Egg Market Gives Cal-Maine ‘Real-Time Test’
Cal‑Maine Foods, the United States’ largest egg producer, is facing a real‑time market test as egg prices spike and supply chains tighten. The company reported a 15% price increase in its core egg portfolio, driven by rising feed costs and shifting consumer demand toward protein‑rich products. To manage volatility, Cal‑Maine accelerated its inventory monitoring and adjusted production schedules across its 30+ facilities. Analysts view the response as a barometer for broader protein market resilience amid inflationary pressures.
New Nielsen Program Delivers Data Sooner
Nielsen has launched a new data‑delivery program that shortens the reporting cycle for consumer‑goods metrics, delivering insights up to 50% faster than its legacy system. The accelerated timeline gives food manufacturers and retailers near‑real‑time visibility into sales, pricing and shopper...
Hertzog Meat Opens New Processing Plant
Family‑owned Hertzog Meat Co. opened Hertzog South, a new processing and retail facility in Butler, Missouri, creating 22 jobs. The plant expands protein processing capacity for beef, pork and chicken and adds sliced, marinated and ready‑to‑cook product lines. The multi‑million‑dollar...
What’s Driving the Global Dairy Boom?
The global dairy market hit a record‑high in 2025 as milk production surged across every major region, driven largely by unprecedented growth in the United States. U.S. herd size swelled to roughly 9.6 million cows, supporting a 2 % annual increase in...
Sourdough Bread Benefits May Come From Specific Fiber
Scientists at Vrije Universiteit Brussel discovered that the acidic environment of sourdough activates wheat enzymes, breaking down arabinoxylan fibers. The conversion turns water‑extractable arabinoxylans into water‑unextractable forms, altering dough texture and digestibility. Specific bacteria, such as Lactococcus lactis and Limosilactobacillus...
Contour Ridge Investment Scaling Just Date
Just Date, a maker of organic date‑sweetened products, has secured an undisclosed investment from private‑equity firm Contour Ridge to accelerate its growth. The partnership will fund expanded retail distribution, new product launches, and a major food‑service rollout, including placements at...
CK Snacks Acquires Keystone Food Products
CK Snacks, the private‑label snack arm of Cheeze Kurls LLC, announced the acquisition of Keystone Food Products, a Pennsylvania‑based manufacturer of tortilla chips, corn chips and other snack varieties. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will keep Keystone’s...
Chobani Doubling Down on La Colombe’s Growth
Chobani is committing $567 million to expand La Colombe’s Norton Shores, Michigan plant, adding more than 200,000 square feet of production capacity. The move follows its 2023 $900 million acquisition of the specialty coffee brand and reflects a broader rollout that includes a $500 million upgrade of...
Hormel Highlights Five Pizza Trends
Hormel Foods identified five pizza trends to watch in 2026, ranging from hyper‑specific spicy toppings to innovative crusts. The company highlighted regional chilies like Calabrian, the rise of brisket as a premium topping, a surge in meat‑heavy options, a 98 %...
McCormick in Talks to Acquire Unilever’s Food Business
McCormick & Company is reportedly in advanced talks to purchase Unilever's global food business, a deal that could combine two of the world’s largest flavor and seasoning portfolios. The transaction, still confidential, is expected to be valued in the high‑hundreds...
Beef Tallow Is Trending
The 2025‑2030 Dietary Guidelines now list beef tallow alongside olive oil as an acceptable cooking fat, sparking a rapid industry response. Steak ’n Shake announced nationwide use of tallow for its fries and launched a retail line at NPEW, while dozens...
Slideshow: Protein-Packed Innovations
The Food Business News slideshow spotlights a wave of protein‑packed innovations across the snack and beverage sectors. Mondelez is positioning protein bars as its next major growth platform, while Throne Sport Coffee secured $10 million to accelerate its expansion. Coca‑Cola outlined...
Canadian Rice Producer to Build First US Facility
A leading Canadian rice producer announced plans to construct its first processing facility in the United States, targeting the Midwest market. The $55 million plant, slated for construction in Arkansas, will have an annual capacity of 120,000 metric tons and create...
Chomps Adds Chicken Sticks
Chomps, the plant‑based snack pioneer, announced the launch of chicken sticks, its first animal‑protein snack. The new product is positioned as a high‑protein, low‑carb option for on‑the‑go consumers. Initial distribution will hit major U.S. grocery chains and select convenience stores....
Once Upon a Farm Launches New Products
Once Upon a Farm, the organic baby‑food brand, unveiled three new product lines in April 2026, expanding its portfolio with plant‑based fruit and vegetable blends. The launches feature 100% recyclable, BPA‑free packaging and are slated for nationwide distribution through a...
Nature’s Path Undergoes Brand Refresh
Nature’s Path, the organic breakfast cereal leader, announced a comprehensive brand refresh in April 2026. The overhaul includes a modernized logo, updated packaging designs, and a renewed visual identity emphasizing sustainability and clean‑label transparency. The company also introduced a refreshed...
Utz Brands Debuts New Protein Snacks
Utz Brands announced the launch of a new line of high‑protein snacks, expanding its portfolio beyond traditional salty crackers. The debut includes three flavors—spicy, cheddar, and sea‑salt—each delivering 10‑12 grams of protein per serving. The products are rolling out in...
New Kroger CEO Foran: ‘We Need to Grow Sales Faster’
Greg Foran, former Walmart U.S. CEO, took the helm at Kroger in February 2026, pledging to accelerate top‑line growth. In fiscal 2025 Kroger posted adjusted earnings per share of $4.85, beating Wall Street forecasts, while net sales edged up 0.4%...
Fiber Trending Forward
The food‑and‑beverage sector is accelerating its focus on fiber as a growth catalyst, with major players launching or expanding high‑fiber product lines. Mondelez is eyeing the snack‑bar category as a new platform for fiber‑rich offerings, while Throne Sport Coffee secured...
HeyNu Launches Flagship Protein Bars
HeyNu, a nutrition‑focused startup, has unveiled its flagship line of protein bars aimed at health‑conscious consumers. The bars deliver 20 grams of protein per serving, use plant‑based, sustainably sourced ingredients, and debut in three flavors across nationwide retail channels. The launch...
Regenerative Agriculture Benefits Crops and Biodiversity
Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction as a climate‑friendly farming model that simultaneously boosts crop yields and restores biodiversity. Farmers adopting cover crops, reduced tillage, and diversified rotations report higher soil organic matter and resilience to extreme weather. Recent field trials...
New Leadership Structure Set for Ferrero Group
Ferrero Group unveiled a revamped leadership structure aimed at accelerating global growth and innovation. Giovanni Ferrero will remain Executive Chairman while a newly created Chief Operating Officer role will be filled by longtime executive Pietro Ferrero. The reorganization consolidates the...