Is the Greenwashing Wave Crashing?

In the age of transparency, nearly half (45%) of shoppers have heard of greenwashing and one-third (33%) are skeptical of green labels and sustainability claims.

What Consumers Really Think About Artificial Sweeteners

In mid-July, the World Health Organization (WHO) flagged aspartame, an artificial sweetener frequently used in diet sodas, as a possible carcinogen. Consumers responded to the news with a resounding shrug.

How F&B Companies Can Leverage Generative AI

Generative AI burst onto the scene this year as programs like ChatGPT, Bard, and Midjourney demonstrated the vast potential of this emerging technology. Many experts predict that generative AI will soon transform how businesses operate, making right now the perfect time to get ahead of the competition.

Top Trends at the Plant Based World Expo 2023

The Food Institute was on the scene at the 2023 Plant Based World Expo taking in the sights, sounds, and most importantly—tastes—while chatting with exhibitors about their offerings. Here are the top trends we spotted:

What Do Plant-Based Consumers Want Most?

Curiosity is the number one reason consumers try plant-based foods, but what will keep them coming back for more? At the Plant Based World Expo in New York City last week, Steve Markenson, VP of Research & Insights at The Food Industry Association, addressed this essential question.

AI Chatbots Are Coming to a Food Delivery App Near You

The race to integrate AI chatbots into third-party food delivery apps is on, but major players like DoorDash and Uber Eats are holding their cards close to their chest, for now. Neither company has publicly …

What Will 100% Digital Sales at Fast-Food Chains Look Like?

On a recent earnings call, Yum Brands announced its goal to make 100% of its global system sales digital transactions.

What Do Americans Think ‘Natural’ Foods Are?

When a food says “natural” on it, 51% of U.S. adults assume the product is made entirely of whole ingredients and 49% believe there are no preservatives.

Trending Fall Flavors Beyond Pumpkin Spice

As the days get shorter and the sound of each crisp breeze rustling through the trees seems to whisper, “pumpkin spice,” it’s time to shine a light on the other fall flavors that consumers crave. …

Top 5 Highest-Grossing U.S. Fast-Food Chains

Average unit volume (AUV) speaks to a chain’s operational efficiency and overall success, indicating the average annual sales that a brand earns per restaurant—a reflection of how consumers feel about the brand itself. These are the top five highest-grossing fast-food chains in the U.S. by AUV.

Why Inventory Distortion Costs Retailers Trillions

Inventory distortion due to out-of-stocks and overstocks is projected to cost retailers $1.77 trillion worldwide this year.

Americans Avoid Businesses Without a Drive-Thru

No drive-thru? For nearly half of Americans, that’s a deal-breaker. New research shows that 47% of U.S. consumers would simply avoid going to a store that doesn’t have a drive-thru. And twice as many people …

The High-Tech Future of Food Production

The world is getting hotter, impacting every aspect of food production. Animals are overheating. Extreme temperatures are scorching crops. Does the future of food depend on high-tech solutions? How sows and cows stay cool Livestock …

Can Microalgae ‘Ghost Proteins’ Resurrect Alt-Meat?

Food tech startups are developing new techniques to transform microalgae into “ghost protein,” a powerful alternative protein source with an undetectable, completely neutral flavor.

Top 5 Sources of Prebiotics for Gut Health

As we continue to discover how gut health impacts our overall well-being, scientists are exploring the value of consuming prebiotics to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Why Is America Nuts For Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter—it’s the ingredient with top-billing in the iconic PB&J sandwich, an American classic, and a $2 billion industry.

SKU News: Firsts From Maxwell House, Yough!, & Philadelphia

New product launches from Maxwell House, Yough!, and Philadelphia signal important firsts for each of the brands. Designed to be convenient, better-for-you, and plant-based, these new offerings are indicative of the trends defining the food industry right now.

What Does Wellness Mean to Consumers?

Although the terms “health” and “wellness” are often lumped together or used interchangeably, there is an important distinction between the two. Understanding this difference is essential to understanding the modern consumer.

Top 4 Cereal Trends Redefining the Category

The cereal aisle isn’t what it used to be. Instead, brands are innovating, collaborating, and developing healthier options to reimagine what cereal means to the modern consumer, for breakfast and beyond. These are the top …

Pizza Chains’ New Recipes for Success

Domino’s and Pizza Hut are two of the largest pizza chains in the U.S., but each have encountered some turbulence in recent years. In April, Domino’s reported a slowdown in its delivery business, and Pizza …

Is Sustainable Superfood Kelp About To Make Waves?

Kelp is a sustainable superfood with all the qualities that appeal to today’s consumer, but it hasn’t really hit the mainstream—at least, not yet.

Alcohol To-Go Isn’t Going Away

Alcohol to-go has become a permanent fixture around the United States, presenting a massive growth opportunity for businesses.

Will Competitors Copy Walmart and Amazon’s New Fulfillment Strategies?

Walmart and Amazon, the top two retailers in the U.S., are both making big changes to their fulfillment strategies for online orders, aiming to ramp up next-day delivery. WALMART’S HUGE NEW HIGH-TECH CENTER Walmart recently …

Ozempic & Other Drugs: Explaining the Weight-Loss Medication Craze

Several medications approved to treat diabetes are being used as “miracle” weight-loss drugs, and the category continues to grow.

Lifelong Vegetarian Tries Lab-Grown Wagyu Beef

Vegetarian and FI business writer, Christine Zulkosky, sampled Ohayo Valley’s lab-grown wagyu beef at the Vegan Women Summit in Brooklyn, NY.

Top 5 Healthiest Diets

A diet may help you lose weight quickly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthy choice. To help people parse through the wealth of information (and misinformation) available today, the American Heart Association (AHA) …

C-Stores’ Transformative Era Is Upon Us

The C-store landscape has changed drastically over the last several years, but the transformation is far from over.

Gen Z, Veganism, and the Future

Gen Z says their veganism not a phase. In fact, 72% of Gen Z vegans plan to stay that way for at least the next five years, according to a new survey.

Study: 3 Diet Factors Driving Rise in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes continues to be diagnosed at a staggering rate, even though it’s often preventable—so what, exactly, is going on?

What Convenience Means to Each Generation of Shoppers

Convenience is a high priority for most grocery shoppers regardless of demographic, but is especially high for millennials.

What the Health Star Rating (HSR) System Reveals

Nestle SA recently announced that only 30% of its portfolio is considered healthy after conducting a self-assessment using the Health Star Rating (HSR) system. The rating test also showed that a third of Nestle’s sales …

Food and Beverage Becomes Top Target for Cargo Thefts

As cargo thefts surge around the U.S., food and beverage commodities have become the top target, according to the latest CargoNet data. And the trend doesn’t show signs of slowing. CargoNet’s theft report revealed an …

Keto 2.0 Is Less Restrictive Than Keto – Is It Less Effective, Too?

In many ways, keto 2.0 attempts to remedy the pitfalls of the traditional keto diet. This new take on a ketogenic diet is less extreme and more well-rounded, but is it as effective for weight …

The Future of 3D-Printed Food Looks Sweet

Engineers at Columbia University have demonstrated the future of digital cooking by 3D printing a seven-ingredient slice of cheesecake.

Driverless Delivery Trucks Quickly Becoming a Reality

Autonomous trucks with an empty driver’s seat may sound futuristic and far-off, but they’re already on the roads making deliveries in Arkansas and Ontario. Next stop? Kroger, in Dallas.

America’s Top 5 Grocery Loyalty Programs in 2023

As food prices continue to rise in these economically uncertain times, value is at the forefront of many consumers’ minds and grocery loyalty programs are more important than ever. But which grocery loyalty programs do consumers value most?