‘Not as Bad as the Media Says’: Future Nutra Foundation Pushes Transparency via New Testing Initiative
The Future Nutra Foundation (FNF) launched a voluntary testing initiative that examined fifteen popular electrolyte supplements using two ISO‑17025‑accredited labs. The majority of brands met label claims, while two showed egregious failures, reinforcing the view that overall quality is stronger than media portrayals. FNF released all data free of charge to promote transparency and encourage consumer awareness. The foundation will expand testing to categories like cannabis beverages and lion’s mane, and will discuss findings at its Innovation Summit in September.
Adaptogen Supplements May Ease Stress and Anxiety and Boost Sleep Quality: RCT
A randomized, double‑blind trial of 186 stressed adults showed that both a multi‑herb adaptogen blend and a full‑spectrum ashwagandha extract significantly lowered perceived stress and improved sleep quality compared with placebo. The multi‑herb formula produced stronger, sustained mood benefits, while...
Frozen Food Maker Files Chapter 11 as Pandemic Boom Fades
The frozen‑food aisle surged during COVID‑19, with retail sales hitting $65.1 billion in 2020 – a 21% jump. As pandemic restrictions eased, sales stalled and many manufacturers, including contract packer Triple Sticks Foods, found themselves over‑capacity. Triple Sticks, which produces private‑label...
Hocco Raises ₹100 Cr in Series C, Crosses ₹530 Cr Revenue in FY26
Indian ice‑cream brand Hocco secured a ₹100 crore ($12 million) Series C round led by Sauce VC, lifting its valuation to roughly ₹2,500 crore ($300 million). The company closed FY 26 with net sales of over ₹530 crore ($64 million), beating its ₹450 crore target. Growth was driven by...
3 Restaurant Stocks Positioned to Grow Despite Industry Struggles
The restaurant sector faces pressure from inflation‑driven menu hikes, tighter consumer budgets, and rising labor, food and occupancy costs, which have muted traffic growth. Nonetheless, demand for convenience, digital ordering and strategic unit expansion is sustaining revenue gains, with U.S....
Food Waste Began to Decline 4 Years After the Pandemic, Refed Finds
The Refed U.S. Food Waste Report shows surplus food generation fell 2.2% in 2024 to about 70 million tons, ending a post‑pandemic rise. Residential waste contributed a 950,000‑ton reduction, translating to a 3.7% drop in per‑capita waste. Funding for waste‑reduction solutions grew...
Lactalis Warns of Dairy Price Increases Linked to Middle East Conflict
Lactalis reported 2025 revenue of €31.2 bn ($36.8 bn) and net income of €528 m ($623 m), lifting its profit margin to 1.7%. The French dairy giant warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict could force price increases as transport, energy and packaging costs...
Who’s Hungry? What GroundTruth’s First-Party Data Says About Today’s Restaurant Visitors.
GroundTruth’s first‑party data shows restaurant foot traffic remained robust in 2025, with seasonal spikes driving 40‑50% higher visits in the fall across fast‑casual, quick‑service, casual and premium segments. The majority of diners stay within a 10‑mile radius of their homes,...
Leftovers: Kraft Mac & Cheese Gets Restaurant-Inspired Upgrade | PBR Pickle Beer Is Here
Kraft Heinz introduced Kraft Mac & Cheese Restaurant Edition, a premium line featuring three new flavors—Parmesan Pesto, Romano Cacio e Pepe, and Monterey Jack Caramelized Onion—paired with specially shaped pasta to mimic restaurant quality at home. Pabst Blue Ribbon teamed...
FSSAI Asks States to Crack Down on Fruit Ripening Agents
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order directing state officials to clamp down on illegal fruit‑ripening chemicals. It reaffirmed that calcium carbide, used to artificially ripen mangoes, bananas and papayas, is strictly prohibited due...
Evian, Jeff Koons Collaborate on Anniversary Bottles
evian marks its 200‑year anniversary with a global “200 Years Young” campaign that pairs the brand with artist Jeff Koons. The collaboration yields two limited‑edition glass bottles—pink still and blue sparkling—decorated with Koons’s iconic Balloon Dog motif and sold through select...
Cava Opens First St. Louis Location in Midwestern Growth Push
Cava opened its first St. Louis‑area restaurant in the Cottleville suburb, marking the brand’s latest step in a Midwest expansion push. The fast‑casual chain reported 439 locations at the end of 2025 and is on track to hit 500 sites in...
AI’s Role in Grocery so Far This Year
Artificial intelligence has become a strategic priority for U.S. grocery retailers in 2026, with major chains like Kroger deepening ties to Google Cloud's Gemini AI and enhancing internal tools such as the Sage virtual assistant. Independent‑grocery distributors are responding by...
US Alcohol Importers Managing Shifting Consumption Habits
U.S. alcohol importers are grappling with a volatile market as containerized shipments of wine, beer and distilled spirits fell 4.9% in 2025 and plunged another 16.1% in the first quarter of 2026. Shifting consumer tastes toward alternative products and purchasing...
Mojo Expands Energy Pouch Lineup
Mojo Energy Pouches introduced a new Sour Apple flavor, sold as a 5‑pack for $19.99 on Amazon and GrabMojo.com. Each pouch provides 50 mg of caffeine sourced from green tea, with zero sugar, zero calories, and added B‑vitamins, L‑theanine, ginseng and...
GLP-1 ‘Halo Effect’: Users Positively Impact Household Eating Habits
Acosta Group’s report finds that GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs are sparking a “halo effect” that extends beyond users to other household members. Users, especially Gen Z and Millennials, report emotional boosts that translate into higher spending on fresh produce, yogurt, and protein‑rich...
The Spice & Tea Exchange Signs New Franchise Deals Across Oklahoma and Virginia
The Spice & Tea Exchange, a specialty retailer based in St. Augustine, Florida, has signed franchise agreements for seven new stores in Oklahoma and Virginia. The deals include one location in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and multiple three‑unit developments in Fredericksburg, Charlottesville,...
French Plant-Based Meat Leader La Vie Enters Tofu Category After Green-Tinted Rebrand
French plant‑based meat leader La Vie has launched a three‑product tofu range—smoked block, teriyaki cubes and ultra‑crispy nuggets—each delivering 13‑17 g protein per 100 g and made with preservative‑free French soybeans. The rollout follows a green‑tinted rebrand that lifted natural‑product perception by...
Bread Zeppelin Challenges Panera with 'Salad Stuffer' Trade-In Offer
Dallas‑based Bread Zeppelin launched a limited‑time trade‑in promotion, giving a free Zeppelin sandwich to anyone who shows a Panera receipt for its new “Salad Stuffer.” The offer runs April 16‑22 at participating locations and highlights the fast‑casual sector’s growing appetite...
ANTARES VISION GROUP: SAFER CANS THANKS TO AI INTEGRATION
Antares Vision Group will showcase AI‑enabled inspection and traceability solutions at Metpack 2026 in Essen, Germany. The booth will feature the Cyclops inline can‑end inspection system, DecoMatch offline color inspection, and PolyView CTI aerosol can‑top inspection. The company will also highlight its...
Hi Auto’s Latest Tech Targets the Drive-Thru Pickup Window
Hi Auto is beta testing a new 'window intelligence' module that adds audio monitoring at the drive‑thru pickup window. The system links microphone recordings to point‑of‑sale data to score friendliness, detect errors, employee theft and disputes, and provide real‑time service...
Six Capabilities Every Contract Manufacturer Needs to Future-Proof Their Business
HRA Global surveyed UK contract manufacturers across chilled, ambient and beverage segments and distilled a six‑capability framework for future‑proofing. The model emphasizes agility, strategic partnership, insight‑led innovation, technology as core infrastructure, sustainability and resilience through diversification. Manufacturers that embed these...
Conagra Brands Invests in Mexico Plant
Conagra Brands is committing roughly $31.9 million (550 million pesos) to expand its Irapuato, Guanajuato plant in Mexico. The upgrade will add new production lines, emphasize advanced packaging technology, and streamline processes to lift output. The facility, which accounts for 94% of...
‘Relentless Pressures’: More Hospitality Firms Forced to Shut Even Before Iran War
Hospitality insolvencies surged 22% in February, reaching 270 firms, with 254 food‑and‑beverage outlets—including 171 restaurants and 64 pubs—shutting down. The sector has seen over 700 pub closures annually for three consecutive years, a trend amplified by rising costs. Chancellor Rachel...
Häagen‑Dazs on the Trends Redefining Ice Cream
Häagen‑Dazs says the UK ice‑cream market is now worth about $10 bn, with premium ice cream delivering 80% of the $286 m growth in the frozen‑dessert segment. Premium products are outpacing the broader category, expanding 3.7% versus just 0.2% for standard offerings,...
Ben’s Original Disrupts Instant Noodles Category with Launch of New Street Food Noodles
Ben’s Original, a Mars brand, has entered the Canadian instant‑noodle market with a new line called Street Food Noodles. The range features five globally inspired flavors and cooks in just 90 seconds, targeting consumers who want quick, tasty meals. Mars...
ProVeg China Taps World No.1 Food Science Institution for NeoProtein Research Hub
ProVeg China and Jiangnan University have signed an MOU to launch a NeoProtein Innovation Center of Excellence in Wuxi. The university, ranked number one worldwide in Food Science and Engineering, will lead research across four pillars: scientific innovation, industry‑academia technology...
Why Small Businesses Treat Loyalty Like a Luxury — and Why That’s Killing Them
Small QSR operators often treat loyalty programs as a side project, yet PAR Technology’s 2025 QSR Operational Index shows loyalty‑driven visits rose 30.8% in 2024 while non‑loyalty visits fell 5.3%. Staffing shortages and day‑to‑day pressures push retention off the agenda,...
The Billion Dollar Beverage Opportunity
Nielsen IQ reports that non‑alcoholic beer, wine and spirits exceeded $1 bn in off‑premise sales in 2025, posting a 22% year‑over‑year increase. Although the segment represents only 0.8% of total alcohol volume, it is expanding rapidly as health‑focused moderation gains traction...
PepsiCo Builds “Positive” Momentum with FIFA World Cup Stimulus Envisaged
PepsiCo reported first‑quarter results that lifted its stock 2.3%, with the Foods North America unit posting 2% volume growth while the beverage segment slipped 2.5% after moving case‑packed water to a third‑party manufacturer. CEO Ramon Laguarta highlighted accelerating momentum from...
Super-Premium-Plus Spirits Fall 15% in 2025
Preliminary IWSR data shows the global spirits market contracted in 2025, with total beverage alcohol volumes down 2% and value down 4% across 21 markets. The super‑premium‑and‑above segment suffered the steepest decline, losing 15% in value, while lower‑priced tiers held...
From Whole Cauliflower to Pre-Cut Convenience: How Eating Habits Are Reshaping the Vegetable Sector
GreenS & SaladS reports that the Dutch fresh‑produce market is expanding, but rising prices are squeezing margins as retailers use vegetables as loss leaders. Consumer preferences are shifting toward pre‑cut, ready‑to‑eat vegetables, driven by busy lifestyles, smaller households, and the...
Ofood Kimchi Ramyun Surpasses 1 Million Units Sold in Canada
Daesang’s Ofood brand has sold over 1 million units of its Kimchi Ramyun in Canada since its October 2025 launch, marking a rapid market penetration for a Korean‑origin noodle product. The line distinguishes itself by using fresh kimchi from Jongga rather...
Blue Bunny Reimagines Its Mascot
Blue Bunny unveiled a reimagined version of its blue‑furred mascot, Blu, as part of a broader brand evolution tied to the upcoming national “Freeze The Moment” campaign. Developed with creative‑agency partner Digitas, the new Blu is positioned as a warm,...
Pernod Ricard Sees First Signs of Recovery in a Year of Decline
Pernod Ricard reported a steep sales decline, with Q4 net revenue dropping 14.6% to €1.945 billion (about $2.12 billion) and organic growth barely positive at 0.1%. Over the first nine months, total revenue fell 14.8% to €7.199 billion (roughly $7.85 billion), a 4.4% organic...
Some Grocers Are Using AI to Cut Food Waste and Boost Profit Margins
Grocers are deploying AI platforms such as Flashfood to dynamically price perishable items, turning potential shrink into revenue. By targeting discounts to items near their best‑by dates, retailers like Kroger have cut waste by roughly 27% while driving extra traffic...
Desi Daru Strengthens UK Team
Desi Daru, a British‑Indian vodka brand, hired Chet Patel as national account manager and Gregorio Soriente as brand manager/investor to accelerate its UK on‑trade expansion. Patel brings Diageo and Nxus Drinks experience, while Soriente adds luxury bar expertise and influencer...
Pernod Downplays US Slowdown Amid Brown-Forman Talks
Pernod Ricard reported a modest 0.1% rise in Q3 organic net sales to €1.94 billion (≈$2.28 billion) while US sales plunged 12%, highlighting a soft market driven by affordability pressures. Finance chief Hélène de Tissot downplayed the slowdown as cyclical, noting a shift...
Tropical Terroir: Inside Bali’s Budding Wine Scene
Bali’s wine sector is transitioning from a niche curiosity to a budding industry, with the number of wineries rising from ten in 2010 to sixteen today. Local producers such as Hatten, Isola, and Sababy are leveraging the island’s high‑elevation volcanic...
Spain’s Most Overlooked Wines, According to the Experts
During a Taste Spain podcast, former El Bulli sommelier Ferran Centelles and ICEX director Maria Naranjo highlighted Spain’s under‑the‑radar wine gems. They praised Galicia’s Ribeiro whites, the young La Manchuela denomination’s high‑altitude Bobal reds, and a resurgence of historic clarete rosé from Cigales. The...
SEVEN BRO7HERS Secures Asda Listing for Double IPA ‘Krush’ as Grocery Strategy Builds
Independent brewer SEVEN BRO7HERS has secured a national listing for its new 7.5% ABV double IPA, Krush, in Asda stores and online. The beer, brewed with Yakima Chief’s next‑generation Krush hops, offers a fruit‑forward profile and will be sold for...
‘There’s No One Silver Bullet’ for Brewery Survival Except Being ‘Hyper-Focused’ on Consumer Needs
Independent craft brewers face a contracting beer market but remain resilient in the U.S. and U.K. Brewers Association economist Matt Gacioch warns there is no single growth formula; each brewery must craft a strategy that matches its local consumer base....
Why Texture Is the New King of Ice Cream
Texture has eclipsed flavor as the primary growth engine in the 2026 ice‑cream market, according to Mintel. Brands are rolling out multi‑layered stick bars, sundae‑style tubs, sandwich formats and chew‑centric mochi to satisfy consumers’ craving for contrast and complexity. The...
West Asia Conflict Hits India’s Seafood Exports to Gulf Nations
The escalation of the West Asia conflict has virtually halted India’s seafood shipments to Gulf markets, wiping out roughly 90% of exports to the region. Industry estimates place the value of these exports at $240‑$300 million, about 3‑4% of India’s total...
Upcoming Scottish Election Presents Chance to Affect Lasting Salmon-Farming Reform, Former Regulatory Chief Says
The Scottish Parliament election on 7 May is being framed as a watershed for salmon farming, with former SEPA chief Anne Anderson urging a shift from incremental tweaks to systemic reform. She highlights that recent extensions of marine planning zones expand...
Chickens Go From Coop to Table at Inaka No Taiho
Inaka no Taiho, a farmhouse‑style restaurant perched on a Kyoto hillside, offers chef Koki Watanabe’s Sichuan‑inspired dishes prepared from chickens slaughtered in front of diners. The menu draws on herbs, heirloom rice, wild foraged plants and locally sourced game, creating...
Cromaris Targeting US Fine-Dining Sector with Grand Selection Line of Farmed Sea Bass, Meagre
Croatian aquaculture firm Cromaris is pushing its Grand Selection line—premium farmed sea bass, meagre and dentex—into high‑end Mediterranean restaurants across the United States. The company produces about 90,000 tons of sea bass and sea bream annually, representing roughly 15% of global...
Café Del Mar Spirits Eyes European Expansion
Balearic Drinks will roll out its Café del Mar Spirits line across six European countries in 2026, focusing on Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy and Portugal. The brand previously spent three years establishing a foothold in the UK, Ibiza...
Global Pressures Reshape UK Drinking Habits on the High Street
Geopolitical instability and volatile energy prices are tightening UK consumers' wallets, prompting a modest 0.4% drop in retail sales in February and a dip in consumer confidence. Hospitality venues are seeing a "steady recalibration" rather than a sharp decline, with...
EFSA Announces Third WGS Food Safety Conference
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Inter‑European Union Reference Laboratories will host the third Science Meets Policy conference on September 2‑3, 2026 in Rome. The event, themed “From Regulation to Practice—Turning WGS into Action for Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation,” will...