Grocers Need to Make Sure Stores Have Personality
The Food Industry Association (FMI) released its U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026 Report, revealing that shoppers still favor physical grocery stores despite growth in online channels. On average, consumers visit more than five grocery banners per month, seeking stores whose personality aligns with their preferences. FMI executives highlighted that distinct store personalities—whether entertainment‑focused or bargain‑oriented—boost loyalty, while shoppers cite control, confidence, and social value in in‑store purchases. Digital technology remains integral, with 77% of shoppers using it before shopping and 71% while in the aisle.
GLP&1 and Restaurants: Shifting Habits, Not Shrinking Demand
A recent National Restaurant Association survey finds roughly one in eight U.S. adults are using GLP‑1 medications, a figure that could climb to 40% as affordability improves. Despite appetite‑suppressing effects, GLP‑1 users dine out more frequently—averaging 7.6 visits per week...
Independent Grocers Make up Nearly 40% of US Food Retail Sales, Report Says
Independent grocers now generate over $353 billion in sales, representing more than 38% of the U.S. food‑retail market. Their sales have risen 39% since 2020, driving a total economic impact of $557.5 billion—about 2% of U.S. GDP. The National Grocers Association reports...
Sweet Proteins Gain Global Momentum with Latest Regulatory Win
Israeli food‑tech firm Amai Proteins has secured Singapore Food Agency approval for its precision‑fermented sweet protein, sweelin, following earlier GRAS clearance in the United States. The dual regulatory wins enable the company to launch sweelin across a broad range of...
Once Upon a Farm Soars as Parents Seek Healthier Kids’ Foods Despite Inflation
Once Upon a Farm, the children’s nutrition brand co‑founded by John Foraker and actress Jennifer Garner, reported a 44% year‑over‑year sales surge in Q1 despite inflationary pressures. The company raised its 2026 net‑sales outlook to $313‑$323 million, up from the prior...
Mosa Meat Joins APAC-SCA to Deepen Asia-Pacific Regulatory and Industry Ties
Netherlands‑based cultivated beef pioneer Mosa Meat has joined the Asia‑Pacific Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC‑SCA), bringing its decades‑long expertise to the region’s fast‑growing cellular‑agriculture network. The move gives Mosa a platform to engage regulators, investors and research partners as it...
Wild Idol Brings Alcohol-Free Sparkling to Leading Venues
Wild Idol is expanding its premium, naturally alcohol‑free Brut and Rosé sparkling range into top‑tier bars, restaurants, and hotels across the UK. The brand emphasizes a non‑fermented, never‑dealcoholized process that preserves fruit purity, positioning the drinks as a sophisticated alternative...
Sakura Sake Shop Launches Japan’s First Low-Carbon Sake
Sakura Sake Shop, in partnership with carbon‑management platform Zevero, has launched *作 for 2126*, Japan’s first low‑carbon sake. The 750 ml bottle cuts lifecycle emissions from 2.225 kg CO₂e to 1.559 kg CO₂e—a 30% reduction—through returnable glass, altered rice‑drying practices, and elimination of decorative packaging....
Penn Station Rebrands, Updates Menu as Franchise Expansion Accelerates
Penn Station East Coast Subs has rebranded as Penn Station Sandwiches, launching a new logo and brand identity while accelerating its franchise rollout. The fast‑casual chain introduced 9‑grain sliced‑bread sandwiches, bowl‑style servings, smaller cookies and revamped kids meals. With more than...
Ya Ya Foods Owner Gets State Funding to Build $56M Plant-Based Milk Facility in Michigan
The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $960,000 performance‑based grant and a five‑year tax exemption to support Fenton Food and Beverage, a new venture by Ya Ya Foods founder Yahya Abbas, in building a $56.2 million plant‑based milk factory. The facility, slated...
Dunkin' Is Bringing Its Viral Drink Buckets Nationwide (But Here's The Major Catch)
Dunkin' is rolling out its 48‑ounce Iced Beverage Bucket nationwide on May 22, 2024, after a successful New England test. Each location will stock only 25 buckets, priced at $12.99, and they will not be restocked once sold out. The bucket...
OAL Secures £5m to Deploy 1,000 Food & Beverage-Oriented Robotic Systems
Robotics specialist OAL has secured a £5 million Innovation Loan (≈$6.3 million) from Innovate UK to roll out over 1,000 fenceless robotic systems in the UK food and beverage manufacturing sector by 2030. The five‑year programme targets labour‑intensive tasks such as pick‑and‑place and...
Tate & Lyle Expands BioHarvest Deal to Develop Plant Cell-Cultivated Sweetener Range
Tate & Lyle and BioHarvest Sciences have broadened their joint development program to include a suite of plant‑cell‑cultivated sweetener molecules. The expansion leverages BioHarvest’s non‑GMO Botanical Synthesis platform, which produces high‑value compounds without growing whole plants. A 2025 Tate &...
Mood Enhancers and Munchies: The Science Behind Cannabis Cravings
Clinical studies now confirm that THC directly stimulates appetite and alters food reward through the endocannabinoid system. The cannabis edibles and beverage market, valued at roughly $28 bn, is expanding rapidly as younger shoppers cut back on alcohol and seek wellness‑focused...
Harnessing Underutilized Food Crops for Sustainable Extruded Snack Production: A Scoping Review
A new scoping review maps 42 peer‑reviewed studies (2000‑2026) that incorporate underutilized crops—quinoa, Bambara groundnut, orange‑fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), and sesame seed—into extruded snack products. The analysis catalogues ingredient forms, extrusion parameters, and outcomes such as expansion, density, texture, color,...
Silver Fern Farms Airlifts 90 Tonnes of Chilled NZ Meat to UAE in Supply Push
Silver Fern Farms air‑freighted 90 tonnes of chilled lamb and beef from Auckland to Abu Dhabi on a dedicated charter flight, marking its first full‑aircraft shipment. The cargo, handled by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, will be distributed by Al Tayeb, the meat division of...
Franchised Chain Gami Steps Into Supermarket Aisles with Coles Deal
Korean fried chicken chain Gami is expanding into fast‑moving consumer goods with an exclusive line of ‘fakeaway’ products sold at Coles. The partnership, nine months in the making, will see fried chicken and sweet chilli meals stocked in 475 selected...
U.S. CPG Manufacturers Are Sitting on Excess Capacity, Which Could Be a Boon for Brands
U.S. consumer‑packaged‑goods manufacturers are facing notable excess capacity, with roughly one‑tenth of factories operating more than half empty and a third leaving at least 31% of their lines idle. The surplus stems from aggressive expansion during a low‑interest, tax‑incentive period...
Beverage Innovations Bring Texture to Tipping Point
Hydrocolloids are emerging as the primary tool for achieving texture, stability, and mouthfeel in the fast‑growing functional and reduced‑sugar beverage market. Ingredients such as acacia gum, gellan, pectin, carrageenan and citrus fiber allow formulators to suspend proteins, rebuild viscosity lost...
Endless Food Co’s Bean-Free Chocolate Bags Major Distribution Deal in Denmark
Denmark’s foodservice distributor Dagrofa Foodservice has signed a nationwide distribution agreement with Copenhagen‑based startup Endless Food Co to supply its bean‑free chocolate alternative, THIC, to professional kitchens across the country. THIC is made from upcycled ingredients such as brewer’s spent...
KA-EX Launches RTD Creatine Beverage With Push-Cap Technology
Swiss supplement company KA-EX launched Creatine EAA+ Booster, the first ready‑to‑drink creatine beverage that avoids the common stability problem of creatine degrading into creatinine. The product uses patented VICAP push‑cap technology to keep a full clinical dose of Creapure creatine...
Is High-Protein the New Wave of Pasta?
Italian food brand Brami secured $33 million in Series B funding led by VM G Partners to accelerate its U.S. expansion. The company’s high‑protein, low‑carb pasta—featuring durum‑wheat semolina and lupini‑bean flour—offers 70% more protein, 25% fewer net carbs and triple the fiber of traditional...
Codex Moves to Adopt Standardized Precautionary Allergen Labeling, Kicks UPFs Can Down the Road
The 49th Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL49) in Ottawa recommended adopting standardized precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) guidelines, advanced multipack labeling provisions, and emergency flexible labeling guidelines, while rejecting a proposal to start work on ultra‑processed foods (UPFs). The PAL...
Mario Carbone on NYC’s Dining Problem and the Hotel Bill That Shocked Him
Chef Mario Carbone reflects on his rise from a single Manhattan hotspot to a global brand with ten locations spanning Miami, Las Vegas, Dubai, London, and Hong Kong. In the interview he recounts his first luxury hotel stay at Paris’s Le Meurice, the...
Gen Z, Millennials Seek Immersive Instore Bakery Experiences
Consumer research shows Gen Z and millennials are reshaping bakery retail, with in‑store bread purchases expected to rise to 54% of shoppers by 2025, up from 42% in 2023. Brands are responding by offering artisan, half‑loaf options and better‑for‑you claims...
From Mashups To Mochi: Most Innovative Sweets, Snacks Revealed
The Sweets & Snacks Expo unveiled the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards on May 18, highlighting 500 entries—the largest field ever. New top‑honor categories, the Trailblazer and Powerhouse Awards, replaced Best in Show and Small Business Innovator. Winners include...
Bag-in-Box Barista Oat From Minor Figures Gets Green Light for Automated Coffee Dispensing
UK plant‑based beverage brand Minor Figures has unveiled a 2 × 5 L Bag‑in‑Box Barista Oat designed for high‑volume coffee and hospitality settings. The oat milk, reformulated for gluten‑free coffee performance, received UberMilk’s approval for use in automated dispensing machines after testing in...
What Sustainability Looks Like in Olive Oil Today
Deoleo, the parent of Bertolli, Carapelli and Sasso, released its 2025 sustainability report showing that 79% of its plastic bottles are now recyclable and 98% of its production energy comes from renewables, avoiding over 135,000 tons of CO₂ since 2022. The...
Quest Joins Dill Pickle Trend with First New Protein Chip Flavor in 10 Years
Quest Nutrition unveiled two high‑protein additions: Dill Pickle Original Style Protein Chips and a Salted Caramel Protein Milkshake. The chips are the first new flavor for the Original Style line since its 2014 debut, delivering 19 g of protein and 4 g...
PLT Targets ‘Experiential Longevity’ with New Joint Health Ingredient
PLT Health Solutions announced a new Longevity Initiative that splits its focus between Cellular Longevity—mechanistic, biomarker‑driven solutions—and Experiential Longevity, which aims to deliver benefits consumers can feel now. The strategy, unveiled at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, targets younger buyers who...
This Food Tech Company Uses Yeast Fermentation to Cut Sugar in Fruit Juice by 30%
Austria Juice has launched a line of fruit juices that contain 30% less sugar, achieved through a patent‑pending yeast fermentation process. The reduced‑sugar juices qualify for the new "low‑sugar fruit juice" category under the EU Breakfast Directives, which take effect...
Beyond Protein: Why Wellness Platforms Are the Real Deal
Demand for high‑value whey protein remains strong, prompting manufacturers to pre‑lock supply for several quarters and sustain a price premium. To meet this demand, processors are investing heavily in expanding capacity, especially for high‑protein WPC80 and WPI streams, while lower‑grade...
European Expansion Through Replication: The Costly Regulatory Pitfall
European supplement firms often assume a uniform EU regulatory regime, only to encounter fragmented national rules that trigger costly relabeling, product withdrawals, and reputational damage. While Directive 2002/46/EC provides a common baseline, each Member State interprets tolerances, notification procedures, and ingredient...
Leerdammer Targets Growing Cheese Snacking Occasion with Mini Cubes Launch
Lactalis UK & Ireland is rolling out Leerdammer Mini Cubes, a bite‑sized cheese snack, in Morrisons starting 11 May. The 110 g resealable pack sells for £2.00 (about $2.55) and offers the brand’s mild, nutty flavor in a convenient cube format....
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods Expands National Broker Network, Appoints Drew Watts as Senior VP
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods announced a major expansion of its foodservice broker network, adding more than 200 in‑market representatives to cover all 50 U.S. states. The move targets key segments such as group purchasing organizations, multi‑unit operators, convenience...
Four New Flavoursome Spar Sandwiches Launched for Summer
Four new Spar sandwiches, featuring summer‑inspired flavors, hit UK shelves this week, expanding the retailer’s ready‑meal range. The launch coincides with a wave of product introductions across major UK supermarkets, including Doughlicious cookie dough at Asda, Gü’s Fondü desserts, Ferrero’s...
“Gut Health Is Just a Better Way of Eating” – Bio&Me’s Jon Walsh on Fibre Coming Back Into Fashion
Bio&Me, the UK‑based gut‑health food brand, announced sales now exceeding £20 m ($26.8 m), representing roughly 45% year‑on‑year growth. The company attributes the surge to rising repeat purchase rates—over 40% on its core lines—and expanding distribution in major supermarkets. New convenience formats...
South Korea’s Intake Unveils New Brand for Precision-Fermented Yeast Ingredients
South Korean food‑tech startup Intake has introduced Takein, a new B2B brand that markets its precision‑fermented yeast protein and fibre ingredients to food manufacturers. The brand leverages a grape‑derived, non‑GMO yeast strain that delivers 1.5 times more protein than conventional...
Pact Coffee and Waitrose Collaborate on New Coffee to Support Women Growers
British coffee roaster Pact Coffee and supermarket Waitrose are launching a new Colombia Single Origin blend on May 31, priced at £7.95 for a 200 g ground pack. The coffee is sourced exclusively from women‑led farms in the Mirtayu Women’s Group in...
Lactalis Introduces Limited-Edition Breaka Flavour
Lactalis Australia has launched a limited‑edition Breaka milk flavored after the classic Lamington cake, blending chocolate, coconut and sponge cake notes. The new offering expands the brand’s Breaka portfolio, which already includes chocolate and strawberry variants. The launch coincides with...
Elmhurst 1925 Moves Into RTD Protein With Clean-Label Shakes Launching at Sprouts
Elmhurst 1925 is entering the ready‑to‑drink protein market with its Clean Protein line, debuting exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market nationwide. The four‑flavor range delivers 27 g of plant protein, 190 calories and no more than three grams of sugar per bottle, priced...
After the Hype, Europe’s Foodtech Sector Is Rebuilding Around Fundamentals
Europe’s foodtech ecosystem is entering a pragmatic phase as startup funding slipped 25% to €3 bn (≈ $3.2 bn) in 2025, yet early‑stage capital remains steady, keeping the region at 28% of global foodtech investment. Investors are gravitating toward infrastructure‑heavy categories such...
How 3 CEOs of 2 Brands Have Thrived Through Challenges
At the National Restaurant Show, CEOs Randy Sharpe of Wahlburgers and Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily of The Granola Bar discussed how they navigated setbacks and found new growth paths. Wahlburgers closed 79 underperforming Hy‑Vee locations in early 2025, trimming...
The Indulgence Strategy: Why This Successful Protein Brand Wants to Change the Conversation
Wilde Brands, founded by Jason Wright, has scaled to 20,000 retail locations and posted a 994% three‑year growth, driven by its chicken‑based, high‑protein chips. As the protein snack market became saturated, Wright recognized that novelty fades and repeat purchases hinge...
Candy Aisle Is Turning Bold and Experimental
The candy aisle is undergoing a bold transformation as U.S. confectionery sales topped $55 billion in 2025, yet unit volumes dip under rising ingredient costs. Prices for impulse items have jumped from $1 to $2‑$3, prompting retailers to lean on premium...
Schweid & Sons Targets Convenience Demand with Seasoned Ground Beef
Schweid & Sons announced a new line of seasoned ground beef that will hit select retail shelves in May. The range includes Taco, Steakhouse, and Korean BBQ blends designed for quick meals like tacos, rice bowls, and skillet dishes. Company...
Texas Joins DOJ Antitrust Investigation Into Beef Processors
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on May 15 that his office will join the U.S. Department of Justice in an antitrust investigation of the nation’s largest beef processors. The probe follows a DOJ inquiry launched earlier in May that highlighted...
Lidl Launches Own Verified Sustainable Rice in UK First
Lidl announced that SRP‑verified sustainable rice is now available in all its UK stores, marking the first nationwide launch of a climate‑smart staple in the country. The rice meets the Sustainable Rice Platform’s 41 environmental and social criteria, promising lower...
Tossing Out the Sad Salad Recipe: How Instacart Is Tackling Healthy Eating Hurdles for Consumers and Retailers
Instacart Health is scaling partnerships with Wellabe, Medicaid managed‑care plans and Teladoc to deliver category‑specific grocery stipends, called Fresh Funds, to as many as 100,000 members this year. The Teladoc tie‑up lets members earn credits by completing health‑device checks and...
UK Retailer Marks & Spencer Launches Range of Vertically Farmed Salads
Marks & Spencer has introduced three exclusive, vertically‑farm‑grown salad varieties—Citrus Sorrel Baby Leaves, Spicy Baby Leaves and Baby Garlic Kale—available in its Food stores. The indoor farms use precise climate control, robotics and a soil‑free substrate, cutting water use by...