Calculating the True Cost of Tariffs

Tariffs are reshaping supply chains, squeezing margins, and testing consumer loyalty. In the weeks ahead, food industry leaders will need to pivot quickly, CEOs note.

Tariff Tactics: How Food Brands Are Battling Rising Costs

Food and beverage businesses have begun to feel the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Some have absorbed the blow. Others were left staggering. When the U.S. raised steel and aluminum tariffs to …

Why 2025 is the ‘Year of the Sauce’

Sauces are no longer just a sidekick – they’re driving one of 2025’s biggest food trends, blending bold flavors with convenience and versatility. Food businesses that embrace this shift can captivate consumers and boost sales, according to both chefs and CEOs.

Top 5 Healthiest Ice Creams

Once dismissed as an oxymoron, healthier ice cream is now a booming category. From high-protein formulas to cutting-edge fat replacers, brands are rethinking indulgence without sacrificing texture.

KIND Seeks to Continue Climb With Brand Revamp

As retail shelves continue to overflow with healthier-for-you snacks, KIND has launched new branding, with a new packaging initiative looming. One KIND executive told FI the brand aims to evolve to meet consumers’ growing demands for sustainability and health-claims such as “high-protein.”

U.S. Brands in Canada: A Trade War is On, But the Market’s Not Closed

Despite escalating trade tensions and a growing Canadian consumer boycott of American products, U.S. brands still have opportunities in Canada, particularly in resilient categories like soft drinks. A poll by Leo & Dragon revealed that Millennials and Gen Z consumers remain open to purchasing American goods.

The Diet of the Future: Seaweed, Kimchi, Ancient Grains

By 2050, the average consumer’s diet will look much different than today, shaped by AI, sustainability, and ethically sourced ingredients. Experts predict that ancient grains, fermented foods, and berries will land on consumers’ plates far more frequently in the future.

Canadian Cuisine is Gaining Acclaim, from Top Chef to Award-Winning Restaurants

Canadian cuisine is gaining international acclaim, with chefs showcasing The Great White North’s diverse food culture – from Indigenous influences to locally sourced seafood. As culinary innovators tap into Canada’s vast, untapped gastronomic potential, the world is finally taking note.

New and Next by Nestlé: Answering Diners’ Call for Adventurous International Flavors

Bold global flavors are captivating the culinary world, with 87% of Gen Z diners craving international tastes like those offered by Minor’s sauces and concentrates. As consumer demand for diverse cuisines surges, such products can help food businesses thrive in the trend-driven market.

3 Key Trends Displayed at SIAL Canada

This week’s SIAL Canada event showcased the latest cutting-edge food and beverage products, highlighting trends like nutrient-rich “superseeds,” freeze-dried ice cream, and flavorful mocktails.

4 Evolving Nutrition Trends Transforming Health

The latest “What’s Trending in Nutrition Survey” reveals that consumers in 2025 are prioritizing gut health, with fermented foods and superfoods like berries and leafy greens gaining popularity.

New and Next by Nestlé: Serving up the ‘Hottest’ Cold Beverages

The beverage industry is witnessing a seismic shift as younger, socially conscious consumers favor cold drinks, like cold brew coffee and functional juices. Nestlé Professional Solutions has capitalized on this momentum with innovative product launches that expand opportunities for foodservice businesses.

5 Foods That Can Help Increase Testosterone Levels

Recent research revealed that natural, everyday foods like pomegranates, avocados, and dark chocolate can significantly enhance testosterone levels. By addressing hormone-supportive diets and lifestyle factors, F&B industry leaders have the potential to aid male wellness.

CPG Brands Eye Success by Connecting Data Sets

Consumer price sensitivities, plus tariff uncertainty, have added up to tumult for CPG brands in 2025. “Whether it’s tariffs or the tightening of consumer wallets, CPG brands are trying to figure out how to get …

The Craziest MLB Concession Stand Items of 2025

Extravagant MLB concession stand foods have become as American as apple pie. On the official opening day of the Major League Baseball campaign, FI breaks down the wildest concession stand items in 2025 – from massive tiramisu orders at Yankee Stadium to dyed corn dogs in Seattle.

3 New Keys to Connecting with Gen Z Consumers

Gen Z consumers demand authenticity from brands, viewing them as extensions of their personal identity. One restaurant consultant notes that, to capture Gen Z’s loyalty, businesses must align with their values and leverage micro-influencers for genuine connections.

Winning Recipe: A Former NFL Star’s Quest for the Perfect Plant-Based Snack

As a retired NFL star with a family full of athletes, Ed McCaffrey understands the ins and outs of sports nutrition firsthand. He’s been on a quest to develop the perfect plant-based, gluten-free snack for athletes for several years and launched McCaffrey Protein Bites this month.

Green Means Go: Maximizing Profits on St. Patrick’s Day

One industry insider considers St. Patrick’s Day the “Black Friday for bars and restaurants.” March 17 offers the opportunity for big profits – assuming operators create high-margin LTOs and leverage cost-effective marketing strategies

Self-Reflection: Retailers Reconsidering Self-Checkout Lanes

Multiple retailers are re-evaluating self-checkout lanes these days. As a result, the kiosks have become heavily debated among industry analysts. “Shoppers with high velocity who want to get their 10 items or less quickly – …

5 Cybersecurity Tips for 2025

The food industry is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, with over 167 ransomware incidents reported in 2023 alone. Experts recommend implementing robust access controls, multi-factor authentication and more to protect sensitive data.

Naturally Confused: Natural, Organic Terms Puzzle 40% of Consumers

Roughly 59% of shoppers think it’s important that grocery items are natural and/or organic, according to a new Acosta Group study. Gen Z is especially interested in such products. However, many consumers are confused by terms like “natural” and “organic.”

5 Key Ingredients for Healthy Meals in 2025

Chickpeas, miso, and tahini are among the versatile, nutrient-rich ingredients to watch, according to longtime culinary expert Chef Dennis Littley. After all, modern consumers demand dishes that are packed with protein, fiber, and probiotics.

The Specialty Shift: Health, Premiumization, Value Will Shape 2025

The demand for better-for-you products is driving shifts across the food industry, prompting demands for premium ingredients and transparent messaging. Consumers are also embracing bold flavors, premiumization, and redefined notions of value, as noted in the 2025 Specialty Food Industry Outlook Report, which FI co-authored.

Clutch Coffee Wins With Commuter Corridors, ‘Escape Lanes’

What will lead to success for coffee chains in 2025? Efficiency, exclusive LTOs … and wrestling prime real estate away from pesky car washes, according to the CEO of Clutch Coffee.

Instacart, Mountain Dew Among Super Bowl 59 Ad Winners

Super Bowl 59’s commercials leaned on humor and star power, featuring celebrities like Martha Stewart to promote F&B brands.

Why Meati CEO Carries Confidence into 2025

Meati CEO Phil Graves feels optimistic about the brand’s future as it continues to expand across the U.S. and shrink its ingredients list. Meati has been increasingly incorporating functional ingredients like mycelium, a root-like structure of fungus, into products such as its Classic Cutlet.

Gut Check: The Hype Behind the Gut Health Craze

With gut health dominating wellness trends – inspiring billions of TikTok views – brands are racing to meet demand for functional foods packed with probiotics and prebiotics. Brands are capitalizing on consumer interest by launching products that support digestion.

Super Profitable: Experts Offer Super Bowl Sunday Gameplan for Bars, Restaurants

As Super Bowl Sunday nears, establishments may have a fierce battle for customers on their hands. Fortunately, consumers sound poised to spend, as 76% plan to spend up to $250 on Super Bowl Sunday preparations.

Raising the Dough: Gluten-Free Texas Toast Represents ‘Huge Breakthrough’

By all accounts, New York Bakery’s R&D team may have produced a game-changing gluten-free product. The key, one company exec says, is the brand’s unique alternative to dough.

Value 2.0: Catering to Shoppers’ Personal Priorities

In 2025, consumers will redefine “value,” prioritizing brands that align with their personal values, according to Acosta Group. Retailers must embrace this shift by enhancing experiences through personalized retail media, leveraging social commerce, and addressing health-conscious demands with transparency.

Chef Notes Plant-Based Trends Restaurants Can’t Afford to Ignore

The plant-based category may have plateaued, but one corporate chef sees opportunities in hybridized, plant-forward dishes that feature vegetables like roasted cauliflower and cleaner options driven by sustainability and rising beef prices.

Exec Notes PepsiCo 2025 Gen Z Playbook

PepsiCo recently told The Food Institute that it’s doubling down on Gen Z’s blurred meal and snack habits by embracing bold flavors and immersive brand experiences. The corporation is paying particularly close attention to trends inspired by TikTok.

Fusion 2.0: ‘Chaos Cooking’ Turns Global Flavors on Their Heads

Chaos cooking, a culinary movement popularized by TikTok, involves combining unexpected ingredients to create bold, experimental dishes like birria ramen. Its playful fusion especially resonates with Gen Z.

5 Keys for Brands When Considering Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing can be highly effective for F&B brands. However, the strategy requires authentic storytelling and carefully crafted content, according to experts.

Phygital Prowess: 2025’s Recipe for Restaurant Success

As restaurants compete in an increasingly “phygital” world, blending digital and physical experiences is key to meeting consumer expectations in 2025. Restaurant-tech company Tillster expects curbside pickup to ramp up, too.

Gen Alpha and Gen Z Food Trends to Watch in 2025

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are driving food trends with a focus on health-conscious, yet adventurous eating, according to research by Chartwells Higher Education. Emerging favorites among today’s youth include cottage cheese, as well as miso.