CPG Giants Pledge to Remove Food Dyes
Over the past few weeks, CPG giants have pledged their support in removing select artificial food dyes in an apparent bid to align their practices with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and …
CPG Archive
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.
EY: CPG Brand Relevance Faces ‘Negative Drift’
Legacy CPGs are losing consumer relevance to agile upstarts – but AI, innovation, and a shift to “disruptive optimism” offer hope. EY’s latest report calls on brands to earn loyalty daily or drift into obscurity.
Smucker Becomes the Poster Child for Packaged Food
Smucker stock has plunged to decade-lows after a bruising earnings miss and nearly $2B in impairment charges tied to its Hostess buy. With profits set to drop again, investors are questioning the company’s strategy.
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 …
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.
Raising Smart Capital in the Food Space: Navigating Today’s Challenges
Investor enthusiasm for food brands is strong, but securing capital has never been more challenging. Amid market volatility and heightened scrutiny, only the most strategic and well-prepared companies will land the funding needed to thrive.
BMO 2025: Plant-Based Folds into Macro Environment
At the recent 2025 BMO Farm to Market Conference, consumer interest in personal wellness created plant-based tailwinds. Kroger, SunOpta, and Remedy Organics were among businesses weighing in on the future of the sector.
Euphoric Beverages: Threading the Needle Between Functional Energy and Non-Alcoholic Products
Euphoric beverages are emerging as a new category that blends functional ingredients like adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals to offer mood-enhancing effects, potentially competing with both caffeinated drinks and alcohol. With a growing Gen Z consumer base seeking alcohol alternatives, the sector is poised for growth.
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.
Olipop Vs. Poppi: The First Social Media Driven Arms Race in The Beverage World
Olipop and Poppi’s social media arms race is a powerful reminder for founders of new brands that an energetic face-off competitor only energizes the entire space, according to FI’s resident CPG industry expert, Dr. James Richardson.
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 …
Forget Inflation and Tariffs. Summer is Party Time!
Despite economic uncertainty, consumers appear determined to celebrate this summer, adapting their spending by embracing private-label brands, and potlucks while seeking affordable luxuries like indulgent snacks. Shoppers seek indulgence with a focus on emotional value.
From H Mart to Mainstream: The Rise of Asian Food Brands
Asian food brands are redefining grocery shelves by blending bold cultural identities and playful textures, fueling a culinary movement. With sales skyrocketing and Gen Z embracing authenticity, these brands showcase powerful lessons in modern branding.
NGA Takes Aim at Proposed SNAP Cuts, Industry Concerned
The National Grocers Association recently led efforts to urge Congress to reject a proposal that will slash SNAP funding by 20%.
General Mills Sounds Short-, Long-Term Alarms
General Mills faces mounting challenges such as market volatility and cautious consumer behavior, as tariff pressures also begin to weigh on its performance. It begs the question: Can legacy brands reclaim their once-unshakable dominance?
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 …
Power Players of the Aisle: CPG’s Fastest-Growing Brands Revealed
The Circana CPG Growth Leaders report revealed how top-performing brands like Constellation Brands and Celsius energy drinks leverage innovation, personalization, and exclusive partnerships to drive consumer loyalty. The research underscores the importance of authentic connections for sustained growth.
Hot is Hot: Spicy Beverage Flavors Taking Center Stage
The spicy flavor trend is setting the F&B world ablaze, with bold innovations such as hot honey sausage for pizzas and chili-infused ice cream captivating adventurous consumers. These days, the innovation even extends into drink aisles.
Policy Heats Up: Hot Foods Act Poised to Modernize SNAP
The bipartisan reintroduction of the Hot Foods Act aims to modernize SNAP policies by allowing participants to purchase hot, prepared meals. This legislative change, strongly backed by industry leaders, could open new avenues for the food sector to meet the evolving needs of over 42 million Americans.
Fewer, Better, Smarter: The Shift in Specialty Food Purchasing Habits
While inflation and global trade challenges have pressured the grocery market, specialty foods remain resilient.
‘Status Quo’ Wont Cut It: Private Label Market Share Threatened
The battle between private label and name brands has taken a new form as analysts portend a stagnating global own brand market. The path ahead relies on innovation and retail portfolio synergy, NIQ noted.
3 Key Themes from the International Pizza Expo
The Las Vegas Convention Center became the epicenter of the pizza world this week, as it hosted the International Pizza Expo. The event highlighted the latest, greatest, and most innovative pizza ingredients.
Athletic Brewing, AB InBev Wage Battle of the Brews
A recent report from NCS Solutions shows that nearly 50% of Americans are trying to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2025, with Gen Z leading the movement. Bill Shufelt, CEO of Athletic Brewing Company, highlighted the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic sector, driven by health-conscious trends, at the recent UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference.
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Future of Global Flavors: Carving Out Your Niche, Finding Community
At Natural Products Expo West, panelists noted the need for brands to showcase premium quality when offering products featuring global flavors. Industry experts also said brands must offer authentic yet accessible global cuisine.
A Fizzy Fiasco – PepsiCo Embroiled in Yet Another Legal Battle
The recent lawsuit in California alleging PepsiCo’s engagement in nefarious pricing practices is the latest in an ongoing movement in food and beverage to leverage the Robinson-Patman Act to strengthen small businesses’ economic autonomy. The act is also a fiercely debated issue in the U.S. government.
Global Street Food Takes Over Frozen Aisle
Global street food is hot: contributing over $543.5 million in frozen aisle CPG sales over the past two years.
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.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing M&A Report: Q4 and year-end 2024
Specialty Food Spotlight: Sampling Year Ahead With Winter Fancy Food Show
The quest to lower one’s biological age, which reflects physiological health rather than years lived, could soon reshape the health and wellness landscape, driven by advancements in aging research. The F&B industry has a unique opportunity to innovate products that support longevity.
The Inside Scoop on the Ice Cream Market’s Growth
The global ice cream market is set to grow by $31.7 billion by 2029, driven by innovations in texture stabilization, functional ingredients, and adventurous flavor profiles. The latest innovations include low-sugar alternatives, in addition to boozy creations.
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.
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.
‘Bed Rotting’ Culture: What the F&B Industry Needs to Know
A common social media trend, so-called “bed rotting” has taken over Gen Z and Millennial culture, granting a permissible indulgence in snacking and scrolling. The food industry is reacting accordingly.
Why Conagra Is Ready to Say ‘Arrivederci’ to Chef Boyardee
Conagra is reportedly exploring the sale of its Chef Boyardee brand, a once-dominant player now struggling amid shifting consumer preferences for healthier options, as many similar legacy brands face limited growth prospects.
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.