Food Manufacturing Archive
Attention Economy: Wild Brand Collabs Create Millions of Impressions
Unexpected flavor mashups – from Guinness ice cream to Mountain Dew gummies – are driving viral buzz. These quirky collaborations thrive on social media, creating a spectacle that often drives ROI.
Imagining a BFY Future, Good Food Collective Battles Front-Of-Pack Labels
Nutrition labels are under fire, and the Good Food Collective is offering what it feels is a smarter, QR-powered alternative. The fast-growing coalition aims to rewrite food transparency and challenge outdated FDA standards.
Charting the Future: ALTA Foods Expands Automation to Strengthen Operations
This article is sponsored and written by Formic. ALTA Foods has been at the forefront of automation for a long time. The 18-year-old tortilla manufacturer has embraced automation as a way to boost throughput, reduce labor …
Investors Have Lost Faith in Conagra and the Industry
Conagra’s stock plunge reveals deep investor doubts about the packaged food sector’s ability to navigate inflation, tariffs, and margin pressure. With volume and pricing power eroding, the industry may be facing a new, uncomfortable normal.
America’s Least Appreciated Protein: Why Squid Deserves a Bigger Seat at the Table
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)
For Retail and Delivery, Advertising is Becoming Big Business
Retail media is booming, with CPGs pouring billions into data-driven platforms like Walmart Connect, Instacart, and DoorDash. The result: high-margin ad revenue is reshaping profit models and investor expectations across grocery and delivery.
After Trying Everything Else, Kraft Heinz Eyes Breakup
Kraft Heinz is considering splitting into separate companies to unlock shareholder value following a series of unsuccessful strategies. While the move follows the successful Kellogg split, skeptics argue it may not fix the deeper issues of weak execution and an underperforming brand portfolio.
Ferrero Group to Acquire Kellogg
Ferrero’s $3.1B bid for WK Kellogg Co. signals bold ambition amid cereal’s slump and health backlash. As big brands consolidate, legacy CPGs chase reinvention and reformulation in a shifting consumer wellness landscape.
Feel the Burn: Nuanced, Functional Spice Experiences on the Rise
Today’s consumers are seeking more nuanced, complex spice experiences – and brands are delivering them. For example, Arkay Beverages leverages capsaicin in its non-alcoholic spirits to replicate the kick of standard liquor, adding sensory thrills and functional perks to zero-proof cocktails in the process.
How Venus Wafers Cracked the Smart Manufacturing Code
Venus Wafers is modernizing food manufacturing with automation to boost efficiency, enhance safety, and maintain product quality—all while investing in its workforce and long-standing legacy.
SFFS Trendspotters: The Trends Commanding Attention
At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show (SFFS) in NYC, protein candy, international convenience, and beverage innovations were among key trends. Learn about the cutting-edge brands supporting the future of food.
US Treasury Cuts Costs by Axing the Penny: What it Means for Retailers
The penny’s swan song – likely to occur next year – may save millions, but it won’t shake 99-cent psychology in retail pricing.
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 …
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 …
Amazon Prime Day Expansion May Dilute Sales
Amazon is doubling down on Prime Day, stretching it to four days in a bid to woo deal-hungry Gen Z and millennial shoppers. But with cart abandonment rising, will lessened urgency hurt results? Industry opinions vary.
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.
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Food Dye Update: Natural Dyes Approved, Industry Responds
The FDA recently announced that three additional natural dyes have been approved for use in food and beverage products. While some stakeholders are quick to change their formulations, others are hesitant.
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 …
Scaling Smarter: Land O’Frost’s Automation Blueprint for the Future of Food Manufacturing
Deli meat manufacturer Land O’Frost partnered with Formic to implement Full Service Automation, deploying five gantry-style palletizing systems. The move allowed the manufacturer to overcome labor shortages, streamline product changeovers, and achieve operational savings without capital investment, freeing up valuable resources for revenue-generating projects.
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.
CPG Shake-Up: Tariffs and GLP-1 Drugs Challenge Brands
With ingredient bans, rising tariffs, and the influence of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the CPG industry faces a pivotal moment. Forward-thinking brands that embrace strategic supply chain shifts and data-driven consumer insights are most likely to emerge as winners, experts say.
New and Next by Nestlé: Seize Upon the Comfort Food Trend
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.
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.
Packaging Innovations Help F&B Brands Meet Sustainability Goals
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.
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%.
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.