Japanese Fermentation Wisdom for Gentle, Effective Cleansing
Rice bran, long celebrated in Japan’s nukazuke fermentation, is rich in γ‑oryzanol, vitamins and ceramides. Leveraging this heritage, a proprietary micronisation process creates a smooth rice‑bran base that is then fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum for 18‑24 hours. The resulting Rice Bran Ferment enhances skin moisture, reduces roughness, and improves cleansing performance while delivering a pleasant post‑wash feel. The ingredient also offers a sustainable up‑cycling story, positioning it as a high‑performance, eco‑friendly option for modern skincare brands.
Unilever and McCormick Defend Food Tie-Up After Investor Jitters
Unilever announced advanced talks to sell most of its foods division to McCormick, creating a combined portfolio worth about $20 billion in FY 2025 revenue. The news triggered a sharp sell‑off, with Unilever shares falling over 7% and McCormick down 9% in...
Doritos Contest Targets Video Gamers
Snack brand Doritos has rolled out a new promotional campaign called “Key Codes” that targets video gamers. The contest invites players to wipe crumbs off their keyboards, capture the resulting gibberish code, and submit it at DoritosKeyCodes.ca for a chance...
Sobeys Recalls some Products Containing Cheese over Listeria Risk
Sobeys, Canada’s second‑largest grocery chain, is recalling a range of cheese‑containing products after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency flagged possible listeria contamination. The recall spans all provinces except Quebec and includes items sold under Sobeys’ banners such as Co‑Op, Foodland,...
Frozen Veg in New Zealand: The Data Behind McCain and Wattie’s Cuts
McCain and Wattie's announced factory closures and job cuts in New Zealand's frozen‑vegetable sector. They cite soaring energy and labour costs and a sharp drop in frozen‑veg demand, with households spending only about $8 USD per year on frozen peas. Despite overall...
Bottega Shifts Canadian Distribution Strategy After 35 Years
Italian wine and spirits producer Bottega announced a major overhaul of its Canadian distribution network, moving its national representation from long‑time partner Dandurand to Select Wines. The only exception is British Columbia, where Stile Brands will continue handling the brand...
The CPG Growth Model Is Broken. McKinsey’s Research Points to What’s Next.
McKinsey’s April 2026 State of Food & Beverage report finds the traditional CPG growth model has hit structural limits, with volume expansion slipping below 1% and total shareholder returns falling about 7% while the S&P 500 rose 9%. Consumers are...
Southeast Asian Street Food Sellers Hit by Soaring Packaging Costs
Southeast Asian street food vendors are grappling with sharply higher packaging costs after the Iran war triggered a surge in plastic resin prices. In Indonesia, the price of a 50‑sheet plastic wrap pack jumped from 9,000 rupiah to 19,000 rupiah,...
Red Bull, Chobani, Unilever Named CPG Leaders -- But Smaller Brands Are Coming For Them
The 2025 Circana U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report shows Red Bull leading the largest manufacturers, with Unilever, Kimberly‑Clark, L’Oréal and Coca‑Cola following, while mid‑tier firms such as Chobani and Celsius also posted strong gains. Private‑label and sub‑$1 billion brands captured market...
Healthy Starts, Cravings Later: How 'Need States' Drive Daily Dining Decisions
Technomic’s newest trend report shows diners start the day with a “better‑for‑you” need state, which accounts for roughly one‑third of breakfast choices, but quickly shift to craving‑satisfaction and experiential drivers for lunch, snacks, dinner and late‑night meals. Cravings dominate all...
Chili's Is Now the Second-Largest U.S. Casual-Dining Chain
Chili's Grill & Bar surged past Olive Garden in 2025 to become the second‑largest U.S. casual‑dining chain, posting a 20.6% jump in system‑wide sales to $5.5 billion. The growth was achieved without opening new locations, as average unit volume rose about...
Chicago Selected As Home Of NCSA’s Candy Hall Of Fame Experience
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) announced that Chicago will host the permanent Candy Hall of Fame Experience, a 60,000‑square‑foot, multi‑level attraction slated to open in summer 2027 at 830 North Michigan Avenue. The city was selected over Orlando and...
Eggs Up Grill Partners With Metz Group for Pennsylvania Expansion in Q1 2026
Eggs Up Grill reported a 4% same‑restaurant sales increase in Q1 2026, marking its 21st straight quarter of growth. More than 60% of its franchisees now operate multiple units, underscoring a maturing franchise network. The chain announced a strategic partnership with...
Cold Stone Creamery to Open Additional Locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette
Cold Stone Creamery announced plans to add two to three new stores in Southern Louisiana over the next five years, focusing on New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The chain already operates five locations across the state and will soon open a...
Strait of Hormuz: How Food and Beverage Companies Can Navigate the Latest Developments
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted key inputs for food and beverage manufacturers, notably polyethylene and aluminum used in packaging, global fertilizer supplies, and freight costs driven by soaring oil prices. These shocks create three primary challenges:...
U.S. Restaurant and Lodging Business Applications Remain Highly Elevated
In March, 26,786 new restaurant and lodging businesses applied for EINs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics. That figure is 53% higher than the pre‑pandemic trend forecast of roughly 17,500 applications. While the sector’s share of total...
Taco Bell Heats up Its Crispy Chicken Nuggets with a Layer of Diablo Dust
Taco Bell is rolling out Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets nationwide on April 16 as a limited‑time offering. The new product coats Mexican‑spiced white‑meat chicken nuggets in a crunchy tortilla‑chip breading and a fiery Diablo Dust, delivering the brand’s popular sauce...
Brazil on Track to Fill China Beef Export Quota by May as Prices Hit All-Time High
Brazil is on track to exhaust its 1.106 million‑tonne beef export quota to China by early May as cattle prices hit a record R$365 (≈US$71.6) per arroba. March saw a historic 233,950 tonnes of fresh beef shipped, generating roughly R$7 billion (≈US$1.37 billion) in...
Circana Report Shows What Drives CPG Growth in 2025
Circa’s 14th annual 2025 U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report examined over 700 manufacturers ranging from $100 million to $8 billion in sales. It found that growth is increasingly powered by consumer trust, value and relevance, with food‑beverage sales up 3% and non‑food...
Mo’ Bettahs Expands to Phoenix, Indianapolis, Minneapolis as Hawaiian Barbecue Brand Grows Nationwide
Mo’ Bettahs announced its entry into three new U.S. markets—Phoenix, Indianapolis and Minneapolis—continuing a disciplined national rollout. The Hawaiian‑style fast‑casual chain now operates close to 80 restaurants across nine states and has logged same‑store sales growth for 18 straight years....
H-E-B, Sprouts Farmers Market Sold Cheese that May Be Behind E.coli Outbreak
U.S. grocers H‑E‑B and Sprouts Farmers Market have been tied to an FDA investigation of an E. coli outbreak linked to raw‑milk cheese from Raw Farm. The company issued a voluntary recall of several original‑flavor and jalapeño cheese blocks and shredded...
M&S Invests £2.1bn to Extend Its Commitment to British Lamb and Beef with Decade-Long Contracts
Marks & Spencer is allocating roughly $2.7 bn to secure British lamb and beef for the next decade, signing new ten‑year contracts with processors ABP and Dunbia. The agreements cover 3,500 M&S Select farmers and protect exclusivity for premium ranges such...
Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping in 2026: Market Trends, Decline Drivers, and Regulatory Outlook
Direct‑to‑consumer (DtC) wine shipping, which surged past $4 billion in sales by 2020, has slipped back to 2018‑level volumes and value by 2025. The decline is driven by broader economic anxiety, a health‑focused shift away from alcohol, and a sharp drop...
Why Some 'Healthy' Snacks Might Leave You Hungrier
Many consumers reach for low‑calorie snacks like celery sticks or baked chips, only to feel hungry soon after. Registered dietitian Angel Luk explains that satiety depends more on macronutrient balance than on calorie count. Snacks rich in healthy fats, protein,...
The Problem with Earth Month Isn’t Greenwashing
The article argues that Earth Month’s focus on flashy green messaging masks a deeper issue: credible brands are going silent while they quietly increase sustainability spending. ESG mentions in S&P 100 reports fell from 40% in 2023 to just 6% in...
The Daughters of Dominican Immigrants Achieved the American Dream. They’re Bringing Sweet Chocolate Success Back to the Homeland
Sisters Janett and Erika Liriano left lucrative U.S. careers to launch Inaru Chocolate, the Dominican Republic’s first vertically integrated cacao company. By contracting directly with farmers and paying 30‑50% above market rates, they give growers a stake in the finished...
US Sushi Industry Soars to USD 22 Billion Valuation with Little Signs of Slowing, NFI Sushi Council Report Finds
The National Fisheries Institute’s Sushi Council reports the U.S. sushi market has ballooned to a $22 billion valuation, propelled by Gen Z and millennial demand for health‑focused, convenient meals. Restaurants generate $16 billion of that volume, with more than 16,000 dedicated sushi venues...
Sugar Prices to Rise in May Amid Soaring Costs
Thai Sugar Millers Corp (TSMC) will hold retail sugar prices steady through April but raise them in May as energy, petrochemical and packaging costs surge. A 40% jump in plastic‑pellet prices has driven bag costs sharply higher, adding hidden expenses...
Would You Buy Yerba Mate From Barron Trump?
Barron Trump has been listed as one of five directors of Sollos Yerba Mate, a new beverage company based in Palm Beach, Florida. The brand, founded by Spencer Bernstein and Stephen Hall—both former classmates of Trump at Oxbridge Academy—plans to debut a...
While Whole Fish Prices Tumble, Atlantic Salmon Fillets From Norway Hit NOK 177 Entering Week 15
The Sitagri Salmon Index reported that Norway’s whole, headed, gutted Atlantic salmon for the 3‑to‑6 kg segment fell to NOK 87.55 per kilogram in Week 14, equivalent to about $9.20. This marks a NOK 3.46 (≈$0.36) drop from the Week 13 average of NOK 91.01 ($9.56)....
Kroger Sued for False Advertising
Animal Outlook sued Kroger and its Ralphs subsidiary in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that signage labeling meat as “well raised” and “no antibiotics” misleads consumers. The complaint cites products from major brands such as Hormel, Tyson and Oscar...
3-A SSI Seeks Expert Volunteers to Update Food Safety Standards
3‑A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3‑A SSI) is opening applications for five expert working groups to update four sanitary equipment standards and one accepted practice, with a deadline of April 27 and group launches on May 11, 2026. The effort calls for balanced representation...
Yes, Sugar Is Hiding In Your Table Salt: Here's Why
Many popular iodized table salts, including Morton and Good & Gather, list dextrose—a simple sugar—in their ingredient lists. The dextrose is not for flavor; it acts as a stabilizer that prevents the added iodine from evaporating, especially in humid environments....
Increased Salmon Volumes for SalMar in Q1; Grieg Warns Biological Challenges Will Cost USD 7 Million
SalMar reported a Q1 2026 harvest of 60,300 gutted weight tons (GWT) of Atlantic salmon, a 29% increase over the same period last year, driven primarily by strong growth in its Central Norway segment. The company’s total expected 2026 harvest now sits...
The Secret in the (Design) Sauce: How Sensory Cues Shape All-Day Restaurant Experiences
Travelers are gravitating toward “whycation” trips that prioritize purpose over place, pushing hotels to make every touchpoint—especially restaurants and bars—feel intentional. Designers are moving beyond modular furniture, using lighting, acoustics and material finishes to shift a space’s mood from breakfast...
Lamb Weston Warns of Supply Chain Pressures Amid Iran War
Lamb Weston warned that the ongoing Iran war could spark heightened volatility in key commodities such as packaging and fuel, adding pressure to its already‑tight margins. The company now projects a 250‑ to 300‑basis‑point decline in adjusted gross margin for...
Survey: Consumers Spend 37% Of Grocery Budget At Independent Stores
A new OnDeck and Censuswide survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers reveals that 37% of their grocery budget is spent at independent, locally owned stores – the highest share among all retail categories. Respondents average $2,298 a year on independent groceries,...
Liquid Sugar in My Maple Syrup?
A Quebec court has filed a lawsuit alleging that some maple syrup producers are diluting their product with liquid sugar. The complaint, highlighted by a CBC report, claims the adulteration violates Canadian food standards and misleads consumers. Industry stakeholders are...
Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association Opposes Government Funding Atlantic Salmon Federation
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is urging the Canadian government to withdraw CAD 81.7 million (about US$59.1 million) earmarked for the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) as part of a wild Atlantic salmon restoration program. ACFFA argues the ASF’s anti‑aquaculture campaigns, such...
Burger King Is Coming For White Castle's Niche With New Slider Packs (But There's A Catch)
Burger King is launching a limited‑time slider test in Portland, Oregon and Columbus, Ohio from April 14 to May 4. The line features three varieties—Bacon and Cheese, Deluxe, and Steakhouse Bacon—served on soft buttery buns and sold in two‑pack or...
Americans Hate the Economy so Much, They’re Buying $22 Smoothies
Americans are tightening budgets on meals, cars and everyday items, yet premium grocery chain Erewhon is thriving by selling $22 superfood smoothies and opening three new stores in 2025. The specialty food market has surged to $219 billion, a 150% increase...
There Are ‘Credible Legal Questions as to Whether FDA Has the Legal Authority to Eliminate Self-GRAS,’ Say Legal Experts
The FDA is preparing a proposed rule that would require mandatory submission of GRAS notices, effectively ending the self‑affirmed GRAS pathway that currently allows companies to certify safety without FDA review. The rule, pending OMB approval, would create a public...
Daniella Senior Champions Cuban Hospitality with Growing Colada Shop Concept
Daniella Senior launched Colada Shop a decade ago as a Cuban‑inspired all‑day café that shifts from coffee to rum‑based cocktails across dayparts. The concept now spans seven locations, including a spot at Reagan National Airport, and is bolstered by a...
Mary Nguyen’s Quest to Make Chef-Driven Food Accessible Has Resonated Through Olive & Finch
Mary Nguyen, a former commodities trader, founded Olive & Finch in 2013, now operating nine locations with plans to add four more this year. The chef‑driven "fine‑casual" chain keeps every dish at $20 or less through a centralized production hub,...
Justin Rosenberg Combines Tech, Service, and Unique Food at Honeygrow
Justin Rosenberg founded Honeygrow in 2012 after a personal health wake‑up, creating a fast‑casual concept that serves cooked‑to‑order stir‑fried noodles and a customizable Honeybar dessert line. The chain now operates 74 locations across eight states, with three new openings in...
Review: Starbucks Mostly Nails Its Summery Mango Menu
On April 7 Starbucks rolled out eight mango‑centric beverages, making the line a permanent menu addition. The lineup spans three mango‑fruit refreshers, two Mango Dream variations, and two specialty iced drinks—Mango Cream Matcha and Mango Cream Chai—each with optional caffeine and...
Fresh Gourmet Rethinks Bacon Pieces Placement with Produce Rollout
Fresh Gourmet, the salad‑topping specialist, has introduced two new bacon‑piece products—one real and one uncured. Unlike its traditional placement in the center aisles, the company will stock the items alongside fresh vegetables in the produce department. The move is framed...
Cargill Tracks Strong Demand for Flavor-Forward, Authentic, Easy Cooking
Cargill reports a surge in demand for flavor‑forward, authentic, easy‑cook seasoning solutions, noting a double‑digit sales lift across its spice portfolio. The company attributes the growth to consumers seeking bold, restaurant‑like tastes without complex preparation. Cargill is expanding its product...
Inside Rounton Coffee: ‘Getting Beans to Britain Is Anything but Easy’
Rounton Coffee, a Yorkshire‑based roaster, captured eight Great Taste awards last year while sourcing beans from eight countries, from classic origins like Colombia to unconventional ones such as China and Yemen. Founder David Beattie makes bi‑annual trips to coffee farms,...
Dr. Will’s to Launch Olive Oil Mayo Into Tesco
Dr. Will’s is rolling out its Olive Oil Mayo to more than 600 Tesco stores across the UK starting 27 April, adding to an existing portfolio that already includes avocado oil mayo and several hot sauces. The new product is sold in...