CRISPR is rewriting the rules of agriculture, offering precision DNA edits to boost crop resilience and flavor. Mars and Pairwise are leading the charge, targeting cacao to weather climate and supply chain storms.
Walmart is going all-in on agentic AI, launching super agents that act autonomously to streamline everything from customer service to supply chain ops. For food businesses, this tech could mean fewer errors and sharper margins.
Squid – a domestic, nutrient-rich, and eco-friendly protein – is largely overlooked in America’s protein lineup. The Hermit brand of calamari jerky challenges food leaders to rethink underutilized ocean fare before reaching for lab-grown innovations. (Sponsored Content)
When asked which foods and drinks Gen Zers wanted to experience in sauce form, 10% of survey respondents referenced a soda – some by its brand name; others by its flavor profile. Here are their top flavor choices.
AI is now the sous-chef behind food innovation, reshaping R&D from lab bench to market shelf. As illustrated by this week’s IFT FIRST event in Chicago, platforms like Tastewise are accelerating product timelines, predicting consumer trends, and leveling the playing field for brands big and small.
Recently, the F&B industry has seen an uptick in hybrid plant-based products, which blend standard meat and dairy with meatless and dairy-free versions. But will consumers embrace them?
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.
At the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, plant-based innovation moved beyond burgers and nuggets. Mushrooms, mycelium, and globally inspired bites took center stage, offering foodservice operators bold, flexitarian-friendly options.
Amazon is reportedly developing humanoid robots to streamline delivery operations, testing them in a “humanoid park” obstacle course. Experts remain skeptical, citing previous automation failures and questioning whether the hype will ever translate into real-world efficiency.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are reshaping consumer appetites, with nearly half of users eating less beef. As this trend accelerates, meat producers face a challenge, while plant-based brands are presented with an opportunity.
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 …
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.
Comfort food remains a powerful force in the food industry, with brands like Stouffer’s leading the way in reinventing beloved classics to align with evolving consumer tastes. As restaurants lean further into “permissible indulgence,” the opportunity to customize and elevate familiar favorites presents a lucrative avenue for operators.
Starbucks is betting big on European-style aperitivo culture, launching an afternoon menu of small plates and drinks to boost sluggish post-morning sales. CEO Brian Niccol aims to rekindle the coffee chain’s social ambiance.
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.
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.
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.
A list of the most innovative food businesses for 2025 highlights companies reshaping the restaurant and foodservice landscape. Mediterranean chain Cava topped the list for its focus on in-person experiences, proving that hospitality and human connection are just as vital as efficiency in the evolving food industry.
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.
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.
Wendy’s has set aspirational financial goals for the next few years and is leveraging innovative practices to achieve them. Capitalizing on various dayparts with compelling value propositions and tapping collaborations are key tools the brand is using to achieve a new era of growth.
At Expo West, a handful of brands stood out for their innovation and compelling missions. From Pi00a’s inclusive pizza environment to Wild Orchard’s sustainable tea, these brands exemplify how unique stories and purposeful missions can leave a lasting impression.
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.
This week, Natural Products Expo West 2025 showcased trends in the natural and organic sectors from nearly 3,200 exhibitors. The show especially highlighted the impact of GLP-1 drugs on snacking habits.
New to the scene, Kiid Coffee is a better-for-you children’s nutrition brand that packs vitamins into a coffee beverage. Its founders will appear on Shark Tank on March 7.
Food delivery shoppers are becoming more price sensitive, indicating that platforms will have to get creative to ensure profits. One key growth lever for companies in 2025 is reinforcing their commitments to grocery, the often-overlooked food delivery service next to restaurants.
The Kerry Group’s 2025 Global Taste Charts highlighted emerging food trends, such as adventurous taste profiles and wellness-driven goals, with global influences like Sichuan spices and Korean barbecue shaping local markets. Key trends include bold barbecue flavors and evolving citrus varieties.
Amid erratic cocoa price fluctuations, some major companies continue to raise prices. Meanwhile, Blue Stripes is innovating by upcycling entire cacao pods to create more sustainable and valuable products.
The Gulfood 2025 event in Dubai emphasized the urgent need for sustainable global food systems. The event also showcased innovative solutions and products aimed at enhancing food security, such as AI-based order processing.
Last year, the Finnish food-tech company Solar Foods debuted Solein, a novel type of protein requiring only renewable energy, airborne materials, and a small amount of minerals to produce. Since it can be made in any weather and without resources like land or water, Solein is highly sustainable – and equally nutritious.
Twin Peaks’ executive chef predicts spicy flavors will continue to dominate menus, as consumers increasingly crave regional dishes from Latin America, like birria tacos. Now, more than ever, diners are embracing authentic cuisine.
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.
Yum Brands’ new AI platform, Byte by Yum, illustrates the potential of proprietary tech for QSR giants, but independent restaurants can also leverage similar, customizable platforms. Experts advise starting small with AI for specific tasks and monitoring its outputs closely to ensure that it enhances efficiency.
Super Bowl 59’s commercials leaned on humor and star power, featuring celebrities like Martha Stewart to promote F&B brands.
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.
The 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show highlighted the rapid evolution of specialty food. From protein-packed innovations and gut-friendly fermented snacks to cacao alternatives, the show underscored how brands are redefining indulgence and health.
