Study Evaluates Pathogen Reductions on Microgreens Treated with UV-C
A recent MDPI Foods study examined post‑harvest ultraviolet‑C (UV‑C) treatment on sunflower and radish microgreens inoculated with Salmonella, STEC and Listeria. Bidirectional exposure at 10 cm for 120 seconds achieved the greatest reductions—up to 3.1 log for Salmonella, 3.0 log for STEC and 2.0 log for Listeria. Efficacy declined with greater distance and unidirectional exposure, and pathogen levels rebounded during 14‑day refrigerated storage. The authors conclude UV‑C can lower microbial loads but must be paired with other safety measures.
Just Launched: Nestlé Nesquik Plus Battle of the Meat-Free Steaks…
A wave of UK product launches underscores the FMCG sector’s shift toward indulgent yet health‑focused innovation. All Things introduced a low‑fat cottage cheese projected to generate over £4 million (≈$5.1 million) in sales, while Redefine Meat unveiled a plant‑based flank steak that...
European Plant-Based Market Hits €16.3BN
European plant‑based food and drink sales hit roughly $17.8 bn in 2024‑25, representing just 2.4% of the overall market. Growth of 5.1% year‑on‑year is led by nuts and seeds, which make up 45% of category value, while flexitarian consumers now account...
Glasgow 2026 Names JUBEL as Beer Partner of Commonwealth Games
Glasgow 2026 has appointed JUBEL as the official beer partner for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, adding the brand’s fruit‑infused lagers to the beverage lineup alongside Tennent’s and Tennent’s Zero. The deal expands a growing sponsor ecosystem that already includes Coca‑Cola,...
Shrinkflation Shock: US Report Shows Stark Rise in True FMCG Prices
A new InvestorsObserver study finds U.S. shoppers are paying roughly $741 more per year for the same staple foods compared with 2020, largely due to shrinkflation. Coca‑Cola’s 2‑liter bottle remains the cheapest per ounce, while its 7.5‑oz mini cans now...
Gov't Designates 145 Companies to Lead S. Korea's Food Exports
South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the selection of 145 leading and emerging companies for the Global Next K‑food Project, aimed at accelerating food exports. The initiative encourages large corporations to collaborate with SMEs to develop...
Finish Introduces Paper-Based Packaging for Dishwashing Tablets
Finish, Reckitt’s dishwasher detergent brand, has launched a paper‑based, kerbside‑recyclable pack for its tablet range. The new design is expected to cut up to 48 tonnes of plastic each year – roughly the weight of 1.8 million plastic water bottles. Development took...
Dare Launches Hazel-Nutty Flavour
Australian iced‑coffee brand Dare, part of Bega Group, has rolled out a limited‑edition Dare Charged Hazel‑Nutty. The new ready‑to‑drink can delivers 200 mg of caffeine and is brewed with 100 % Arabica beans. It targets the growing appetite for nutty coffee flavors...
Deliverect Launches AI Agents and Smart Assistants to Boost Restaurant Sales and Protect Digital Revenue
Deliverect has introduced Deliverect AI, a suite of autonomous agents and smart assistants that continuously rewrite digital menus, resolve technical issues, and launch themed promotions in minutes. The technology is live for UK clients and will roll out to Australia,...
Colruyt Group’s Fresh Produce Markets Cru Continue to Rack up Losses
Colruyt Group has recorded another €13.6 million ($14.8 million) loss at its Puur holding, which runs four Cru premium fresh‑food markets in Belgium. Since the concept launched in 2015, the retailer has poured roughly €55 million ($60 million) into the stores, yet each location...
West Asia Tensions Disrupt Indian FMCG Recovery for FY27-28: Report
Geopolitical conflict in West Asia is derailing the Indian FMCG sector’s anticipated recovery for FY27‑28. PhillipCapital now projects a median 3.3% earnings cut for FY27 and trims average P/E multiples by 7%, after the Nifty FMCG index slipped roughly 10%...
Can AI Really Sort the UPF Mess the Food Industry Is Facing?
Food‑tech startup WISEcode unveiled an AI‑driven app that grades foods on a spectrum from minimal to “super‑ultra” processed, positioning itself as a more nuanced alternative to the blunt NOVA classification. The move comes amid a regulatory vacuum, with the U.S....
Why Pip Edwards Is Backing the Business of Perimenopause
At 39, Australian entrepreneur Pip Edwards experienced the challenges of perimenopause and chose to back Biolae, a new women’s supplement brand, as a shareholder rather than a mere ambassador. Biolae is launching a suite of clinically validated products—including a hot‑flush...
How the US Rebuilt a Collapsed Fishery
The West Coast groundfish fishery, once declared a disaster in 2000, rebounded after stringent federal measures including quota cuts, trawling bans, and a 2010 catch‑share program that allocated individual permits. Scientific monitoring and stricter observer requirements helped depleted stocks, culminating...
Jauch’s Selection: Rethinking Earl Grey
Swiss entrepreneur Markus Zbinden’s Avantcha brand has launched a Green Earl Grey that tames the typical perfume‑like bergamot of classic blends, letting the green tea’s freshness shine through. The tea is priced at 19 CHF (about $21) per 100 g and is...
Why Asian Chain Pizza 4P’s Believes It Can Conquer New York
Pizza 4P’s, a Vietnamese‑Japanese artisanal pizza chain, is opening its first U.S. outlet in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, marking a bold entry into New York’s fiercely competitive pizza scene. The brand, founded in 2011 and backed by a $10 million minority investment from...
Burger King Misses the Mark in Vietnam
Burger King has shuttered all three of its Hanoi outlets and trimmed its footprint in Ho Chi Minh City to just three non‑airport locations, leaving only an airport store in the capital. The closures follow a decade‑long struggle to meet...
Kay’s Cuts: US Consumers Firing up the Summer Grill
The U.S. grilling season is kicking off as beef prices hit historic highs, with all‑fresh retail beef reaching $9.64 per pound and Choice‑grade climbing to $10.12 per pound in February. Ground beef surged 16% year‑over‑year to $6.90 per pound, while...
Proda Soda
Proda, co‑founded by wellness entrepreneur Matthew Postlethwaite and former Suja Juice CEO Jeff Church, has launched an all‑natural, protein‑infused soda. The drink comes in seven nostalgic‑modern flavors, each 12‑ounce can delivering 10 g of whey protein isolate, 3 g of fiber, zero...
Bering Sea Trawler Boarded and Investigated in Pollock-Counting Dispute
The U.S. Coast Guard, together with NOAA Fisheries, boarded the Bering Sea trawler Northern Eagle after detecting a large gap between the vessel’s pollock production records and its electronic logbook. Inspectors found the ship’s reported catch weight understated by 1,223 tonnes...
A Nostalgic Take On Reese’s Lunchtime Favourites
Reese’s has launched a limited‑edition Marshmallow Cup and revived the Strawberry PB&J Cup, both inspired by nostalgic lunch flavors. The new products feature the brand’s classic milk chocolate and peanut‑butter core with a marshmallow or strawberry filling. They are offered...
First-of-Its-Kind 24/7 Robotic Kitchen Doubles Peak Dining Capacity at WellSpan York Hospital in Just 400sf
WellSpan Health has launched Fresh Take Eatery, a 400‑sq‑ft AI‑driven robotic kitchen at its York Hospital. The system, built with RoboEatz and ABB Robotics, can operate 24/7, store 80 fresh ingredients and prepare hundreds of customized meals on demand. By...
In-N-Out's Owner Explains Why the Chain Is Not Chasing Private Equity, Delivery, or Mobile Orders
In a March conversation at Pepperdine University, Lynsi Snyder‑Ellingson reaffirmed In‑N‑Out’s commitment to its traditional model, rejecting private‑equity investment, delivery platforms, and mobile ordering. The chain continues its deliberate, slow expansion, recently opening stores in Tennessee—the 10th state—while keeping locations...
What We Can Learn From One Restaurant’s Quest to Cut Out Plastic
Chef Edward Lee used his DC restaurant SHIA as a test lab to eliminate all plastic from its kitchen, finding the transition financially manageable. After a year of analysis, the restaurant raised its tasting‑menu price by just $2 to cover...
Suntory Reintroduces Lucozade Energy Grafruitti
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I has permanently brought back Lucozade Energy Graffruitti in a zero‑sugar formulation after a wave of consumer petitions. The relaunch, supported by a roughly US$2.9 million marketing push, targets the summer season and rolls out in 500 ml...
CPMA to Present Paul Catania Jr. With 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award
Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) announced that Paul Catania Jr., president and CEO of Catania Worldwide, will receive its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor recognizes his more than five decades of leadership at the family‑owned produce firm, which dates...
Simply Good Foods Co (SMPL) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Simply Good Foods reported Q1 FY2025 net sales of $341.3 million, a 10.6% increase year‑over‑year, driven primarily by the recent OWYN acquisition. Gross margin improved to 38.2% and adjusted EBITDA rose 13.1% to $70.1 million, while cash flow from operations fell to...
Le Purée Taps Steph Claire Smith To Position The Brand As A Trusted Choice Via Willow & Blake
Le Purée has enlisted actress Steph Claire Smith as the face of its latest campaign, developed with branding agency Willow & Blake. The multi‑channel effort positions the baby‑food brand as a trusted, nostalgic yet modern choice for parents, highlighting real ingredients, whole foods,...
No Name Dishes Out ‘Grocery Goss’ in 2000s-Inspired Campaign
Loblaw’s No Name brand is rolling out a 2000s‑inspired “grocery goss” campaign that mimics tabloid journalism. The activation launches April 10‑12 with retro yellow newsboxes stocked with a free‑snack‑filled first edition of the tabloid in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. A digital hub...
Maestro Hospitality Redefines A’Mare with Addition of Casual Pizza Venue
Maestro Hospitality is expanding the a’Mare waterfront restaurant in Barangaroo with Pizza’Mare, a casual pizza and pasta venue, and the Vista’Mare aperitivo bar, set to open on April 22. The new mezzanine space will serve Neapolitan‑style pizzas baked in an...
This Pizza Trend Has Staying Power In 2026
Hormel Foods has identified Calabrian chilies as one of the top pizza trends for 2026, highlighting the pepper’s medium heat and sweet, bright flavor. The Italian‑origin chilies can be incorporated into sauce, infused oil, or placed as dollops on the...
Starbucks Debuts a New Drink to Take on Energy Brands
Starbucks launched Energy Refreshers nationwide on April 7, a fortified version of its Refreshers line that adds 75 mg more caffeine and B‑vitamins. The drinks, offered in six new flavors and a caffeine‑free option, are marketed as a natural‑caffeine alternative for the...
Swapping Processed Meat with Plant-Based Alternatives Boosts Health, Show Two Studies
Two UK studies from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that replacing processed meat with plant‑based analogues increases dietary fibre by 4‑6% and reduces saturated fat by about 6‑7%. Despite being classified as ultra‑processed, the evaluated plant‑based...
FreshCo to Open First Stores in Atlantic Canada
Empire Company’s discount banner FreshCo is entering Atlantic Canada with three new stores in the Halifax area. The first two locations – Lower Sackville on Cobequid Road and Bedford Place Mall – are slated for a late‑summer opening, while a third...
Kelli Valade of WFF on Why Leadership Development Is a Business Imperative for Foodservice
Kelli Valade, former CEO of Denny’s and Red Lobster, was named President and CEO of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) earlier this year, bringing decades of industry leadership to the nonprofit. Her appointment coincides with a growing industry focus on...
Sustainability Receding as Packaging Priority, Says McKinsey
McKinsey’s new 3,000‑word analysis finds sustainability in packaging losing momentum, with consumers ranking it among their bottom three purchase considerations. While the priority remains, growth is now confined to specific applications rather than across entire CPG portfolios. The study, based...
Corona Brewer Says Shoppers Are Going for Cheaper Beer and Wine, as It Gr...
Constellation Brands removed its fiscal 2028 outlook, citing an evolving socioeconomic backdrop and reduced near‑term visibility as consumers gravitate toward lower‑priced beer and wine. The company posted fourth‑quarter revenue of $1.92 billion, an 11% year‑over‑year decline but above analysts' $1.88 billion estimate,...
Thinking Outside the Box: FDA Human Foods Chief Talks MAHA Priorities for Supplement Modernization
Deputy Commissioner Diamantas told a Natural Products Association fireside chat that the FDA is intensifying its push to modernize dietary supplement oversight amid chronic‑disease concerns and limited resources. The agency, which regulates 80% of the U.S. food supply, is revisiting...
Global Survey Highlights Gaps and Opportunities in Food Safety Training
The Ninth Global Food Safety Training Survey of more than 3,000 sites reveals that most companies still rely on paper‑based or spreadsheet records, with only 21.5% using digital learning‑management systems. Adoption of advanced tools is low—just 10.2% employ VR/AR and...
The Bourbon Market Is Tanking. So Why Did the Maker of Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Just Spend $200 Million?
Despite a 15% drop in Kentucky whiskey exports and a wave of distillery bankruptcies, Heaven Hill announced a $200 million investment in a new Bardstown distillery. The facility can produce over 33,000 gallons per day and includes a live‑yeast propagation system....
Olo CEO Unpacks Vision for Second-Party Future
At its Beyond4 event in Phoenix, Olo CEO Noah Glass unveiled a “second‑party” ordering strategy anchored by the upcoming Olo App and Olo Network. The Olo App, slated for launch later this year, will charge no commission and give restaurants...
Marco's Pizza Signs 12&Unit Franchise Agreement for Southern California
Marco's Pizza has entered a 12‑unit franchise agreement with multi‑unit operator Baljit Gill to deepen its Southern California footprint. Gill, who already runs 21 Subway locations and an Auntie Anne's, currently operates three Marco's stores in Upland, Fontana and Hesperia,...
Chicken Salad Chick Expands in Lee County With Fourth Southwest Florida Location
Chicken Salad Chick is set to open a new restaurant at 1206 Solaris Drive in Cape Coral, Florida, on April 21. The site, featuring a drive‑thru, marks the brand’s third outlet in Lee County and its fourth in Southwest Florida. Franchisees...
Why a Ceasefire Won’t Cool Your Grocery Bill
The article argues that the recent cease‑fire‑driven oil price drop will not lower grocery bills because food prices are driven by oil market volatility, not momentary price levels. Since early January, WTI has swung from $55 to $116 per barrel,...
Reformulation Amidst Regulatory and Cost Challenges
Sysco announced a $29 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot, the nation’s largest wholesale food distributor to independent operators. Triumph Foods disclosed a $30 million expansion of its Missouri facilities to boost ready‑to‑eat protein lines. Tyson Foods will shutter its prepared‑foods plant in...
PepsiCo Brings Dirty Soda Trend to Shelves with Dirty Mountain Dew
PepsiCo has rolled out Dirty Mountain Dew and its Zero Sugar variant, a ready‑to‑drink take on the booming dirty‑soda craze. The beverages combine Mountain Dew’s signature citrus with a smooth, creamy finish and are available nationwide in 20‑ounce bottles and...
Calabro Cheese Unveils New Brand Identity
Calabro Cheese, a U.S. maker of Italian‑style fresh cheeses, unveiled a new brand identity in early 2026. The refresh introduces a new logo, the “The Art of Cheesemaking” payoff, updated packaging, and a redesigned website, built on consumer research. While...
Van Leeuwen and Guiness Team for Ice Cream at Whole Foods Market
Van Leeuwen and Guinness have launched the “Lovely Day for a Guinness” ice cream nationwide at Whole Foods, moving the stout’s flavor into a French‑style frozen dessert. The pint, priced at $7.99, blends Guinness stout notes with chocolate chunks and...
Carl’s Jr Franchisee Says California’s $20 Minimum Wage Led to Bankruptcy
Friendly Franchisees Corp., a major Carl’s Jr. franchisee in California, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing the state’s $20 minimum wage as a key factor. The wage hike, effective in 2024, increased operating costs while sales fell and marketing effectiveness declined. The...
Mamdani Is Cracking Down on Food Delivery App Junk Fees in NYC
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $875,000 settlement with food‑delivery platform HungryPanda for charging illegal junk fees to New York City restaurants. The deal will reimburse more than 380 eateries, primarily immigrant‑owned, and imposes fee‑disclosure and annual compliance requirements on the...