Reclassifying Wellness: Navigating the New Era of Scrutiny in the Soft Drinks Market
The soft‑drink sector is entering a new scrutiny era as consumers move beyond sugar cuts toward concerns about ultra‑processing and the impact of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. Nearly half of global shoppers now recognize ultra‑processed beverages, while 17% are actively using GLP‑1 medications and seeking nutrient‑dense, low‑calorie options. Natural, synthetic‑free claims and transparent labeling have become essential trust signals, especially among older demographics. Brands that align product launches with morning wellness moments and the growing "sober‑curious" trend stand to capture the most growth in 2026.
Field to Fry: What Sustainability Actually Looks Like in the Potato Supply Chain
Lamb Weston, a leading North American frozen‑potato processor, is preparing its next sustainability report amid growing consumer demand for eco‑friendly food. The company reports cutting 800 million gallons of water, reducing 1,800 tons of waste and avoiding 12,000 metric tons of CO₂ through...
DEN Unveils New Food Court
Denver International Airport has opened a new food court in Concourse A, operated by Skyport Hospitality and ACDBE partner Concessions of a Gladman. The venue features Denver‑based Fat Sully’s Pizza alongside national chains QDOBA, Chick‑fil‑A and Shake Shack. DEN CEO Phil Washington...
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Papa Murphy’s Challenges Continued in Q1
MTY Food Group reported a 2.5% same‑store sales decline for Papa Murphy’s in Q1, with system sales slipping to $1.3 billion versus $1.36 billion a year earlier. The take‑and‑bake pizza chain, MTY’s largest concept, has seen sales fall 11.4% since 2020 and...
Walker Art Center Restaurant Cuts Front-of-House Staff as QR Codes Take Over
The Walker Art Center’s in‑house restaurant, Cardamom, is moving to a fully QR‑code ordering system, eliminating its front‑of‑house staff. Sixteen hosts and servers will be laid off while kitchen staff and bartenders remain. Management cites uneven visitor traffic and rising...
FDA Finds Adulteration in 4 Percent of Honey Samples
The FDA’s 2025 honey sampling program found that 4 percent of the 102 samples tested were adulterated, with two domestic and two imported batches failing carbon isotope analysis. The agency’s stable carbon isotope ratio method flags honey that contains cheaper...
Fever-Tree Appoints GHF as Exclusive London on Trade Partner
Fever‑Tree, the UK’s leading premium mixer brand, has named GHF its exclusive on‑trade partner for London. The deal embeds GHF as a dedicated resource within Fever‑Tree’s UK commercial structure, reporting to the central team. GHF will drive distribution, account management...
Heart of England Co-Operative Installs Cybake ISB Software to Manage In-Store Bakery and Food to Go Production
Heart of England Co-operative rolled out Cybake ISB software across its 38 stores to manage in‑store bakery and food‑to‑go production. The platform uses forecasting and real‑time sales data to schedule multi‑wave baking, delivering tablet‑based instructions to staff and KPI dashboards...
Sysco Bets Big on Cash-and-Carry With $29 Billion Restaurant Depot Acquisition
Sysco announced a $29 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot, the nation’s leading cash‑and‑carry warehouse for independent restaurants. The deal combines Sysco’s delivery‑centric distribution network with Depot’s 160‑plus warehouse locations, expanding Sysco’s reach to operators who prefer in‑person buying. Sysco estimates the...
The Las Vegas Steakhouse Where You Can Get Steak Topped With Animal-Style Fries
High Steaks, a 50th‑floor steakhouse at the Rio Hotel & Casino, opened in 2025. It lets diners crown premium cuts with $18 animal‑style fries, a homage to In‑NOut’s secret menu. The menu spans USDA‑Prime and Wagyu steaks, a $245 bone‑in...
Bill’s X Poppy Cooks 25th Anniversary Menu Lands Nationwide Today
Bill’s has partnered with viral food creator Poppy Cooks to launch a limited‑edition, potato‑centric menu across all 49 UK restaurants from April 13 to June 8. The collaboration introduces three exclusive dishes—Poppy’s Burger, Loaded Tater Tots, and Crispy Smash Potato Salad—alongside two...
Côte Brasserie Launches Its New Range of Dish of the Day for Just £10,
Côte Brasserie has introduced a daily "Dish of the Day" menu priced at £10 (about $12.5) featuring French classics crafted by former Gordon Ramsay executive chef Steve Allen. The five‑day rotation runs Monday‑Friday and includes items such as Steak Frites,...
Cheney Brothers’ First South Carolina Facility Is Complete
Performance Food Group’s Cheney Brothers has completed its first South Carolina distribution hub, a 386,047‑square‑foot refrigerator/freezer center in Florence. Designed and built by A M King, the facility features 45 loading docks, the company’s largest culinary kitchen, and extensive cold‑storage zones for...
Mark Anthony Group of Companies Announces Plans to Acquire The Finnish Long Drink
Mark Anthony Group of Companies announced plans to acquire The Finnish Long Drink, a fast‑growing ready‑to‑drink (RTD) brand. The deal builds on Mark Anthony’s existing exclusive distribution partnership in Canada and aims to expand the brand across North America. Co‑founders...
Mexican Mango Exports to the US Projected to Surpass 350,000 Tons in 2026
Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture projects mango shipments to the United States will exceed 350,000 tons in the 2026 season, the highest level on record. The forecast draws on 19,734 orchards spanning eight states and more than 252,000 acres dedicated to...
USPOULTRY Invests over $570,000 in Poultry Industry Research
The US Poultry & Egg Association and its foundation approved more than $570,000 in grants for seven research projects spanning AI robotics, disease forecasting, and food‑safety innovations. The projects, led by universities such as Georgia, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech,...
Scottish Organic Dairy Kickstarts Expansion Drive
Mossgiel Organic Dairy, founded in 2015 to challenge the dominance of mega‑dairies, is adding three Scottish farms—Auchlea, Wester Manbeen and Connage Highland Dairy—as direct milk suppliers. The move lifts its processing capacity by roughly 10% and gives the company full...
Panera Expands Bread Bowl Concept with Italian Stuffer Roll
Panera Bread is launching a new menu category called Salad Stuffers, which pair its freshly baked Italian Stuffer Roll with a full‑size salad. The concept expands the brand’s iconic bread‑bowl format beyond soup to include two chef‑crafted options – the...
How Grocers Can Embrace the ‘Promiscuous Shopper’
Grocery shoppers have abandoned single‑store loyalty, with only 1% sticking to one retailer and the average American visiting at least two stores weekly. Upside research shows over 90% of shoppers are “uncommitted,” chasing price above brand affinity. Victor Kimble of...
Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale to Inaugurate New Production Facility Near Pune
Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale will inaugurate its new Ranje Vision Park near Pune on April 16, a 25‑acre, state‑of‑the‑art production hub with a 40‑tonne daily capacity for sweets and savouries. The ₹250 Cr (~$30 million) investment brings FSSC 22000, FDA and BRC certifications, positioning the...
Church’s Texas Chicken Plots 600-Unit Expansion in China
Church’s Texas Chicken has signed a deal with Deke Shengtang to roll out at least 600 restaurants across China, with the first outlet slated for Shanghai this summer. The agreement marks the chain’s largest international development effort and makes China its...
Chick-Fil-A Slammed for ‘Shrinkflation’ After Customer Reveals 5-Year Downfall of Fan-Favorite Sandwich
A Reddit user posted side‑by‑side photos of a Chick‑fil‑A Deluxe sandwich from 2021 and 2026, highlighting a noticeably smaller chicken breast in the newer version. The post sparked accusations of shrinkflation, echoing earlier reports that the chain has reduced portions...
Icelandirect Expands CDMO Footprint with SOMA LABS Solid Dosage Acquisition
Icelandirect announced the acquisition of SOMA Labs, a New Jersey‑based solid‑dosage CDMO, expanding its capabilities beyond lipid‑based liquids into powders, tablets, capsules and chewables for both human and pet supplements. The deal doubles Icelandirect’s turnkey offering, allowing customers to source...
Meliá Chiang Mai’s Executive Chef Recognized for Sustainable Food Leadership
Meliá Chiang Mai’s executive chef Suksant “Chef Billy” Chutinthratip received the Chiang Mai Green Kitchen “Green People” award for his leadership in sustainable food systems. The hotel’s two restaurants, Laan Ha Kitchen and MAI Restaurant & Bar, earned their fourth...
Archer Teams with ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ for First Entertainment Deal
Archer Meat Snacks announced its first entertainment partnership, teaming with the upcoming theatrical release *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu*. The multi‑channel campaign includes three co‑branded snack packs, a 30‑second ad spot on Disney+ and sports playoffs, and a QR‑code reward that gives...
Could the GLP-1 Boom Open the Door to Shrinkflation?
GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs are reshaping consumer eating habits, driving demand for smaller, nutrient‑dense portions. In the United States adoption is rapid, while Europe sees slower, but steady growth. Food manufacturers are likely to respond with targeted, portion‑controlled products rather than...
A New Restaurant Rule Is Spreading Across 11 States — And Customers Love It
Bars and restaurants in at least 11 U.S. states are adopting a door policy that requires patrons to lock or leave their phones, aiming to curb screen fatigue and revive face‑to‑face conversation. The trend, highlighted by outlets such as Axios...
Quick-Service Consumers, Crumbl, Saucy by KFC
A new YouGov study shows two‑thirds of Americans visit a quick‑service restaurant at least monthly, with 30% dining weekly, driven largely by value‑menu appeal. Wendy’s, Taco Bell and Domino’s top the value‑menu rankings, while McDonald’s, Chick‑fil‑A and Wendy’s lead in...
Aldi Invested £122 Million in Price Cuts in First Three Months of 2026
Aldi disclosed that it has spent about $155 million (£122 million) on price reductions during the first quarter of 2026, affecting roughly 500 SKUs across fresh, frozen, pantry, household and personal‑care categories. Notable cuts include crème fraîche (now 75p), British pork shoulder...
Peruvian Hass Avocado Exports Expected to Grow 6 Percent in 2026, Exceeding 765 Thousand Tons
Peruvian Hass avocado exports are forecast to exceed 765,000 metric tons in 2026, marking a modest 6% increase over 2025’s 723,000 MT. The surge follows a record 38% jump in 2025 but is expected to temper due to agro‑climatic constraints...
Dairy Giant Arla Scraps Planned Danish Merger
Arla Foods announced it is abandoning its planned merger with fellow Danish dairy producer Them Mejeri after facing opposition from competition authorities. The two companies had intended to combine operations to form Denmark's second-largest dairy group, targeting significant cost synergies....
Popeyes Bites Into Anime Fandom with ‘One Piece’ Collaboration
Popeyes announced its first anime partnership, teaming with Toei Animation’s One Piece. The collaboration launches a limited‑time menu named after the Straw Hat crew, exclusive bento‑box packaging and merchandise available in select U.S. markets. The move targets Gen Z, leveraging the...
CEA Alliance Publishes Second Edition of Food Safety Guidelines for Leafy Greens
The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Alliance has released a second edition of its Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for leafy greens and herbs. The revision reflects rapid advances in risk understanding, new traceability and agricultural‑water regulations, and the latest scientific...
The Magnum Ice Cream Co. Adds Candy Bar-Inspired Desserts
Magnum Ice Cream Co. is rolling out two new candy‑bar‑inspired ice cream bars in partnership with The Hershey Company. The line features a Reese’s‑style bar made with peanut‑butter ice cream, real Reese’s peanut butter and crunchy peanut pieces, and an...
A New Appetite for Dairy
Dairy is entering a premium‑focused era where consumers seek indulgent, functional, and authentic experiences. Brands are upgrading textures, layering flavors, and adding global inspirations to ice cream, cheese, and beverages. At the same time, health‑driven demands for protein, satiety, and...
Tuscany’s Share of the Fine Wine Market Grows, as Its Index Stabilises
Liv‑ex data shows the Italy 100 index staying stable while the broader fine‑wine market declines, with a 0.6 % rise in January making it the only Liv‑ex benchmark to gain. Tuscany’s share of the index grew, driven by Super‑Tuscans such as Masseto...
Conagra Brands Appoints Former JM Smucker Exec John Brase as CEO
Conagra Brands announced that John Brase, former president and COO of JM Smucker, will assume the role of president and CEO on June 1, succeeding Sean Connolly. Brase brings more than 35 years of consumer‑goods experience, including senior positions at Procter & Gamble. The company...
Aksia’s Fornaio Del Casale Strikes Trio of Food Deals
Fornaio del Casale, now owned by private‑equity firm Aksìa, has completed three add‑on acquisitions—Castelfood, Figulì and Dolciaria Ponte Vecchio—creating the new Equipe Del Casale Group. The combined entity will generate roughly €85 million ($99 million) in revenue and is targeting 10% growth...
Albanian Tomato Prices Rise to US$8.40 per Kg
Albania’s tomato market has seen a sharp price surge, with cherry tomatoes reaching $8.40 per kilogram and standard varieties climbing to $3.70‑$4.65 per kilogram. The increase follows flood‑induced damage to greenhouse areas, reduced planting acreage, and higher input costs, which...
Argentine Lemon Outlook: Climate Challenges Meet Strong Market Demand
Argentina’s lemon season is underway but heavy rains in January and March have damaged farm roads, delaying harvests by up to two weeks. Despite the logistical setbacks, growers expect production to be stronger than last year, bolstered by a dry...
David Beckham’s Supplement Brand Is Doing $10 Million A Month. The Secret Goes Beyond Just Celebrity.
David Beckham and biotech entrepreneur Danny Yeung launched the IM8 supplement brand in November 2024, quickly reaching $120 million in annual recurring revenue and $10 million in monthly sales. The company relies on rigorous scientific testing, a high‑profile advisory board, and a direct‑to‑consumer model...
Why Execution Gaps, Not Technology, Are Draining Food Manufacturers
Food manufacturers have widely adopted digital quality tools, yet many still rely on manual record‑keeping and fragmented workflows. SafetyChain labels the hidden cost of this misalignment as the “Invisible QA Tax,” where teams spend hours reconciling data instead of acting...
Kraft Launches Restaurant-Style Mac and Cheese
Kraft Heinz unveiled the Mac & Cheese Restaurant Edition, a new line that pairs familiar instant‑mac convenience with restaurant‑style flavors and premium pasta shapes. The range launches with three varieties—Parmesan Pesto, Romano Cacio e Pepe, and Monterey Jack Caramelized Onion—each...
How to Confidently Forecast Costs in Food and Beverage Procurement
Fastmarkets released a free Forecasting with Confidence Playbook that showcases how independent market intelligence can help food‑and‑beverage (F&B) procurement teams anticipate packaging and ingredient price swings. The piece highlights that global volatility—driven by geopolitical conflict and energy shocks—often leads suppliers...
Greggs Sets Sights on Net Zero Energy by 2030
Greggs, the UK’s leading bakery chain, announced a commitment to achieve net‑zero Scope 2 emissions from energy use by 2030. The company highlighted that it has already reduced its emissions intensity by more than half since 2019 through renewable energy adoption...
Amrut Names Exclusive US Importer
Amrut Distilleries has appointed Brooklyn‑based PM Spirits as its exclusive U.S. importer, effective May 1, replacing Glass Revolution Imports which introduced the brand a decade ago. PM Spirits, already Amrut’s New York distributor, will now handle national distribution across the United...
Global Brands Taps Into Higher-ABV RTDs
Global Brands has introduced Quadz, a vodka‑based ready‑to‑drink (RTD) line featuring four 18.8% ABV flavours in 200 ml pocket bottles. The range targets Gen Z and Millennial consumers seeking value and on‑the‑go pre‑drink options. Quadz enters the fastest‑growing higher‑ABV RTD sub‑category, a...
The SB Podcast: Why Distribution Needs a Shake-Up
Eoin Bara, founder of Tipple, argues that spirits brands must generate demand before chasing distribution. After burning out selling his own Mór Irish Gin, he created Tipple, a digital platform that lets brands sell directly to consumers and businesses while...
The US Small Town Coffee Shop that Created a Viral Drink: ‘I Still Don’t Understand How It Went so Far’
Little Joy Coffee in Northfield, Minnesota sparked a global craze with its raspberry danish latte, a seasonal $8 drink whose recipe was released for free. The open‑source approach generated a map of participating cafés that now spans every continent except Antarctica...
Iran Conflict: The 5 Biggest Pressure Points for Food and Beverage
Weekend peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without an agreement, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel and prompting a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. The spike in oil costs is inflating freight rates for ocean‑borne cargoes...