger, the Portland‑based fast‑casual chain famed for bold toppings, opened its first Houston restaurant at 1909 Taylor St., marking its third Texas location after two San Antonio sites. The outlet is operated by a local franchise group and is...
Açaí Republic Selects Square Platform to Support Franchise Growth
California‑based Açaí Republic has chosen Square’s commerce platform to power its franchise network. The brand will deploy Square for Franchises, Register and Terminal across its 36 existing locations in Arizona, California, Florida and Hawaii, plus eight planned stores. Square’s open...
Over 400 Nestlé UK Jobs at Risk
Nestlé announced that up to 450 jobs in the United Kingdom could be eliminated as part of its 2025 plan to cut 16,000 positions worldwide. The cuts would primarily affect staff at the company's York confectionery plant, which employs about...
Nestlé Confirms Blue Bottle Coffee Sale as Restructuring Accelerates
Nestlé announced during its Q1 briefing that it has agreed to sell Blue Bottle Coffee’s café and consumer‑packaged‑goods (CPG) operations to China‑based private‑equity firm Centurium Capital. The Swiss giant will keep the rights to Blue Bottle’s single‑serve Nespresso‑compatible pods, allowing...
Malaysia's Durian Season Starts Early with Stronger-Tasting, Creamier Fruits
Malaysia’s durian harvest kicked off early this year, delivering creamier, more intensely flavored fruit across Penang’s street stalls. The drier weather has boosted taste quality, but a tight supply has pushed prices up roughly 20%, with the D604 hybrid selling...
India’s Newest Entrant to the Plant Protein Category Is Dubbed Its ‘Lightest’ Powder Yet
Indian wellness brand Immunosciences has unveiled Pure Plant Protein, a clean‑label vegan powder it touts as the country’s lightest and most digestible plant‑based supplement. The product delivers 24 g of complete protein per 30 g scoop, fortified with a DigeZyme multi‑enzyme complex,...
In a Rapidly Changing Market, Innovation Is the Strategy that Drives Profit
The restaurant sector is rapidly shifting as diners favor delivery platforms and demand fresh, exciting menu options. Operators that position innovation at the core of their strategy saw a 7.5% sales lift in 2024, while 80% of independent restaurants plan...
Packaging Under Pressure: European Investment Bank’s Deputy Ops Chief on War Shocks and Alt Plastics
European Investment Bank deputy director Elina Roine highlighted the fragility of Europe’s packaging supply chain, noting that while recycling rates have risen to about 42%, high energy costs and geopolitical tensions undermine competitiveness. She emphasized the bank’s role in financing sustainable...
Lidl Reveals ‘Hit List’ of New UK Store Locations as £600m Rollout Ramps Up
Lidl GB unveiled a £600 million (~$760 million) expansion plan to open more than 50 new stores across Britain within the next year, targeting high‑footfall sites from Aberdeen to London. The rollout, part of a broader investment in logistics including a new...
Beer Drinkers Tricked by a ‘Magician’s Choice’ at the Bar
Independent brewers across Europe say they are being eclipsed by global giants that masquerade as local options, a phenomenon the IBE calls a “magician’s choice.” A new IBE report, based on data from over 3,000 breweries in 12 countries, shows...
Lucas Bols Launches North American Leg of Global ‘Cocktail Battle’
Lucas Bols has launched the North American edition of its global Bols Cocktail Battle, a bartender competition centered on a “Neon Nights” theme. Open to U.S. and Canadian mixologists, entries must showcase Bols liqueurs with striking visual appeal and are...
Heat, Fires and Agribusiness Squeeze Traditional Amazon Açaí Harvesters
Intensive açaí farming in the Amazon has surged 70% since 2015, while traditional community harvesters face steep losses from extreme heat, drought and wildfires. In 2024 a wildfire in Acará burned two hectares of açaí palms, costing a small‑scale farmer...
Less Bread and WFH Fridays – What Pret Boss Knows About Our Habits
Pret A Manger’s CEO Pano Christou says the chain is adapting to post‑Covid habits by tweaking its subscription service, expanding higher‑priced "Super Plates" salads and re‑thinking store locations. The subscription now costs $6 a month for half‑price drinks, and sign‑ups...
Retailers Warned Food and Fuel Price Hikes Could Last Eight Months After Iran War Ends
UK officials warn that food and fuel prices could stay elevated for more than eight months after the Iran‑related conflict ends. The disruption stems from a Strait of Hormuz blockade that curtails oil, gas and ammonia shipments, feeding higher energy...
Why You Should Think Twice About Your Next Matcha Latte. And All Viral Food Trends
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are turning niche foods such as matcha and Dubai chocolate into global obsessions, driving sudden spikes in demand. The viral craze has strained supply chains, leading to pistachio shortages, tripling tencha prices, and...
Exclusive: One of China’s Top Hotels to Turn Half Its Menu Plant-Based by 2029
eLong Hotel Technology, one of China’s top ten hotel groups, announced it will make half of its menu plant‑based by 2029, up from roughly 40% today. The company runs over 3,000 properties in more than 300 cities and serves 35 million...
Stop Apologizing for Leaky Sauce: Why Red Gold® PC Cups Are Smarter
Off‑premises sales now account for roughly 75% of restaurant traffic, making packaging a critical touchpoint. Traditional plastic ramekins and single‑serve packets cause labor waste, leaks, and inconsistent portions, especially as catering orders grow. Red Gold’s 1‑oz and larger dunk cups...
Essentials, Staples Drive Reliance's FMCG Business, Qcomm Push Hits Retail Margins
Reliance Industries' consumer products arm posted FY26 FMCG revenue of ₹22,000 crore (~$265 bn), with daily essentials and staples contributing ₹8,800 crore (~$1.06 bn), or 40% of the segment. The soft‑drink brand Campa led the portfolio with ₹4,700 crore (~$57 m) sales, making it the fourth‑largest...
Interest in Digestive Health Prompts Beverage-Makers to Rise to the Task
Consumer awareness of gut health is reshaping the beverage landscape, driving a surge in functional drinks that deliver fiber, prebiotics and probiotics. Global launches with digestive‑health claims jumped 36% year‑over‑year, while carbonated prebiotic sodas surged 91% and probiotic variants 65%...
New Ballarat Flour Mill on Track to Open This Year
George Weston Foods' Mauri division is set to launch its first greenfield flour mill in Ballarat later this year, boosting Victorian milling capacity to 180,000 tonnes of wheat per annum. The new facility will more than double the output of...
Paradise Biryani Plans ₹100-Crore Fundraise
Paradise Biryani, the Hyderabad‑based biryani chain, is raising roughly ₹100 crore (about $12 million) by diluting a 10‑12% stake. The capital will fund an aggressive rollout of 100 new outlets, expanding the network from 57 to about 160 stores across major Indian...
South Korea’s MFDS Reiterates Ban on Gymnema Sylvestre, Bacopa in Supplements
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has reaffirmed its ban on several botanicals and pharmaceutical compounds, including Gymnema sylvestre and Bacopa, after finding them in 18 of 30 overseas‑made health supplements sold via Amazon, eBay and other...
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2026: Early Bird Entry Fee Closes on Apr 30
NutraIngredients‑Asia has opened entries for its 2026 Awards across 17 categories, with a submission deadline of June 19, 2026, 11:55 pm Singapore time. The early‑bird entry fee is US $299 for most categories, while the NutraChampion, Start‑up Award and the Editors’ Award for Infant...
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5 Impressive Health Benefits of Ghee—And How to Use It, According to Dietitians
Ghee, a clarified butter prized for its nutty flavor and high smoke point, is gaining traction among health‑conscious consumers. Dietitian Jennifer Scherer highlights five key benefits: anti‑inflammatory and immunity support from butyrate and fat‑soluble vitamins, gut‑lining protection, HDL‑boosting medium‑chain fatty...
SponsoredHandtmann Showcases Modular Production Solutions for Vegan, Vegetarian and Alternative Protein Products at Interpack
At interpack 2026, Handtmann showcased a full suite of modular production lines tailored for vegan, vegetarian and alternative‑protein foods. The exhibit featured the FS 525 forming system for portioning and tray placement, the DS 560 P multi‑lane dosing unit, and...
Maccas Wins Battle to Set up in 'World's Coolest Street'
McDonald’s Australia secured a VCAT ruling that overturns Darebin Council’s rejection of a 24/7 restaurant on High Street, Northcote – a lane dubbed the world’s coolest street by Time Out. The tribunal said it cannot block a fast‑food chain based...
Scientists Will Probe Whether Processing Itself Makes Ultra-Processed Foods Harmful
Researchers have outlined a randomized controlled trial to test whether the industrial processing of ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) or their nutrient composition drives cardiometabolic risk. The 2 × 2 factorial study will assign healthy adults to one of four six‑week, isocaloric diets that...
Can Brewed Milk Become Baristas’ Next Staple?
Baristas are turning to non‑homogenised milk as a premium alternative to standard whole and semi‑skimmed milks because it produces richer, more stable micro‑foam. Modern Milkman recently launched Mossgiel’s Organic Brewed Whole Milk in the UK, a gently pasteurised, organic product...
Rethinking Raw Milk: How Mossgiel’s Brewed Milk Bridges Flavour and Food Safety
Mossgiel, a Scottish dairy, has created a "brewed" milk processed at 68 °C that eliminates pathogens while preserving raw‑milk flavor and a higher fat content (4.5‑4.9%). The non‑homogenised product is sold in 1‑L reusable bottles through Modern Milkman, priced at about...