“We Need to Understand the ‘Why’” – Valio Innovation VP Talks Protein, GLP-1 and AI
Valio’s innovation chief, Dr. Kevin Deegan, says the dairy co‑op is riding a surge in protein demand while eyeing the emerging influence of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. The company splits its focus 65:35 between value‑added consumer goods and ingredient sales, leveraging its Profeel protein line and plant‑based Oddlygood range. Valio’s R&D hub employs about 130 scientists and collaborates with over 200 external partners to accelerate product development, including cell‑based and bioactive milk extracts. AI tools are now used to fuse data streams, spot trends and prototype ideas, aiming to free staff for creative work.
European Fresh Produce Shifts Sustainability Toward Costs
European fresh‑produce companies are moving sustainability from a branding exercise to a cost‑control imperative. 2026 priorities now focus on measurable variables such as yield stability, batch quality, shrink, packaging expenses and verifiable environmental data. Soil degradation alone costs the...
Tomatoes From Malaga Cost Nearly 3 Euros per Kilo at Origin
Tomato prices in Málaga’s greenhouse sector have surged to about €3 per kilogram, roughly $3.25, a record high. The Andalusian Price and Market Observatory reported average prices over €2/kg, nearly double the previous season and three times the first half...
Slurrp Farm Taps Into the Everyday Struggle Behind School Tiffins
Slurrp Farm, the millet‑based children’s food brand, launched a Back to School campaign featuring a short film that dramatizes parents’ daily worry about unfinished tiffins. The ad follows seven‑year‑old Kabeer’s chaotic morning and shows his mother packing Slurrp Farm Millet...
Harviestoun Kicks Off Brewery Expansion with Six-Figure Investment
Harviestoun, the Alva‑based brewery, is injecting over £0.5 million (≈$640,000) into a first‑phase expansion that adds a new warehouse, office space and brewing upgrades. The move will bring storage and logistics back onto the site, aiming to double output from just...
Wealth Managers Forecast ‘Historic Surge’ in Fine Wine Demand Amid ‘Great Wealth Flight’
WineCap’s 2026 Wealth Report finds 97% of wealth managers expect fine‑wine demand to rise, marking the highest confidence in the study’s four‑year history. The market has recovered from a prolonged downturn, with bid‑offer spreads tightening and liquidity returning across key...
Little Debbie Enters Premium Cookie Segment
McKee Foods has launched Little Debbie Soft Baked Cookies, a new premium, portable snack line under its iconic brand. The 3‑ounce, individually wrapped cookies come in Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter varieties, offering a moist, bakery‑style texture. Positioned as a...
Little Caesars VP of Franchise Development Talks Brand Growth, Solid Operations
Little Caesars’ vice president of franchise and business development, Bryan Ketelhut, discussed the brand’s growth strategy on the Pizza Marketplace Podcast. He highlighted the company’s long‑standing focus on value, quality and convenience, anchored by the Hot‑N‑Ready model launched more than...
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite Launches Sugar Free Cookies Range
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite introduced a Sugar Free Cookies range, offering Choco Nut and Hazelnut & Oats variants that are protein‑rich, trans‑fat‑free and priced at ₹100 (≈$1.20) per 100‑gram single‑serve pack. The launch aligns with growing demand for healthier snacking in India. Meanwhile,...
South African Beer Industry Drives Sustainability Amid Climate Challenges
South Africa’s beer sector is embedding sustainability into its value chain, from locally sourced barley to water‑stewardship projects that restore Western Cape catchments. Major brewers such as SAB and Heineken are investing in resource‑efficient technologies, circular packaging, and low‑alcohol products...
Young Shoppers Turn to Food and Drink to Kick Start the Anti-Ageing Process, Ocado Retail Reveals
Ocado Retail’s latest research shows that 64% of British consumers aged 16‑34 now prioritize longevity when shopping, the highest rate among all age groups. This shift is driving strong sales growth in fibre‑rich meals (+187% YoY), gut‑health drinks such as...
GDK Brings in Former Chipotle and Costa Executive as Chair
German Doner Kebab (GDK) has appointed former Chipotle and Costa Coffee executive Jim Slater as Chair and Non‑Executive Director to accelerate its UK and international expansion. Slater helped grow Chipotle to more than 3,500 restaurants and led Costa Coffee into...
Fermtech Secures £2.5m Backing to Scale Production of Cocoa Made From Crop Waste
Oxford‑based biotech start‑up Fermtech announced a £2.5 million seed investment to accelerate its sustainable cocoa powder made from crop waste. The funding will be used to scale manufacturing facilities and expand market reach as climate‑driven supply constraints push chocolate prices higher....
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Hits 2.7m Visits in 2025
Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail welcomed 2.7 million visitors in 2025, matching its 2024 record and surpassing the 2023 figure of 2.5 million. The influx, driven largely by out‑of‑state tourists, generated average per‑trip spending of $600‑$1,400 and reinforced the trail’s $10.6 billion economic contribution to...
Bristol’s Beloved Mocha Mocha Coffee House Announces Nationwide Franchise Launch
Independent Bristol café Mocha Mocha Coffee House announced a nationwide franchise programme, opening its proven concept to entrepreneurs across the UK. The brand will offer comprehensive training, site‑selection assistance and supplier networks to maintain its high‑quality coffee and community‑focused experience....
Oscar Mayer Unveils First Bacon Innovation in Five Years with Maple Bourbon Bacon
Oscar Mayer has introduced its first bacon innovation in five years, unveiling Maple Bourbon Bacon cured with Evan Williams bourbon and finished with a 12‑hour slow smoke. The thick‑cut, maple‑kissed slices blend vanilla‑caramel notes from barrel‑aged bourbon, targeting the surge in...
Belgian Whisky Distillery Seeks Buyer
The Owl Distillery in Belgium, founded in 2004, is being liquidated and all assets are up for auction on the Auctim platform. The sale includes a fully operational production facility capable of one million litres per year, original copper pot...
MGP Halts Production at Kentucky Distilleries
MGP Ingredients announced a temporary halt to distilling at its Limestone Branch and Lux Row facilities in Kentucky, affecting 33 employees, as the U.S. whiskey market remains structurally oversupplied. The pause, effective May 1, could last up to 12 months while...
Shared Spirit Brings ‘Different Approach’ to Whisky Festivals
Shared Spirit, a culture‑led whisky festival, will debut in London on 6 June at St Mary’s Church, Primrose Hill. Designed for “people who don’t do whisky festivals,” the event replaces traditional hierarchy with a relaxed fair‑like atmosphere featuring small pours, food, music,...
New Reports Spotlight Persistent Food Safety Risks From Produce
Federal food safety agencies released two new reports showing fresh produce still drives most foodborne illness outbreaks. FDA’s CORE report logged ten public health advisories in 2024, including a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to carrots and a listeria outbreak...
Natural Grocers Adds Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs To Private Label Line
Natural Grocers has introduced Regenerative Organic Certified pasture‑raised eggs to its private‑label line, sold in 12‑count cartons. The eggs meet the retailer’s Gold Standard egg ranking and carry both Regenerative Organic and Certified Humane designations. Sourced from small family farms...
JonnyPops Expands to Canada
JonnyPops announced its official launch in Canada, partnering with major retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Save‑On‑Foods, Nature’s Fare Market, City Avenue Market, and select Costco locations. The company will roll out its organic, vegan, gluten‑free frozen pops nationwide, with...
The Best Restaurant in America Is a Full-On Caribbean Party
Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers Awards named Kabawa in New York City the best restaurant in America. Chef Paul Carmichael, a Barbados native, transforms fine dining into a vibrant Caribbean celebration, from tamarind pod palate cleansers to a three‑course tasting...
La Vieja Fábrica Grows Presence in UK Supermarkets
La Vieja Fábrica, the premium Sevillian marmalade brand, is expanding its UK supermarket footprint by adding its Fine Cut, Thick Cut and St Clements varieties to Asda shelves. The rollout begins the week of 6 April and is supported by a focused...
Deep Eddy Vodka to Shut Second Distillery and Tasting Room
Heaven Hill Brands announced that its Deep Eddy Vodka distillery and visitor centre in Dripping Springs, Texas, will close this summer after a $6 million expansion. The site will be sub‑leased to another vodka producer beginning August 1, 2026, while production remains at...
Abbey Lands Distillery Planned for 2027
Whitby Distillery is launching a second equity campaign to raise £200,000 (US$268,660) for its new Abbey Lands Distillery, a destination site beside Whitby Abbey. The new venue will feature a visitor experience, tasting bar and the brand’s first small‑batch coastal...
The Debate: Should We Scrap the ‘Table Tax’?
The City Am debate pits two camps over England’s pavement licence system, dubbed the ‘table tax’, which charges restaurants to place tables and chairs on sidewalks. Fees vary dramatically, from £0 to £1,400 (about $1,800) annually, with new licences costing up...
Ukiyo Partners with The Ivy Asia for Sakura Season
Japanese spirits brand Ukiyo has teamed with upscale restaurant group The Ivy Asia to launch a sakura‑season cocktail activation across its UK venues until May 31. The partnership features five Ukiyo‑based drinks, co‑crafted with Fever‑Tree mixers, and a seasonal food menu...
Panera Rolls Out New Salad Stuffer Menu Category
Panera Bread introduced a new "Salad Stuffer" menu category, offering two system‑wide variants – the Steakhouse and Santa Fe – that combine fresh salads with a soft, one‑hand roll. Prices range from $8 to $13, and the items sit between the...
Protein Quality Confusion Opens Door For Innovation
The International Food Information Council’s latest survey shows Americans are actively seeking protein, but their definition of “protein quality” diverges from scientific standards. While 40% associate high‑quality protein with taste and 45% focus on total protein content on packaging, technical...
How La Copine's Founders Left L.A. to Build a Culinary 'Oasis' In the Desert
La Copine, the desert‑side restaurant founded by former Los Angeles chefs Nikki Hill and Claire Wadsworth, is releasing a new cookbook, *La Copine: New California Cooking from an Oasis in the Desert*, on April 28. The book translates the restaurant’s seasonal, desert‑inspired dishes—ranging from...
Kroger Brings Its Near-Expired Food to Flashfood App in 100-Plus Stores
Kroger is expanding its partnership with the Flashfood app to more than 100 stores across the Mid‑Atlantic, turning near‑expiration groceries into discounted items for shoppers. The pilot in Richmond, Virginia diverted over 320,000 pounds of food that would have been...
Alcohol E-Commerce Misses US$40bn Opportunity
A new survey by DRINKS reveals a $40 bn gap between how U.S. consumers discover alcohol brands and their ability to purchase them online. Social media now drives 63% of purchases among 21‑34‑year‑olds, yet 70% say they cannot buy directly where...
Ghana Launches Blue Food Innovation Hub, Aiming to Drive Innovation, Spur Private Investment in Aquaculture
Ghana has inaugurated Africa’s first Blue Food Innovation Hub in Accra, partnering with the World Economic Forum and overseen by the Ghanaian Chamber of Aquaculture. The hub will convene researchers, investors, policymakers and startups to share best practices, cut post‑harvest...
Hiya Brings Kids Chews and Greens Powder to UK Parents
Hiya, the US‑based kids‑vitamin brand acquired by USANA for $260 million, has rolled out three sugar‑free product lines in the United Kingdom: a chewable multivitamin, a chocolate‑flavoured greens‑and‑superfoods powder, and a Biotic+ probiotic formula. The range is dietitian‑formulated, free of added...
KFC India Launches Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap with New Campaign
KFC India has introduced the Crispy ShaWOWrma Wrap, a shawarma‑inspired chicken wrap, through a new advertising campaign starring actress Priyamani and influencer Ashlesha Thakur. The 30‑second film depicts a mother‑daughter exchange about when to eat, turning a hesitant "naa" into...
Rémy Cointreau Launches Three-Year Plan to Revive Growth
French spirits group Rémy Cointreau unveiled a three‑year RC Forward plan aimed at restoring profitability, especially in its struggling Cognac division. The strategy emphasizes margin improvement, operational streamlining, and a new Prestige Division for premium brands like Louis XIII. CEO Franck Marilly said the...
Independent Pubs Could Vanish by 2041
New research by Simply Business, using ONS data, predicts that independent pubs and bars in the UK could disappear by 2041 if current decline rates continue. The study places pubs third on its Endangered High Street List, alongside shoe shops...
Just Eat and Starship Technologies Launch Delivery Robots in Barnsley
Just Eat and Starship Technologies have launched a pilot of self‑driving delivery robots in Barnsley, the UK’s first government‑designated “tech town.” The service will operate in four neighbourhoods—Carlton, Athersley, Monk Bretton and Lundwood—covering roughly 11,000 households. The robots aim to replace...
Abundant Drug Resistance Genes in Retail Foods Pose ‘Significant Public Health Concern,’ Researchers Find
Researchers from the University of Tennessee, FDA and University of Illinois used metagenomic sequencing and qPCR to map antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in retail cabbage, lettuce, chicken legs and deli meats across Memphis. All samples harbored diverse ARGs, with multidrug...
Oceana: Nearly 40 Percent of Fish Sold in Mexico Has Been Substituted for Cheaper Species
A new Oceana report reveals that 38% of fish sold in Mexico are mislabeled, substituting cheaper species for premium ones. Genetic testing of 1,262 market and restaurant samples showed mislabeling rates far above the 20% global average reported by the...
Benchmark Wine Group Posts Record First Quarter
Benchmark Wine Group announced its best first‑quarter performance in 24 years, with Q1 2026 sales up roughly 14% versus the same period in 2025, setting a new quarterly record. The growth was driven by heightened demand for rare Bordeaux, white...
Livermore Valley Winemakers Vote for Two-Grape Strategy
Winegrowers in California’s Livermore Valley have voted to focus on two signature grapes—Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc—replacing much of the existing Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay plantings. The decision follows a UC Davis study highlighting the varieties’ fit to local climate,...
Matcha Mania: The Latest Wave of Green Tea NPD
Alpro has introduced the UK’s first ready‑to‑drink matcha made with a soy‑coconut base, priced at £2.75 (≈$3.5) per litre and now stocked in Sainsbury’s. PerfectTed expanded its oat‑based matcha latte line with blueberry and original flavours, taking the brand to...
East Forged Wins Global Innovation Award
Australian beverage startup East Forged was named Best Drink Innovation at the World Food Innovation Awards in London, a competition that attracted more than 100 entries from 28 countries, including giants like Coca‑Cola and PepsiCo. The brand’s nitrogen‑infused, cold‑brew tea—free of...
How RML Machinery’s Automation Solutions Deliver ROI for FMCG Manufacturers
Australian fast‑moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturers are turning to automation as margins tighten and customer expectations rise. RML Machinery offers end‑to‑end production automation—from cartoning and palletising to robotic assembly and modular conveyors—designed to boost throughput, cut waste and improve safety....
FDA Extends Deadline as Hidden Gluten Puts Regulatory Fine-Tuning Under the Spotlight
The FDA has extended its Request for Information on gluten labeling and cross‑contact to April 22 2026, inviting broader industry and consumer input. Current rules cap gluten at 20 ppm for a "gluten‑free" claim, yet hidden sources and inconsistent cross‑contact disclosures leave many...
Tim Tam Unveils Iced Vovo-Inspired Biscuit
Arnold's has introduced a limited‑edition Tim Tam biscuit inspired by the classic Iced VoVo, a wheat shortbread first sold in 1906. The new product blends Tim Tam’s chocolate coating and biscuit layers with the Iced VoVo’s signature raspberry jam and coconut topping....
South Korean Restaurant Giant Bonjuk Quietly Enters Australia – Plans Expansion
South Korean porridge chain Bonjuk, which operates over 2,000 locations in Korea, opened its first Australian restaurant in Sydney’s Haymarket. The launch was carried out directly by parent company Bonworld rather than through a franchise partner. Bonworld’s head of global...
Bite-Sized Dairy: Award-Winning Belgian Candy Butter Eyes Global Stage
Plaquette’s bite‑sized “candy” butters won the Gulfood Innovation Award at the 2026 Dubai show, praised for their waste‑free packaging and sustainability. The hand‑packed portions are produced by workers, including those with disabilities, creating social impact. The line spans sweet and...