Protein: An Essential but Overhyped Macronutrient

While protein remains a top nutrition trend, health experts argue it’s often overhyped. Many Americans already get enough, and whole food sources may be healthier than processed protein products.

Cracker Barrel Straddles the Fence Between the Past and Future

Cracker Barrel is attempting to modernize its brand with sleeker decor, streamlined retail, and booze on the menu. CEO Julie Felss Masino faces the challenge of evolution without eroding identity.

Peeling Back the Layers of the Banana Coffee Trend

Banana milk is swinging into the coffee scene, turning nostalgic flavor into a retail phenomenon. Fueled by K-pop, global influence, and social media buzz, it’s reshaping what “comfort coffee” means for consumers.

Feel the Burn: Nuanced, Functional Spice Experiences on the Rise

Today’s consumers are seeking more nuanced, complex spice experiences – and brands are delivering them. For example, Arkay Beverages leverages capsaicin in its non-alcoholic spirits to replicate the kick of standard liquor, adding sensory thrills and functional perks to zero-proof cocktails in the process.

Senate Approves Bill Expanding Students’ Access to Plant-Based Milk

A new bipartisan bill approved by the Senate Ag Committee aims to expand access to plant-based milk in schools, offering relief to millions of lactose-intolerant students. If passed, it would require schools to provide non-dairy alternatives to students when requested by a parent, no doctor’s note needed.

Crunch Time: How Do Your Road Trip Snacks Stack Up?

Sour is trending, chocolate is complicated, and regional quirks abound: Kellanova’s new data reveals how generational tastes shape road-trip snacking – and what that means for category innovation. Nostalgia, “swalty,” and convenience drive the ride.

Purple Craze: Ube Moves from Filipino Tradition to Viral Trend

Once rooted in Filipino comfort food, ube is now infusing menus and retail shelves with color and cultural depth. F&B leaders are embracing it as both a flavor trend and storytelling vehicle.

Want to Boost Your Cognitive and Oral Health? Eat Blueberries.

Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and ward off chronic disease, but they barely scratch the surface of what blueberries have to offer. Here’s why dentists, doctors, and dietitians want consumers to eat more of them.

The Bear in the Room: Addressing the Foodservice Mental Health Crisis

The restaurant industry’s mental health crisis is finally in the spotlight, and Chef Chris Aquilino is leading the charge for change. Through advocacy, he’s helping kitchens shift from burnout to balance, one step at a time.

The Future Is Swalty: 3 TikTok Trends Reshaping Food Retail

Viral social media trends can often translate to real-time impacts for brands – and TikTok’s algorithmic pull is particularly strong.

Cream of the Crop: The Latest Heavy Cream Alternatives

Plant-based heavy cream alternatives are on the rise as food scientists develop more realistic, whip-ready options using oats, legumes, and oils. Chef Jason Wrobel of Switch4Good shared his take regarding the latest innovations and the science behind replicating the taste and texture of traditional heavy whipping cream.

Healthy Snacking with Diabetes

The growing demand for diabetes-friendly snacks presents a lucrative opportunity for the food industry to merge taste with nutritional balance. With consumers increasingly seeking blood sugar-friendly options, a new movement related to snacking has taken root.

2D Barcodes: What They Are and Why They Matter for F&B Companies

In this increasingly digital landscape, it’s become crucial for F&B companies to not only gather data but also to glean insights from it that they can leverage to stay ahead of the curve. Anyone who’s …

The State of Cultivated Meat: Nebraska, Indiana Approve Bans

On May 6, the state of Ind. approved a two-year ban of both the sale and manufacture of lab-grown meat products, and on May 14, a bill banning the distribution and sale of cultivated meat products in Neb. was signed into law. These measures align with similar laws passed in other states in recent years.

All Juice, No Sugar Crash: Raw Generation Debuts Little Sippers Line for Kids

By prioritizing both taste and nutrition, brands like Raw Generation are aiming to solve the age-old challenge of getting children to consume vegetables and setting the stage for nutrient-rich innovations.

Packaging Innovations Help F&B Brands Meet Sustainability Goals

As consumer demand for sustainable packaging increases, brands like Frugalpac and KIND Snacks are making bold moves to redefine industry standards, with Frugal Bottle’s rollout at Target and KIND’s curbside-recyclable wrapper pilot setting new benchmarks for eco-conscious innovation. Other brands are expected to follow their lead.

What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day in 2025

This year, moms are wishing for a “timeout” on Mother’s Day, with 44% of participants wanting someone else to plan the big meal in an OpenTable survey. The research also revealed that nearly a third of moms are considering dining out solo on Mother’s Day in 2025, reflecting an increased desire for “me time.”

Are American Consumers Ready for Alt-Seafood?

The alt-seafood sector has been rife with innovations – from alt-calamari to black cod. However, a wave of recent bankruptcies within the category suggests that consumer adoption rates haven’t quite kept up.

How F&B Companies Can Maximize Return on Tech Investments

Many F&B companies aren’t getting the results they desired from tech investments due to factors ranging from insufficient data to inadequate planning. Industry experts shared actionable strategies with FI to help companies resolve these issues.

People’s Union USA Kicks Off 7-Day Economic Blackout of General Mills

Recently, People’s Union USA began calling on consumers to boycott products from various businesses in protest of alleged social, economic, and environmental offenses. Monday, participating consumers kicked off a seven-day economic blackout of General Mills.

Study Shows Vegan Grocery Costs Vary Widely by State

A recent study by CashNetUSA analyzed the average cost of a basket of vegan groceries purchased at Walmart stores across the U.S. Its findings revealed significant discrepancies in both the affordability and accessibility of plant-based groceries among states.

The True Anti-Inflammation Diet, According to Research

Chronic inflammation has been associated with health issues ranging from anxiety and depression to heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Research reveals that the Mediterranean diet, which includes a large quantity of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like fish and olive oil, shows substantial promise in lowering inflammation markers.

Zebra Striping: Gen Z’s Strategy for Moderating Alcohol Intake

Gen Z is redefining alcohol consumption with “zebra striping,” a trend where individuals alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during social outings, effectively halving their intake while embracing a sober-curious mindset. This shift presents unique opportunities for F&B brands to innovate.

Open Sesame: Tahini Latte Searches Surge 900% on Yelp

After the Maman Salted Tahini Honeycomb Latte and Edith’s Tahini Frozen Cold Brew went viral on social media, Yelp searches for tahini coffee drinks soared. While the plant-based sesame seed paste has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries, lately tahini has been carving out a space for itself within the coffee category.

Top 5 Dealbreakers for Modern Diners

The 2025 American Diner Trends Report uncovered the top dealbreakers that deter diners, such as negative word-of-mouth, health inspection warnings, and long wait times. With distinct preferences emerging among Gen Z and older cohorts, the report illustrated how restaurants can win over consumers.

Alt-Meat Brands Address Pain Points Through Tech Integration

Innovative brands in the alt-protein space are combining multiple technologies to create better products. By integrating methods like precision fermentation and enzymatic cross-linking, these companies are solving major pain points in taste, texture, and affordability.

Brands Tap National Burrito Day to Enhance Loyalty Programs

With food-related holidays happening almost daily, brands are capitalizing on events like National Burrito Day (April 3) to drive sales, boost loyalty program engagement, and introduce gamified promotions. Restaurants from Chipotle to Taco Bell are taking advantage, rolling out limited-time deals.

Violife’s Plant-Based Marketing and Influencer Playbook

Dairy-free cheese maker Violife debuted a line of lentil-based coffee creamers, Violife Supreme Coffee Creamers. To spread the word, the brand launched Creamy Confessions, a nationwide ad campaign featuring a series of reality TV stars, social media influencers, and online content creators.

Early to Dine, Early to Bed: The Rise of the 3:45 Dinner Trend

The “3:45 Dinner” trend is gaining momentum as parents embrace earlier mealtimes to curb post-school hunger, prevent evening tantrums, and simplify family routines. With growing consumer demand for early dining, restaurants have a prime opportunity on their hands.

Inclusive Imbibing: Latest Innovations in Non-Alcoholic Wine

Non-alcoholic wines, such as alcohol-removed Sauvignon Blanc, are growing in popularity as more consumers aim to moderate or eliminate alcohol consumption. Despite challenges in replicating the complexity of traditional wines, innovations in production methods are driving opportunities in NA wine.

Pulp Friction: Citrus Waste Packaging vs. Plastics

Upcycled citrus waste offers many benefits over traditional petroleum-based plastic for packaging purposes. However, barriers to adoption are high, particularly regarding regulatory and safety challenges.

Butter vs. Oil: Nutrition Experts Weigh in

New research suggests that those who consistently replace animal-based fats with plant-based oils may have a lower rate of total mortality, as well as lower mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease. After accounting for control variables, researchers found that the group with the highest butter intake had a 15% higher total mortality risk than the group with the lowest intake.

Oklahoma Moves to Ban Aspartame, Other Harmful Additives

Oklahoma’s proposed Senate Bill 4 aims to ban several synthetic additives, including aspartame, due to growing health concerns, and would take effect on November 1 if passed. The legislation reflects increasing scientific evidence of the additives’ potential health risks.

6 Food Retail Trends Grocery Stores Can’t Afford to Ignore

The food retail landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting consumer behaviors, economic pressures, and technological advancements. In “The Future of Food Retail” webinar recently hosted by The Food Institute, R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical …

Mixue and Matcha: Asian Beverages Take Over the World

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea has become the world’s largest F&B chain by number of locations, thanks to its affordable pricing and innovative franchising strategy. The chain illustrates the time-tested popularity of teas, which are increasingly prized by young adults.

Coming Clean: Consumers Prioritize Ingredient Transparency

The global clean-label ingredients market is expected to reach $212 billion by 2035, driven by increased consumer awareness of the health risks associated with artificial preservatives. The demand for minimally processed foods is prompting companies to prioritize ingredient transparency.