President Trump’s unprecedented use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China marks a significant shift in trade policy, potentially disrupting supply chains and increasing costs for the food industry. Industry executives must navigate these challenges by adopting strategic tariff mitigation practices.
Major food companies are losing market share to smaller, often regional brands as consumers – especially Gen Zers – seek out more affordable options. This shift, driven by social media and changing consumer preferences, poses a significant challenge to established brands that rely on measures of success like shelf space and distribution.
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.”
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 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.
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.
Trump administration tariffs continue to warn the F&B sector; however, there are options to evade its impacts through careful sourcing strategies. Data and new technologies present opportunities for brands to take control of the situation.
Global street food is hot: contributing over $543.5 million in frozen aisle CPG sales over the past two years.
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.
Super Bowl 59’s commercials leaned on humor and star power, featuring celebrities like Martha Stewart to promote F&B brands.
Aji Amarillo, McCormick’s flavor of the year, is a vibrant pepper known for its fruity, tropical notes and moderate heat. And it’s poised to make waves across food and beverage menus worldwide.
Egg shortages and soaring prices are being driven by the double whammy of severe weather and the bird flu, which has wiped out millions of birds and tightened supplies nationwide. As a result, grocers are implementing measures like purchase limits.
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.
As CPGs can no longer guarantee price increases as a surefire way to maintain positive margins, they’re looking to other solutions. Premiumization and brand acquisitions are two methods stakeholders will leverage in the coming year.
The FDA’s recent ban on Red Dye No. 3, effective January 2027, marks a significant shift for food manufacturers, as the colorant has been linked to cancer in animal studies. The decision has sparked debate over food safety, consumer pressure, and the influence of international standards.
Manufacturers face a shifting landscape under the Trump administration, with potential deregulation in energy, labeling, and banking offering opportunities to lower costs and enhance access to capital, while also introducing risks like increased scrutiny from consumers and advocacy groups.
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.
At the recent Retail’s Big Show event by the NRF, technology took center stage, showing the need for businesses to transform their operations with a digital future in mind. Here’s a look at three themes slated to take over retail in the new year.
A tentative deal granting U.S. dockworkers a pay hike averted a potential supply chain crisis, while opening the door to modernizing ports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inflation is reshaping indulgence habits, with consumers swapping pricey restaurant desserts for store-bought or homemade options, causing a notable decline in dessert sales across dining segments. Meanwhile, alcohol consumption is shifting toward affordable options in a similar fashion.
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.
The 72-year-old organization recently unveiled a rebrand in a new video that retraces its history and reflects the changes seen in the food-away-from-home category since the pandemic.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are transforming dieting culture, offering a relatively easy solution to weight loss. While these drugs may disrupt food consumption patterns, their long-term impact hinges on overcoming high dropout rates and premium pricing, one industry insider says.
Influencer marketing can be highly effective for F&B brands. However, the strategy requires authentic storytelling and carefully crafted content, according to experts.
With dreams of CPG integration, FitBiomics is producing probiotics designed by data mining the gut microbiomes of professional athletes. Is this the next big wellness trend?
Shrinkflation, the practice of reducing product sizes while maintaining prices, has become a common cost-management strategy for manufacturers amid rising costs. Experts predict the tactic is here to stay, for multiple reasons.
The 2024 PLMA Trade Show showcased private label’s ascent, with U.S. store brand sales projected to surpass $250 billion this year. Trends like globally inspired dips and coffeehouse-style beverages at home captured consumer interest.
While industry experts note that yogurt remains popular due to its ties to gut health trends, they emphasize the need for innovation in portable, health-focused products for brands to stay competitive amid shifting consumer preferences.
New research suggests higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may reduce the risk of developing several cancers. While omega fatty acids provide health benefits, experts recommend focusing on whole food sources over supplements.
7-Eleven parent Seven & i Holdings Co. recently outlined plans to update its domestic footprint with improved food experiences. This could be a winning strategy for a business that has faced headwinds of late.
